Chris Harper

Chris Harper is a seasoned educational leader and finance expert who began his career transition into Education as a classroom teacher and coach, bringing that foundational understanding of school culture to his current role as CEO/Co-founder of Roosevelt Solutions Inc and Adjunct Professor of Finance at Columbia Teachers College.

A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School, where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Economics while serving as track co-captain and setting school records, Harper later earned his MBA from Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management, combining rigorous business training with his passion for education.

Having spent nearly a decade as a faculty member at the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools, where he co-taught AP Economics and coached cross country and track, Harper understands the daily realities of school life from the ground up.

This educational foundation, enhanced by his elite business education, proved invaluable as he transitioned into school administration, serving as CFO/COO at respected institutions like Landon School and Ethical Culture Fieldston School, where he brought both a teacher's perspective and sophisticated financial expertise to complex decisions. Harper's approach to school finance emphasizes collaboration, transparency, and dignity—developing systems that support both student success and the educators who serve them. His unique journey from classroom to C-suite, grounded in world-class business education, allows him to bridge the often-challenging gap between educational mission and financial sustainability, helping school leaders understand that sound business practices ultimately serve learning.