User Profile

Executive Director, California Charter Schools Association Advocates

Gary Borden is the executive director of California Charter Schools Association Advocates (CCSA Advocates), which serves as the political advocacy organization for California's population of over 1,200 California charter schools and the 603,000 public school students they serve. Gary is also senior vice president for civic affairs at the California Charter Schools Association, the sister organization to CCSA Advocates. Prior to his current work, Gary served as deputy executive director for the California State Board of Education where he was responsible for the successful implementation of the board's policy agenda. Gary began his work in public education in 2004, working for the Charter Schools Development Center where he provided legal and policy supports to California's charter schools sector. A lawyer by profession, Gary previously worked as an attorney for Cooley Godward LLP where his practice focused on venture capital transactions and mergers and acquisitions. Gary holds a bachelor's degree from Pennsylvania State University, majoring in economics and international business, and JD from Georgetown University. Gary lives in Oakland, California with his partner Audrey. He is a rock climber and general outdoor enthusiast. He is a Fellow of the 17th class of the Pahara - Aspen Education Fellowship and a member of the Aspen Global Leadership Network.