Eddie Lincoln

Eddie Lincoln, the CEO of Rainier Scholars, is a passionate champion for students who have historically been denied access and support to reach their full academic potential. For over 13 years, Eddie has dismantled systemic barriers and eliminated opportunity gaps, enabling thousands of students to pursue their dreams. 

Eddie took on the CEO role at Rainier Scholars in October 2024 after an exceptional three-and-half-year term as CEO of Equal Opportunity Schools, a national education equity nonprofit headquartered in Seattle. During that time, he directed the development of a transformative three-year strategic plan, led the acquisition of two multi-million-dollar grants, and brought together an executive leadership team of some of the nation’s most brilliant and dedicated professionals.

As a passionate advocate for a thriving workplace culture, Eddie also refined his staff’s internal operations procedures, fostering greater trust among employees and leaders. These improvements led Equal Opportunity Schools to operate at historic financial levels. This pivotal work built on his previous success as the organization’s Chief Development Officer, where he expanded school partnerships from 100 to over 650 and helped over 40,000 underserved and underrepresented students access and excel in AP and IB courses. 

In the early stages of his career, Eddie made a significant impact as Assistant Director for K-12 Partnerships at Seattle University. He advocated for meaningful educational opportunities for students of color. Through innovative programs addressing socio-emotional needs.

His dedication to fostering supportive and nurturing environments for children is deeply rooted in growing up in one of Seattle’s most diverse and close-knit neighborhoods. Raised by devoted blue-collar parents, Eddie learned the profound meaning of the African proverb “it takes a village to raise a child.” It is his mission to ensure that every student has a supportive village that helps them achieve their aspirations and be the boldest version of themselves.

Eddie earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Seattle University and a Juris Doctorate from the Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University. He is also a distinguished graduate fellow of the Institute for a Democratic Future and Leadership Tomorrow. His work and insights have been featured by Forbes, The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, and Education First.