Terris Todd was an Advisor for Coalitions Engagement at The Heritage Foundation. In 2020, Terris was appointed by the Trump Administration to serve as the Executive Director of the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African Americans at the U.S. Department of Education in Washington D.C. While there he focused on elevating the challenges faced by African American students and leveraging resources to help ensure students are prepared for college and productive careers.

Prior to his appointment, Terris served as Michigan Republican Party Vice-Chair where he provided leadership and outreach efforts to the expansion of conservative thought and values throughout the state from 2017 to 2020. In 2015, he served as Director of District Relations in the Michigan House of Representatives (District 62) and, later in the same year, Director of Education and Children Services for Community Action of South-Central Michigan until May 2020. He continues to provide expertise to the Michigan Conservative Energy Forum and the Frederick Douglass Foundation of Michigan as a board member. Terris joined The Heritage Foundation in March 2021.

Terris was born and raised in Battle Creek, Michigan. He earned his bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and master's degree in Educational Leadership both from Western Michigan University. He worked as a public-school teacher, administrator, and college instructor along with serving on various boards. Today, Terris and his wife Karen commute between Battle Creek, Michigan, and Arlington, Virginia. They have three daughters.