Nellie Mae Education Foundation Announces Leadership Transition

With major accomplishments in racial equity and justice, Dr. Gislaine N. Ngounou will step down as Interim President and CEO

After more than a year as Interim President and CEO, and a tenure that included serving as Vice President of Strategy and Programs, Dr. Gislaine N. Ngounou will transition out of the Nellie Mae Education Foundation in December 2022. The Board of Directors is engaged in a national search for the organization’s new CEO aided by Diversified Search Group.

Dr. Ngounou led the Foundation at a critical time, working with a dedicated team to design and implement the organization’s strategy — advancing racial equity in public education for all New England youth. Dr. Ngounou’s intentional leadership and commitment brought to life the Foundation’s mission, vision, and values in service to the educational ecosystem. During her tenure, Nellie Mae’s strategic goals and commitments became more than words on a page; they were embodied throughout every aspect of internal and external work.

“Gislaine’s leadership has been critical for the Foundation’s shift into racial equity in education over the last several years,” said Board Chair Greg Gunn. “She led the team to innovate in both strategy and practice, and has done so during one of the most challenging periods in recent history. We wish her all the best in her next work.”

Examples of Dr. Ngounou’s integral leadership include:

• Developing and implementing the Foundation’s new strategy focused on advancing racial equity in public education for all New England youth
• Securing an additional $20M investment in 2020, aimed at addressing anti-Black racism and COVID-19 relief efforts
• Facilitating and instituting an internal racial equity learning agenda, inclusive of affinity groups, racial equity coaching available to all, and more equitable organizational policies and practices
• Launching a Community Advisory structure and practice to ensure the Foundation’s strategy is community-driven
• Tackling contentious and complex issues that speak to root causes of inequities in public education and leveraging the Foundation’s assets and platforms as a grantmaker, influencer, convener, and partner
• Providing vision, commitment, guidance, and care during challenging times that have included a global health pandemic and a charged socio-political climate

Reflecting on her tenure, Dr. Ngounou released the following statement:

“It’s been a great honor, privilege, and joy to be a member of the Nellie Mae Education Foundation community. I am deeply proud of the work we’ve done to advance racial justice in public education and to return resources to the communities they belong to. While the time has come for me to close this chapter and to begin authoring a new one, I am filled with gratitude and hope. I want to express a profound thank you to the dedicated team at Nellie Mae and the incredible communities I have had the great blessing to work with. I have so much love and deep respect for you. I look forward to all of us continuing the work for liberation and justice in the education ecosystem and at large.” -Dr. Gislaine N. Ngounou

Dr. Ngounou brought over twenty years of experience across the education sector and fearless leadership to her role at the Foundation. Before arriving at the Foundation, she was the Chief Program Officer for Arlington, Virginia-based Phi Delta Kappa International, a professional organization for educators. She previously worked for Hartford Public Schools, Montgomery County Public Schools, YouthNet of Greater Kansas City, Kansas City/Children’s Defense Fund Freedom Schools, and the Kansas City Missouri School District.

Please join us in graciously thanking Gislaine for her dedicated service to the Nellie Mae Education Foundation. Her thoughtful leadership has left an imprint on not only the future of the organization, but the future of the education and philanthropy sectors.