Erika Donalds is a nationally recognized education entrepreneur and policy expert, dedicated to transforming the landscape of American education. She is the Founder and Chairman of the Education Freedom Foundation and serves as Chair of Education Opportunity at the America First Policy Institute, where she advocates for policies that expand access to high-quality educational options for every family in America. Her mission is clear: to ensure that every family in the nation has multiple excellent academic choices and the agency to access those options.

A trailblazer in the education innovation space, Erika is the Founder and Chairman of OptimaEd, the world’s first virtual reality (VR) school and curriculum platform, redefining immersive learning for students across the country. Through OptimaEd, she has pioneered a new model of classical education that transcends geography—today, the network operates in more than a dozen states and continues to grow rapidly. Erika has also founded six classical charter schools, championing the return of knowledge-rich, rigorous, and virtue-based education to American classrooms.

With her strong financial background and entrepreneurial acumen, Erika has raised and deployed more than $100 million in school startup investments, fueling the expansion of innovative education models nationwide. Her extensive experience as a business executive and former Chief Financial Officer and Managing Partner at a multi-billion-dollar investment management firm uniquely positions her to drive sustainable growth and accountability in the education sector.

A former elected member of the Collier County School Board, Erika has served in multiple influential education policy roles, including as a member of Florida’s 2017–2018 Constitution Revision Commission, Governor Ron DeSantis’ Advisory Committee on Education and Workforce Development, and the Florida Gulf Coast University Board of Trustees. She has also served as a Visiting Fellow at the Heritage Foundation Center for Education Policy, Guest Faculty for the Leadership Institute’s School Board Programs, and as an advisor to the Heritage Foundation’s Education Reform Council, Classic Learning Test, Moms for Liberty, and the Independent Women’s Forum Education Freedom Center.

Erika holds a B.S. in Accounting from Florida State University and a Master of Accountancy from Florida Atlantic University, where she is recognized as a Distinguished Alumni Honoree. She is a former Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA).

A respected thought leader and frequent keynote speaker, Erika is celebrated for her visionary leadership and impact in both business and education reform. She has received numerous awards and recognitions for her success in these arenas, underscoring her reputation as one of America’s foremost champions for education freedom. Erika and her husband, Byron Donalds, have lived in Naples, Florida, since 2002 and are proud parents of three sons — Damon, Darin, and Mason.