Hanifa Barnes

Hanifa L. Barnes, Esq., MBA, currently serves as the Assistant Head of School for Strategy and Operations at Riverdale Country School, focusing on financial planning, operational management, and strategic initiatives. Barnes has extensive experience in education and public service, including roles as Assistant Commissioner at the New Jersey Department of Education and Chief of Staff at the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority, where oversight was provided for state-funded education initiatives. Barnes founded The Time Tutor, offering time management coaching for emerging leaders, and hosted a corresponding podcast. Previous positions include Chief Operating Officer at Philip's Education Partners, Finance & Strategy Director for a U.S. Congressional Representative, and various roles within the State of New Jersey focusing on education policy and legal services. Educational qualifications include an MBA from Cornell Johnson Graduate School of Management, a JD from Rutgers Law School, and a Bachelor’s degree in Communications from Georgia State University.