Kelsey Darden is the Director of Annual Giving at The Paideia School in Atlanta, where she leads efforts to the school community in philanthropy that supports students, teachers, and programs across campus. With a background in both education and philanthropy, she has dedicated her career to building relationships and connecting donor passions with opportunities that strengthen schools and expand access to meaningful learning experiences.

Kelsey’s career in education began as a Teach For America corps member, teaching second grade and gaining a firsthand perspective on the impact strong schools and teachers have on students’ lives. While the classroom gave her deep respect for educators, she discovered her calling in fundraising, beginning at her alma mater, Woodward Academy, where she led alumni relations and built programs that generated significant support for the school. She then expanded her reach nationally as a K–12 Account Executive at GiveCampus, where she advised schools across the country on strategies to strengthen their advancement programs. These experiences—teaching, fundraising within a school community, and consulting with institutions nationwide—have given her a unique view of how philanthropy can transform education.

Kelsey holds a degree from Spelman College and a master’s from the University of Pennsylvania. As a SPIKE Studio board member, she serves on the fundraising committee, where she passionately brings her expertise in philanthropy and community engagement to advance the mission of ensuring students have access to opportunities that unlock and expand their potential.