Step Up
Nickie Acero is an experienced professional with a strong background in organizational effectiveness and data strategy, currently serving as the Director of Organizational Effectiveness and previously as the Director of Curriculum and Data Initiatives at Step Up since October 2011. Acero has a proven track record in strategic planning, evaluation framework development, and scaling youth programs, having achieved the highest outcomes in the organization's history. Additional experience includes serving as a Strategic Data Project Fellow at Harvard University, where the focus was on fostering a culture of continuous improvement, and managing international community projects as Operations Director for Project Ana. Acero began a career in community service as a Case Manager for elderly clients and also held a leadership position as Hall Director at Bradley University. Acero holds an M.A. in Sociology from California State University, Northridge, and a B.A. in Sociology, Women's Studies, and French from Bradley University.