Nicole Barksdale

Nicole primarily provides high-level support to the Managing Director, including support for internal and external communications and meetings and preparation for public speaking engagements and convenings.

Nicole joined the Foundation in 2016, having worked at the Spencer Foundation for eight years. During her time at Spencer, she served as Executive Administrative Assistant to the Senior Vice President and as a Program Administrator on the Dissertation Fellowships Program. Previously, she worked as an Executive Assistant to the Managing Director and the Executive team at the Chicago office of Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide.

Nicole holds a BA in Management and Merchandising from the International Academy of Design and Technology. She is currently pursuing certification in Project Management Strategy at the University of Chicago, Graham School.

She is a Certified Administrative Professional (CAP-OM) with the International Association of Administrative Professionals.