As Chief Executive Officer for KEF, Mike Taylor is focused on transforming public education through the expansion of best practices, creation of innovation in the classroom, and development of research-based solutions that bring a continuous improvement approach to address the challenges facing public schools.
Mike earned a bachelor’s degree in business from the University of Tennessee and a Master of Public Administration from Gardner-Webb University. He also holds Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) and Certified Education Foundation Leader (CEFL) certifications. He is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and serves as Chair of the National Association of Education Foundations Board of Directors. He has been a featured speaker at industry conferences.
Mike has 30 years of nonprofit management and fundraising experience, including 15 years of leadership in the education foundation industry. Prior to joining KEF in 2023, he served as CEO of the Henrico Education Foundation in Richmond, Virginia, and Executive Director of the Mountain Education Foundation in Signal Mountain, Tennessee.
Mike is an East Tennessee native and shares three children with his wife, Julie Mills Taylor. In his free time, Mike enjoys spending time with family, reading, outdoor activities and University of Tennessee football.