Ann Thompson has spent most of her professional life as an educator and non-profit leader. She
was president and CEO of Project GRAD Houston for 16 years, and served in leadership
positions with the organization since 1997. Before retiring, she completed the successful merger
of Project GRAD with a larger community-based organization, resulting in strengthened capacity
for expanded reach. She has provided leadership consulting to school district and non-profit
organizations across the U.S., supporting their collaborative efforts at the community level.

Dr. Thompson is an adjunct professor for the University of Houston Clear Lake, and has held
adjunct positions at the University of Houston, University of Houston-Downtown, and
University of St. Thomas. She holds a doctoral degree from the University of Houston, master’s
and bachelor’s degrees from the University of St. Thomas. Her research has focused on the
impact of community-based efforts to improve educational attainment for youth from
communities of low-income.

She is a fourth generation Houstonian and avid gardener.