Aisha Hadiya Oliver-Staley

Obituary of Aisha Hadiya Oliver-Staley
May 9, 2025
Obituary for Aisha Oliver-Staley: Brilliant Lawyer, Joyful Soul – A Legacy of Law and Love
New York, NY - Aisha Oliver-Staley, a trailblazing legal mind and former General Counsel of New York University (NYU), passed away on May 9, leaving behind a legacy of integrity, advocacy, and transformative leadership in higher education law. She was 48.
A distinguished attorney known for her sharp intellect and unwavering commitment to justice, Aisha served as NYU's General Counsel from 2021 - 2024, guiding the university through complex legal challenges with wisdom and foresight. Her tenure was marked by landmark decisions that strengthened institutional governance, academic freedom, and student rights.
Born and raised in Trinidad and Tobago, Aisha graduated with honors from Morgan State University with a B.Sc. in business management before earning her Juris Doctor from Howard University School of Law. Early in her career, she distinguished herself in corporate and nonprofit law, eventually transitioning into higher education, where she became a respected voice on issues ranging from international operations, compliance and ethics, real estate, finance and development, municipal finance, gifts, conflicts of interest, investigations, student and personnel matters.
Prior to joining NYU, Aisha spent nine years at Georgia Institute of Technology, during which time she served as the Executive Director of the Institute's Affiliated Organizations and later as its Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer and Deputy General Counsel. Before she worked at Georgia Tech, Aisha was a corporate attorney at McKenna, Long & Aldridge LLP (now Dentons) in Atlanta; and also previously worked in banking and as a highschool teacher at her alma mater Bishop Anstey High School (BAHS) in Trinidad and Tobago.
Beyond her professional achievements, Aisha was a mentor to countless young lawyers, particularly women of color in the legal field. Aisha was a member of the National Association of College and University Attorneys (NACUA) Finance and Audit Committee as well as the Association of American Universities (AAU) General Counsels' Steering Committee. She served on the University Settlement Board of Directors, and was a frequent speaker on leadership principles. Colleagues remember her as a compassionate leader who balanced legal rigor with a deep sense of ethics.
To all who knew her, Aisha radiated warmth-her infectious cheer, boundless kindness, and generous spirit touched countless lives. Her philanthropy extended far beyond institutions; wherever she saw a need, she acted with quiet grace and unwavering resolve. Whether through grand gestures or simple acts of compassion, she made the world brighter for those around her.
Aisha is survived by her husband Kenneth D. Staley of 20 years, parents-Trevor and Camlyn Oliver, sisters Kalifa Oliver Ledbetter and Malika Oliver, her brother, Kevin Kerr, her nieces-Aria and Annalise, and nephews Malik, James IV, Omari, Jabari and Ngozi.
A memorial service will be held at Greenwich Village Funeral Home in New York City on Sunday 18, 2025 from 11 am - 1 pm.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to charities of her choice, University Settlement and Brooklyn Caribbean Literary Festival reflecting her lifelong dedication to sustainability and education.
Funeral Services
Memorial Service
May 18, 2025
11:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Greenwich Village Funeral Home
199 Bleecker Street
New York, NY 10012
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