Fresno Unified School District (FUSD) has appointed Adela Garcia Duncan as its new Chief Information Officer, following the resignation of former communications chief Nikki Henry earlier this summer.
Garcia Duncan, a U.S. Army veteran and Central Valley native, will begin her role in mid-September. The district announced her hiring Wednesday evening, calling her a leader with “a powerful combination of service, strategy, and innovation.”
“We’re excited to welcome Ms. Garcia Duncan as our new Chief Information Officer,” said district spokesperson Diana Diaz. “Her leadership experience and communications background will make a strong impact for our students and families.”
Experience and Background
Raised in Mendota, Garcia Duncan brings a wide-ranging background in communications, public affairs, and education.
She previously worked for the Department of Defense, serving as Director of Communications and Outreach at the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation for more than six years.
She also spent nearly nine years in the U.S. Army as a medical laboratory technician, later earning qualifications in public affairs and communications strategy from the Defense Information School.
Garcia Duncan holds a bachelor’s degree in technology management and a Master of Business Administration (MBA).
In the private sector, she worked with several media and telecommunications companies, including ABC30, Comcast, and The Fresno Bee, before teaching as an adjunct professor at the University of Maryland Global Campus.
A Controversial Vacancy
Her appointment fills a position left open after former CIO Nikki Henry resigned in June. Henry’s departure followed revelations that she had assembled a dossier targeting the Fresno Teachers Association that included fabricated AI-generated quotes.
District analysis confirmed that the quotes were created by an artificial intelligence tool, and the links embedded in the report contained identifiers such as utm_source=chatgpt.com.
The incident strained relations between Superintendent Misty Her and the Fresno Teachers Association (FTA), leading to public calls for Henry’s dismissal.
Henry was placed on leave for about a month before officially resigning on June 30.
The district later approved a $162,000 severance agreement, calling it a strategic move to avoid potential litigation — a decision that was not announced in open session.
District Adds Deputy Superintendent
In the same announcement, FUSD confirmed the hiring of Dr. Ben Amuku Drati as Deputy Superintendent, effective September 2.
“Dr. Drati’s return to the Central Valley brings deep experience and a personal story that reflects the resilience of our students,” said Diaz.
Looking Forward
As Fresno Unified continues to rebuild trust following the communications scandal, district officials say Garcia Duncan’s appointment represents a fresh start in transparency, strategic outreach, and community engagement.
Her arrival also signals the district’s effort to restore stability within its leadership team and strengthen its relationship with educators, families, and the broader Fresno community.
