James Stovall

Senior Vice President

James Stovall is senior vice president of Kiwi Partners, where he supports the firm’s business development and strategy functions.   

James is the former founder and chief executive officer of Little Bird HR, a Manhattan-based human resources organization that provided HR software, employee benefits, and outsourced HR services to Charter Schools, education non-profits, and other mission-driven organizations.   

Under James’ leadership, Little Bird grew from zero to over $9 million in annual revenue. The firm earned numerous awards and citations, including being named to Inc. magazine's list of the fastest growing companies in America, as well as a finalist for “Top HR Tech Firm of 2018" by HR Tech magazine.  Little Bird also appeared on the cover of the human resources industry publication, PEO Insider.      

In July 2020, James sold Little Bird to TriNet, one of the world’s largest HR companies that has a market cap of $4.8 billion and is listed on the New York Stock Exchange.  In doing so, James became one of only a handful of African-American entrepreneurs ever to start and sell a business to a publicly traded U.S. firm.   

Prior to founding Little Bird, James was chief executive officer of one of the nation’s largest charter school management firms, Victory Education Partners. Victory managed charter schools in New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, Florida, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C.  James started as general counsel of Victory and over the course of his 15-year tenure with the firm rose to chief administrative officer and ultimately CEO.  

James’ began his professional career in advertising and later became a lawyer.  He was a practicing mergers and acquisitions attorney for several years at large law firms in New York, Washington D.C., and Chicago (his hometown) before stepping down to use his talents to help improve public education – something he is very passionate about.        

James has been a member of several corporate and non-profit boards, including the New York Chapter of Black Alliance for Educational Options and Capital Prep Charter Schools.  He is also a graduate of the Broad Foundation Residency in Urban Education, as well as the Young Presidents Organization.