Tiffany Cooper Gueye, Ph.D.

Chief Executive Officer, BELL (Building Educated Leaders for Life), Dorchester, Mass., Age: 30

Mohandas K. Gandhi’s exhortation that “the best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others,” lights Tiffany Cooper Gueye’s career path. “I try not to focus on how I can get more or be more, but instead on how I can give more or be better.” At 30 years old, with a Ph.D. in educational research, measurement and evaluation from Boston College, Cooper Gueye continues that focus as chief executive at BELL (Building Educated Leaders for Life), a national not-for-profit organization.

Cooper Gueye was bussed to an all-white suburb under a school-integration program. Once, she won a battle for the tire swing, only to be told by the loser, “Well, at least I am not Black.” The experience fueled her drive to excel and is a factor in her commitment to BELL’s mission to enhance the educational achievements, self-esteem and life opportunities of children in urban communities.

Cooper Gueye thanks “God’s good grace,” a supportive family and the leadership at BELL for her successful career. Sometimes, however, her age gets in the way. “It’s not true of everyone, but with some, it takes a little time to understand what I have to offer and get past my age.”

It’s a bother that won’t hamper her plans, Cooper Gueye says. “Over the next twenty years, I see greater influence on public policy so that children across the U.S. are getting the support they need to learn and are achieving at high levels.”

Quote: "The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others." - Mohandas K. Gandhi

Fun Facts
Favorite book/author: Integrity by Stephen L. Carter
Facebook or LinkedIn: LinkedIn
Favorite sports teams: New England Patriots, Boston Red Sox, Boston Celtics
What artist would you go on tour with: Gloria Estefan
First car: 1992 Silver Nissan Altima
First job: Summer camp counselor
Number of countries visited: 15
Last movie: The Haunting in Connecticut