As Strada’s senior vice president, Affordability, Justin Draeger focuses on connecting individuals to opportunity by making postsecondary education more affordable and accessible.
He works to restore trust in higher education by improving price transparency, simplifying financial aid, and promoting efficiencies that lower costs. Draeger champions innovative cost-sharing models that close funding gaps for disadvantaged students, prioritizes need-based aid, and emphasizes fair measures of student and family need, ensuring every student can meaningfully contribute to their education.
Draeger joined Strada in 2024 after spending more than 14 years as president and chief executive officer of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators. He served as a prominent advocate and voice for student financial aid issues and was the principal liaison among NASFAA members, the U.S. Congress, federal agencies, and the media.
Since 2002, Draeger has played pivotal roles in administering, interpreting, communicating, and shaping student financial aid policy. His experience includes positions as a director of financial aid, regulatory and policy analyst, and spokesperson, along with senior roles in government relations, communications, and policy development. He serves on several boards dedicated to advancing health and education.
Draeger earned his bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University and a Master of Business Administration in finance from Baker College.
