Recognising the educators, innovators, researchers, EdTech entrepreneurs, and policy leaders whose ideas and actions significantly shaped global education between March 2025 and March 2026.
Education is experiencing one of the most profound periods of change in its history. Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming classrooms, student wellbeing has become a major concern worldwide, and institutions are rethinking how learning should be delivered in a world where information is instantly accessible. As schools, universities, and governments navigate these shifts, a select group of education leaders continues to influence how learning evolves.
The individuals featured in this list have not simply commented on educational transformation—they have actively helped drive it. Through research, technology, policy, advocacy, teaching, and public engagement, they have contributed ideas and initiatives that are shaping how students learn, how educators teach, and how education systems prepare learners for the future.
This recognition highlights professionals whose influence extends beyond their own organisations. Their work reaches educators, policymakers, school leaders, parents, students, and communities around the world.
About This List
Each year, a selection is made of education professionals whose work has had a measurable impact on educational thinking and practice. Consideration is given to professional influence, published work, public engagement, leadership activity, speaking contributions, media visibility, and the broader impact of their ideas on education systems and learning communities.
The list includes classroom educators, researchers, technology pioneers, nonprofit leaders, reform advocates, and policy experts whose contributions continue to shape the future of education globally.
Top Education Leaders of 2026
1. Sal Khan
Mountain View, California, USA
As founder and CEO of Khan Academy, Sal Khan has transformed access to education on a global scale. What began as a series of online tutorials evolved into one of the world’s most widely used free learning platforms, serving hundreds of millions of learners.
During 2025 and 2026, Khan became one of the most influential voices on artificial intelligence in education through the continued development of Khanmigo, Khan Academy’s AI-powered learning assistant. His work demonstrated how AI can support personalised learning while remaining accessible to students and educators worldwide.
Through books, public speaking, interviews, and daily leadership of Khan Academy, he continues to shape conversations about educational equity, accessibility, and the future of learning.
2. Hadi Partovi
Seattle, Washington, USA
Hadi Partovi, co-founder and CEO of Code.org, has played a central role in bringing computer science education to students around the world. Through his organisation’s initiatives, millions of learners have been introduced to coding and computational thinking.
As AI and automation increasingly influence society, Partovi has continued advocating for computer science to be treated as a foundational subject alongside mathematics, literacy, and science. His policy efforts have helped expand computer science education in schools across numerous regions.
Combining experience as a technology entrepreneur with a commitment to educational access, Partovi remains one of the leading advocates for digital literacy and future-ready learning.
3. Esther Wojcicki
Palo Alto, California, USA
Educator, journalist, and author Esther Wojcicki is widely recognised for promoting student-centred learning. Her TRICK framework—Trust, Respect, Independence, Collaboration, and Kindness—has influenced educators, parents, and learning organisations internationally.
Known for building one of America’s most successful student journalism programs, Wojcicki has consistently championed learner autonomy and empowerment. Her work focuses on creating environments where students develop confidence, responsibility, and critical thinking skills.
Throughout the review period, her writing, speaking engagements, and educational advocacy continued influencing educators seeking more human-centred approaches to teaching and learning.
4. Andreas Schleicher
Paris, France
Andreas Schleicher serves as Director for Education and Skills at the OECD and is best known for overseeing the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), one of the world’s most influential education benchmarking initiatives.
His research has helped governments compare educational outcomes and identify effective practices across nations. During 2025 and 2026, his work on AI integration, teacher wellbeing, and educational effectiveness continued informing policymakers worldwide.
Schleicher remains one of the most authoritative voices on international education policy and evidence-based school improvement.
5. Reshma Saujani
New York, USA
Reshma Saujani founded Girls Who Code, an organisation that has introduced hundreds of thousands of young women to computer science and technology careers. Her efforts have significantly expanded opportunities for girls in STEM fields.
Beyond technology education, Saujani has become a leading advocate for workplace equity, family support policies, and gender inclusion. Through public campaigns, books, and speaking engagements, she continues to highlight barriers affecting women and girls in education and employment.
Her work combines educational access, social impact, and policy advocacy, making her one of the most influential voices in educational equity.
6. Daphne Koller
San Francisco, California, USA
Daphne Koller helped revolutionise online learning through her role as co-founder of Coursera, one of the world’s largest digital learning platforms. Her contributions helped make university-level education accessible to learners across the globe.
Although now focused on biotechnology and AI-driven innovation, Koller’s influence on education remains substantial. Her insights into online learning, personalised education, and the role of artificial intelligence continue shaping discussions throughout higher education.
Her unique blend of scientific expertise and educational innovation has made her one of the most respected figures in educational technology.
7. Richard Culatta
Washington, D.C., USA
As CEO of the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE), Richard Culatta has become a prominent voice in educational technology leadership. His career includes service within the U.S. Department of Education, where he helped shape national technology strategies.
Culatta’s work focuses on helping schools adopt technology in meaningful and responsible ways. His writing and public speaking emphasise digital citizenship, effective technology integration, and the skills students need to thrive in an increasingly connected world.
His practical approach has made him a trusted resource for educators and school leaders navigating rapid technological change.
8. Michael Horn
Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Michael Horn is widely recognised for applying innovation theory to education. As co-founder of the Clayton Christensen Institute and author of influential books on educational transformation, he has helped explain how technology can reshape learning systems.
Throughout 2025 and 2026, Horn continued providing thoughtful analysis on AI, blended learning, and institutional change. His work offers education leaders practical frameworks for distinguishing genuine innovation from temporary trends.
His influence spans schools, universities, investors, policymakers, and entrepreneurs seeking to understand the future of education.
9. Anant Agarwal
Weston, Massachusetts, USA
Anant Agarwal helped pioneer the massive open online course (MOOC) movement through the creation of edX. As a professor and educational entrepreneur, he has consistently championed open access to high-quality learning.
His advocacy for affordable, flexible, and scalable education has influenced institutions worldwide. During the review period, he remained an important voice on credentialing, online learning, and the future of higher education.
Agarwal’s work continues demonstrating how technology can expand educational opportunity while maintaining academic quality.
10. Tony Wagner
Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
Tony Wagner has spent decades examining the gap between traditional education and the skills needed in modern society. His books and research have influenced educators seeking to prepare students for innovation, creativity, and problem-solving.
Throughout the year, Wagner continued advocating for project-based learning, entrepreneurship, and deeper student engagement. His work highlights the importance of adaptability and critical thinking in a rapidly evolving world.
His ability to combine research with compelling storytelling has made him one of education’s most influential communicators.
11. Will Richardson
New Jersey, USA
Will Richardson remains one of education’s most provocative and thoughtful reform voices. Through Modern Learners, he encourages school leaders to rethink traditional assumptions about learning, curriculum, and school design.
His writing and speaking consistently challenge educators to ask whether current systems genuinely support meaningful learning. Rather than focusing on incremental change, Richardson advocates for fundamental transformation.
His willingness to question established practices has earned him significant respect among educators seeking deeper reform.
12. George Couros
Orlando, Florida, USA
George Couros has become one of the most recognised advocates for innovation in schools. Through books, workshops, and digital content, he helps educators create learning environments that encourage creativity, ownership, and engagement.
His work is particularly valued by classroom teachers and school administrators because it translates educational theory into practical action. Couros consistently promotes leadership, student voice, and positive school culture.
His influence continues reaching educators across numerous countries and educational settings.
13. Vicki Davis
Camilla, Georgia, USA
Vicki Davis has built a reputation as one of the most respected classroom-based voices in educational technology. As host of the widely followed 10-Minute Teacher podcast, she shares practical strategies and insights for educators.
Unlike many education commentators who operate outside classrooms, Davis remains deeply connected to teaching practice. Her experience allows her to evaluate technology through the lens of everyday classroom realities.
This perspective has made her a trusted source of guidance for educators worldwide.
14. Tom Vander Ark
Seattle, Washington, USA
Tom Vander Ark is a leading advocate for educational innovation, learning design, and system improvement. Through Getting Smart and his extensive writing, he connects developments in policy, philanthropy, technology, and school practice.
His broad perspective allows him to identify emerging trends and promising innovations across the education sector. Throughout 2025 and 2026, his commentary continued helping stakeholders understand the interconnected nature of educational change.
Few education leaders possess such extensive visibility across multiple areas of the education ecosystem.
15. Yong Zhao
Kansas City, Missouri, USA
Yong Zhao is known for challenging conventional educational thinking through a uniquely international perspective. Having experienced both Eastern and Western education systems, he offers nuanced insights into their strengths and weaknesses.
His work emphasises creativity, entrepreneurship, and learner individuality. Zhao argues that education should cultivate unique talents rather than prioritise standardisation.
His research and public commentary continue influencing educators interested in innovation and global perspectives on learning.
16. Pasi Sahlberg
Melbourne, Australia
Pasi Sahlberg became internationally known through his analysis of Finland’s highly regarded education system. His work explores how equity, wellbeing, and trust contribute to educational success.
Throughout the review period, Sahlberg continued sharing research and practical insights on school improvement, teacher professionalism, and educational quality. He remains a leading advocate for evidence-based policymaking.
His balanced approach has earned respect among educators across diverse political and educational contexts.
17. Linda Darling-Hammond
Palo Alto, California, USA
Linda Darling-Hammond is one of the world’s most influential education researchers and policy experts. Her work focuses on teacher quality, equitable school systems, and effective educational reform.
As leader of the Learning Policy Institute and a respected academic, she has helped bridge the gap between educational research and public policy. Her findings continue informing decision-makers at local, national, and international levels.
Few scholars have had a greater impact on contemporary education policy discussions.
18. Pedro Noguera
Los Angeles, California, USA
Pedro Noguera is widely respected for his work on educational equity, community engagement, and urban school improvement. His research and public advocacy address the challenges facing underserved students and communities.
Throughout 2025 and 2026, he remained a prominent voice promoting inclusive educational systems and equitable opportunities for all learners.
His combination of academic expertise and practical experience has made him an influential contributor to education reform debates.
19. Ruha Benjamin
Princeton, New Jersey, USA
Ruha Benjamin has emerged as a leading voice examining the relationship between technology, race, and social equity. Her research explores how algorithms and digital systems can unintentionally reinforce existing inequalities.
As AI adoption accelerates across education, Benjamin’s work has become increasingly important. She encourages educators and technology leaders to consider fairness, representation, and inclusion when designing educational systems.
Her scholarship provides a critical perspective often missing from discussions about technological innovation.
20. Sugata Mitra
Rajasthan, India
Sugata Mitra gained international recognition through the groundbreaking “Hole in the Wall” experiments, which demonstrated children’s capacity for self-directed learning when provided with access to technology.
His concept of Self-Organised Learning Environments (SOLEs) continues influencing conversations about personalised education, AI-supported learning, and learner autonomy.
Mitra’s work challenged long-held assumptions about teaching and remains highly relevant in an era of abundant digital information.
21. Malala Yousafzai
Birmingham, United Kingdom
Malala Yousafzai remains the world’s most recognisable advocate for girls’ education. Through the Malala Fund and her international advocacy efforts, she continues working to expand educational access for girls in underserved regions.
Her influence extends beyond awareness campaigns into practical initiatives supporting policy reform and educational opportunities across multiple countries.
Malala’s leadership has helped keep education access at the forefront of global human rights discussions.
22. Nadia Lopez
New York City, New York, USA
Nadia Lopez became nationally recognised for her work leading a school in one of New York City’s most underserved communities. Her story highlighted the transformative power of dedicated educators and strong school leadership.
Since then, Lopez has continued advocating for educational equity, community engagement, and student empowerment. Her work provides a powerful example of leadership rooted in service and impact.
She remains a respected voice on the realities facing students and schools in underserved communities.
23. Jaime Casap
Phoenix, Arizona, USA
Jaime Casap spent years helping schools leverage technology effectively during his tenure at Google. Since then, he has continued sharing insights on innovation, equity, and future-focused learning.
His message encourages educators to move beyond traditional career preparation and focus instead on helping students solve meaningful real-world problems.
Through speaking, writing, and social media engagement, Casap remains an influential voice on education in the age of AI.
24. Holly Clark
San Diego, California, USA
Holly Clark is one of the most respected practitioners in educational technology integration. Through books, professional development programs, and workshops, she helps teachers use technology in ways that enhance learning rather than distract from it.
Her guidance focuses on practical classroom implementation, making her particularly valuable to educators seeking actionable strategies.
Clark’s continued commitment to teacher support has made her a trusted figure in the EdTech community.
25. Rae Hughart
Naperville, Illinois, USA
Rae Hughart combines classroom teaching with national advocacy for innovative learning experiences. Through the Teach Further framework, she promotes project-based learning that connects education with real community challenges.
Her work highlights the importance of empowering teachers while helping students engage with authentic problems and experiences.
Throughout 2025 and 2026, Hughart remained one of the profession’s most energetic and inspiring advocates, demonstrating how classroom educators can influence educational change at scale.
Celebrating Education’s Leading Voices
The individuals recognised in this year’s list represent a wide range of perspectives, disciplines, and educational approaches. Together, they are helping define how learning evolves in an era shaped by technological advancement, changing workforce demands, and increasing expectations for educational equity and accessibility.
Whether through policy reform, classroom innovation, research, technology development, or global advocacy, these leaders continue influencing how education is understood and practised around the world. Their contributions are shaping not only today’s learning environments but also the future of education for generations to come.
