About AYE, LLC
Mission statement
Advancing Your Excellence, LLC is a boutique consulting firm dedicated to strengthening the operational infrastructure of mission-driven organizations, with a special focus on historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), minority-serving institutions (MSIs), and BIPOC-led nonprofits. AYE specializes in building sustainable advancement, organizational development, and strategic planning frameworks that are equity-centered and community-informed.
We are committed to providing personalized support and guidance in order to develop creative solutions that create a sustainable advancement of operational infrastructure that meets our clients’ needs and supports the organization's efforts. At AYE, we do not offer one-size-fits-all solutions. Instead, tailor our approach to honor the culture, capacity, and aspirations of each organization. Our work is deeply relational, driven by values of transparency, collaboration, and excellence.
Samira Malik, MS
Founder & Principal
Samira has 20+ years of experience in operations within higher education and within the non-profit sector. Ms. Malik’s professional experience has included direct oversight for strategic design, development and implementation of operational infrastructure within Institutional Advancement.
She has been successful in ensuring effective execution of aligning business support and partnership functions, ensuring that processes and procedures are in alignment with the priorities of the institution and supports the work of meeting the institutions’ fundraising goals. She graduated from University of Maryland with a Bachelor of Science in psychology and University of Maryland Global Campus with a Master of Science in Data Analytics.
Samira is a member of Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), Association of Advancement Services Professionals (AASP), Association of Professional Researchers for Advancement (APRA) and Women of Color in Fundraising and Philanthropy (WOC). She serves on the Advisory Board for Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) and is a board member for Kendal-Crosslands Communities.
Kymberly Graves, JD, CAP®
Principal Consultant
Kymberly Graves brings over 15 years of experience in the philanthropic sector in higher education and non-profits, including fundraising and development strategies, leadership engagement, and board governance and operations. Kymberly recently served as the Board Administrator for the Morgan State University Foundation, and before that as an Assistant Secretary to the Board of Trustees at Northeastern University. Her additional university experience includes launching an inaugural planned giving program at Lincoln University (PA) and providing board administration for their Foundation Board. Earlier in her career, Kymberly served as an Educational Policy Liaison for the late Congressman Elijah Cummings and was a US Department of Education Presidential Appointee.
Kymberly earned a JD from the University of the District of Columbia, David A. Clarke School of Law and a BA from the University of Maryland at College Park. She also holds the Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy - CAP® designation from the American College of Financial Services and the Board Professional Certificate of Completion from the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges (AGB). As an active member of The Links, Inc. and a life member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Kymberly serves on several community service-based committees.