SAN MATEO, CA, April 16, 2026 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Peter H. Hanley has been selected for inclusion in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.

Mr. Hanley has a distinguished career defined by entrepreneurial leadership and a steadfast commitment to education reform and school choice. Since 2010, he has served as finance manager for the Bay Area Charter School Athletic Conference, an organization he co-founded in 2007 with two colleagues. His vision was to provide comprehensive sports programs for East Bay charter high schools, and under his stewardship, the conference became the first charter school league admitted to the California Interscholastic Federation, representing the Oakland Section. Overseeing scheduling, event execution and strategic development, Mr. Hanley has played a pivotal role in serving approximately 21 charter high schools, facilitating athletic programs that foster student engagement and organizational growth. Although he has stepped back from day-to-day operations, he continues to provide part-time financial management support, ensuring the conference's continued success.

From 2001 to 2022, Mr. Hanley was elected five times to the San Mateo Union High School District board, serving as president five times during his tenure. The district encompasses six cities in Northern California, making it larger than many typical school districts. When he assumed office in 2001, he faced neglected facilities and publicly committed to transforming the educational environment. As part of the bond leadership groups, Mr. Hanley and his colleagues successfully passed three bond measures totaling more than $750 million for essential upgrades and new construction. These efforts resulted in state-of-the-art facilities that have significantly improved learning conditions for students across the district. Mr. Hanley also led multiple initiatives to raise academic outcomes, resulting in higher scores, graduation rates, and their improved performance in college and post-secondary programs.

Civic involvement has been central throughout Mr. Hanley's life. He was executive director of the nonprofit California Parents for Educational Choice, informing the public of the advantages of school choice, from 2002 to 2008. He has served on the governing board of Amethod Public Schools, a charter management organization three times since 2013—including terms as chair and vice chair. With his early leadership Amethod doubled in size, opening three schools serving K-12 in Richmond. He also a served as a founding board member and vice chair of Community School for Creative Education from 2011 to 2016, the first public Waldorf school located in an inner city. In recognition of his advocacy for innovative educational models, he was named Waldorf Ambassador by Community School for Creative Education in 2017and received Amethod's Community Service Award in 2021.

In addition to his local impact, Mr. Hanley has contributed at the state level as a delegate to the California School Boards Association from 2002 to 2012. He also served as director of the Oakland Charter School Collaborative for the California Charter Schools Association from 2007 to 2010, where he developed and advocated for charter schools in high-poverty areas and provided consulting services to other organizations seeking to replicate successful models. His expertise in education reform and school choice is further reflected in his role as executive director of the American Center for School Choice from 2010 to 2015 and as director of the American Center for Transforming Education at the Discovery Institute from 2015 to 2016. His work to advance educational opportunities and improve the outcomes for families and students is his proudest achievement.

Earlier in his career, Mr. Hanley held executive positions outside the education reform sector. As an associate at Gibson & Associates from 2000 to 2006, he was the lead evaluator of Oakland's Community Development Block Grant program. From 1994 to 2000, he directed research initiatives at the Institute for the Future, focusing on strategic planning and policy analysis. His international experience includes serving as vice president at The Economist Group of London from 1986 to 1991, seven years in the International Economic Policy division at the US Department of Commerce, and three years as manager of international government affairs at Hewlett-Packard Company.

His academic background has been instrumental in shaping his approach to leadership and policy analysis. Mr. Hanley earned a Master of Arts in international affairs with a concentration in economics from The George Washington University in Washington, D.C., following a Bachelor of Arts in political science and Russian from the University of Oregon in Eugene. He further enhanced his governance expertise by obtaining a master's in governance certification from the California School Boards Association.

Mr. Hanley's service extends beyond education into civic engagement through seasonal work at vote centers and participation in election-related activities with the San Mateo County Office of Elections since 2015. He is also active in Democratic politics.

His achievements have been recognized with several honors, including the US Department of Commerce second highest award, the Silver Medal for his work as a commercial attaché in the US Embassy in Beijing, as well as commendations from both the county board supervisors and local legislators.

A prolific writer on education reform and school choice, Mr. Hanley has authored numerous analytical reports, articles and op-eds addressing critical issues facing American education today. His published works include "Wishing Outrage Extended to America's Two-Tiered Education System" (NextSteps, 2014), "With Parental School Choice, What Are We Democrats Afraid Of?" (NextSteps, 2014), "America Remains in Default on Its Promise of Access to Equal Educational Access" (The Mercury News, 2013), among others. He has also co-authored influential pieces such as "Faith-Based Education an Option We Can't Deny" (USA Today, 2013) and "Religious Schools in America: A Proud History and Perilous Future" (American Center for School Choice, 2013).

Born in Seattle, Mr. Hanley enjoys attending San Jose Sharks and San Francisco Giants games, going to concerts and other sporting events, and walking and exercising during his leisure time.
Looking ahead, Mr. Hanley remains committed to empowering parents through expanded school choice initiatives while striving to improve academic outcomes within public education systems. He also seeks to play an active role in supporting transparent electoral processes by reassuring communities about the integrity of elections, drawing on his extensive experience in election administration.

Mr. Hanley's career reflects unwavering dedication to public service through transformative leadership in education reform and public policy, where he continues to make significant contributions at both the local and national levels.

About Marquis Who's Who®:
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. The suite of Marquis® publications, including Who's Who in America® and Who's Who in the World®, remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the globe. Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who's Who® website, www.marquiswhoswho.com.

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