Our Executive Director

Zakiya Reid began her career as an educator with a personal mission of leveling the playing field for children who have historically been marginalized by our system. Zakiya has over two decades of experience as an educator, non-profit leader and an executive coach.

Prior to joining Rocketship, Zakiya served as the Executive Director of Kindred Communities whose mission is to facilitate brave spaces for community members to build the mindsets, skills, and energy needed to disrupt systemic oppression and create just, liberated schools. Zakiya served as Managing Director with Leading Educators where she partnered at the system-level across Chicago and the greater Grand Rapids region to build teacher capacity in an effort to ensure equitable instruction across classrooms. She also played a pivotal role in launching the inaugural cohort of the Aspen Young Leaders Fellowship (AYLF) at the Aspen Institute. She has also worked as a School Partnerships Coach with the Flamboyan Foundation, a school leader and teacher throughout D.C. and Maryland.

She has earned a Certificate in Leadership Coaching from Georgetown University. She holds a master’s degree in administration from Trinity College, master’s degree in teaching from Johns Hopkins University, a master’s degree in survey methodology from the University of Maryland, College Park and a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Tuskegee University.

Zakiya lives in Maryland with three amazing humans who share her DNA! She loves to travel, bask in the sun and explore the complexities of human life.