Communities In Schools Names A.K. Sharma Chief Operating Officer

Communities In Schools® (CIS®), the nation’s leading provider of K-12 school-based integrated student supports, announces the appointment of A.K. Sharma as Chief Operating Officer. In his role, Sharma oversees the Finance, Human Resources, Operations, and Technology teams, ensuring the execution of the organization’s strategic plan. He will report directly to Rey Saldaña, CIS National President and CEO. 

“I am deeply honored to be joining Communities In Schools, an organization that has spent over four decades passionately uplifting students and supporting their success both inside and outside the classroom,” Sharma said. “CIS’ steadfast commitment to equity and student advocacy has profoundly impacted the lives of countless young individuals, and I am excited to bring my skills and expertise to further this important mission of breaking down barriers to education.”  

With more than 15 years of experience across the nonprofit, federal government, and private sectors, Sharma brings a wealth of leadership and operational expertise to CIS. Most recently, he served as head of shared services at Yoga Alliance, where he led global operations for an organization representing over 100,000 members. During his tenure, he spearheaded key initiatives in digital transformation and governance, aligning operations with the organization's mission and strategic goals. 

“A.K.'s extensive background in leading high-performing teams and his diverse industry experience make him an excellent fit for Communities In Schools in this phase of growth and care for our network,” Saldaña said. “His commitment to innovation and operational excellence will help us expand our impact on the students and communities we serve.” 

Sharma’s leadership was also pivotal during his time at the Small Business Administration, where he managed a $100M budget and played a key role in the agency’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. For his outstanding contributions, he was awarded the prestigious Ike Award for excellence and innovation. 

Sharma is an alumnus of the Harvard Business School and holds an MBA in business administration and management from California State University, as well as a B.A. in computer information systems and human resource development from James Madison University. 

About Communities In Schools       
Communities In Schools® (CIS®) is a national organization that ensures every student, regardless of who they are, their ability, zip code or socioeconomic background, has what they need to realize their potential in school and beyond. Working directly inside more than 3,000 schools across the country, we connect students to caring adults and community resources that help them see, confront, and overcome the barriers that stand between them and a brighter future. Together, we build a powerful change movement made up of peers, students, and alumni committed to building an equitable path to education for future generations. Follow us for news @cisnational on X, formerly Twitter, or with the hashtag #AllinforKids.