Bob Lenz, CEO, PBLWorks
Bob Lenz is the CEO of PBLWorks (formerly Buck Institute for Education), the leader in preparing teachers, schools, and districts to implement high-quality Project Based Learning in K-12 education.
He is recognized as an expert in Project Based Learning and school redesign and co-authored Transforming Schools: Using Project Based Learning, Performance Assessment and Common Core Standards. Bob is committed to advancing racial equity in education and has led efforts to expand deeper learning for all students. He is called upon throughout the U.S. and internationally to speak about the power of Project Based Learning to transform learning and lives.
Bob’s early career as a middle and high school teacher inspired him to co-found Envision Education and its innovative project based schools in the San Francisco Bay Area. Envision empowers students to become the first in their family to attend and graduate from college. Bob served as Envision’s CEO and Chief of Innovation from 2001 to 2015.
The importance of Bob’s work and the organizations he leads has been recognized and furthered through projects funded by the Hewlett Foundation, Stuart Foundation, Gates Foundation, Kellogg Foundation, Irvine Foundation, Carnegie Corporation Foundation, Project Management Institute Education Foundation, ECMC Foundation, and Castle Foundation.
Bob grew up on the island of Catalina, off the coast of Southern California, and now lives near San Francisco. Now that their children are grown, he and his wife have more time for raising their breeder guide dog, following rugby matches across the world, cycling, and stand up paddle boarding.