V. Darleen Opfer is one of the country’s leading education and workforce policy researchers, having led major studies, built nationally representative research infrastructure, and advised governments across the U.S. and abroad. A first-generation college graduate, she has built her career around creating pathways to opportunity for others.
For 13 years, Darleen served as Vice President for Education, Labor, and Workforce Development at the RAND Corporation, where she also held the RAND Distinguished Chair in Education Policy. During her tenure, she grew revenue from $7 million to $35 million, oversaw 50 to 100 projects annually, and provided policy advice to more than 20 states and 10 countries. In 2014, she founded the RAND American Educator Panels—nationally representative, longitudinal panels that track conditions in schools and the impact of policy on them. She also secured the founding gift for the Lowy Family Middle Class Pathways Center. Over the course of her research career, she has led more than 20 large-scale studies, including the OECD’s TALIS Video Study of Teaching.
Before joining RAND, Darleen was Director of Research and led the MPhil in Research Methods at the University of Cambridge, Faculty of Education. She previously held tenured professorships at The Ohio State University and Georgia State University, leading degree and research programs at both. Darleen has authored dozens of peer-reviewed publications, including journal articles, research reports, book chapters, and books. She also brings extensive experience across media formats, writing op-eds and appearing as an expert on news programs, podcasts, and in documentary television series.
In August 2025, she founded Castle Danger Consulting, which helps national, state, and local governments use data and evidence to improve program implementation and outcomes.