Dr. Evisha Ford, LCSW is a mother, wife, TEDx Speaker and the Founding Executive Director of iCan Dream Center, a therapeutic school in Illinois that serves neurodiverse learners and their families. Dr. Evisha is the author of the book Benches in the Bathroom: Leading a Physically, Emotionally, and Socially Safe School Culture.
She began her career serving inner-city homeless youth in Chicago. Dr. Evisha was recruited by Chicago Public Schools, launching her path in education. She is a former Assistant Superintendent, Director of Special Education, and Assistant Professor of Educational Leadership. With a Master of Social Work from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and a doctoral degree in Educational Leadership from Aurora University, Dr. Evisha’s research focuses on students with disabilities, youth resiliency, and systemic injustice.
Dr. Evisha is a sought after thought leader and consultant in schools nationally and internationally. She specializes in trauma-compassionate leadership, program design, cultural and racial equity, developing continuums of service for diverse learners, and a variety of other topics relevant to effective school and nonprofit leadership.