MASA Executive Director

Deb Henton, Ed.D.
Executive Director
Minnesota Association of School Administrators (MASA)
deb.henton[at]mnasa.org
Direct Line/Cell Phone: 651-439-7719
Main Office Line: 651-645-6272

Dr. Deb Henton was appointed Executive Director of MASA on July 1, 2020. She had been an active member of MASA participating on various committees and served as President of the association in 2018-19. During her presidency, Dr. Henton worked with the Board of Directors and the Executive Director to advance the initiatives in the MASA strategic plan and worked to outline an initiative to increase the number of female superintendents. As Executive Director, she has continued these efforts while also focusing on inclusion and equity.

Dr. Henton’s prior experience includes a wide range of experiences at both the school district and state level. She has been a teacher, assistant principal, principal, executive director, chief of staff, and for thirteen years a school superintendent. Dr. Henton was appointed to two terms on the state Board of School Administrators by Governor Dayton and recently chaired the board before becoming Executive Director of MASA.

Dr. Henton is the recipient of a number of professional recognitions. In 2018, she was named the Minnesota Superintendent of the Year. In 2015, MASA’s Region 6 awarded her as their Administrator of Excellence, and in 2014, she received MASA’s Kay E. Jacobs Memorial Award. She was named the 2011 eSchool News Tech-Savvy Superintendent and the 2013 Outstanding Service Award recipient from the Minnesota Service Cooperatives.

Dr. Henton received her Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota in 1999. She holds a master’s degree in Educational Administration and a master’s degree in Education, both from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. Dr. Henton’s bachelor’s degree in Broad Field Social Studies and History is from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls.

As advocates of a world-class education for Minnesota’s learners, MASA’s members serve as the leading voice for public education, shape and influence the State and National education agenda, and empower leaders through high-quality professional learning, services, and support.