Gini Pupo-Walker, State Director for Tennessee, Education Trust

Gini Pupo-Walker

State Director for Tennessee

Gini brings more than 20 years of work in education as a teacher, administrator, and nonprofit leader. She serves as the State Director for Tennessee, where she works alongside advocacy organizations and stakeholders to increase educational opportunity and achievement among historically underserved students.

Prior to joining the Education Trust, Gini worked at Conexión Américas, where she led education programs and advocacy efforts to improve outcomes for Latino students across Tennessee. Before that, Gini worked in education as a teacher at the high school and college level, and also served as the executive director of family and community partnerships in Metro Nashville Public Schools. Gini was elected to the School Board in Nashville in 2018.

A native of Nashville, Gini holds a master’s degree from Tennessee State University in education administration, a master’s degrees from Indiana University in American history and a bachelor’s degree from Indiana University in history and Spanish. She also received her teaching license from Belmont University.

Superpower:I never forget a voice and can identify someone’s voice after hearing them one time.

Weakness: Buying receptacles – baskets, bags, or boxes of all kinds.

Proudest Moment: The day I was sworn in as a school board member for Nashville Public Schools.

What’s your favorite thing to do outside of work? I love to work in my garden, cook, dance salsa with my husband Eddie, and head to the beach or mountains with my family whenever possible.

Why are you passionate about working at Ed Trust? My father arrived in the United States from Cuba with little more than his education. My parents instilled in their daughters the value of education and its ability to open doors and provide economic independence. I have seen firsthand how a great education can lift families and communities, but I have also seen the effect of disparities in resources and opportunities on too many students. In Spanish, we say, Dime con quien andas y te digo quien eres or “Tell me who you walk with and I’ll tell you who you are.” I’m proud to walk with The Education Trust in the fight for education and social justice, and I’m honored to work alongside a team of courageous and smart advocates as we push for solutions to some of the most complex issues of our time.