Administration

Daveda J. Colbert, Ph.D., Superintendent

For more than 32 years, Dr. Daveda J. Colbert has dedicated her life’s work to creating pathways for others, developing people, strengthening organizations, and advancing the educational experiences and outcomes of scholars and communities.

As Superintendent of Wayne Regional Educational Service Agency (Wayne RESA), Michigan’s largest Intermediate School District, Dr. Colbert leads an organization supporting 33 local school districts, 95 public school academies, more than 260,000 students, and 43 communities across Wayne County.

Since becoming Superintendent on July 1, 2021, she has guided Wayne RESA with strategic vision, high expectations, and a clear focus on results. Anchored by the agency’s vision, “Leading…Learning for All,” her work has strengthened Wayne RESA’s position as a trusted regional convener and catalyst, uniting education, government, business, philanthropy, higher education, and community partners around opportunities best advanced through collective expertise, shared responsibility, and collaboration.

At the center of that work is an unwavering conviction: every scholar has potential and purpose, and their zip code should never define their possibilities, limit their access, or determine the future they have the chance to pursue.

Dr. Colbert brings a distinctive breadth of knowledge to the superintendency. Her career spans nearly every level of public education, including teacher, coach, mentor, sponsor, athletic director, assistant principal, principal, assistant superintendent, associate superintendent, and superintendent. Before entering education, she worked as an accountant, providing a foundation in finance, business, management, and organizational strategy that continues to shape her executive perspective.

Dr. Colbert’s expertise and influence extend well beyond Wayne County and Southeast Michigan, reaching statewide and national arenas. Appointed by the Governor of Michigan, Dr. Colbert served on the 2022 School Safety and Mental Health Commission, where fellow commissioners elected her Chair and the Commission published its findings in April 2025. She also served on the 2024 Gun Violence Prevention Task Force and currently serves on the 2025 School Safety and Mental Health Commission.

As Chair of the School Finance Research Foundation, Dr. Colbert has helped elevate statewide attention to the condition of Michigan’s school facilities and the investments required to provide safe, healthy, and effective learning environments that allow scholars to thrive. Her statewide involvement also includes membership on the boards of Talent Together and the Student Perception/Student Voice Initiative.

Nationally, Dr. Colbert has represented Michigan on the American Association of School Administrators (AASA) Legislative Governing Board since 2019 and was appointed to the AASA Executive Committee in July 2025. She is also Past President of the Urban Superintendents Association of America.

Throughout her career, Dr. Colbert has been known for recognizing potential and cultivating possibilities where others see barriers, bringing people together to confront complex challenges, turning vision into meaningful action, and investing in others so they are prepared to lead, contribute, and carry important work forward. As a mentor, coach, and sponsor to emerging and established professionals, she believes influence reaches its highest purpose when it is used to open doors, elevate others, and create pathways for them to thrive.

A nationally respected speaker, presenter, and panelist, Dr. Colbert brings her experience to conversations about purpose, resilience, character, integrity, equity, public education, physical and mental well-being, and intentional joy. Her message is grounded not simply in what she believes, but in how she strives to live: make the time you are given matter, make extraordinary ordinary, and show up each day as the best version of yourself.

Dr. Colbert earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Southern University at New Orleans, a Master of Arts in Teaching and an Education Specialist degree in Administration and Supervision from Wayne State University, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Education from Oakland University.

For Dr. Daveda J. Colbert, legacy is not measured by titles held, but by doors opened, scholars whose outcomes improve, people empowered, districts, organizations, and systems strengthened, and meaningful change that endures.