Dr. Sakinah Patton Harrison is a senior program officer at the W.K. Kellogg Foundation in Battle Creek, Michigan.
In this role she co-leads the foundation’s national grantmaking team and provides strategic leadership across early childhood education and education systems, employment equity, health equity, and food systems. As a seasoned philanthropic leader and former educator, she helps drive the foundation’s efforts to create conditions that allow all children to thrive, from early learning through equitable systems and pathways to economic security.
With more than two decades of experience in early childhood education, workforce development and nonprofit leadership, Dr. Harrison has deep expertise in advancing systems change through strategic investment, community collaboration and leadership development. Previously, she was a program officer on the Education & Learning and Family Economic Security teams, implementing cross-sector strategies and leading a portfolio grounded in intersectional analysis that centers racial equity that fosters deep relationships at the national, local and community levels while amplifying the voices of those most proximate to the issues. At the foundation, she leads strategies that elevate community voice in decision-making, strengthen partnerships across sectors and expand the leadership capacity of grantees and peer institutions. Her efforts have helped shift institutional practices, align funding with community priorities and build momentum for long-term systems change centered on racial equity and economic justice.
Prior to joining the foundation, Dr. Harrison built a career committed to addressing systemic inequities and supporting children and families in communities across the country. She previously served as the Vice President of Early Learning and Community Engagement with the United Way of Greater Atlanta where she was responsible for providing financial oversight of an annual portfolio of over 10 million dollars. She also served on the senior leadership team to set the strategic direction for integration of the education, income, health and homelessness focus areas with the goal to maximize and elevate impact in local communities.
Dr. Harrison was also previously Senior Site Manager for The New Teacher Project where she led school reform efforts in partnership with Baltimore City Public Schools and has experience as a school administrator and teacher. She is currently serving on the Board of Directors of Parents as Teachers.
Dr. Harrison holds a doctorate in education from the University of Southern California, a master’s degree in nonprofit management from Case Western Reserve University, and a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from the University of Dayton.