Prior to becoming Aspire’s CEO in 2009 (after serving as its Chief Operating Officer), James was the founding Chief Operating Officer for Education for Change, a nonprofit charter management organisation founded to restart underperforming district schools within the Oakland Unified School District.

James has also served as a Principal at NewSchools Venture Fund, a philanthropic organisation focused on starting organisations and supporting entrepreneurs focused on improving public schools nation-wide. Before that, he was a nonprofit consultant with the Bridgespan Group, and served as a US Army officer for over seven years.