Gentle Blythe

Gentle Blythe serves as the Director of Communications and Development at California Education Partners where she leads communications and sustainability strategies. 

Gentle has held leadership roles in schools, districts and nonprofit organizations for over 30 years. As an education and communications professional, most recently her work has focused on organizational development, strategic communications, external relations, internal communications, media relations, crisis communications, partnerships and fundraising. 

While at the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) she oversaw comprehensive communications strategies for multiple organizational change initiatives including a new student assignment system, major curricular changes and expanded high school graduation requirements. In addition, she shepherded crisis communications related to school mergers and closures, labor disputes, and safety emergencies, including the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to her district work, Blythe has held various leadership roles in nonprofits dedicated to serving low-income communities through public school improvement initiatives and increased access to wellness services. Over the course of her career, she has raised over $35 million in revenue. 

Ms. Blythe holds a BA from Brown University and completed a multiple subject credential program at San Francisco State University. She has received multiple honors, including a Citizen’s Community Foundation Award, the Howard R. Swearer Community Excellence Award, and the Association of California School Administrators Administrator of the Year Award. She continues to believe that the pursuit of outstanding, equitable and engaging public schools is a great way to spend her days.