Board of Directors

Board of Directors

Darien Threadgill
Executive Director

Darien Threadgill, a 1974 graduate of Cheyney University with a B.S. in Elementary Education, devoted over four decades to inspiring students in the Tredyffrin-Easttown School District. Known for his excellence and twelve consecutive years of superior service recognition, he made a lasting impact as a teacher and leader. 

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Dr. Larry J. Walker
Chairman

Dr. Larry J. Walker currently works as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Educational Leadership and Higher Education at the University of Central Florida. Further, Dr. Walker held faculty appointments at Loyola University Maryland and Howard University.
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Tiffany Wilson
Vice Chariman

Tiffany Wilson currently works for the Pennsylvania Senate. She earned her Bachelor and Master’s degrees from Temple University. After graduation she began her career in public health.
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Bryan Phillips, J.D.
Treasurer

Bryan N. Phillips, J.D. currently serves as the Deputy Chief Compliance Officer for Avoro Capital Advisors LLC, a New York based global life sciences investment firm with a focus on supporting emerging biotechnology companies.
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Jazmine Smith
Board Member

Jazmine is passionate about innovation and about helping build great companies in Philadelphia. She serves as the Director of Youth Sports for The University of Pennsylvania.
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Darien Threadgill
Executive Director

Darien Threadgill, a 1974 graduate of Cheyney University with a B.S. in Elementary Education, devoted over four decades to inspiring students in the Tredyffrin-Easttown School District. Known for his excellence and twelve consecutive years of superior service recognition, he made a lasting impact as a teacher and leader. After retiring, he served as principal of Green Valley Academy and later returned to Cheyney, where he now leads as Executive Director of The Cheyney Foundation, championing educational excellence and empowering the next generation of leaders.

Dr. Larry J. Walker
Chairman

Dr. Larry J. Walker currently works as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Educational Leadership and Higher Education at the University of Central Florida. Further, Dr. Walker held faculty appointments at Loyola University Maryland and Howard University. He has published numerous articles on race, leadership, and policy. Previously, he served on the Board at the House of Ruth Maryland and Maryland New Directions in Baltimore, MD. In addition, he was selected as a Congressional Fellow with the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation and worked as the Legislative Director for former Congressman Major R. Owens. During his tenure in Congressman Owens office he supervised the legislative staff and worked on a bipartisan and bicameral basis to pass important legislation. Dr. Walker graduated from Cheyney University in 1996.

Tiffany Wilson
Vice Chairman

Tiffany Wilson currently works for the Pennsylvania Senate. She earned her Bachelor and Master’s degrees from Temple University. After graduation she began her career in public health. She credits a statewide political fellowship for heightening an interest in local/state politics and government services. She has extensive experience serving on various boards in addition to fundraising and volunteer experience. When she is not working, she enjoys spending time with her daughter, Paris.

 

Bryan Phillips, J.D.
Treasurer

Bryan N. Phillips, J.D. currently serves as the Deputy Chief Compliance Officer for Avoro Capital Advisors LLC, a New York based global life sciences investment firm with a focus on supporting emerging biotechnology companies. Bryan has over 20 years of experience working in the financial industry acquiring knowledge across the areas of compliance, trading, client support, and wealth management. During his career, Bryan has worked at institutions such as Morgan Stanley, Deutsche Bank, Goldman Sachs, and Citadel LLC. Bryan graduated from Cheyney University in 1993, receiving his bachelor’s degree in Political Science. Bryan also received his Juris Doctorate (J.D.) degree from New York Law School.

Jazmine Smith
Board Member

Jazmine is passionate about innovation and about helping build great companies in Philadelphia. She serves as the Director of Youth Sports for The University of Pennsylvania.

She is also the Executive Director of Eyekonz Sports League, a leading youth sports league for non traditional sports geared towards minority and inner city children of the greater Philadelphia area. She is very active in the Philadelphia startup community, supporting Philly Startup Leaders, Mainline NAACP, Philadelphia crime prevention programs, USA Field Hockey Association, US Lacrosse Association , The Olympic Association and The Alliance of Women Entrepreneurs.

Previously, Jazmine was the regional marketing manager at The Department of Transportation of Pennsylvania which provides various services for residents of Pennsylvania.

Jazmine has more than 25 years of experience creating strong teams and building strong leaders for emerging companies as well as Fortune 500 clients. Additionally, she spent eight years at Def Poetry Jam Records, where she was responsible for marketing initiatives encompassing organizational development, artist support and corporate communications. She was also a senior marketing manager for Kobe BryantFamilyEntertainment.

Jazmine graduated from West Chester University with a B.S. in Women’s Studies and Public Policy.