Dr. Alaina Chipman Leeks is the Founder and Executive Director of Atlanta Unbound Academy, a tuition free public charter school in Atlanta reimagining what is possible for historically underserved students through an HBCU inspired educational model. Originally from Nassau, The Bahamas, and a proud graduate of Spelman College, Alaina brings together visionary leadership, systems thinking, and an unwavering commitment to educational equity.

As a founder, Alaina has led Atlanta Unbound Academy from concept to impact, navigating the complexities of launching and sustaining a public charter school while building a culture centered on academic excellence, belonging, and opportunity. Her work has been supported through fellowships, grants, and partnerships with organizations including the Charter School Growth Fund, redefinED, the Walton Family Foundation, and the Morehouse School of Medicine, where she helped create early STEM pathways for middle school students from historically underrepresented communities.

Beyond K–12 education, Alaina is passionate about developing leaders and building organizations that last. Her work focuses on leadership development, organizational change, founder sustainability, and creating systems that allow mission driven organizations to scale without losing their purpose. She is a Pahara Fellow and serves as a leadership coach and consultant to education leaders across the country.

Alaina is also an advocate for infertility awareness and surrogacy. After becoming a mother to twins through gestational surrogacy, she has used her platform to openly share her family's journey, helping to normalize conversations around infertility, reproductive medicine, and modern paths to parenthood, particularly within communities where these topics have historically been misunderstood or stigmatized.

Her research explores how leadership, sensemaking, and organizational strategy influence the long term sustainability of mission driven organizations. She earned her Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership from Vanderbilt University's Peabody College, a master's degree from New York University, and a bachelor's degree in Child Development from Spelman College.

Alaina has been recognized as an Atlanta Business Chronicle 40 Under 40 honoree, a Spelman College 40 Under 40 recipient, one of The Bahamas' Top 40 Under 40, and has received numerous honors for her contributions to education, leadership, and community impact.