As senior vice president and chief data ecosystem officer, Jon Furr leads Strada’s initiatives focused on ensuring all stakeholders have access to the data and insights they need to make informed choices about postsecondary education and training programs.
Furr’s career has focused on policy and system development for career pathways and integrated education and workforce data systems. Before joining Strada, Furr founded and led Education Systems Center, or EdSystems, at Northern Illinois University. As its executive director, he developed the governance and supported key initiatives of the Illinois Longitudinal Data System, developed a statewide cradle-to-career dashboard, and spearheaded multiple regional data collaboratives. In addition, Furr consulted with nonprofit organizations to establish innovative data solutions, including a national data collaborative for community college noncredit programs.
Before founding EdSystems, Furr worked as a partner in the education and public policy practices of the law firm Holland & Knight, LLP, and served as the general counsel for the Illinois State Board of Education and Illinois Department of Natural Resources. He is involved with several nonprofit organizations, including as a board member for the Work-Based Learning Alliance and as board chairman for Liberia Career Pathways. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Washington University in St. Louis and a juris doctorate and master’s degree in urban and regional planning from the University of Michigan.