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Our Team

James Burnett

Executive Director, VestedIn
Mr. Burnett has worked in the financial services industry for over 30 years, beginning his career with Fidelity Bank 1988. In 1999, Mr. Burnett pivoted to community economic development (“CED”) as Executive Director of the West Philadelphia Financial Services Institution (WPFSI). Because of his CED work, Mr. Burnett became an adjunct professor position at Thomas Jefferson University in the School of Sustainable Design. In addition to his professional focus, Mr. Burnett has served diligently on various community and professional boards and is committed to the promotion of financial education and access to capital. While building ParkWest Town Center Mr. Burnett oversaw the development of the WesGold Fellows program to provide high school students with exposure to opportunities that are typically beyond their reach. Mr. Burnett has frequently spoken about how having these students around every summer brings new ideas and focus to why VestedIn is committed to investing in Philadelphia’s youth and their impact on the future of the City.

Samantha R. Lyons

Director, WesGold Fellows
Prior to joining VestedIn as WesGold Fellows’ first full time director, Samantha spent eight years as a business attorney, providing strategic legal and business development on behalf of her clients. After graduating law school, she worked as the Diversity Recruiter for Villanova University School of Law. After Villanova, Samantha joined Tiagha & Associates as the Manager of Corporate & International Business, with a particular focus on business development, corporate transactions, real estate, and small business. After Tiagha & Associates, Samantha founded Grace & River Strategies, a project development firm, where she served as the head of Strategic Legal & Business Development. Samantha received her Juris Doctorate from Villanova School of Law and a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Ursinus College, where she minored in Spanish and English. She is a graduate of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program and a graduate, with honors, of Temple's Real Estate Institute. A Philadelphia native, Samantha is a proud alumna of the Philadelphia High School for Girls.

Crystal Randall

Office Manager
Crystal has over 20 years of office administrative experience working with several non-profit organizations in the Philadelphia area. At VestedIn, she is responsible for carrying out day-to-day general administrative duties for the entire organization, including accounts payable and receivable, office management and human resources. In addition, she assists with the management and distribution of grants and loan processing. Crystal studied public relations at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA.

Barry D. Whitney

Business Development Officer

Richette Walton

WesGold Fellows Program Manager
Richette Walton is a West Philadelphia native and alumnus of Peirce College where she received her bachelor's in Paralegal Studies. Driven by a strong passion for equity, inclusion, and community impact, Richette is committed to supporting our Fellows throughout their personal and professional journeys. Labeled as a champion for youth by friends and colleagues alike, Richette has spent the last 5 years working where youth and workforce development meet. As WesGold Fellows’ first program manager, she is responsible for the advancement of the program, by handling the daily management, operations, and relationship building. She is excited to bring both her passion and expertise to the WesGold Fellows Family!

Joshua Parris

WesGold Fellows Project Coordinator
Joshua, a Junior at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, is pursuing a BS in Liberal Studies with a concentration in prelaw. Recognized for his dedication to community service, he was a WesGold Fellow in 2020, finding purpose and lifelong connections in the program. Learning the importance of giving back, Joshua sees becoming a coordinator as his chance to continue this mission. The WesGold Fellows Program is not just his home and foundation but also an opportunity to inspire others as it did for him.

Gabrielle Forbes

WesGold Fellows Project Coordinator
Gabrielle Forbes is a third-year Entrepreneurship and Innovation major at Drexel University. She holds the position of program coordinator at WesGold Fellows. Passionate about entrepreneurship, advocating for minorities, mental health, and mentorship, Gabrielle aspires to found multiple businesses in the fashion and mental health sectors. She serves as the Vice President of the Kappa Sigma Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated. In her leisure time, she enjoys traveling, listening to music, photography, and engaging in community service. Gabrielle is thrilled to be part of the WesGold Fellows team this year!

Jasmine Warner

Compliance and Portfolio Administrator
Jasmine has been working in the financial industry for over 20 years. She started off at Merrick Bank in collections, and then moved on to customer service. From Merrick Bank she went to PNC Bank in Pittsburgh, PA and then back home in Philadelphia (where she previously trained their team on building wire deals) in the wire transfer department. After 10 years with PNC, she accepted a position Wells Fargo Bank as a Wire Investigations Analyst, and then Wire Escalations Representative. As the new Compliance and Portfolio Administrator for VestedIn, Jasmine also works part- time at her area Wawa. She enjoys many different genres of music, travelling, reading, writing, trying new wines, and attending festivals with her wife of six years in the summer. To relax she enjoys serial killer documentaries, CSI, Law and Order: SVU, Disney movies, and coloring in her coloring books. She is a graduate of University of Pittsburgh (main).

Board Members

Ismail Shahid

Board Chairman

Darryl Ridgeway

Board Member

Malcom Yates

Board Member

Kwame Amankwatia

Board Member

Fred Alston

Board Member Emeritus

Robyn Chin

Board Member

Jacqueline S. Lopez

Board Member

Andre Andrews

Board Member

Naja Muhammad

Board Member