Foundation Academies CEO Sheria McRae is a native of Trenton, NJ. She returned home to join the organization in 2010 as a 6th and 7th Grade English Teacher. After serving as a teacher and then Dean of Instruction for three years, she became the Middle School Principal in 2013 as a part of the organization’s expansion project.  In 2017, McRae went on to become Foundation’s Chief Academic Officer, with a focus on Assessment, Curriculum, and Instruction. In 2022, Sheria was appointed CEO,with a bold agenda to transform urban education through the organization’s efforts.

Prior to joining Foundation, McRae was a Teach for America Corps member in Newark, New Jersey where she taught 3rd, 5th, and 6th grade English for four years. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Howard University in Washington, DC, a Master of Arts in School Counseling from Montclair State University, and a Certificate of Advanced Studies in Administration and Supervision from National Louis University.
https://www.foundationacademies.org/

Justin L. Jude became President and Chief Executive Officer of LKQ Online in July 2024 after serving as our Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer since January 2024. Mr. Jude has been with us since February 2004 in various roles, including from March 2008 to February 2011 as Vice President - Supply Chain, from February 2011 through May 2014 as Vice President - Information Systems (North America), from June 2014 to July 2015 as President of Keystone Automotive Operations, Inc., and from July 2015 through December 2023 as Senior Vice President of LKQ Corporation and President of Wholesale - North America.

https://www.lkqonline.com/

Dan Schaffer is the President & Chief Executive Officer of the First National Bank & Trust Company of Newtown.  A lifelong resident of Bucks County, Dan has spent the last 30 years helping the residents and businesses in the community with their banking and lending needs.   A graduate of Penn State University and Stonier Graduate School of Banking, Dan has been the President and CEO of the past thirteen years.  Under his leadership the bank has experienced solid growth in terms of assets, deposits, loans, income, and client relationships.  In addition, the bank is well positioned in terms of infrastructure, talent, and technology to grown and remain an independent community bank.
https://www.fnbn.com/

Anuj is a proven leader in Philadelphia’s government, non-profit and private sector communities with a professional track record of achieving impactful results.  Anuj now serves as President and CEO of The Welcoming Center, an organization he helped start with his graduate school research in 2003.  Anuj is responsible for leading execution of the organization’s strategic plan focused on building pathways to upward economic mobility for Greater Philadelphia’s immigrant communities.  Prior to this, Anuj served as Chief of Staff to Congressman Dwight Evans (PA-03).  In additional to building a team, across two offices, Anuj has led successful legislative strategies towards passage such as the $1B Reconnecting Communities fund in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act.  Prior to this, Anuj served as the General Manager of the historic Reading Terminal Market for five years.  During this time, Anuj was selected as a Public Space Fellow by the Knight Foundation for his work in making the Reading Terminal an inviting, accessible space for all Philadelphians.  Anuj was an attorney at Ballard Spahr Andrews & Ingersoll, LLP where he practiced in the firm’s real estate/affordable housing group from 2004-2007.   Anuj also started a fast-casual Indian restaurant in 2013 in Philadelphia’s Mt. Airy neighborhood called Jyoti Indian Bistro, utilizing his family’s traditional recipes.   

Anuj is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania Law School (J.D., 2003), the University of Pennsylvania’s Fels Institute of Government (M.G.A., 2003) and Carnegie Mellon University (B.S., 1996).  He currently is a board member of the Reading Terminal Market Corporation, Independence Public Media Foundation, Victor’s Homes, Regional Housing Legal Services and Mt. Airy Baseball.  https://welcomingcenter.org/

Braeden Anderson is the dynamic CEO and co-founder of Absecon Capital, Inc., a pioneering hospitality management and ownership group, with innovative subsidiaries Kook Burger and Black Turtle Coffee.   Under Braeden's visionary leadership, Absecon Capital is transforming the U.S. coffee and casual dining industries. Our brands are not merely acquired; they are meticulously crafted from the ground up, embodying our core values of exceptional craftsmanship, uncompromising quality, and fresh, innovative experiences.

Braeden Anderson is a multifaceted leader—an author, attorney, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. He is the author of BLACK RESILIENCE: The Blueprint for Black Triumph in the Face of Racism, a groundbreaking work that provides a powerful strategy for Black empowerment and success. Braeden also founded the Black Resilience Foundation, dedicated to advancing this mission.

A former Division I college basketball player, Braeden achieved remarkable success on the court with the Seton Hall Pirates, winning the Big East Conference Championship while attending law school. He made history by becoming the first active male Division I basketball player to complete law school full-time while playing. Braeden's journey of overcoming socioeconomic and racial barriers, defying expectations, and conquering adversity has been featured in Forbes, Law360, The New York Times, ESPN, Bloomberg, NBC Sports, USA Today, and more. to the hospitality industry, inspiring others with his relentless drive and vision.  

Social Media and Websites:

• Instagram: @kookburgerbar, @blackturtlecoffee, @kbraedenanderson
• Web: Black Resilience Foundation, kookburgerbar.com, blackturtlecoffee.com
• LinkedIn: Braeden Anderson

Imagine taking the helm of a nonprofit destination marketing organization in the midst of a global pandemic. That's exactly what Gregg Caren did when he became President and CEO of the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau in June 2020. With a sharp focus on strategic partnerships and a deep commitment to Philadelphia's growth, Gregg has been instrumental in positioning the city as a top destination for meetings, conventions, sporting events, and international travelers.   In collaboration with the Pennsylvania Convention Center, national industry associations, and the City of Philadelphia, Gregg works tirelessly to strengthen the city’s tourism and hospitality sectors.

With over 30 years in the hospitality industry, Gregg has held various senior leadership roles, including 20 years with ASM Global and SMG. His career has also seen him in top positions at entertainment venues in Atlantic City and at the Valley Forge Convention Center/Sheraton Valley Forge, beginning his journey with Marriott Hotels and Resorts.  

As Philadelphia prepares to host major events like the NCAA Men's Lacrosse Championship, the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and America 250, Gregg is leading the charge, ensuring the city’s vibrant culture and economic vitality shine on the global stage. 
Website and Social Media:

• discoverPHL.com
• Facebook: Discover PHL
• LinkedIn: Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau
• X: Discover PHL
• Instagram: @discover_PHL

Kristin Lytle is CEO of The Leader’s Edge and has significant experience in talent assessment, leadership development, succession planning, and organizational design. Over the span of her career, she has worked with top organizations such as Vanguard, Kohler Company, Whirlpool, and Target.

Kristin has held leadership roles in business operations and human resources in both domestic and global capacities throughout her career. She has a proven track record for developing scalable and sustainable talent solutions that align with business priorities while enabling leaders to unlock their full potential. She has built a reputation for being a trusted partner to business leaders, by focusing on pragmatic solutions that drive measurable results.

Prior to joining The Leader’s Edge, Kristin held several senior leadership roles in talent management at Vanguard and most recently served as the Head of Professional Development where she established a company-wide program to address talent pipeline gaps and institute best practices for 18,000+ employees. At Whirlpool, Kristin helped design global HR programs to improve succession strategies and address pipeline development for the world’s largest appliance manufacturer. Earlier in her career at Kohler, she designed and deployed talent frameworks for both operations and general managers, both of which are still in use today.

Kristin is an experienced executive coach, dynamic presenter, and skilled facilitator. She holds a BS degree in International Business and Marketing with a minor in French and a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Finance, both from Marquette University.

Kristin possesses a variety of certifications including Center for Creative Leadership Assessment Suite, PROSCI Change Management Certificate, the EQI 2.0 Emotional Intelligence Assessment and the Hogan Leadership Forecast Series. She is currently concluding her PCC certification with the International Coaching Federation.

Kristin is active in the community serving on the Board of Directors for The Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia and acting as Co-Chair of the Women Against MS Committee for the National MS Society Chapter in Philadelphia. She is also a Board Member for the Committee of Seventy and is a member of The Forum of Executive Women.

Outside of work, Kristin is an avid reader and dog lover. She is also passionate about supporting veterans through career mentoring in partnership with American Corporate Partners (ACP) for the past eight years.

The Leader’s Edge

CEOs You Should Know - Philadelphia: powered by Comcast Business

Alissa Memoli: President & Chief Development Officer of the Children’s Specialized Hospital FoundationAlissa Memoli is President and Chief Development Officer at Children’s Specialized Hospital Foundation (CSHF) where she leads a passionate team committed to making a positive impact on the lives of children and families in New Jersey and beyond. Her expertise in new business development, volunteer and board recruitment, and corporate and community leadership shape the policies and strategies she develops to significantly increase funds raised and generate greater public interest in the hospital.

As President and CDO at CSHF, Alissa oversees all operations and a comprehensive resource development program that includes individual and planned giving, corporate and foundation partnerships, and cause related marketing. She also plays a critical role in ensuring effective governance of the organization by collaborating with the Board of Trustees to establish and uphold CSHF’s mission, strategic goals, financial stewardship, and transparency.

Prior to becoming President and Chief Development Officer at CSHF, Alissa held several leadership positions at the American Heart Association including Regional Vice President New England, Vice President Corporate Relations, and Executive Director Northern New Jersey. She is highly regarded and recognized for results-driven leadership, development of high-performing teams, and a commitment to the highest ethical standards in philanthropy.

Alissa is also a member of CHIEF, a private networking organization specifically designed for highly-recognized women executives. It is Alissa’s mission to educate the public about the importance of sustaining accessible and consistent care for children living with complex medical conditions and special healthcare needs. She is passionate about the hospital’s vision of creating a world where all children can reach their full potential and drives this vision forward by using her expertise to inspire support from donors, partners and stakeholders.

As President & Chief Executive Officer of United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey, Bill serves its mission to fight poverty and expand opportunity by harnessing the collective power of the corporate, private philanthropy, nonprofit, and public sector. Under his leadership, United Way raises and invests over $20 million annually to advance educational attainment, creating career pathways and forging paths to financial empowerment through large-scale initiatives like PHLConnectED, and The Promise, a public-private partnership to help families access opportunities for upward mobility.

Bill is a graduate of Southern Methodist University and Yale University Divinity School, and received an honorary Doctorate of Divinity from Eastern University.  Bill is the founder of Broad Street Ministry, Rooster Soup Company and was named one of the 76 Most Influential Philadelphians by Philadelphia Magazine and Leadership Philadelphia’s 100 most trusted Connectors.  

CEOs You Should Know powered by Comcast Business

CEOs You Should Know Philadelphia powered by Comcast Business

As Chief Executive Officer & President of GMH Communities, Gary Holloway Jr. draws on over 25 years of acquisition, property management, asset management, and development experience to lead the second generation of the family business. Gary focuses on optimizing GMH’s current portfolio of real estate assets, valued at $3.6 billion, while researching and investing in new niche-related multifamily housing opportunities nationwide. With a total transactional experience of $5 billion, Gary sets company goals to meet the ever-changing market trends in the multifamily space, making sure that GMH is at the forefront of the industry.