Ardana 'AJ' Jefferson
Ardana ‘AJ’ Jefferson, Executive Director of Homeless Children’s Education Fund (HCEF) was hired in March 2022. She was tasked with advancing the organization’s 23-year mission through leadership development, community advocacy, public policy, financial stewardship, and sustainable revenue growth. With more than 25 years of experience in nonprofit management and net revenue growth, Jefferson has an in-depth understanding of the industry and has executed strategic plans across the organization. Since March 2022, she guided her team to pilot a workforce development and training program and launched the Homeless Children's Awareness Month YOU CAN campaign, which increased awareness of children facing homelessness. In November 2022, highlighting her career and a once-in-a-lifetime experience, Jefferson represented HCEF on The Kelly Clarkson Show acquainting America with the work performed on behalf of homeless children in Allegheny County. She continues to forge educational collaborations with Pittsburgh colleges and universities and partnerships with Pittsburgh businesses and sports teams. She leads a partnership with the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh to build a mobile classroom called Winne’s Wagon. It will travel anywhere students are experiencing homelessness, providing tutoring, school supplies, and wrap-around services. It will serve the Greater Pittsburgh community in spring 2023. Jefferson graduated from Seton Hill University with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications.
