Neils joined LIFT-DC as their Executive Director in 2023. Prior to LIFT, Neils worked at Stronger Consulting as an Associate Partner of their strategy consulting division. Prior to Stronger, Neils worked at DC Prep Public Charter School as the Chief of External Affairs supporting fundraising, communication, community engagement efforts, and college access and success during his tenure. Neils also previously worked for College Track as the launch director for the DC region.

Neils worked for City Year, Inc. for nearly a decade, serving as a regional managing director for recruitment and admissions and start-up executive director for City Year Tulsa. Neils also served as an impact director and impact manager for City Year Washington, DC, helping to start five new school partnerships and supporting City Year in the Congress Heights area. Neils is a member of the Fall 2018 Cohort of Pahara NextGen Fellowship, the 2014 LEAD class of City Year, and he served as an AmeriCorps member of the 2009 class of City Year Washington, DC.

The son of Ghanaian immigrants, Neils was born and raised in Alexandria, Virginia. He is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in management and society. He also received a master’s degree in nonprofit management, with a concentration in organizational leadership from Northeastern University. In 2017 Neils founded a nonprofit consulting business called Heroes for Hire which specializes in social entrepreneurship. He currently resides in Capitol Heights, Maryland with his wife, Shamelle, and their two sons.