Ben Lewis

Ben Lewis is the Vice President of Learning and Innovation at Purpose Built Communities. Within this role, he leads the Purpose Built Communities Solutions Lab, coordinates organizational learning, and drives field building efforts.

Prior to joining Purpose Built, Ben studied leadership and comprehensive community development at Harvard University. Before that, he led a high school at Strive Preparatory Schools in Denver, CO, elevating the school by two tiers on the Colorado state assessment. He also served as an assistant principal at KIPP and Northeast High School in Philadelphia, where he launched a writing program, coordinated testing, and led a school culture plan that increased on-time student attendance by 60%. Ben began his career as a high school humanities teacher at Freire Charter School, where he achieved a 92% yearly college acceptance rate as the senior team lead, authored a social sciences curriculum, and coached the varsity track and field team.

Ben’s accolades include the Penn Club of Philadelphia Social Impact Award, Philadelphia regional representative for the Sue Lehmann Award for Teaching Excellence, Harvard Graduate School of Education Entrepreneurship Award, and The Harvard Krinsky Entrepreneurship and Innovation Award. He also actively participates in advisory boards like Partners in Democracy and is an Aspen Pahara Fellow.

Ben earned his doctorate in educational leadership from Harvard University. He also holds a Master of Science in Education and a Bachelor of Arts in Urban Studies and Africana Studies, both degrees from the University of Pennsylvania.