FIRST YEAR WITH IHF
2024

FOCUS AREAS
Early Childhood and Reproductive Health and Justice

EDUCATION
M.S. in Child Development, Erikson Institute
M.J. in Children’s Law and Policy, Loyola University
B.A. in Public Relations, Missouri State University

Olayemi Tobi Ponnle (she/her) is a Program Associate at the Irving Harris Foundation working with our grant partners in Early Childhood and Reproductive Health and Justice. Her work with children as a teacher, nanny, sitter, and various other positions impassioned her to work within the broader systems to bring equitable and quality care to all families. She credits her love of learning, creativity, and adaptability to those early experiences. Prior to the Foundation Tobi was the Program Associate for the Chief Policy and Research Officer at Start Early. She is originally from Kansas City and came to Chicago to pursue her graduate education but stayed for the great community she built along the way. She holds a Master of Child Development degree from the Erikson Institute, Master of Children’s Law and Policy degree from Loyola University Chicago, and a Bachelor’s in Public Relations from Missouri State University. Tobi likes to walk along the lake trail, take classes at Bonvivant Cakes, and try new crafts.