Our CIO selected for the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program!
A milestone in leadership, innovation, and the future of early childhood education!
Ready Set Prep Early Learning Center is proud to announce that Kionne T. Abdul-Malik, Chief Information Officer (CIO) and Executive Strategic Partner, has been accepted into the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program, a nationally recognized initiative designed to help entrepreneurs and business leaders strengthen their organizations and accelerate sustainable growth.
Her selection marks an exciting milestone for both Kionne and RSP, recognizing a leader whose career has been defined by innovation, strategic thinking, and a commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for others.
A Leader Who Connects People, Technology, and Purpose!
Kionne brings more than two decades of professional experience in organizational leadership, technology, project management, digital engagement, and human-centered innovation. A certified Project Management Professional with a master’s degree in Human-Centered Computing from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, she has built a career around one central belief: technology should work for people, not the other way around.
Before joining RSP’s leadership team, Kionne served in senior leadership and technology-focused roles with the Social Security Administration, where her work included responsible artificial intelligence, digital transformation, employee engagement, and organizational innovation. Her contributions to digital leadership and innovation earned recognition through an SSA Commissioner’s Award.
Today, she brings that same depth of experience and forward-thinking leadership to Ready Set Prep, helping shape the organization’s technology strategy, operational growth, educational innovation, and long-term vision.
Turning Innovation Into Opportunity…
As RSP’s CIO, Kionne’s role extends far beyond traditional technology management. She is helping build an organizational model that connects early childhood education with responsible innovation, business strategy, and community impact.
Under her leadership, RSP has launched its Digital Literacy Program, introducing young children to technology through developmentally appropriate, hands-on experiences. The initiative has expanded to include AI & Me, a program that encourages children to explore artificial intelligence through storytelling, character creation, creativity, and collaborative learning while keeping play and human connection at the center.
Kionne has also helped launch RSP’s inaugural internship program, creating opportunities for college students to gain practical experience across technology, education, business management, and early childhood operations. Her work continues to bridge generations, connecting emerging professionals with meaningful experience while bringing fresh perspectives into the RSP learning community.
Among the organization’s upcoming initiatives is the RSP Film Festival, where films inspired and created by students will showcase their imagination, ideas, and voices. Together, these efforts reflect a larger vision: an early learning center where children are encouraged to become creators, thinkers, and confident participants in the world around them.
Creating a Space Where Innovation Comes to Life
One of Kionne’s most exciting contributions to RSP is the creation of the RSP Tech Lab, a dedicated learning space designed to make technology accessible, engaging, and meaningful for young children. Developed through her vision for human-centered early childhood education, the Tech Lab brings together interactive learning tools, hands-on STEM materials, digital creativity, and age-appropriate technology experiences in an environment built for exploration. Rather than simply placing children in front of screens, the space encourages them to ask questions, experiment, collaborate, and discover how technology connects to the world around them. The Tech Lab represents a tangible step toward Kionne’s larger vision of preparing children to thrive in an AI-powered world while protecting the wonder of childhood.
A Strategic Investment in RSP’s Future
Through Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses, Kionne will have the opportunity to strengthen her business leadership skills, engage with a network of entrepreneurs, and develop strategies that support RSP’s next phase of growth.
For RSP, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit childcare organization, this opportunity represents more than professional development. It is an investment in the organization’s ability to expand its reach, strengthen its operations, build sustainable partnerships, and continue delivering high-quality, innovative early childhood education to children and families.
“Being accepted into Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses is an incredible honor and an opportunity I do not take lightly,” said Abdul-Malik. “I am excited to represent Ready Set Prep and bring everything I learn back to an organization that is doing something truly special. We are building more than a childcare center. We are creating an environment where children can thrive, families can feel supported, and innovation can open doors for our community. I want RSP to be an example of what is possible when vision, purpose, and sound business strategy come together.”
Leadership Beyond the Classroom
Kionne’s commitment to service and community leadership extends beyond RSP. She serves as Chair of the Baltimore City Women’s Commission and is the founder of Found a Butterfly, Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to lupus awareness and support. Across her professional and community roles, she continues to champion empowerment, access, and opportunities that help people and organizations reach their potential.
Her acceptance into the Goldman Sachs program is another chapter in a career rooted in purposeful leadership and an important step toward the ambitious future she is helping build at Ready Set Prep.
Please join us in congratulating Kionne T. Abdul-Malik on this outstanding achievement. We look forward to seeing the ideas, partnerships, and opportunities that emerge as she continues to help RSP grow, innovate, and prepare children for school, life, and the world ahead.
Ready Set Prep Early Learning Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to high-quality early childhood education, family partnership, and innovative learning experiences that nurture the whole child.
