Rhonda Kalifey-Aluise

Rhonda Kalifey-Aluise is the Chief Executive Officer of KIPP New Orleans Schools, where she leads a network of thirteen institutions serving over 6,300 students, representing over 13% of the city’s public school population. As a founding board member, Rhonda played an instrumental role in launching KIPP’s inaugural school in June 2005. In the face of adversity caused by Hurricane Katrina, she demonstrated resilience by establishing a new school in Houston to support displaced New Orleans residents. Since assuming the role of Executive Director in 2007, Rhonda has steered KIPP’s remarkable growth, transforming it from two schools to its current prominence as one of New Orleans’ premier charter organizations. Under her dynamic leadership, KIPP New Orleans Schools have consistently achieved significant academic progress, with notable distinctions including the most substantial annual SPS growth statewide twice since 2008 and the remarkable accumulation of over $110M in college scholarships by graduating seniors over the past nine years. Rhonda’s unwavering dedication to education reform was recognized with the prestigious Peter Jennings Award for Civic Leadership in 2012, underscoring her tireless commitment to enhancing educational opportunities in the city.

Rooted in her passion for education, Rhonda commenced her professional journey with Teach for America, where she taught Reading and English for two years before expanding her teaching career in Virginia and Lafayette, LA. A proud alumna of Tulane University, she holds a BA in English and History (1992), further augmented by degrees from the University of Virginia (M. Ed., 1997) and the University of New Orleans (MA in English, 2002). Rhonda’s scholarly focus has centered on empowering students with learning disabilities and behavior disorders, reflecting her enduring dedication to fostering inclusive and equitable education practices.