About Me

---

I am an experienced leader in the global and domestic social sector, with experience in process improvement, higher education, workforce and community development, human development, philanthropy, and organizational development. I champion solutions to strengthen independence and expand life opportunities for disadvantaged people while emphasizing engagement and innovation to achieve goals. I have proven success in connecting ideas, resources, and stakeholders in diverse communities to advance social change.

As Chief Operating Officer of JEVS Human Services, a multi-faceted social services nonprofit in the Philadelphia region, l oversaw the organization's wide-ranging service delivery functions that annually connect over 25,000 area residents with supports in the areas of employment and skills training, vocational rehabilitation, recovery services, adult residential and day services, and in-home personal care. Previously, I directed the Skills for America's Future program at the Aspen Institute, an employer-led policy initiative that worked to identify and champion solutions that improve the competitiveness of the United States workforce and improve economic opportunity for American workers. And before that, I served as Vice President of Operations at the Ford Foundation, responsible for overseeing grants administration, information technology, NY headquarters operations, and overseas operations. I joined the Foundation as a grant maker in the workforce development field. 

Earlier in my career, I worked for a variety of non-profit organizations. My experience includes program design and management in the workforce development arena; capacity-building, training, and technical assistance for community development corporations; affordable housing development and commercial revitalization projects; community organizing; and trade association management.

• Workforce Development: I have worked with community colleges, the public workforce system, and nonprofit organizations to create pathways for workers to obtain the skills and education they need to secure economic opportunity and that enable employers to identify the talent they need to remain competitive. Though wide-ranging, this work has included deep dives into workforce development policy, sectoral workforce development strategies, apprenticeship, integrated education and workforce development efforts, workforce development finance, and career and technical education.

• Post-secondary Education: Working with a range of higher education institutions and with educational services organizations, I have fostered higher education programs and strategies that successfully enroll and graduate participants from disadvantaged backgrounds.

• Human Services: I have worked with human services organizations to connect the most vulnerable people in our society to programs that advance their educational, economic, and life opportunities. 

• Philanthropy: As a program officer and senior manager at the Ford Foundation, and as a leader in the field of philanthropy, I have work to develop and operate effective grant making programs that deploy grant funds for impact. 

• Social Justice and Equity: Throughout my career, I have aimed to ensure that the impact of my work targets and engages disadvantaged and excluded communities.