KIPP Foundation Leadership Team

As the Chief Network Growth Officer, John manages the team of Relationship Managers and Strategy Leads at the KIPP Foundation. Additionally, John directly supports a portfolio of regions including New Orleans, Memphis, and Delta. Prior to returning to KIPP, John worked at the New York City Department of Education where he served as Senior Director in the New Schools office, training founding and turnaround principals as a key strategy in the District’s turnaround effort.

Prior to that, John was the Founder, CEO and middle school principal at Langston Hughes Academy Charter School in New Orleans. John helped establish New Schools for New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina and taught fifth grade math at KIPP Ujima Village Academy. John spent four years with the KIPP Foundation during its founding years, first as a Trailblazer and later as the National Director of the Trailblazing team. John has a B.S. in Industrial Engineering from NC A&T State and an MBA from Harvard Business School.

Courtney has over 20 years’ experience in human resources, compensation/benefits, talent acquisition/management, talent strategy and values-based leadership coaching. As Chief People Officer, Courtney will lead talent strategy, mitigate risk to the organization and implement talent policies/programs that foster an inclusive work environment where everyone can thrive and grow. Courtney began her career in healthcare as a Human Resources Manager and later as a Human Resources Director. Prior to joining the Foundation, Courtney held several roles at American Express and Ameriprise Financial. She has worked in education for the past 10 years as a Chief People Officer, Managing Director of Talent and Director of Human Resources with KIPP Metro Atlanta Schools.

Courtney earned a B.S. degree in Urban Policy Studies with a specialization in Human Resources from Georgia State University and an MBA from Shorter University in Rome, GA. She completed the Human Resources Management Program at Kennesaw State University and received a certificate in Human Resources. She currently holds a SHRM-CP certificate from the Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM) and a PHR certificate from the Human Resources Certification Institute (HRCI). She also received her mediation certificate from the Justice Center of Atlanta.

Courtney believes that stewarding the hopes and dreams of others is her calling. Her faith is her life compass. Her dog Coco loves to play and snore. She enjoys spending time with her family/friends, reading, and traveling the world.

Trisha currently serves as Co-Lead, Development at KIPP Foundation. She is in her tenth year at the Foundation. Prior to this role, she led new site development, and partnered with KIPP regions on growth and strategy topics.

Previously, Trisha spent five years as a consultant at McKinsey & Company. She began her career at Ford Motor Company, holding roles in finance as well as marketing and sales.

Trisha holds an A.B. in Economics from Duke University and an MBA from Harvard Business School. She lives in Atlanta, GA, has two sons, and enjoys running and reading in her free time.

"What I love about KIPP is our constant focus on what's best for kids and our relentless quest to learn and get better."

As the Chief Research, Data & Innovation Officer at the KIPP Foundation, Jonathan Cowan partners with and oversees: KIPP’s national Research & Evaluation, Insight & Analytics, KIPP Through College, and Technology teams.

Prior to joining KIPP, Jonathan spent over ten years at The Boston Consulting Group (BCG) where he assisted senior executives of large, complex organizations in addressing strategic, operational, and organizational issues and in managing large scale change. As a principal and then as a partner and managing director at BCG, Jonathan spent several years helping to build and lead BCG’s public education practice. Jonathan has an MBA from Harvard Business School, an MPA from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government, and a BS in applied mathematics from Yale University.

Jonathan lives in the greater Chicago area with his wife Kris and their three sons.

Shavar Jeffries has been an advocate for social justice and educational equity for more than two decades. He joined the KIPP Foundation as CEO in January 2023, a culmination of his many years as a champion for KIPP schools. Shavar was founding board chair of KIPP Newark in 2001; joined the KIPP Foundation Board in 2019; and is a proud KIPP parent, as his two children graduated from KIPP Spark Academy and KIPP Team Academy in Newark. His commitment to improving education stems directly from personal experience. As a first-generation college graduate, he understands implicitly the life-changing power of a high-quality education.

Prior to joining the Foundation, Shavar was President of Education Reform Now, where he led the organization in passing well over 100 policies at the federal and state level that expanded educational opportunities for low-income students of color. Throughout his career, Shavar has practiced law, worked as an assistant attorney general in New Jersey, and served as the elected president of the Newark school board. Among many career highlights, Shavar, as school-board president, led Newark Public Schools in implementing systemic changes that produced historic gains in student outcomes; as state assistant attorney general, executed a strategy shifting juveniles from detention centers to community-based programs that produced nation-leading reductions in recidivism; and, as a civil-rights lawyer, litigated numerous class-action cases that released hundreds of millions in education funding, rescinded racially discriminatory tracking of students of color to remedial classes, and provided special-education services to tens of thousands of children.

Shavar graduated from Duke University and Columbia Law School, where he concentrated on civil rights law and policy. He has been recognized broadly for his work—by the NAACP, the National Bar Association, and the Congressional Black Caucus, among others.

With 20 years of experience in the education field, Anne began her journey as a K-2 Special Education Teacher and Teach for America Corps Member in New York City. Throughout her career, Anne has skillfully managed national education strategy and operating systems, coached senior leaders, and led organization-wide design initiatives. As Chief Strategy Officer, Anne manages the KIPP Foundation’s Strategy team, which is charged with setting a vision for shared priorities across the KIPP network, putting systems in place to deliver on those priorities, and learning and iterating along the way to ensure our organization is effectively addressing the needs of KIPP students and families.

Anne joined the Foundation in 2016 as Chief of Staff to the president, and through her time has led annual planning and strategy and supported staff culture and equity initiatives. Prior to joining KIPP, Anne served as Executive Director of Assessment for The New York City Department of Education during the district’s transition to Common Core Standards, led the opening of an elementary school with Lighthouse Academies in her home state of Michigan, and managed strategy and innovation for Teach for America. With experience that ranges from teaching in the classroom to overseeing district and network-wide strategy, Anne’s specialty is recognizing how strong infrastructure, policy, strategy, and planning drills down to direct impact and positive outcomes for students and teachers.

Anne received her bachelor’s in human development and social relations with a minor in theatre arts from Kalamazoo College. She also holds a master’s in childhood education from Pace University. Anne lives in Michigan with her husband, two kids, and dog. She loves college basketball, an occasional karaoke night, and early morning runs.

"Whenever people question or have doubts about the future, they just need to come into a KIPP school and see the tremendous effort and optimism of our students and teachers. They will see the best of America at work."

From teacher, to principal, to Executive Director, Dave has taken on many roles since co-founding KIPP in 1994. Dave currently works with KIPP leaders on instructional innovation, leadership development, and teacher training.

Throughout his career, Dave has been awarded: The Robin Hood Foundation’s John F. Kennedy, Jr. Hero Award, an Ashoka Fellowship, the National Jefferson Award for Distinguished Public Service by a Private Citizen; the Charles Bronfman Prize, a national service award from Spelman College, Honorary degrees from Duke and Yale University; and the Presidential Citizen’s Medal, our nation’s second highest presidential award for a private citizen.

Dave holds an honorary doctorate of Humane Letters from both Yale University and Duke University. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Yale University. Outside of KIPP, Dave helped co-found five organizations: Relay Graduate School of Education, the Character Lab, Zearn, nXu, and Array Education, where he currently serves as a partner. Dave lives in New York City with his wife, two sons, and three dogs.

Jim has been a leader and visionary in the education field for more than 30 years. His career has been marked by an unwavering dedication to academic excellence and a deep commitment to fostering joy in the learning process. As Chief Schools Officer, Jim works collaboratively with our regions and schools to produce exemplary student outcomes, align schools around common instructional practices, and enact our values rooted in an unyielding conviction in the brilliance of our students.

Jim began his career as a 7th-grade English teacher in Central Harlem. Over the next two decades, he ascended to leadership positions within schools, culminating in his role as Founding Principal of Success Academy Harlem 2 Elementary, which became the top performing school, public or private, in Harlem District 5. He also held leadership positions as Principal of Manhattan Charter School, Assistant Director of Teaneck Community Charter School, and Executive Director of Teach for America in Washington, DC.

Prior to joining the Foundation, Jim served as superintendent at KIPP NYC Public Schools. Over eight years, he led KIPP NYC to consistently achieve high academic results, even as the region expanded from 13 to 18 schools. To name a few achievements—during the 2015-16 school year, Jim’s first year at KIPP NYC, 45% of students scored proficient or advanced in ELA and 55% in Math. Those numbers rose to 56% in ELA and 74% in math during the 2018-19 school year. And, despite the academic interruptions brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, Jim’s leadership still yielded strong student results in his final year at KIPP NYC—55% scored proficient or advanced in ELA and 69% in math. In addition, KIPP NYC achieved an Estimated College Completion rate of 53% in 2019, compared to the less than 10% typically seen in public schools serving economically disadvantaged students of color.

Jim earned his bachelor’s degree in English from Union College and his master’s degree in public policy from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard. Jim has two kids who are now in college and is enjoying his time with his wife and seeing this country through the lens of our amazing KIPP regions. Jim is also a proud Western New York native and loves his Buffalo Bills and sees them as a perfect metaphor for the hard work and belief necessary to one day achieve our goals.

Kinnari Patel-Smyth joined the KIPP Foundation as President, Network in 2021, tasked with building on the strengths of the network to ensure that we reach our shared mission. Previously, Kinnari was the executive director with KIPP Metro Atlanta Schools. During her time in Atlanta, the region grew from 5 to 11 schools and serves over 5,000 students. Kinnari joined the KIPP Metro Atlanta Schools team in 2012 as the chief academic officer and served in that role for two years before becoming executive director.

Prior to joining KIPP, Kinnari served as a team member with the Explore Schools Network in Brooklyn. While at Explore Schools, she participated in the national New Leaders principal preparation program, served as the principal of Explore Charter School for five years, and was the managing director of schools responsible for supporting schools and leading the principal residency program.

Kinnari began her career as an elementary school teacher in Atlanta and Fort Worth, driven by the belief that education has the power to be the true equalizer in our country—a belief that continues to fuel her work. She earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Salisbury University in Maryland and her master’s degree in school administration from Pace University in New York. Kinnari loves to travel and enjoys cooking with her family! Kinnari lives in Atlanta with her husband, daughter, and two bunnies.

Shakira brings a wealth of experience in education to the KIPP Foundation, having served as a classroom teacher, principal, and deputy superintendent for 17 years.

Her expertise extends beyond traditional public schools, as she has worked with students in public charter schools, as well as a Special Act district catering to students with special needs. Shakira has taught over 11,000 students in six different countries, including nine years as a leader at the Harlem Children’s Zone. She has also conducted research expeditions with the NSF and NASA, educating students globally on science. Recently, Shakira served as the National President and Interim CEO for Democrats For Education Reform, a national political organization supporting elected Democrats and candidates seeking to improve education policies for American students.

Shakira holds a BA in psychology from Hofstra University, an MBA from New York University, and a Master of Leadership in Education from Mercy College. Shakira draws inspiration from her mom, who embodies traits like perseverance, humility, and servant leadership.

As the organization’s first Chief Equity Officer, Benny Vásquez is responsible for setting and implementing an overarching vision of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) that works to eliminate systemic organizational marginalization and promotes inclusion and anti-racist practices.

Benny’s journey includes working as the Co-Executive Director of Center for Racial Justice in Education where he trained educators in dismantling racism in their classrooms and communities. He was also the Director of Diversity at The Town School and the Director of Education at GLSEN – the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network.

In addition to being a published author, his work has included co-chairing the Diversity Committee for the New York Association of Independent Schools, training public school teachers on the Respect For All initiative, collaborating with the NEA in developing materials for No Name Calling Week, and developing social justice focused programming for mission based non-profits. He is also one of the co-founders of The CARLE Institute (Critical Analysis of Race and Learning in Education): An Institute for White Educators.

Benny Vásquez describes himself as a lifelong learner and a seeker of justice. A native of Brooklyn, he graduated from Wesleyan University with a B.A. in African American Studies and Sociology, He has masters in Curriculum and Teaching from Columbia University and an MPA from the Wagner School of Public Service at New York University.

Benny identifies as a parent and an Afro-Latinx Black Queer intersectional activist who has a strong passion for social justice, liberation and anti-racism work within communities and anywhere where children learn.