Helen Hayes

Helen Hayes serves as Director of the Distinguished Innovation Fellows program at The Difference Engine, Arizona State University's venture studio that creates practical solutions to inequality. In this role, she leads a transformative program that pairs experienced professionals aged 55 and older with ASU students and faculty to develop innovative projects that reduce inequality in their communities.

Helen brings over 20 years of educational leadership experience, including serving as Headmaster of Chandler Preparatory Academy, where she led the school to consistent top-ten state rankings. At Great Hearts, she held executive roles overseeing academies, leadership development, and new region growth, while training school leaders across multiple states as Dean of Headmaster College. Her expertise in federal grants and foundation fundraising has helped secure over $27 million in funding throughout her career.

Helen holds an M.Ed. in Curriculum/Instruction/Applied Behavior Analysis and an MFA in Creative Writing from ASU, a BA in Philosophy from Yale, and leadership certificates from Harvard and Stanford.