Dr. Nikkita Warfield is an equity-centered education executive with 25 years of service across elementary, middle, high school, and district leadership. She has worked in rural, suburban, and urban public school systems, giving her a breadth of perspective that informs her work today as Chief Schools Officer for Purpose Built Schools Atlanta. In this role, she leads the academic vision  and school operations for a network of turnaround schools in partnership with Atlanta Public  Schools, working closely with principals, district teams, and community partners to expand  opportunity and improve outcomes for students. 

Her leadership has guided significant transformations, including removing schools from the state’s CSI list, increasing graduation rates, and expanding access to scholarships, career pathways, and global learning opportunities. She has also played a central role in strategic planning, fiscal stewardship, and governance alignment, ensuring that academic priorities are matched with accountability and long-term sustainability. 

Previously, Dr. Warfield served as Director of Secondary Education and Professional Learning for Newton County Schools, where she helped lead the district to its highest-ever graduation rate and record-breaking college scholarships, while strengthening professional development and leadership pipelines. Her earlier career included roles as principal, assistant principal of instruction, instructional coach, and classroom teacher. She also serves nationally as a Lead Evaluator with Cognia, conducting accreditation reviews that strengthen instructional quality, leadership, and community engagement. 

She is an active member of several professional organizations, including the Georgia Association  of Educational Leaders (GAEL), the Georgia Association of Curriculum and Instructional Supervisors (GACIS), and the AASA, The School Superintendents Association. Her contributions to the field have been recognized with honors such as the High Flying Schools Award and the  SSTAGE Best Practices Award. Beyond her professional work, Dr. Warfield is the founder of Young Ladies of Distinction, a mentoring program for young women, and a longtime community  volunteer. She is also a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. 

Dr. Warfield earned her Ed.D. in Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment from Walden  University, along with an Ed.S. and M.Ed. from Central Michigan University, and a B.S. in Education from Fort Valley State University. She has also completed advanced executive training through the Georgia School Superintendents Association’s Superintendent Professional Development Program (SPDP) and the AASA/Howard University Urban Superintendents  Academy.

A lifelong educator, mentor, and mother of two daughters, Dr. Warfield brings both experience and passion to her mission of ensuring that all students have access to an opportunity-rich education.