Dr. Lisa Sayles-Adams

Dr. Lisa Sayles-Adams has a distinguished career in educational leadership spanning more than two decades. Beginning in Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) from 1996 to 2004, she held various roles including teacher and coordinator, ultimately becoming the principal at the City Alternative High School. After leaving MPS, Sayles-Adams served as a principal in elementary and secondary schools from 2003 to 2014 in both Clayton County Schools in Georgia and St. Paul Public Schools (SPPS) before being appointed as an assistant superintendent in SPPS, a role she also later held in ISD 622 (North St. Paul-Maplewood-Oakdale).

From 2020 to 2024, Dr. Sayles-Adams served as Superintendent of Eastern Carver County Schools, leading a district of 9,600 students. She was selected in December 2023 to serve as MPS Superintendent, beginning in February 2024.

Dr. Sayles-Adams' academic background further solidifies her commitment to excellence. In 2022, she earned her doctorate in Educational Leadership from Minnesota State University, Mankato. She also holds Pre-school through 12th-grade Administrative Licensure from St. Mary's University (2003), a Master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis (2002), and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of Minnesota (1992).