The Little Bit Foundation today announced that it has named Miranda Walker Jones as Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Earlier this year, Co-founder and CEO Rosemary Hanley announced her plans for retirement by the end of 2021.

“We are so fortunate and pleased to find this exceptional leader to carry forward the mission and vision of The Little Bit Foundation,” says Marty Akins, President, Little Bit Board of Directors. “A focused, energetic and engaged leader, Miranda has an impeccable record of performance in all aspects of running a nonprofit organization, from operations to fundraising. Most importantly, Miranda has a servant heart, with a clear passion and love for children and youth. She brings a deep understanding of the education space and the issues facing educators and families in our under-resourced communities, working nearly her entire career toward building a St. Louis in which all children can thrive.”

A native of East St. Louis, Walker Jones spent 16 years with Better Family Life (BFL), where she served as Chief Operations Officer and Vice President of Youth, Family and Clinical Services. While with BFL, she developed and led community programs that serve approx. 8,000 students, directed 140+ team members and successfully raised $27 million in resources for the organization. Most recently, Walker Jones served as District Director for Missouri’s First Congressional District. She began her career in public and community relations for the St. Louis Rams. Additionally, Walker Jones has been a director on the Board of Education for the award-winning Jennings School District since 2004, currently serving as President, and is a former councilwoman for the city of Jennings.

“The Little Bit Foundation is rooted in the causes I care about – ensuring basic needs in order for students to succeed, closing the achievement gaps, empowering students to find their path – and I am excited to work with such a passionate organization of people to continue to impact our community,” says Walker Jones. “I believe that all of my lived experience has brought me here, and besides my family, nothing brings me greater joy than reaching, serving and inspiring our youth.”

Walker Jones is a graduate of the University of Missouri-Columbia and was in the first class of the Inside the CEO Leadership Program at Washington University’s Brown School of Social Work. She also is an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Walker Jones and her husband, Addam, have three children.