Architects of Our Vision
Stewardship, strategy, and systemic impact. Our founding board unites policy experts, academics, executives, and community leaders — a team that specializes in both policy and people, committed to transparency and accountability.
David Rudder, Ph.D.
Senior academic administrator with 20+ years in online learning and adult education. His research focuses on resilience in marginalized populations, and his leadership blends transformational and servant approaches with a deep commitment to inclusive, student-centered environments. Based in Springfield, MA.
Robin McKinney-Newman
Workforce professional with 23+ years spanning community service to gubernatorial policy, and instrumental in developing Delaware's “Forward Delaware” pandemic workforce response. Expertise in federal compliance, programmatic excellence, and systemic improvement. M.S. in Counseling and B.A. in Communication, Shippensburg University.
Destiny C. Fordham
Executive strategist specializing in inclusive leadership and equity-centered design, with a seven-year tenure at the Center for Employment Opportunities. Launched the SOULABOR Summit in 2025 and was a featured 2022 TEDx speaker on workplace belonging. Master's in Law, Justice, and Culture; Bachelor's in Sociology and Criminal Justice.
Marvin Spears
Community organizer with BUILD Inc. (Baltimoreans United in Leadership Development) and former U.S. Army Military Intelligence Analyst. Master's in Religious Studies and Social Transformation (Drew University), B.A. in Social Justice (Rutgers), and A.A. in Humanities (Mercer County Community College).
Edwin R. Lucus III
Distinguished leader with 22+ years in multifamily housing. Regional Community Manager with The Galman Group overseeing roughly 3,264 apartment homes, and President of the Delaware Apartment Association, championing legislative advocacy. Licensed real estate professional; B.S. in Business Administration, Wesley College.
Travis Robinson
Senior operations executive with expertise in enterprise scaling, quality management, and regulatory safety compliance. His leadership blends strategic foresight with ground-level execution, building efficient, safety-first operational environments that foster professional development.
Steven Holiday
Seasoned People Operations executive with 25+ years aligning organizational strategy with workforce performance and compliance — ensuring our people practices match the standard we set for our participants.
Tim Butler
Enterprise transformation executive with 20+ years at Fortune 500 organizations, focused on aligning business strategy, technology, and people — bringing modern innovation, including artificial intelligence, to mission-driven work.
Kevin Washington
Senior financial executive with 25+ years in wealth preservation and corporate governance, committed to economic mobility and to the fiscal integrity that donors and partners deserve.
Brenda K. Eddins-Bey
Nonprofit leader with 30+ years serving underserved communities, including service as a Delaware Department of Labor contract professional — anchoring our programs in compliance and community trust.
Timothy A. Butler Jr.
Holds a Master's in Sport & Entertainment Management and previously served as a Delaware Department of Labor APEX Program intern — representing the next generation of workforce development leadership.
Edwin R. Lucus
30+ years in prison reentry and workforce development, including director-level leadership at the Delaware Department of Labor. Leads the Rising Leaders Academy with a wholeness-first standard.
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