Kela Powers is the Chief Operating Officer at Vista College Prep, a network of tuition-free public charter schools serving students and families across Phoenix, Arizona. Kela has dedicated more than 15 years to advancing educational equity through leadership roles spanning teaching, school operations, enrollment, student recruitment, and organizational strategy. Her career began in the classroom as a Teach For America corps member, where she developed a deep belief in the power of high-quality schools to expand opportunity and transform lives.

As a founding team member at Vista, Kela has helped guide the organization through significant growth and evolution, contributing to the expansion from a single school to a multi-campus network serving more than 1,700 students. Most recently, she transitioned from leading student recruitment and enrollment efforts to serving as Chief Operating Officer, where she oversees network operations, enrollment, and strategic initiatives that support strong schools, sustainable growth, and exceptional experiences for students and families. She is particularly passionate about building systems that enable educators to focus on what matters most: student success.

Kela holds a Master of Education from Arizona State University and remains committed to continuous learning and leadership development. As a FOX Fellow, she is excited to deepen her capacity as an executive leader while learning alongside peers from across the country. Outside of work, Kela enjoys the crazy family chaos of her daughter and twin boys, exploring new restaurants with her husband, and staying active through fitness.