User Profile

Chief Executive Officer, KIPP Memphis

Kendra Ferguson is the chief executive officer of KIPP Memphis, a seven-school charter management organization that is part of the KIPP national network of schools. In late 2016, Kendra transitioned from KIPP Bay Area Schools, where she served as chief people officer and prior to that chief of schools. During her five-year tenure with KIPP Bay Area Schools, Kendra led efforts to increase diversity in school leaders and teachers, build a data-driven infrastructure and culture and establish a baseline for excellence in teaching. Prior to her work with KIPP Bay Area Schools, Kendra worked with the KIPP Foundation, served as consultant to charter and traditional schools across the country and was a charter school founder for Aspire Public Schools. In 2017, Kendra was profiled by a national education news outlet to share her perspective on the charter landscape. Kendra serves as a mentor and coach for educational leaders around the U.S. A proud mother of three and a native of Oakland, California, Kendra is a continual learner. Kendra earned her doctorate in educational leadership from National-Louis University. She also holds a MA in education, policy analysis and administration from Stanford and a BA from the University of Washington. She is a Fellow of the 21st class of the Pahara - Aspen Education Fellowship and a member of the Aspen Global Leadership Network.