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
Portfolio and Compliance Administrator

Abbie Briskin
WesGold Fellows Project Manager
Board Members

Darryl Ridgeway
Board Member

Malcom Yates
Board Member

Kwame Amankwatia
Board Member

Fred Alston
Board Chair

Robyn Chin
Board Member

Jacqueline S. Lopez
Board Member