Jennie Niles

Jennifer C. Niles has a demonstrated track record of innovation, coalition-building, and problem-solving. Since 2019, Jennie has served as President & CEO of CityWorks DC, a nonprofit venture with the mission to dramatically improve the early career outcomes of DC youth and young adults of color which grew out of her year as Entrepreneur-in-Residence at CityBridge Education. Prior to CityWorks DC, Jennie served as D.C.’s Deputy Mayor for Education from January 2015 until February 2018 where her responsibilities included oversight of DC Public Schools, Office of the State Superintendent of Education, DC Public Charter School Board, University of the District of Columbia, DC Dept of Parks and Recreation, and the DC Public Library. Previously, Jennie founded the acclaimed E.L. Haynes Public Charter School which serves 1,100 PK-12 students from across Washington, DC. During her 12-year tenure at Haynes, Niles built innovative programs focused on improving urban education beyond the school’s own walls, including cross-sector initiatives to build a teacher pipeline, race and equity seminars, and ongoing professional development for teachers. Niles began her career teaching science and directing service-learning programs at schools in California and Massachusetts. She holds two master’s degrees, completed the New Leaders for New Schools fellowship, and is a Pahara-Aspen Education Fellow.