Overview
Good Reason Houston is a nonprofit organization dedicated to transforming education in Houston by improving public schools through data transparency, coalition building, parental empowerment, and student advocacy. Founded in 2017, its mission is to ensure that every child in every neighborhood excels in world-class public schools and thrives in the Houston of tomorrow. The headquarters is located at 8 Greenway Plaza, Suite 900, Houston, TX 77046.
Key Personnel
Board of Directors
- Scott McClelland: Founding Board Chair, Retired President of H-E-B Food/Drug Stores. Co-founded Good Reason Houston in 2017 with financial support from the Kinder Foundation and Houston Endowment.
- Adeeb Barqawi: President & CEO of ProUnitas.
Executive Team
- Cary Wright: Chief Executive Officer. Oversees the vision and long-term strategy.
- Ashley Cash: Chief Operating Officer. Manages day-to-day operations and strategic initiatives.
- Faria Dhamani: Chief Financial Officer. Oversees financial planning, analysis, and reporting.
Key Departments
- District Partnerships: Builds connections and drives educational change through collaboration with district and school leaders.
- Communications: Manages public relations, media engagements, and organizational goodwill.
- Research and Data: Provides data-driven insights and performance analytics to support educational decision-making and policy advocacy.
Recent Activities and Initiatives
1. Annual ConnectED Luncheon: Honors contributions to the organization’s mission; Scott McClelland recognized as Champion for Change in 2024.
2. UpSkill Houston Summit: Attendance underscores the commitment to workforce development and public education quality.
3. Schools That Inspire: Recognizes outstanding pre-K and social-emotional learning programs in Houston-area schools.
Strategic Vision
Good Reason Houston aims to propel citywide educational improvement through:
- Championing a Bold Vision: Advocating for high-quality public education.
- Transforming Data Sharing: Providing transparent access to school performance data to inform stakeholders.
- Empowering Local Stakeholders: Building coalitions and empowering parents to advocate for their children.
- Raising Funding: Launched a campaign in 2022 to raise $45 million for transformative educational initiatives.
Community Engagement and Impact
Good Reason Houston engages the community via surveys, partnerships, and events. For example, a March 2023 survey by Wakefield Research gathered insights from 1,500 parents about their children's education.
The organization collaborates closely with local businesses, community leaders, and educational institutions for maximal impact. Key board members include Bob Harvey (President & CEO, Greater Houston Partnership) and Jeff Shaddix (Managing Director and Partner, BCG).
Digital Presence
- Website: [goodreasonhouston.org](https://goodreasonhouston.org)
- LinkedIn: [LinkedIn Profile](https://linkedin.com/company/good-reason-houston)
- Social Media: Active presence on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter.
Contact Information
- Phone: 713.993.6226
- Address: 8 Greenway Plaza, Suite 900, Houston, TX 77046
Competitor Profiling
Overview
Good Reason Houston focuses on accelerating district transformation and increasing student success through strategic partnerships with local schools.
Key Financials and Performance
- Annual Revenue: $5.8M
- Employee Count: 40
- Revenue Per Employee: $144,000
- Employee Growth: 43% over the past year
Competitors & Benchmarking
Top Competitors
1. Winfree Academy Charter Schools
- Revenue: $22.5M
- Employees: 125
- Employee Growth: 7%
2. YellowFolder
- Revenue: $11.3M
- Employees: 70
3. INC Education
- Revenue: $2.1M
- Employees: 19
- Employee Growth: 6%
4. Legacy Preparatory Charter Academy
- Revenue: $37.6M
- Employees: 190
- Employee Growth: -3%
5. Alice Independent School District
- Revenue: $3.5M
- Employees: 28
Insights on Competitors
- Winfree Academy Charter Schools: Focuses on individualized, mastery-based curriculum, positioning as an alternative for personalized education.
- YellowFolder: Specializes in cloud-based records management for K-12 schools, essential for digital administrative process optimization.
- INC Education: Emphasizes personalized STEM and academic tutoring, positioning as an enrichment service provider.
- Legacy Preparatory Charter Academy: Offers a blend of college, career, and military readiness.
- Alice Independent School District: Demonstrates effective resource utilization relative to its size.
Strategic Positioning
Good Reason Houston's distinctive approach of partnering with local school districts for equitable access and district-wide transformation sets it apart from competitors focusing on specific educational areas or operational efficiencies. Their broad, community-engaged strategy aims for systemic improvements not easily replicated at the same scale by individual schools or services.
