Gabrielle Gilliam

Gabrielle Gilliam, CFRE, serves as the Chief Advancement Officer at Ascend Schools since June 2024, leveraging over 25 years of experience in fundraising and institutional advancement. Previous roles include Chief Development Officer for the Oliver Scholars Program and Director of Development at Opening Act. Gilliam has held several leadership and consulting positions at notable organizations such as the United Negro College Fund and the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund. In addition to professional roles, Gilliam teaches graduate-level courses on philanthropy and nonprofit management at Columbia University and contributes as faculty for the Institute for Nonprofit Practice. Educational credentials include a Master’s degree in Performance Studies from New York University and a Bachelor’s degree in Drama and Africana Studies from Vassar College.