I’m Chris Cook—an educator, coach, and builder committed to unlocking potential in people and systems.

I currently serve as the Senior Director of Workforce and Economic Development Programs & the Lowell Institute School at Northeastern University's College of Professional Studies, where I lead efforts to connect learners to life-changing opportunities through community-centered, career-aligned education. Prior to Northeastern, I served as a teacher, varsity coach, k12 school and district leader for more 15 years.

My work is grounded in a simple but powerful belief: everything I build, coach, and lead must ultimately serve the communities or individuals I care about.

Across classrooms, campuses, youth teams, and workforce initiatives, I focus on three intersecting domains:

Community: at the center of everything is community. Whether I’m designing a workforce program to increase economic mobility, coaching a local youth sports team, or mentoring a school leader, I see every effort as an investment in people. I believe systems should reflect, support, uplift and strengthen the communities they serve.

Coaching: great leadership is coaching. I’ve coached high-performing principals and high-potential point guards—using trust, structure, and belief to unlock what’s already inside. Whether writing The PrincipalEd Coach or co-founding Unit 1 Athletics, I aim to develop environments that are rich in reps, rooted in values, and built for growth.

Building: I love to support new endeavors or bring fresh energy to growth. Today, I lead workforce programs and bachelor’s completion pathways, youth athletics programs, and community-based initiatives. Wherever I am—whether in leadership meetings, on a field, or with a team of educators—I work to help people and systems improve toward meaningful goals. Progress matters. And I’m committed to building the structures, habits, and momentum that make it possible.

I founded Reservoir Unlimited, a coaching and leadership practice helping leaders, athletes, teams, and organizations access the potential that already exists within them. Because everyone has a reservoir.