Zakiyyah Boone is chief executive officer at Wonderspring. Ms. Boone is responsible for the programmatic direction of the organization’s five high-quality early childhood education programs, its kindergarten program and its five out-ofschool time programs. She is also leading the effort to open Wonderspring’s newest early childhood education program at New Market West, slated to open in 2020. Zakiyyah joined Wonderspring because of its high-quality programs and its focus on bringing those programs to underserved communities.

Zakiyyah has 22 years of experience as an early childhood and youth development professional. Most recently, she served as vice president of early childhood at the Greater Philadelphia YMCA, where she managed a budget of $20 million, identified growth and partnership opportunities and ensured the appropriateness of facilities to deliver high-quality programs. A national leader in educational quality improvement, Zakiyyah led a nationwide initiative aimed at enhancing the ability of after-school programs to improve student outcomes. Locally, she has cut the ribbon on 10 child care centers and launched multiple evidence-based youth development programs across the Greater Philadelphia region.

Zakiyyah holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Millersville University and an MBA from Kaplan University. As a mother of two, she personally understands the impact that high-quality education—from birth through high school—can have on children and families. Her daughter attends Academy at Palumbo, a district magnet high school, and her son graduated from KIPP Philadelphia Charter Schools in 2018. Born and raised in West Philadelphia, Zakiyyah herself attended Overbrook Educational Center and then Central High School (proudly 252). She and her family live in the city’s Penrose section.

Zakiyyah is no stranger to PSP, having served for the past couple of years on the Investment Committee.