DR. Shakira A. Kennedy

Biography of the Executive Director

Dr. Shakira A. Kennedy is a highly experienced and accomplished social work leader with more than 23 years of professional experience across clinical supervision, organizational operations, and community-based systems. As Executive Director, she brings deep expertise in program development, nonprofit administration, and equity-centered leadership within large not-for-profit organizations and community agencies.

Dr. Kennedy’s professional background includes leadership and oversight of adoption and foster care services, shelter start-ups, early intervention programs for children with neurodivergent disorders, independent housing and auditing initiatives, and certification review for housing-related grants. Throughout her career, she has held senior leadership roles ranging from Supervisor to Vice President, where she guided multidisciplinary teams including program directors, case managers, and assistant executive directors.

Prior to her appointment as Executive Director, Dr. Kennedy was an active member of the New York State Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW-NY). She contributed to the Diversity Committee, participated in racial justice forums, and supported student conference programming. She is also engaged in political advocacy through her membership in the Westchester Black Women’s Political Caucus, supporting African American women in the political process.

Dr. Kennedy extends her impact through training and consultation services focused on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB). She works with organizations, community groups, and professional associations to promote anti-oppressive practices and long-term organizational sustainability. She also serves on two community boards, one supporting young girls and another serving students within the Westchester County Pelham School District.

As an educator and scholar, Dr. Shakira A. Kennedy has taught across all levels of social work education, including bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs. Her academic leadership includes roles as Curriculum Committee Chair, co-chair of the policy sequence, and developer of graduate-level courses. She serves as a journal reviewer for SAGE Open, a guest editor for Reflections: Narratives of Professional Helping, and a consulting editor for Children & Schools.

Dr. Kennedy’s scholarly contributions include her work as an Association for Social Work Boards (ASWB) scholar and her involvement with the Licensing and Regulation Task Force for the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). She played a key role in developing the Curricular Guide for Licensing and Regulation , with a focus on Competency 2: Engage Diversity and Difference in Practice.

Dr. Kennedy holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Long Island University, Brooklyn Campus, a Master of Social Work from Clark Atlanta University, and a PhD from The University of Tennessee. Originally from Kingston, Jamaica, she moved to the United States at the age of five. She is the youngest of five sisters, a mother to an eight-year-old son, and enjoys playing tennis, listening to music, and spending time with her family.