Leaders in education, place-based partnerships, policy and research to step into new roles with national organization
December 4, 2025
CINCINNATI, OH – StriveTogether, the largest national network of place-based partnerships, is announcing new officers on its board of directors.
StriveTogether is a network of community organizations that bring together neighbors, including youth and families, nonprofits, businesses, schools and more, to work toward a future where youth can thrive in their communities. Three members of the board step into officer roles on the StriveTogether board of directors in 2026.
Tony Pipa, senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, will serve as board chair. He brings deep experience in the philanthropic and public sectors advancing inclusive economic development in the U.S. and globally. At Brookings, Tony launched and leads the Reimagining Federal Rural Policy initiative, which seeks to transform U.S. federal policy to enable community and economic development in underserved rural places across the U.S. He previously served as vice chair of the board.
Richard Raya, CEO of Cradle to Career Network member Marin Promise Partnership, was elected vice chair. He also serves as a senior fellow at the Harvard Graduate School of Education and is an Ascend Fellow at the Aspen Institute. The board’s new secretary will be Rob Watson, executive director of the EdRedesign Lab and lecturer on education at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Andi Phillips, founder and managing partner of Maycomb Capital, will continue to serve as treasurer.
StriveTogether would like to thank the previous board officers for their guidance and contributions to our work. Dr. Russell Booker, CEO of Cradle to Career Network member Spartanburg Academic Movement, closes three years of service as board chair.
“The leadership of StriveTogether’s board of directors is central to our vision of putting millions more young people on a path to economic mobility,” said President and CEO Jennifer Blatz. “We’re deeply grateful for our past and new board officers, and all of our board members, for their dedication and partnership.”
Learn more about StriveTogether’s board here.
About StriveTogether
StriveTogether is a national network of community partnerships that bring together neighbors, including youth and families, nonprofits, businesses, schools and more, to work toward a future where youth can thrive in their communities. Cradle to Career Network members change the way their communities work together by building connections, sharing resources and using data to put more young people on a path to economic mobility. Our work helps young people meet seven key life milestones so that they have the opportunities they need to reach their goals, and, ultimately, thrive. Learn more at StriveTogether.org.