Dave Hersh

CEO

Dave Hersh is the CEO of Character Lab, leading the organization in its mission to advance scientific insights that help kids thrive.

Dave is inspired by improvement and believes that the best way to empower people and organizations is to build their capacity to get better at whatever they have reason to value.

Before joining Character Lab, Dave spent nearly five years leading a project designed to build education agencies’ capacity to improve systematically. He has also been the CFO of a school district, an attorney, and a math teacher.
Dave holds a Ph.D. in Public Policy from Rutgers University, a J.D. from Temple University and a BA in Mathematics from Northwestern University.

In Dave’s free time, he enjoys any opportunity to challenge himself and has completed several Ironman-distance triathlons, marathons, and open water swims.

Dave’s pronouns are he/him/his.