Dr. Gislaine Ngounou

Dr. Gislaine Ngounou is a change agent on a journey to embody and support the practice of freedom, abundance, equity, justice, love, rest, and joy. She believes these elements and practices are essential in the quest to manifest organizations, environments, systems, and societies in which we all flourish. With more than twenty years of experience working across the education sector, Dr. Ngounou brings a breadth and depth of expertise that includes work with philanthropy, nonprofits, schools, public school systems, and executive leadership coaching. She currently advises and supports leaders and organizations who are serious about pursuing organizational development and adaptive change efforts that contribute to a more just, equitable, and liberated world.

Prior to joining Co-Impact as Senior Advisor of Organizational Development and Adaptive Change, Gislaine most served as the Interim President and CEO as well as Vice President of Strategy and Programs for the Nellie Mae Education Foundation (NMEF). While at NMEF, Dr. Ngounou led the development and implementation of a strategy aimed at advancing racial justice in public education through grantmaking, policy and advocacy, community- and youth-driven efforts, and movement building. Under her leadership, the Foundation was awarded the prestigious impact award for changing course and authentically incorporating feedback by the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy.
Previously, Gislaine was the Chief Program Officer for Arlington, Virginia-based Phi Delta Kappa International, a professional organization for educators. In this role, she designed and led programs that supported school district leaders, provided leadership coaching surrounding issues of equity and social justice, and created and facilitated an ongoing community of practice that allowed system level leaders in districts from across the country to learn from one another. Prior to her work at Phi Delta Kappa, Gislaine worked within numerous school districts across the United States.

She is passionate about social and racial justice, youth and community empowerment, adult learning and unlearning, systems change, and increasing educational and leadership opportunities for young people and all people with marginalized identities.
Gislaine holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering and an Education Specialist in Administration degree from the University of Missouri Kansas City, a Master of Arts in Teaching from the University of Missouri Central, and a Doctor of Education Leadership from Harvard Graduate School of Education.