Nikki Evans
Nakisha "Nikki" Evans is BNY's Senior Vice President for Workforce Development and Education. She has over 15 years of experience in workforce development in both the public and private sectors, including work in higher education, strategic partnerships, adult training programs, and employer and industry engagement.
Prior to joining the Brooklyn Navy Yard, Nikki was the Executive Director for the Jeremiah Program’s Brooklyn office, where she led the organization’s work with college-going single mothers and their children in Brooklyn. Before JP, Nikki spent over seven years at the CUNY Central Office as the Director of Workforce Partnerships. There, she oversaw a portfolio of industry-driven career readiness, training, and experiential learning initiatives that prepared students for opportunities in NYC’s high-growth sectors such as life sciences, tech, and data analytics. Nikki developed her love for advanced manufacturing and technical training and education while working for Siemens Germany. There, she managed education and training partnerships for the Siemens Technik Akademie’s international mechatronics program for over four years.
A self-described “low key” techie, Nikki thoroughly enjoys the challenges of working in innovation spaces like the Brooklyn Navy Yard, and deeply appreciates its mission-driven approach to creating economic opportunity for Brooklyn. She is excited to continue exploring the connections between economic development, workforce, and long-term socioeconomic mobility in her new role at BNY. A believer in public-private partnerships, community collaboration, and economic equity, Nikki is looking forward to helping BNY expand its positive impact on Brooklyn and the city.
Nikki holds a Bachelor’s degree in African and Afro-American Studies from Brandeis University and Master’s degree in Government and Politics from St. John’s University. Originally from Florida, she currently calls Flatbush “home” and considers herself a “Brooklynite by choice, not circumstance.”