KIPP Jacksonville has appointed Ali Jaffery as its inaugural Chief Advancement Officer. In this role, Ali will oversee fund development and business partnerships focused on improving student outcomes and enhancing the KIPP Jax brand.
Jaffery brings a notable track record from his time at Nemours Children’s Health in Jacksonville, where he raised $6 million over two years and led a successful campaign to build a new cancer and blood disorders center. As the Executive Director of Philanthropy, he also launched a vibrant community fundraising run/walk and cultivated a diverse network of partners.
“Jaffery has had a distinguished career devoted to advancing causes and projects that create success for children, which aligns perfectly with what we strive to do at KIPP Jax,” said KIPP Jax Executive Director Dr. Melissa Fullmore. “This is the inaugural CAO role here, and we’re proud to put it in the hands of someone who has dedicated his career to the impactful work of nonprofits and education-related organizations.”
With extensive experience across Mississippi, Texas, Tennessee, and Florida, Ali has been a dynamic force in education reform throughout the Southeast. From 2019 to 2021, he served as Innovation and Grants Manager at Memphis Education Fund, where he honed his skills in grantmaking and grassroots to systems-level education advocacy. His journey began as an Algebra 1 teacher and soccer coach, deeply connecting him to the educational field with four years of school-based experience.
A proud product of the Mississippi Delta near Memphis, TN, Ali credits his roots for shaping his gritty leadership style. He holds a BS in Business from Belhaven University and an MA in Curriculum and Instruction from Ole Miss. He is also alumnus of Mississippi Teacher Corps, Education Pioneers, Leadership Memphis, and Leadership Jacksonville. Ali is a devoted family man, celebrating the recent birth of his daughter and has been happily married to his wife for seven years. He enjoys sports, reading, and community involvement.