The posting
About Bama Kicks Foundation
The Bama Kicks Foundation works to eradicate poverty by creating pathways to economic equality.
We believe in a future where communities share ownership in the systems they sustain — and where opportunity is both accessible and regenerative.
We pursue this mission through research, advocacy, and equitable wealth distribution models such as cooperatives, unions, and employee-owned enterprises (ESOPs). Our approach is grounded in collaboration, evidence, and long-term community impact.
Our Ecosystem
To turn our mission into measurable impact, the Foundation anchors a family of aligned initiatives that work together to create sustainable economic systems:
1. Bama Kicks — Impact Investment Company
Bama Kicks is an impact-driven investment and venture-building company wholly owned by the Foundation. It funds and scales businesses that advance economic inclusion and community ownership through:
- BKVC Venture Fund – invests in early-stage, mission-aligned startups.
- SmaBizFund – offers $10K microloans to small businesses and local entrepreneurs.
- Idea Factory Venture Studio – incubates and launches new ventures rooted in community needs and equitable design.
All profits from Bama Kicks flow back to the Foundation to expand its programs and impact.
2. BKG — Agency & Consultancy
BKG is the Foundation’s in-house agency and consultancy, providing strategic, design, and operational expertise to both internal ventures and external partners.
By offering consulting services in product, brand, and systems design, BKG helps organizations adopt equitable practices while generating revenue to sustain the Foundation’s broader mission.
3. Human Development Center
The Human Development Center serves as our research and learning arm, focused on understanding how humans can progressively build and sustain equitable systems as our world evolves.
Using cross-disciplinary models, data, and human-centered research, the Center explores areas such as:
- Future of work and ownership
- Inclusive governance and cooperative economics
- Human potential, creativity, and well-being within equitable systems
Our Vision
To build an economy where ownership, opportunity, and dignity are shared — not scarce.
About the Role
The Executive Director (ED) is the chief operational and organizational leader of the Bama Kicks Foundation. Working closely with the Senior Strategist, Ventures & Initiatives (Founder), the ED will spearhead the Foundation’s mission, driving existing programs while creating innovative approaches, ventures, and partnerships to expand impact and redefine how economic equality is achieved.
The ED ensures that the Foundation operates efficiently, sustainably, and strategically — transforming vision into tangible outcomes and building a scalable platform for future growth.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Mission Advancement
- Lead the Foundation to accomplish its current mission while identifying and implementing new strategies and ventures to expand impact.
- Collaborate with the Senior Strategist (Founder) to ensure alignment between vision, innovation, and operational execution.
- Translate strategy into actionable plans, metrics, and outcomes across all programs and ventures.
- Identify opportunities to innovate new models of ownership, equity, and community wealth-building.
Organizational Management
- Oversee day-to-day operations across all Foundation entities, including Bama Kicks Investment Firm, BKG Consulting & Agency, and the Human Development Center.
- Build and lead a high-performing, mission-aligned team with clear accountability and strong culture.
- Ensure systems, processes, and governance are in place to support growth, efficiency, and compliance.
Program & Venture Oversight
- Provide executive oversight for all ventures and initiatives, including venture funding, consulting services, and research-driven programs.
- Support development of equitable business models, including co-ops, employee-owned organizations, and community-driven enterprises.
- Drive operational excellence and cross-functional collaboration across the Foundation’s ecosystem.
Fundraising & Partnerships
- Lead fundraising efforts through grants, philanthropic support, and impact investors.
- Build and maintain strategic partnerships with community organizations, corporate partners, and civic leaders.
- Represent the Foundation publicly as a thought leader in economic equality, venture development, and equitable systems design.
Impact & Performance Measurement
- Establish metrics to evaluate social, financial, and operational impact across programs and ventures.
- Ensure accountability and transparency in reporting outcomes to the Board, funders, and stakeholders.
- Leverage research from the Human Development Center to continuously refine and improve programs.
Innovation & Growth
- Champion the creation of new ventures, initiatives, and programs that expand the Foundation’s mission and reach.
- Evaluate emerging trends, opportunities, and partnerships that align with the Foundation’s vision for economic equality.
- Drive experimentation and strategic risk-taking to pioneer novel approaches to ownership and wealth-building.
Qualifications
- 8+ years of senior leadership experience in nonprofit management, social impact, venture building, or innovation ecosystems.
- Demonstrated ability to manage complex organizations, multi-entity operations, and cross-functional teams.
- Experience in fundraising, partnership development, and program scaling.
- Understanding of impact investing, cooperative business models, and inclusive economic systems preferred.
- Exceptional strategic thinking, execution, and communication skills.
- Alignment with Bama Kicks Foundation’s mission to create economic equality through ownership, innovation, and human development.
What We Offer
- Opportunity to spearhead the Foundation’s mission, shaping how economic equality and ownership are realized in real-world communities.
- Close partnership with the Founder (Senior Strategist) and leadership team to drive strategic innovation.
- Exposure to cutting-edge research, ventures, and funding mechanisms across sectors.
- Competitive salary, benefits, and mission-driven culture focused on equity, impact, and innovation.
