Dr. Cassandra W. Jones, Ed.D., is a visionary leader with 45 years of experience leading organizations to achieve their mission, improve performance and manage financial and human resources effectively.
She is the CEO and president of Next Step Associates, LLC (NSA) which she founded in 2004. NSA is a minority, woman-owned consulting firm that is SBA 8(a) and HUBZone certified. NSA is a premier training company for businesses, government agencies, educational institutions, and non-profits and works alongside clients to develop, design, and provide comprehensive and relevant training in the areas of accountable leadership, workforce development, diversity and inclusion, curriculum development, executive level coaching, small to large project management, conference planning and meeting facilitation, social media, and technical writing. Dr. Jones establishes the firm’s strategic direction and oversees all projects. NSA was selected by the U.S. Small Business Association as the Eastern Pennsylvania Minority-own Small Business of the Year, 2018.
Dr. Jones is a 2018 graduate of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business Program. This initiative is for small businesses and enables them to link learning to action. In 2014, She was honored as one of the Women of Distinction by the Philadelphia Business Journal. In this same year, the Philadelphia Business Journal recognized NSA with the award as one of the Top 50 Minority Businesses in the city.
Prior to establishing Next Step Associates, she was the Chief Academic Officer of the Baltimore City Public School System (2001-2004). Dr. Jones was responsible for all aspects of the educational program, Pre-kindergarten through grade 12, including curriculum, assessment, teacher training, school closing and restructuring, professional and leadership development, and a wide variety of elementary and secondary reform issues. She was also responsible for developing and implementing competitive and non-competitive grants in the aggregate amount of $50 Million as well as the educational budget.
Dr. Jones served as Interim Chief Academic Officer for The School District of Philadelphia, 2000-2001, and was responsible for all aspects of the educational programs, Pre-kindergarten through grade 12, including the development and implementation of curriculum—district-wide, design and application of a comprehensive professional development plan for academic and support staff, implemented a comprehensive Leadership Development program, and cultivated partnerships with colleges and universities to provide services for the District.
Dr. Jones’ bachelor, master, and doctorate degrees are in Education, Administration and Sports Administration respectively from Temple University, and she has certifications in Supervision, Health and Physical Education, Secondary Principal and her Superintendent’s Letter of Eligibility is from Beaver College (presently Arcadia University).
Next Step Associates, LLC has provided technical assistance to School-to-Career, high school reform, school restructuring and other reform issues to: the Maryland Department of Education; School Districts of Newark, Trenton, Lancaster, Charleston, Albuquerque, Louisville, and Phoenix; Jobs for the Future; the National and State School-to-Work Offices; the Legislature of the U.S. Virgin Islands; The Gates Foundation, The Thurgood Marshall Foundation, Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church, Deliverance Evangelistic Church, Rock of Ages Church, and Soulful Christmas at the Kimmel Center.
Dr. Cassandra W. Jones’ core values of integrity and service are grounded in her spiritual formation that was birthed in Mt. Sinai Holy Churches of America, Inc. These core values have been further refined under her pastor, The Reverend Dr. Alyn E. Waller, Senior Pastor, Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church. She currently serves as the Senior Directress and Administrator, Music and Arts at Enon.
Dr. Cassandra W. Jones is married to Doyt M. Jones, Jr.; they have two children, Doyt M. Jones, III (Crystal) and Jasmine E. Sessoms (Jammar) and five granddaughters.
Reflections
March is the month in which we celebrate women and their contributions to our lives in multiple areas.
Whenever and wherever women are present, they make a profound difference in the context. A richness of mind and spirit is added to the experience of the people present. The women of every era are worthy of honor, but we will focus on a small number of those in the twenty-first century to laud for their extraordinary efforts on behalf of humankind. Whether a homemaker, a CEO, a political or ecclesiastical leader, a scientist, an educator, an artist, a medical worker, and a myriad of other positions, women are a force in the realization of possibilities. They are ready and competent to do the labor necessary to improve the quality of life of all wherever they reside on the globe. This month the NSA Destinations blog highlights several women who are making a difference in our lives.
List three women who have impacted your life in positive ways. In two or three sentences share what they gave/give to you.
Give a small “thank you” gift to a woman who is presently significant in your life. Spend no more than one or two dollars (excluding taxes). The gift is small, but your words of gratefulness are priceless; you just want her to know that she is appreciated beyond any special occasion.
Dorothy Watson Tatem, D.Min., ACC
Senior Associate
Next Step Associates, LLC
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