Mario Cardona

Mario Cardona, JD
Director of Policy and Professor of Practice
Children's Equity Project, Arizona State University

Mario Cardona is a national expert in early learning and K-12 education policy. He was formerly Chief of Policy and Practice for Child Care Aware® of America. Previously, he served in the Obama Administration as the Senior Policy Advisor for Elementary and Secondary Education on the White House Domestic Policy Council. In that role, he led the Administration’s legislative strategy, budget proposals, and policy initiatives to advance and execute President Obama’s early and K-12 education agenda. Prior to his service in the White House, Cardona held senior roles in the U.S. Senate, including as a principal advisor to the Chairman of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. Cardona earned a Master’s degree in Education from Harvard University, and a Juris Doctorate with honors, from the George Washington University Law School.