Meet the Executive Director

Halley French joins SOCI with more than a decade of experience in the philanthropic and nonprofit sectors. Previously, Halley led the early childhood investment strategy at the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation where she held accountability for a multi-million-dollar grant portfolio as a senior program officer. While at the Kauffman Foundation, Halley spearheaded a regional funders collaborative to drive coordination and maximize impact across the early childhood ecosystem, including the development and launch of a six-county grant fund. She brings expertise in strategic development, program evaluation, and stakeholder engagement with an eye toward ensuring access to equitable opportunities for marginalized communities.

Before joining the Kauffman Foundation, Halley worked for Kauffman Scholars, Inc., supporting program operations and working directly with students as they matriculated through their postsecondary pathways. She also taught middle school and high school math in the largest urban school district in Kansas City and served as a New York City Teaching Fellow. She is involved in her community as the president of the Berkley Family Involvement Program, as a board member for Kids Win Missouri, and also as a Girl Scouts troop leader. Halley holds a Master’s degree from University of Missouri-Kansas City and a Bachelor’s degree from University of Kansas.