Kayla Roney Smith

About Kayla Roney Smith

I\'m committed to ensuring all kids have the opportunity to achieve their dreams.I currently work as Director of National K12 Education at Ballmer Group, having formerly served on our place-based team in Southeast Michigan. Prior to that, I led the Hazel Park Promise Zone and College Access Network, working to increase opportunity and mobilize cross-sector partners around college attainment goals.For my work in Hazel Park, I was named to Crain\'s Detroit Business\'\"20 in their 20s\" list and by the Oakland County Executive as one of the county\'s \"Elite 40 Under 40\". I\'m a proud graduate of Michigan State University\'s James Madison College and the University of Michigan School of Social Work, where I was a Community-Based Initiative Scholar. While at Michigan, I was able to conduct a research project on race and college access in post-apartheid South Africa. Outside of work, I have been a fellow through the Michigan Political Leadership Program and Institute for Educational Leadership Education Policy Fellowship Program and am an active volunteer with the Junior League of Detroit and Detroit Promise Zone Authority Board of Directors.

Experience

1. Director, National K-12 Education

   Ballmer Group

   Jul 2024 — Present · Detroit, MI, US

Education

• University of Michigan

  Master of Social Work (M.S.W.), Social Policy and Evaluation; Community and Social Systems

  2015 — 2016

• Michigan State University

  Bachelor of Arts, Social Relations and Policy; Journalism

  2008 — 2012

Skills

• Community Outreach
• Community Development
• Press Releases
• Microsoft Office
• Fundraising
• Program Development
• Public Speaking
• Volunteer Management
• Avid Newscutter
• Social Networking
• Facebook
• Public Relations
• Grant Writing
• Leadership
• Social Media
• Marketing
• Final Cut Pro
• French
• Editing
• Nonprofits
• Blogging
• Research
• Event Planning