Scott Benson

Executive Director, Strategic Initiatives & Global Higher Education

2025

My role involves providing both strategic and operational support on a range of initiatives within the Provost's office. This includes Duke's global education programs and initiatives, including the Global Alliance for Innovation and Access in Higher Education (GAIA) and Duke Kunshan University (DKU), as well as the Provost's initiative on Free Inquiry, Pluralism, and Belonging and Teaching Excellence and Innovation.

Adjunct Instructor

2021

I designed and teach a graduate course titled "The Business of Education." In addition, I support and mentor graduate students enrolled in the UNC School of Education's MEITE program

Lead, Strategy

2024 - 2025

I lead a portfolio of nonprofit and for-profit education ventures at Cambiar Education, a venture design studio with a mission "to spark positive change by scaling bold ideas that massively accelerate student success for ALL."

Founder

2022 - 2024

I founded Trail B to support visionary leaders with bold ambitions to increase their impact. Over 2+ years, I supported 15 clients with a wide range of strategic and operational needs. I worked closely with the leadership teams and boards of these organizations to assess their current contexts, clarify their visions, develop sound strategies, and plan for implementation.

Strategic Advisor

2021 - 2021

Managed special projects / strategy / research for a national non-profit philanthropy that supports innovative educators in PreK-12 education, with a special focus on children in underserved communities

Managing Partner

2015 - 2021

Designed and led two grant portfolios - Innovative Public Schools and and Model Providers - that supported innovative educators with bold ideas to reimagine PreK-12 education

Senior Program Officer, Next Generation Learning

2013 - 2015

Developed and managed a diverse portfolio of investments in K-12 education focused on personalized learning.

Program Officer, Next Generation Learning

2010 - 2013

Director of Strategic Academic Initiatives (Broad Resident)

2008 - 2010

Responsibilities included performance management, internal communication, and multiple district-wide strategic initiatives for the Office of the Chief Academic Officer. In addition, I was a member of the 6th cohort of the Broad Residency in Urban Education, two-year leadership development program that places participants into full-time managerial positions in school districts and charter management organizations.

MBA Intern, Digital Marketing and Strategy

2007 - 2007

Marketing Manager Intern, Xbox Games

2007 - 2007

Operations Business Analyst

2004 - 2006

National manager for the $20M window covering product category for a subsidiary B2B business (that later became HD Supply). Responsible for all facets of this business, including operations, marketing, and strategy.

Business Leadership Program

2002 - 2004

Rotational leadership program. Six-month rotations included positions in Corporate Strategy, Merchandising, Human Resources, and Store Management.