Women’s Foundation of Alabama appoints Kimberly L. Jackson as President and CEO

The Women’s Foundation of Alabama has announced Kimberly L. Jackson as its new President and CEO, effective June 16.

Jackson will succeed Melanie R. Bridgeforth, who led the foundation for the past seven years. Under Bridgeforth’s leadership, the organization expanded into a statewide entity focusing on research, public policy, and strategic grantmaking to promote women’s economic advancement. LaShundra Pinkard served as interim leader during the transition. The executive search was conducted in partnership with BoardWalk Consulting.

Jackson brings over two decades of experience in corporate leadership, community investment, and nonprofit governance. She most recently served as Government and Community Relations Manager for Alabama Power Company’s Birmingham Division, managing civic partnerships across Jefferson, Shelby, and St. Clair counties. She is also the current Board Chair of the Hoover Area Chamber of Commerce.

“As a fellow colleague at Alabama Power, I’ve had a front row seat to Kimberly’s consistent demonstration of leadership and an unwavering dedication to mission-driven results,” Yvonne Essix, a Board member of Women’s Foundation of Alabama, said. “Her community-first spirit and deep knowledge of economic development from a systems and a people perspective will continue to drive women and the economy forward, which is exactly what Alabama needs in this moment. She brings the perfect blend of experience and innovation that will propel Women’s Foundation of Alabama into its next chapter of impact.”

The foundation has set a goal to move 10,000 women into the workforce and toward economic mobility by 2027.

“Alabama is home—and this mission is vital to Alabama,” said Jackson. “As a daughter of this state, I know the strength of our communities—and the barriers women still face even amidst great progress. We have an opportunity to continue shaping policy, influencing philanthropy, and delivering economic strategies that reach women where they are. I’m ready to get to work—partnering with communities, investing in solutions, and making sure progress isn’t just promised, but felt across the entire state of Alabama.”

Elizabeth Goodrich, Board Chair of the Women’s Foundation of Alabama, also delivered high praise for Jackson.

“In Kimberly Jackson, we have found the right leader to carry forward our mission of impacting the world around us by accelerating economic opportunity for women. Our Board led this search with care and discernment, and we are confident that Kimberly’s results-driven leadership will strengthen our statewide impact in both proven and innovative ways.”

Founded in 1996, the Women’s Foundation of Alabama is the state’s only public women’s foundation focused on economic opportunity through a gender lens in grantmaking, research, and advocacy.

Sherri Blevins is a writer for Mountain Valley News and a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at [email protected].