MEET EDDA
Hi! I’m Edda Collins Coleman, running to ensure OUSD remains an outstanding school district for our children and families.
As a proud Orinda resident and mother of three daughters (8th, 4th, and pre-school grades), I feel deeply connected to our schools. I’ve enjoyed being a field trip driver at Del Rey Elementary, a school library volunteer at Wagner Ranch Elementary, and an OIS Parents’ Club Board member for two years. I’ve also served on the interview panel for principal at one of our elementary schools, and am currently on the District’s Parent Equity Committee, where I worked to retool OUSD’s mission and strategic direction.
Through this work I have been fortunate to collaborate with many outstanding local leaders who have since endorsed me for OUSD Board.
When elected, I will also draw on my professional and academic background to meaningfully contribute to our school community. My 20-plus years in policy and communications will help me build consensus and partnerships, and bring significant value in strategy implementation, stakeholder engagement, crisis management, and communications skills to our school board.
For over two decades I have served as a policy and communications strategist for Fortune 1000 companies, nonprofits, and political organizations—many focused on children’s health and wellbeing. As a Managing Director at Cogent Strategies, I advise corporations and nonprofits during pivotal moments, guiding them as they communicate
with the U.S. Congress and Executive Branch of government, and as they navigate the regulatory landscape. For the American Academy of Pediatrics, I advocated on behalf of
Academy policies and initiatives before the U.S. Congress and federal agencies on Health IT, CHIP, Medicaid, Childhood Obesity, and Pay-for-Performance programs. I was also honored to serve ten years on the board of The Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth, leading the state’s efforts to reduce youth tobacco use and decrease rates of childhood obesity.
I’ve been a student, teacher, and community leader—which gives me a unique ability to appreciate the contributions of the many individuals and groups in our school community. I hold a Bachelor’s in Political Science from Hampton University and a
Master’s in Communications from Georgetown University. I’ve served as a professor in the School of Public Communication at American University. My love of politics led to the creation of the All In Together Campaign (AIT), a non-partisan women’s
organization committed to closing the gaps in politics to advance the progress of women’s civic leadership.
On the personal side, I enjoy playing classical piano for my family (a hobby I’ve maintained since the age of six!), reading, and fly fishing. My family and I enjoy swimming, the beach, traveling, and hiking in our beautiful Orinda hills. I have a vested interest in the success of Orinda’s children—and in our community as a whole. Great schools benefit all who live here.
I’d love to hear from you! Please connect with me via social media or hello@electedda.com.
It is better work when we work together!
