LaKisha Lawson

Chief Transformation Officer

LaKisha F. Lawson serves as Chief Transformation Officer for Pinellas County Schools. A highly respected educational leader with more than 25 years of experience in public education, she has dedicated her career to improving outcomes for students and supporting schools through meaningful transformation. 

Mrs. Lawson began her career with Pinellas County Schools in 1998 as a classroom teacher at Anona Elementary School. In 2006, she transitioned into school leadership as assistant principal at Ridgecrest Elementary School before being named principal of Tarpon Springs Elementary School and later Maximo Elementary School. Under her leadership, Maximo Elementary School achieved significant academic progress following years under state oversight. 

Throughout her career, she has led schools through periods of growth and improvement, including a decade of service at two Transformation Zone schools. 

Prior to her current role, Mrs. Lawson served as principal of Fairmount Park Elementary School, where she helped pilot the Pinellas Early Literacy Initiative (PELI) in partnership with the University of Florida Lastinger Center. 

In her role as Chief Transformation Officer, Mrs. Lawson leads efforts to support schools through strategic improvement initiatives and continues to champion systems and practices that create opportunities for all students to succeed. 

A native of Pinellas County, Mrs. Lawson is a graduate of Largo High School. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Florida State University and a Master of Education degree in Educational Leadership from the University of South Florida. 

Mrs. Lawson has participated in several Florida Department of Education Leadership Academies, as well as the Harvard Graduate School of Education National Institute for Urban School Leaders and the Turnaround Leaders Program. She remains committed to building cultures of excellence and ensuring every student has the opportunity to succeed.