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.
Dr. David Rudder is a senior academic administrator and a Founding Member of the Board of Directors for The Heritage Ascent Group. With over twenty years of experience in online learning, adult education, and curriculum innovation, Dr. Rudder brings a wealth of expertise in workforce development and the strategic management of complex academic operations.
His leadership philosophy is a blend of transformational and servant leadership, fueled by a commitment to equity and purpose-driven innovation. Throughout his career, David has been a catalyst for institutional growth, partnering with cross-disciplinary faculty to expand academic programs and enhance student engagement. He is particularly dedicated to creating inclusive, student-centered environments that empower learners to become meaningful contributors to their communities.
A respected scholar, Dr. Rudder’s research focuses on the resilience and success of marginalized populations within public and social service systems—work that directly informs his administrative leadership and his role on the board. Beyond his professional work, he provides vital technical assistance in strategic planning to nonprofits and youth-serving initiatives. Dr. Rudder holds his commitment to community and family at the forefront, residing in Springfield, Massachusetts, with his wife and two daughters.
Robin McKinney-Newman
Robin McKinney-Newman is an elite workforce professional with over 23 years of experience spanning the "front lines" of community service to the highest levels of gubernatorial policy. A Founding Member of the Board of Directors for The Heritage Ascent Group, Robin brings a rare combination of clinical insight and strategic operational expertise to the organization.
Throughout her distinguished career, Robin has navigated several major workforce dislocations. Most notably, she was instrumental in developing, funding, and fielding "Forward Delaware," the state’s highly successful pandemic response initiative. Her leadership has been pivotal in the implementation and revision of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), and she has served in critical roles ranging from Case Manager Team Lead to Deputy Director of the Delaware Workforce Development Board.
Robin’s expertise has been honed across the country, with a portfolio of impact reaching Philadelphia, Detroit, El Paso, Memphis, Washington D.C., and Prince George’s County. Her deep technical knowledge includes:
- Federal Compliance & Oversight: Interpreting complex laws and regulations to ensure effective use of federal funding.
- Programmatic Excellence: Designing and monitoring Quality Reviews, vendor services, and performance metrics.
- Systemic Improvement: Creating and implementing the policies and procedures that drive customer satisfaction and continuous organizational growth.
She holds an M.S. in Counseling and a B.A. in Communication from Shippensburg University, with advanced credentials in Project Management from the University of Delaware and Labor Market Analysis. At The Heritage Ascent Group, Robin’s dual focus on expenditure integrity and front-line coaching ensures that our programs are both fiscally sound and human-centered.
Destiny C. Fordham
Destiny C. Fordham is an elite executive strategist, organizational consultant, and national speaker specializing in inclusive leadership, equity-centered framework design, and workforce advocacy. A Founding Member of the Board of Directors for The Heritage Ascent Group, Destiny brings a rare combination of large-scale reentry workforce expertise, data-driven institutional strategy, and transformational leadership development to the organization.
Throughout her distinguished career, Destiny has been at the forefront of building robust training infrastructure and cultivating high-impact organizational cultures. Most notably, during her seven-year tenure at the Center for Employment Opportunities—the nation's largest reentry workforce provider—she was instrumental in engineering internal training pipelines, optimizing employee engagement models, and advising on national communication strategies. In 2025, she scaled her impact by launching the SOULABOR Summit, a premier national conference designed to empower multi-industry professionals to unlock their leadership potential, challenge societal narratives, and build resilient coalitions.
Destiny’s thought leadership regularly impacts audiences on the national stage. As a featured 2022 TEDx speaker, her powerful presentation "Why We Should Promote Belonging in the Workplace" expertly analyzed the direct, measurable link between inclusive corporate cultures and peak organizational performance. Her deep technical knowledge includes: Reentry & Workforce Strategy: Designing training and employment pipelines tailored specifically to justice-involved individuals and communities facing systemic barriers. Organizational Architecture: Translating high-level equity and inclusion goals into measurable, data-driven institutional frameworks that improve retention and engagement. Transformational Leadership Development: Facilitating high-stakes critical conversations and building cross-sector coalitions that drive sustainable, long-term cultural change.
She holds a Master’s degree in Law, Justice, and Culture, alongside Bachelor’s degrees in Sociology and Criminal Justice from Ohio University. A recipient of the prestigious Bank of America Emerging Leadership Award, Destiny also serves as a board member of Unity House, LLC, championing initiatives that expand opportunity for underserved populations. At The Heritage Ascent Group, Destiny’s mastery of inclusive workforce scaling and executive strategy ensures that our programs—especially the Rising Leaders Development Academy—are uniquely equipped to build authentic pathways, maximize human potential, and drive systemic equity throughout Delaware.
Marvin Spears
Born in East Orange, New Jersey, Marvin Spears is a seasoned Community Organizer with BUILD Inc. (Baltimoreans United in Leadership Development) and a member of the Founding Board of Directors for The Heritage Ascent Group.
Marvin’s unique approach to social change is rooted in his tenure as a Military Intelligence Analyst (98J10) in the U.S. Army. Today, he translates that strategic expertise into a powerful mission: helping local residents and organizations harness the most critical engine of personal and community transformation—Power.
His leadership is backed by a rigorous academic journey that informs his pursuit of equity and systemic progress:
- Master’s in Religious Studies and Social Transformation – Drew University
- B.A. in Social Justice – Rutgers University
- A.A. in Humanities – Mercer County Community College
A graduate of Frank H. Morrell High School, Marvin leverages his extensive background to empower communities to organize and advocate for sustainable, long-term growth. As a key collaborator and board member, he brings a high-level strategic lens to the mission of driving social equity and personal transformation.
Edwin R. Lucus III
Edwin Lucus is a distinguished leader in the multifamily housing industry and a Founding Member of the Board of Directors for The Heritage Ascent Group. With over 22 years of experience in property management and strategic planning, Edwin brings a high-level operational lens to the board, ensuring the organization’s initiatives are backed by professional discipline and long-term vision.
In his executive role as a Regional Community Manager with The Galman Group, Edwin provides oversight for a premier portfolio of approximately 3,264 apartment homes across Delaware. His influence extends statewide as the President of the Delaware Apartment Association, where he champions legislative advocacy and professional standards for the housing sector.
A licensed real estate professional and a graduate of Wesley College (B.S. in Business Administration), Edwin’s career is defined by his ability to drive asset performance while fostering community growth. At The Heritage Ascent Group, he leverages this expertise to help guide the organization toward sustainable and systemic impact
Travis Robinson
Travis Robinson is a senior operations executive, commercial strategist, and a Founding Member of the Board of Directors for The Heritage Ascent Group. With extensive experience in enterprise scaling, quality management control, and regulatory safety compliance, Mr. Robinson brings a wealth of expertise in building high-performing logistical frameworks and managing complex, multi-site service operations.
His leadership philosophy is a blend of strategic foresight and ground-level execution, fueled by a commitment to institutional quality and sustainable corporate growth. Throughout his career, Travis has been a catalyst for operational expansion, leading organizational scaling initiatives from inception to multi-crew mobilization while maintaining rigorous compliance with fire safety and technical industry standards. He is particularly dedicated to creating highly efficient, safety-first operational environments that foster professional development and technical mastery among workforce teams.
A respected industry leader, Mr. Robinson’s work focuses on structural modernization, quality assurance systems, and workforce deployment—expertise that directly informs his operational stewardship and his role on the board. Beyond his executive leadership, he provides vital insight into capital acquisition, vendor management, and long-term commercial sustainability. Mr. Robinson holds his commitment to professional integrity, workforce empowerment, and economic development at the forefront of his governance.
Steven Holiday
Steven Holiday is a seasoned People Operations executive and a Founding Member of the Board of Directors for The Heritage Ascent Group. With over twenty-five years of experience aligning organizational strategy with workforce performance, culture, and compliance, Mr. Holiday brings a wealth of expertise in building robust HR infrastructures from the ground up and driving sustainable organizational growth.
His leadership philosophy is a seamless blend of deep empathy and strict operational discipline, fueled by a commitment to transparency and informed, people-centered decision-making. Throughout his career, Steven has been a catalyst for workplace excellence, partnering with executive teams to strengthen communication systems and design scalable HR processes that improve productivity while mitigating organizational risk. He is particularly dedicated to creating environments where trust, accountability, and employees thrive.
A respected practitioner and advisor, Mr. Holiday’s background in business development and sales leadership uniquely enhances his capability to connect people, process, and performance—work that directly informs his strategic leadership and his role on the board. Beyond his professional work, he has completed advanced leadership training through the Leadership Development Program at the National Leadership Institute, University of Maryland. Mr. Holiday holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Delaware State University.
Tim Butler Sr
Tim Butler is an enterprise transformation executive, AI strategist, and member of the Board of Directors for The Heritage Ascent Group. With more than two decades of experience leading large-scale business transformation initiatives for Fortune 500 organizations, Tim brings deep expertise in organizational strategy, operational excellence, workforce modernization, and emerging technologies.
Throughout his career, Tim has helped organizations redesign how work gets done by aligning business strategy, technology, and people to deliver measurable outcomes. His leadership spans enterprise transformation, customer experience, artificial intelligence, automation, governance, and change leadership, with responsibility for initiatives impacting global operations and thousands of employees. He is recognized for translating complex business challenges into practical, scalable solutions that improve organizational performance while keeping people at the center of transformation.
Tim’s commitment to The Heritage Ascent Group is rooted in his belief that opportunity changes lives. He is passionate about equipping individuals with the skills, confidence, and support systems needed to achieve lasting success. His experience advancing workforce transformation, leadership development, and organizational change complements the organization’s mission to empower justice-impacted individuals through education, career readiness, and sustainable economic opportunity.
As a member of the Board of Directors, Tim provides strategic counsel on organizational growth, innovation, technology strategy, governance, and long-term sustainability. He is committed to helping The Heritage Ascent Group expand its impact through thoughtful leadership, strategic partnerships, and a focus on measurable community outcomes.
Tim holds a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Management from Purdue University and an MBA with a concentration in Artificial Intelligence from the University of Southern Indiana. He is also the author of Built to Transform: An Executive Guide to Leading AI, Change, and the Human Realities of Enterprise Transformation, reflecting his passion for helping leaders navigate the future of work through innovation, technology, and purposeful leadership.
Kevin Washington
Kevin Washington is a senior financial executive and a Founding Member of the Board of Directors for The Heritage Ascent Group. With over twenty-five years of experience in wealth preservation, corporate governance, and operational leadership, Mr. Washington brings a wealth of expertise in strategic financial planning and the management of complex market operations.
His leadership philosophy is a blend of entrepreneurial vision and disciplined execution, fueled by a commitment to economic mobility and legacy-building. Throughout his career, Kevin has been a catalyst for organizational growth, partnering with regional and national councils to expand financial literacy frameworks and enhance asset-ownership opportunities. He is particularly dedicated to creating sustainable, wealth-generating environments that empower individuals and families to secure long-term financial independence.
A respected corporate leader, Mr. Washington’s career focuses on financial equity and market leadership—work that directly informs his executive stewardship and his role on the board. Beyond his professional work, he provides vital technical assistance and mentorship to youth-serving initiatives, continuing a multi-decade commitment to community intervention. Mr. Washington holds his commitment to faith, community, and family at the forefront, residing in Delaware with his wife, Reverend Karen Washington.
Brenda K. Eddins-Bey
Brenda Kay Eddins-Bey is an elite nonprofit leader, workforce development professional, and community advocate with more than 30 years of experience serving women, children, families, and underserved communities. A Founding Member of the Board of Directors for The Heritage Ascent Group, Brenda brings an exceptional combination of rigorous public-sector contract compliance, deep fiscal stewardship, and large-scale nonprofit governance to the organization.
Throughout her distinguished career, Brenda has navigated high-stakes operational environments across both government and community sectors. Notably, within the public sector, she served as a Contract and Grant Management Professional with the Delaware Department of Labor. In this capacity, her leadership was pivotal in overseeing state and federally funded workforce development contracts, ensuring meticulous regulatory compliance, monitoring complex program performance metrics, and managing grant-funded initiatives designed to build sustainable training and employment opportunities.
Brenda’s executive leadership and organizational mastery extend deeply into the philanthropic landscape. In 2015, she founded and became President of the New York Chapter of the National Hook-Up of Black Women, Inc., a national 501(c)(3) organization. Under her leadership, the chapter successfully forged strategic partnerships, sponsorships, and fundraising initiatives that secured thousands of dollars in financial donations, goods, and services to launch vital literacy, domestic violence awareness, and community wellness programs. Her governance expertise is highly sought after, evidenced by her past tenure as Secretary of the Manhasset Valley Community Foundation Board, board member for A Mother 4 U, and her current seat as Board Secretary of Vision of Hope. Her deep technical knowledge includes: Contract & Grant Compliance: Managing and auditing state and federal funding streams to guarantee peak regulatory alignment, strict adherence to guidelines, and total expenditure integrity. Nonprofit Governance & Board Leadership: Structuring community-based organizations, managing administrative legal records, and executing capital development campaigns. Economic & Community Empowerment: Designing and deploying human-centered advocacy, mentorship, and support frameworks tailored to uplifting underserved populations.
Brenda graduated from Cazenovia College with an Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree in Marketing. She went on to study nursing at Nassau Community College, earning a 3.8 GPA and induction into the National Honor Society, and later attended the Nyack College School of Business. She is also the founder of the Wise Women Empowerment Project, Inc., an initiative dedicated to personal development and mentorship for women over 50, and she continues to advance her expertise through Lean Six Sigma and project management methodologies. At The Heritage Ascent Group, Brenda’s dual mastery of strict governmental compliance and authentic community advocacy ensures that the Rising Leaders Development Academy is structurally bulletproof, fiscally maximized, and deeply rooted in the communities we serve.
Timothy A. Butler Jr.
"Grounded in behavioral science, sharpened by elite competition, and fluent in the organizational frameworks that unlock human potential."
Timothy Aaron Butler Jr. serves as the Development & Digital Operations Coordinator for The Heritage Ascent Group, where he aligns his background in psychology, athletic administration, and community advocacy with the organization's core pillars of career professionalization and systemic impact.
Timothy holds a Master of Science in Sport & Entertainment Management from Southern Connecticut State University, where he distinguished himself as a Football Team Captain and an active member of the Leadership Council. He also earned his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Bryant University. Across both institutions, Timothy excelled as a starting Division I student-athlete, acting as the primary liaison between coaching staff and student-athletes to cultivate accountability, execute crisis management, and drive team culture.
Timothy brings hands-on experience in state-level workforce ecosystems. He previously served as an intern for the Delaware Department of Labor’s APEX Program, where he managed data organization and applied behavioral psychology frameworks to analyze structural barriers to employment, supporting critical initiatives in recidivism reduction and re-entry programming. His foundational community work also includes mentoring and supervising youth within the Walnut Street YMCA development programs.
In addition to his operational and psychological background, Timothy is an innovator in corporate presentation and branding. As the founder of the independent creative archive Old Sport Archive, he explores the intersections of emotional authenticity, identity construction, and the cultural economics of style. His practical experience in high-volume menswear consulting gives him a sophisticated understanding of visual merchandising, executive presence, and professional aesthetics.
At The Heritage Ascent Group, Timothy leads the organization’s digital operations — including its website, communications, and online presence — and drives development through donor and sponsor outreach, supporting the executive team in operational tracking, youth intervention frameworks, and the alignment of digital brand strategy with THAG's newly approved 501(c)(3) initiatives.
Edwin R. Lucus
Edwin R. Lucus brings more than 30 years of experience in prison reentry and workforce development, including director-level leadership at the Delaware Department of Labor. He leads the Rising Leaders Academy with a wholeness-first standard.