As the college and career landscape evolves, so do the demands on The Opportunity Network to continue leading at the cutting edge. A critical piece in accomplishing this record of ongoing effectiveness is the agility, vigor, and clarity of vision on the part of OppNet and its leadership.
This is why we are thrilled to announce that the Board of Directors has unanimously appointed AiLun Ku to be The Opportunity Network’s President and CEO. Jessica Pliska, who has led OppNet since its founding 17 years ago, will remain a vital part of OppNet’s future in a full-time senior leadership role as Founder and Head of Leadership Giving, and a non-voting member of the Board of Directors. This transition is effective as of today.
In these new capacities, Jessica, as OppNet’s first Head of Leadership Giving, will be deployed to expand our network of supporters through strategic fundraising, external partnerships, and individual and family impact investing, all to fortify OppNet’s long-term financial health. And as President and CEO, AiLun will lead OppNet in continuing to be the vanguard of college, career, and postsecondary success. AiLun will ensure OppNet dynamically prepares our young people for success in a changing world, while also elevating student and community leadership to be at the table in shaping the future of work and education.
This evolution in leadership, alongside other areas of transformation, enhancement, and innovation across the organization, is proof of our commitment to ensuring OppNet’s continued success.
Jessica’s leadership has had an incredible impact at OppNet. Jessica founded The Opportunity Network in 2003 with Chairman Emeritus, Brian Weinstein, with the idea that the experiences of first-generation college-bound students from historically underrepresented communities — experiences that are inflected by educational and structural injustices — require unique and urgent support. Without it, the inherent right of every student to lifelong and enduring personal and professional success is put in jeopardy.
Over the last 17 years, Jessica has brought her entrepreneurial spirit and tenacity to OppNet in carrying out that founding promise. Under Jessica’s leadership, OppNet has grown from a one-woman operation in her living room to a national organization with over 40 staff members, serving almost 1,000 students through the OppNet Fellows program in NYC, and reaching thousands more across 18 cities through the school and organizational capacity-building OppNet Career Fluency® Partnerships program.
And now, OppNet is incredibly excited to see the new heights we will reach as AiLun leads the organization into the future as President and CEO.
AiLun has been with OppNet for eight years, and has led OppNet’s growth in critical ways since day one. She served as OppNet’s first Director of Programs, architecting an enhanced OppNet programmatic strategy when the organization had just seven full-time staff. For the last few years, as President and COO, AiLun has overseen all programming, evaluation, finance and administration, and operations. In addition to her leadership and management within the organization, she has been helping to drive OppNet’s impact externally, representing OppNet and expanding its institutional footprint through key speaking engagements, trailblazing thought leadership, and relationship-stewardship, which has galvanized support and resources in service of OppNet’s institutional growth, health, and durability.
AiLun’s track record in leading strategically to drive real change has made her uniquely qualified to be OppNet’s next CEO. We encourage you to read AiLun’s full bio, and to look for a message from AiLun in the coming days to hear directly from her as OppNet’s new CEO.
In closing, and on behalf of the entire Board of Directors, we would like to congratulate AiLun on this appointment. We’re excited to continue to partner with her in fueling the next phase of OppNet’s continued success.
