CEO | The Urban Assembly
David Adams is reimagining how schools prepare young people for life, not just exams. As CEO of The Urban Assembly, he’s built a network where social-emotional learning sits at the core of teaching, leadership, and culture—not as an add-on, but as the engine for success.
Since joining UA in 2014, David created the Resilient Scholars Program, a groundbreaking model that helps schools embed emotional intelligence into everyday practice. The program now reaches classrooms from New York to Los Angeles and beyond.
Named one of Crain’s 40 Under 40 and recognized by the American Consortium for Education for his national impact, David also serves on the board of CASEL and co-authored The Educator’s Practical Guide to Emotional Intelligence. He brings both head and heart to his work—balancing strategy, empathy, and service as a Civil Affairs Officer in the U.S. Army Reserve.
He’s not just changing what happens inside classrooms. He’s redefining what great leadership in education looks like.
