Jeffrey James Keyes

Jeffrey James Keyes is an executive assistant in the Higher Learning program, providing support to Carolyn Dinshaw and Maria Sachiko Cecire. 

Prior to joining the Foundation in 2021, Mr. Keyes served as executive assistant and grants manager for the Massachusetts COVID-19 Relief Fund, the temporary administrative coordinator for Mass STEM Hub, part of the One8 Foundation.  He also served in a number of roles at Columbia University School of the Arts including assistant director of student affairs and program assistant for the MFA theatre program.  He holds a BA in theatre and visual arts from Fordham University and an MFA in playwriting from Columbia University School of the Arts and additionally studied at the British American Academy of Drama in London. 

Mr. Keyes is a New York Times best-selling author for Killer Chef (2016), which he coauthored with James Patterson.  His award-winning short film Uniform was featured in over thirty film festivals worldwide.  He is passionate about supporting and encouraging other writers and artists and serves as a mentor for the PEN America Prison Writing Program and is the recipient of the inaugural PEN America/L'Engle-Rahman Prize for Mentorship.