A Q&A with Rhode Island’s Managing Director of External Affairs

Katie Ballah is Rhode Island’s new Managing Director of External Affairs. A former Achievement First teacher and a current AF parent, Katie brings deep local roots and a multifaceted background in education, nonprofit leadership, and community engagement. In this conversation, she reflects on her journey back to AF, the importance of telling AF Rhode Island’s story, and her vision for strengthening partnerships across the state. Q: Tell us about your career journey. When I first saw the job description, I honestly thought it might be a prank because it was so perfectly aligned with my background. I spent the first decade of my career working in nonprofit fundraising and communications, and I actually studied urban ministry with the intention of becoming a pastor. Over time, I realized that education was the path where my calling and skill set truly intersected. That realization led me to Teach For America and eventually to Achievement First, where I taught at the very school my children attended. I was fortunate to work under Principal Kevin Lohela, served as a grade-level chair in my second year, and looped with my students for three years. After that, I transitioned back into development work at Teach For America. But when this role opened up, it felt like a full-circle moment, and I knew it was time to come home to AF. Q: What spoke to you most about this role? I feel deeply rooted in the Providence community, and as a person of faith, I’ve always felt a responsibility to be a good neighbor and to help empower children and families to see the world critically and as a place filled with possibility, inviting them to see their important role in our community as contributors, even from a young age. Returning to Achievement First in this capacity feels both purposeful and personal. I’m incredibly grateful to be back with this team and this community. Q: Why is it important for Rhode Island to have a dedicated External Affairs role? The story of Achievement First in Rhode Island is largely untold. There’s a disconnect between what families and educators experience every day inside our schools and the broader narratives that exist about charter schools. I truly believe AF Rhode Island has lived up to the ideals of what a charter school can and should be: a proof point for innovation, responsiveness, and partnership. As a parent and teacher, I’ve seen how concerns raised were met with thoughtful, timely action. That kind of trust and accountability matters. In a state like Rhode Island, where politics is highly relational and interconnected, misconceptions can quickly take hold and influence policy. My goal is to leverage my experience as both an educator and a parent to build strong relationships, form meaningful coalitions, and help ensure that decision-makers understand the truth about AF’s impact. At the heart of it all is storytelling. The “secret sauce” of AF lives in the relationship between teachers and students, and it’s critical that the hard work happening in classrooms every day is visible and understood across the broader education ecosystem. Q: You describe yourself as a community builder. What does that look like in practice? Providence is home to so many incredible organizations, but too often they operate in silos. For schools to truly be part of the community, we need a deeper understanding of the strengths, assets, and opportunities that already exist around us. When schools and community partners sit at the same tables, we can elevate shared solutions and take on complex challenges together. Collaboration is how real, lasting progress happens. Q: Tell us a bit about your life outside of Achievement First. I'm proud to support my husband, Percy, in leading a local church, just streets away from AF Providence High School. I’m also a mom to three wonderful children, and the arts are a big part of our family life. My kids are involved in singing, dancing, acting, and playing instruments, and music has always been a passion of mine as well. I play the cello, guitar, and piano, and the arts continue to be a source of joy, creativity, and connection for us. Q: You’re stranded on a desert island. You can only bring three songs—what are they? “Dancing Queen” by ABBA An endless lo-fi track to stay grounded “Slow Me Down” by Charles Weems—a faith-based song that serves as a daily reminder to resist burnout and stay centered Q: You moved from Cranston to Providence to live closer to the community where you felt you could make the most impact. Give us three reasons Providence is a great place to live. First, Providence has a national reputation for beauty and artistic expression. Thanks to institutions like RISD, there’s always something creative and inspiring happening around the city. Second—and I say this as someone who’s traveled widely—Providence has the best food. You can stumble into an unassuming spot and discover it’s an award-winning restaurant. Finally, Providence still has a small-town feel, especially in education circles. People know each other, relationships matter, and you genuinely feel like you’re part of a shared movement working toward something bigger.

A Q&A with Rhode Island’s Managing Director of External Affairs

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