Mayor Turner Announces Olivera Jankovska as New Director of Mayor’s Office of Education

May 19, 2021 — Mayor Turner announced Wednesday the appointment of Olivera Jankovska as new Director of the Mayor’s Office of Education.

Jankovska joins the City from UNICEF USA, where she served as a spokesperson in the Southwest region and leveraged the agency’s education, advocacy, and influence to transform the lives of children. She also serves as a non-resident fellow at Rice’s James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy’s Center for Energy Studies. Additional, she is a published children’s book author.  She speaks eight languages and is a native of Kriva Palanka, Macedonia.

“Olivera is an excellent choice to lead my Office of Education,” said Mayor Sylvester Turner. “Her diverse experience and proactive, determined personality will be an asset at a time when our schools particularly need innovation and flexibility. Ms. Jankovska is empowered to coordinate, communicate, and collaborate with stakeholders to bring about real change and impact for our students.”

Created in 2016, the Mayor’s Office of Education works to improve collaboration between the City and local schools, community colleges, and universities. The office’s many initiatives include the Hire Houston Youth program, which has given 26,000 students career experience through an internship, apprenticeship, and job opportunities since 2016.

Jankovska succeeds Juliet Stipeche, who returned to private legal practice.

Director Jankovska’s appointment is effective immediately.