About Ra’Chel Ford

Interim Chief Executive Officer

Ra’Chel Ford is the Interim Chief Executive Officer of KIPP Atlanta Schools, where she has held multiple leadership roles since joining the organization in 2014. Her previous positions include Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Managing Director of Operations, and Director of Campus Operations.

Ra’Chel began her career in financial services, spending more than 15 years in leadership roles at Bank of America, with a focus on sales, team development, and process improvement. In 2012, she transitioned to public education, serving as Chief of Staff for District Support at the Tennessee Department of Education. In that role, she supported every school district across the state.

She holds a B.S. in Urban Policy Studies from Georgia State University and an MBA in Global Management from the University of Phoenix. Ra’Chel is also an alumna of the Broad Center’s Urban Educational Leadership Residency, where she earned a Master of Education in Educational Leadership.

With a unique blend of private and public sector experience, Ra’Chel is driven by a deep belief that educators have the power to unlock every child’s innate genius—beginning with nurturing a love of reading.