Dr. Kyla Johnson-Trammell
Board Chair
Dr. Kyla Johnson-Trammell is a nationally recognized education leader with over 30 years of experience and a proven record of advancing equity, instructional excellence, and systemic reform. As the longest-serving Superintendent of Oakland Unified School District in the last three decades (2017–2025), she unified diverse stakeholders around a bold, equity-centered vision and mobilized business and community partnerships to secure over $300M in aligned investments. Under her leadership, the district eliminated a 22-year state loan, restored fiscal stability, and reinvested in instructional quality, competitive salaries, and student supports.
She led a nationally recognized COVID-19 response and co-established Oakland Undivided with the City of Oakland, closing the digital divide for thousands of students and families. Her leadership in expanding early literacy tutoring, career pathways, and Dual Enrollment contributed to historic gains in graduation rates, A-G completion, and postsecondary readiness. She also scaled a nationally recognized Community Schools model that improved student outcomes and well-being.
Under Dr. Johnson-Trammell, OUSD has launched several successful district initiatives: community-based literacy tutoring for TK-2 students, expansion of career pathways and Dual Enrollment courses, creation of district-wide trainings, and Grow Your Own programs to retain aspiring educators of color.
Collectively, these initiatives have increased student access and achievement in early literacy, college-ready high school graduation rates, and retention rates for African-African and Latinx educators.
In addition to her role as Superintendent Emeritus, Dr. Johnson-Trammell serves as faculty at The Forum for Educational Leadership. She is the Board Chair of Women Leading Ed, Board President of the CORE Districts in California, and Co-Chair of the Oakland Thrives Leadership Council. Her honors include the Alameda County Women’s Hall of Fame Education Leader (2024), NAACP Oakland Branch Honoree (2024), San Francisco Business Times Most Influential Women (2023), and the OUSD Legacy Leadership Award (2025).