Guided by unwavering determination, natural curiosity, and an enduring desire for progress, Ainsley A. Reynolds began envisioning his life while growing up in the Bronx, New York.
You could call Reynolds a high achiever. This certified public accountant became Dr. Ainsley A. Reynolds after earning his Doctorate in Business Administration degree from Rutgers University in 2022.
Reynolds is part of the Board of Directors as the newly elected General Treasurer of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. His four-year term began this year under the leadership of General President Lucien J. Metellus, Jr.
According to Reynolds, “In my role, I am responsible for safeguarding the investments and the assets of the fraternity. I’m the primary investor of our assets, both long-and-short term.” In addition to making sure the resources are properly utilized, Reynolds helps to protect the organization from fraud. “I’m a CPA by profession. It’s second nature to utilize my skills for my beloved fraternity.”
Dr. Ainsley A. Reynolds discusses Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and General Treasurer (Courtesy of Kaylyn Kendall Dines)
In Spring 2000, Reynolds was initiated into the Eta Theta Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Now, as a resident of New Jersey, he is a member of the Theta Psi Lambda Chapter. Reynolds is one of the founders of the fraternity’s Sigma Chi Lambda chapter in Jersey City, New Jersey.
In addition to being a financial operations manager with the Police and Fireman Retirement System of New Jersey, Reynolds is an adjunct professor at his alma mater, Rutgers University, where he facilitates an Introduction to Financial Accounting course. He thoroughly enjoys watching science fiction and horror movies and using several of his seven smokers for backyard barbeques.
From his profession to personal life and volunteer community service, this 54-year old planned for almost everything in life. When he met the woman of his dreams, he professed he would marry her. Now, more than 22 years Da’Shawn Reynolds, a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., is his wife. They are the parents of two daughters, the late Olivia “Livi” Gwen and her little sister Mya, who is now a student at Morgan State University.
Next to Sci Fi films and Horror movies, one of Dr. Ainsley A. Reynolds’ favorite pastimes is grilling. With seven smokers, his friends playfully call him a master of backyard BBQs. 
Dr. Ainsley A. Reynolds is pictured here in July 2025 during the General Convention of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. in Philadelphia. (Courtesy of Dr. Ainsley A. Reynolds) 
Dr. Ainsley A. Reynolds (right) poses with Da’Shawn Reynolds during the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. General Convention in Philadelphia (July 2025). The Reynolds are parents of the late Olivia Gwen Reynolds and Mya Reynolds. (Courtesy of Dr. Ainsley A. Reynolds)
As a couple, they made a lot of plans, and they experienced happiness and heartache. Yet, as a husband and father, one thing that was not in the plans was a diagnosis of chronic kidney disease. Reynolds went from stage three to stage five, which is end-stage renal disease. Now, four days every week for about three hours a day, as part of a wellness regime, he uses a portable hemodialysis machine.
While sitting at home in his “Man Cave” wearing green scrubs, our discussion takes place on Zoom while the blood in his body moves through tubes to the dialysis machine and back into his body.
Reynolds is managing his diabetes and weight. He wants to be a “beacon of light” to others. “I am a person who is in end-stage renal failure, stage five kidney failure. Therefore, I am on dialysis. I happen to do it at home. I want to say to people, I am personally looking for a living donor kidney transplant. However, if you decide to be a donor, you may decide to try to transplant to be me, but you may not be a match. I am encouraging people to get tested because there are hundreds of thousands of people like me who are in end-stage renal failure on dialysis, looking for a living donor. We have been on these transplant lists for a number of years. The more beneficial way to come off of dialysis is through a living donor because kidneys usually last longer, and they’re usually a better match with a living donor.”
It’s been more than two years since his diagnosis. Initially, he didn’t tell many people.
Why? Reynolds said, “Ego. It took over two years to get past my ego because the transplant center had encouraged me for a while that a living donor would be a better method of identifying a donor.
Reynolds loves life. He paused when sharing what this experience taught him, “Your health means more to you than anything else, more than money, more than anything. You could have all of these accomplishments in life, but if you’re not alive to enjoy them, what was the point? So, when your doctor tells you something, even if you get a second or third opinion, the bottom line is you need to take care of yourself. Take precautions in the beginning before they lead to more major health concerns like high blood pressure and diabetes. I have diabetes, high blood pressure, and being overweight…I wouldn’t wish this on anybody.”
“Getting past ego. This is my life. The dialysis is sustaining the quality of my life,” he added. “For longevity’s sake, I would like to get a donor much quicker to get off of this machine and to have a longer-lasting quality of life. I’d like to walk my daughter down the aisle. I’d like to be alive to see grandchildren, if possible…I love life. I got a lot of things I want to do with my life that I can be effective and beneficial to the community.”
Long before Reynolds needed a transplant, he had already registered as an organ donor designation with the New Jersey Division of Motor Vehicle. Now, it is indicated on his NJ driver’s license. He encourages others to visit CBMCLivingDonor.org to learn more and consider becoming a donor of the gift of life.
Reynolds said, “The person whose life you save might be a your own loved one, your friend, your family member, or someone you don’t know. You might be on the other end of receiving a living donor kidney, as I am. I signed up to be a living donor on my driver’s license.” Reynolds said before adding, “You just may save a life.”