Gillian A. Najarian, EdM

Gillian Najarian is Co-Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer at the Center on the Developing Child. One of the Center’s founders in 2006, Gillian has strategic oversight for the infrastructure and resources required to successfully deliver on the Center’s vision and mission. Inspired by the amazing community of staff, partners, faculty, and students whose passion and commitment to improving child outcomes know no bounds, Gillian partners with senior leaders across Harvard to support the Center’s work and positioning at the University for maximum impact.

Previously, as Associate Dean at Brandeis University’s Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Gillian worked with faculty and research staff on communications and public dissemination of their work in the context of overall branding and marketing for the school. Early in her tenure at Heller, she directed a complete reorganization of all student affairs, including admissions, financial aid, counseling, and career and academic services. Before Brandeis, she worked at Tufts University’s Fletcher School for Law and Diplomacy. Prior to her career in higher education, Gillian worked as an ESL teacher and international program officer in Boston, France, and Japan. Gillian holds a BA in French language and literature and international relations from Connecticut College and an EdM in higher education administration, planning, and social policy from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.