Collette Bowers Zinn, J.D., M.Ed. is a fourth generation educator with 15 years of school administrative experience. She has also trained as a litigator, and ultimately chose to take the talents she developed in the courtroom into the education system. These two worlds, litigation and education, gave rise to her philosophy and the skill set she uses to help students reach their full potential. She is equally passionate about cultivating dynamic leaders among her fellow educators so that they are able to better connect with and inspire their students and school communities.

Collette founded Axis as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 2020 to address the disparities that prevent underrepresented students and families of color from accessing and thriving in independent schools. As a Harvard-Westlake alum, former private school administrator for 15 years, and now a private school parent, Collette has firsthand experience and unique insight into the challenges and opportunities for genuine diversity, equity, inclusion, and accountability in education. She believes deeply in diversity as a means to learn, grow, and become a true contributor to society.

Collette holds an M.Ed. from Pepperdine University, a J.D. from the University of Southern California, and a B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, reading, traveling with her family, and working up a sweat in hot yoga.

Quote to live by: “I am no longer accepting the things I cannot change. I am changing the things I cannot accept.” —Angela Davis