Mrs. Ali is the founder of KIPP Heartwood Academy in San Jose, CA, and currently serves as the Chief Academic Officer for KIPP Bay Area Schools, and on the California Charter School Association Member Council. KIPP Heartwood Academy opened in July 2004 as the first public charter school in Alum Rock (East San Jose, CA) and is currently ranked in the top 4 percent of all public schools in California. Prior to founding KIPP Heartwood, Mrs. Ali earned a Masters from Stanford University's School of Education and received training from the KIPP School Leadership Program, including study at the Haas School of Business. Mrs. Ali earned her BA in English and Psychology from UC Berkeley