Krystile Birdsall, Board Chair
Krystle Birdsall is a seasoned education professional with over a decade of experience, marked by a commitment to creativity, servant leadership, and diversity, equity, and inclusion. She has made significant contributions in underserved and underrepresented communities nationwide.
Krystle’s academic credentials include a Master’s degree in Psychological Studies in Education from UCLA and teaching certificates from Temple University. Starting her career in the classroom and social services, she has broadened her impact through curriculum development, school leadership, coaching new teachers, board governance, and policy and advocacy. With a passion for continuous learning, who knows when she will expand her impact next.
Recently, Krystle has transitioned into entrepreneurship as the owner and operator of Challenge Island – Camden County NW, a STEAM enrichment program. This venture aligns her interests in STEAM, education, and social justice by catering to the needs of today’s imaginative children, empowering them to become successful adults in the global landscape.
Lori Abernethy, Secretary
Lori has proudly served the students of the School District of Philadelphia for over 25 years and hopes to continue for many years to come. She has taught self-contained 5th grade, Technology Education, and currently teaches Digital Literacy at Thomas Holme Elementary School.
Her enduring goal throughout her years of teaching is to foster a love of learning in all of her students and to share her love of problem-solving. She has coached teams in the Future City Competition for over twenty years and more recently became a FIRST LEGO League coach, bringing three teams to the competition.
Lori holds her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Lock Haven University, her ESL certificate from Temple University, and her Master’s Degree in Technology Education from Ball State University.
Kristopher Robinson, Board Director of Community Outreach
Kris is a proud educator and Associate Director of College Access and Equity with Philadelphia Futures Steppingstone Scholars (PFSS) at George Washington Carver High School for Engineering and Sciences, where he oversees program implementation, services and academic advising. As a Philadelphia native, he has developed a unique view of the complex school choice process and educational landscape of the city, while focusing on ways to integrate high quality enrichment programs and activities that prepare students for post-secondary success.
He has worked as a FIRST Robotics coach for community teams in the North Philadelphia area and has worked as an educator and college access counselor throughout the Philadelphia region, as a middle grades science teacher and AmeriCorps Alumnus. Kris earned his BA at Temple University in both Sociology and Anthropology.
Robin Walker, Board Director and Community Impact Advisor
Throughout her career, Robin has held significant roles with the School District of Philadelphia and YouthBuild Philadelphia Charter School, focusing on organizational programming, program design and delivery, and partnership management. Her expertise in these areas has been instrumental in creating impactful programs that address the needs of the community and promote sustainable development.
Ebony K. Stevenson, Board Director and Financial Advisor
Ebony K. Stevenson is a strategic planning professional and the former Strategic Planning Executive Director at Wells Fargo, where she led the Process Transformation Department until March 2025. Prior to her tenure at Wells Fargo, Ms. Stevenson served as the Ultra High Net Worth Regional Executive Director for Underwriting at Morgan Stanley Private Bank in Coppell, TX. Her career in financial services began in 1996 at Beneficial Financial in Missouri, and she has held leadership roles at prominent firms such as Goldman Sachs, Bank of America, and Citibank.
Ms. Stevenson holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Northwood University and a Master’s in Business Administration in Management from the University of Dallas. She is currently pursuing her Doctorate in Strategic Planning and Leadership, with an expected graduation date of 2028.
In her personal time, Ebony enjoys mentoring, volunteering with local and national non-profits, and visiting her daughter, a Navy veteran, in Oakland, CA.
Vincent Perez, Board Director and STEAM Ecosystem Advisor
Vincent Perez is a strategic advisor, educator, and ecosystem amplifier with over 25 years of experience across finance, entrepreneurship, and innovation. He is the Founder of Long View Partners, a strategic advisory firm supporting ventures, universities, and public-private partnerships at the intersection of emerging technologies and impact.
Vincent also serves as a Strategic Advisor and Innovation Partner at the Founder Institute and has been a business lecturer for universities for over two decades, including his current role at Penn State, where he also contributes to Invent Penn State initiatives. He advises founders globally across industries including fintech, medtech, edtech, agtech, agetech, deep tech, and AI.
Shayne E. Moore, Board Director and Strategic STEAM Innovation Advisor
Shayne E. Moore is a lifelong Philadelphia resident with experience providing executive leadership and strategy while managing corporate technology and staff in both the non-profit and for-profit sectors. With nearly three decades of experience, he has served as the organizational lead in technology at each company throughout his career. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Information Technology from Western Governors University, a Master of Science in Cybersecurity from Drexel University, and has obtained more than a dozen industry certifications throughout his career.
In addition to being a devoted husband and father, Shayne is a member of the Senior Leadership team at PIDC (Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation), where he is the Senior Vice President of Information Systems, Information Technology, and Facilities. His community involvement includes serving as an Assistant Pastor at a local church, serving on the board for several local organizations, and volunteering in the Philadelphia Prison System.
Kendra L. McCartney, Board Director and Board Governance Advisor
Kendra L. McCartney is a financial advisor with Goldman Sachs Wealth Management where she has worked for 26 years. She is a Certified Financial Planner® and a Chartered Financial Consultant®. Ms. McCartney holds a Bachelor’s degree from University of North Texas, a Juris Doctorate from Southern Methodist University School of Law and a Master of Laws in Taxation from University of Houston Law Center.
Kendra enjoys mentoring young professions as they navigate their careers in Corporate America. In addition, she volunteers helping recovering drug addicts integrate back into their community while living in a sober facility. She also enjoys traveling and spending time with friends and family.
Bonnee Breese Bentum, Ph.D., Board Director and Policy Advisor
Bonnee Breese Bentum, Ph.D., is an award-winning educator, speaker, and student advocate in the School District of Philadelphia. With over two decades of experience, she serves as a National AI-Integrated ELA Program Developer with WritingPartners.net, pioneering innovative approaches to nurture the next generation of prompt engineers. She recently completed her dissertation examining support for Black girls in high school STEM classrooms and is the founder of A Matter of Xpression, providing global STEM education resources. Her distinguished career includes recognition through the Lindback Distinguished Teacher Award and participation in the US Fulbright Teachers for Global Classrooms program in Ghana. Dr. BBB regularly presents at national conferences on AI integration, literacy, and recently STEM inclusion in education while also having served as a speaker for the American Federation of Teachers at the U.S. Supreme Court. Dr. BBB advances educational equity through her work with the Delaware County Black Caucus and serves as an elected Pennsylvania State Committee member.