Floretta Dukes McKenzie, Ed.D., a member since 1993, served as Chairwoman of the Board for two years, as Vice Chairwoman for ten years, and holds the title of Chairwoman Emerita. She is a Senior Advisor (retired), American Institutes for Research in Washington, DC and the Founder and Chairwoman of the McKenzie Group, Inc., an educational consulting firm with special emphasis on urban education.

She holds a B.S. degree from DC Teachers College, a M.A. degree from Howard University, and a Ed.D. degree from The George Washington University. She has served as: Superintendent and Chief State School Officer for Washington, DC Public Schools; Deputy Commissioner in the U.S. Office of Education; Deputy Superintendent of Montgomery County Public Schools, Maryland; and Assistant Deputy Superintendent for the Maryland State Department of Education. Her board memberships include: Marriott Foundation for People with Disabilities; CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield; National Geographic Society Foundation; and the White House Historical Association.