Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) Superintendent Dr. Brian Yearwood announced today the appointment of Dr. Katy DeFerrari as the new Chief of Strategy and Innovation, effective July 1.
As Chief of Strategy and Innovation, DeFerrari will lead the District’s Strategic Planning and Continuous Improvement efforts. She will also oversee the alignment of Career and Technical Education and postsecondary readiness programs to ensure that all students have strong opportunities to succeed after graduation.
“I am honored to serve as the new Chief of Strategy & Innovation and continue the important work of creating equitable, future-focused opportunities for every student,” Dr. DeFerrari said. “Throughout my career, I have believed that meaningful innovation happens when we listen to our community, use data to guide decisions, and remain relentlessly focused on student success. I look forward to collaborating with our schools, staff, families, and partners to build our new strategic plan and continue to create innovative pathways that prepare every student to thrive.”
Dr. DeFerrari takes on this role with more than two decades of experience with JCPS. She started her career with the District as a teacher at Ballard High School. She was principal at Waggener High School for five years before being promoted to assistant superintendent of Culture and Climate in 2016, where she collaborated with district leadership to address school safety and violence prevention. She also facilitated the implementation of Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) to increase engagement, reduce disproportionate outcomes for students of color, build teacher efficacy at the Tier I level, and contribute to the Teacher Backpack design.
Since 2023, Dr. DeFerrari has served as the District’s Chief of Staff. In this executive role, she successfully advised on budget reductions that identified more than $115 million in savings for the 2025-2026 fiscal year while simultaneously securing an $11.4 million investment to ensure every school has a dedicated nurse. Her tenure has been marked by significant operational achievements, including mobilizing the district's first police department, which contributed to a 30% reduction in student arrests, and implementing weapon detection systems across 53 schools.