Dr. Reo Pruiett was named CFT’s Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer (CDEIO) in spring 2022 and is the first person to serve in this new role at CFT. Reo serves on the executive leadership team, overseeing our focus area of advancing equity both internally and externally, in partnership with the executive leadership team, internal Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee, with the support of our board of trustees and staff. Reo is an inclusive team builder who has been integral in the creation of CFT’s DEI framework.

Originally from Tennessee, Reo holds a Bachelor of Science from Lane College and a doctorate in curriculum, instruction, and leadership from Union University.

Reo has been with CFT and Educate Texas since 2008, where she previously served as a senior director, director and program officer leading our College Career Ready School Models (CCSRM) statewide and Southern Sector district-wide portfolio in south Dallas County while also serving as the Chair of CFT’s DEI committee in 2022.

Reo is committed to the success of all students across Texas and has committed countless hours to develop technical assistance to more than 300 campuses with innovative education models, including Early College High Schools (ECHS), PTECH/ICIA, and Texas-STEM. Reo has seen firsthand that this work is the difference-maker for first-generation, underrepresented, and low-income students, leading to greater outcomes for students to compete in a global society.

Prior to joining CFT, Reo worked in all levels of education from K-16. She has been a teacher, mentor educator, science specialist, vice principal, principal and district director. She has supported strategic planning for school districts, community colleges, and four-year institutions. During her career, she has mentored more than 40 assistant principals, 25 principals, 30 district leaders and a host of other educators in different career roles.

When Reo’s not at work, she relishes spending time with her husband and their blended family of five adult children and seven grandchildren.

Joined CFT

2008

Favorite Aspect of CFT

"I work here because I want to be a difference-maker in education to support college and career readiness for all students, but especially first-generation, underrepresented, low-income students. I work with some amazing people, and our talent pipeline has a lot of potential to be champions for changing educational systems and practices."

Favorite Quote

"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." "My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style." "If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude."

— Maya Angelou