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ABOUT
TOM BURTON
Chief Executive Officer, WeEmpower LLC.
Meet Mr. Tom Burton, retired superintendent of Princeton City Schools, multiple award winner, Executive Director of High AIMS and CEO of WeEmpower LLC. His distinguished career in education has left an indelible mark. Renowned for his dynamic leadership, Tom's journey in the field of education began in 1987, and he officially retired from Princeton City Schools in 2023 leading one of the most diverse districts in Ohio to a four-star rating and top 20 student growth measure. Throughout his tenure, he was a living embodiment of the Princeton mission – empowering every student for college, career, and life success.
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As CEO of WeEmpowerLLC, Tom Burton leads nationwide efforts in coaching, keynoting, consulting, and leadership development for administrators, superintendents, and business executives. With a focus on transforming leadership and organizational culture, Tom delivers impactful keynote speeches and workshops, helping leaders align their goals with vision and drive positive change. His expertise spans educational institutions and corporate environments, where he implements strategies to foster collaboration, enhance leadership capacity, and create a strong culture of excellence. Tom’s leadership approach empowers teams to thrive in today's dynamic environments.
Tom's core belief centers on fostering a collaborative environment where all stakeholders unite to ensure each child's unique needs are met. By embracing flexibility, collaboration, and a constant thirst for knowledge, Tom envisions inspiring students to not only navigate the complexities of the real world but also to contribute to making it a better place.
Tom Burton's exceptional contributions have earned him numerous accolades and recognition. Most recently, "Tom Burton Days" was declared in his honor in both Hamilton County and the City of Sharonville. His achievements include receiving the Innovative Superintendent Award from Tech & Learning in 2023 and the Workforce Champion Award for Outstanding Leadership from the Workforce Council of Southwest Ohio in the same year. Tom was also listed in the Ohio 500, which features the most influential executives in the state, as recognized by Ohio Business Magazine in 2022. The Northwest Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce bestowed upon him the Community Champion Award in 2021.​​
Tom's recognition extends beyond the immediate Ohio region, as he is the 2018 Business Person of the Year according to the Sharonville Chamber of Commerce. His achievements span various educational roles, including being named the NASSP/MetLife Ohio Middle School Principal of the Year and receiving the Distinguished Young Alumni Award from Slippery Rock University. He also received the Gordon Vars Lifetime Achievement Award and was named the Ohio Educator of the Year by the Ohio Middle-Level Association. His impressive career was further celebrated with induction into the Cleveland Heights High School Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame.
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Tom is not only a distinguished educator but also a sought-after speaker who has shared his insights at prestigious venues across the United States, from Maryland to Utah. His engagements encompass organizations and educational institutions such as the American Association of School Administrators, the League of Innovative Schools through Digital Promise, the Ohio Middle-Level Association, Curriculum Associates, the Institute for Education Innovation, the National Superintendent’s Forum, Harvard University, University of Cincinnati, Wright State University, Ashland College, and many more.
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Beyond his accolades and accomplishments, Tom is a passionate advocate for students and staff and continues to champion the cause of equitable education opportunities for all Ohio children, both statewide and nationwide. He is not just an extraordinary leader and a beacon of inspiration and change in the field of education but a husband, father, and friend.
