We are pleased to announce that Lisa Castillo Richmond, the Partnership for College Completion’s (PCC) current managing director, will serve as the next executive director of the organization, effective August 1, 2021. The appointment comes following weeks of engagement by the Board with external stakeholders, including college and university presidents, public officials, students, and investors as well as members of PCC’s staff, to understand the future needs of the organization as it enters its next phase of development.
Lisa arrives at the role bringing years of experience in higher education access and success, systemic reform, and a deep commitment to racial and socioeconomic equity. With a wealth of experience managing nonprofit education organizations and initiatives, local and national program teams, and fundraising and development efforts, Lisa’s work has focused on organizations in launch and growth phases, as well as work with PK-12 systems, colleges and universities, and government agencies.
Prior to joining PCC to help launch the organization in 2016, Lisa served for four years as the Executive Director of Graduate NYC (GNYC), a collaborative college readiness and completion initiative of the City University of New York, the NYC Department of Education, and the NYC Mayor’s Office. She also previously served as the Vice President of Program for the national office of the “I Have A Dream” Foundation and as Senior Vice President of Program for Junior Achievement of New York.
Under Lisa’s leadership as PCC’s Managing Director, the organization developed its signature technical support effort, the Illinois Equity in Attainment Initiative (ILEA). Launched in 2018, ILEA today provides support to 26 colleges and universities across the state that are working to eliminate racial and socioeconomic disparities in degree completion on their campuses.
A native Illinoisan and the first in her family to attend college, Lisa holds an M.A. in Education & Social Policy from New York University and is currently a doctoral student at Loyola University Chicago.
The Board congratulates and welcomes Lisa in this new appointment and extends its deep gratitude to Dr. Kyle Westbrook, PCC’s Founding Executive Director. Instrumental in building the organization into a powerful voice for equity in the state of Illinois, Kyle guided the organization in reshaping the narrative of Illinois higher education to focus on what is possible for all our students, their families, and our communities. As he moves into the next phase of his career, the Board sends its warmest well wishes.
