Shaleena Gaskin

Shaleena Gaskin is a first-generation college graduate and mission–driven education leader with over 19+ years of experience advancing postsecondary access, career readiness, and systems-level change across the nonprofit and K–12 sectors. Guided by a deep commitment to educational equity, Shaleena has dedicated her career to dismantling barriers that have historically limited college and career opportunities for underrepresented students, especially those from low-income backgrounds.  

As the executive director of Bottom Line Massachusetts, she spearheads strategic initiatives that promote data-informed decision-making, foster inclusive leadership, and scale programs supporting college enrollment, persistence, and degree attainment. Her leadership has been instrumental in driving regional growth, launching equity-focused initiatives, and cultivating cross-sector partnerships with higher education institutions, public agencies, and donors. 

Prior to her time at Bottom Line, Shaleena served in leadership roles in public school systems and college access organizations, where she built pathways to postsecondary success through dual enrollment, work-based learning, and alumni support programming. She is recognized for her ability to build strategic partnerships, secure investment for long-term impact, and translate policy into actionable change.