Carolyn Rutsch is the Director of Development at the Learning Policy Institute. Leveraging her background in research, public policy, and philanthropy, she cultivates long-term partnerships with foundation funders and works across the institute to connect philanthropic investment with evidence-based solutions that strengthen public education. She helps shape funding opportunities that advance LPI's research, policy, and implementation initiatives.

Prior to joining LPI, Rutsch was Director of Foundation Relations at the National Women's Law Center, where she led fundraising strategy for initiatives focused on child care and early learning, family economic security, and other policies that support child and family well-being. She has also consulted with nonprofit organizations on foundation fundraising, including projects related to early childhood teacher preparation. Earlier in her career, Rutsch served as Associate Director at Children's Resources International, where she helped manage an international education reform initiative, and as a Research Consultant at Macro International, where she conducted federally funded research and evaluation on early childhood education, child welfare, and family economic supports.

Rutsch holds an MA in Public Affairs from the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin and a BA in History with a minor in Latin American Studies from Princeton University.