IDEA Council core values & purpose
Philanthropy, at its core, is love of humankind, in all its diversity.
Greek derivation: Philos= love / Anthropos = humanity
As a community foundation, we promote and celebrate inclusion, diversity, equity and access for all, in a climate that respects and embraces differences while fostering a sense of belonging, in the name of social justice and human rights.
We know that varied perspectives and an inclusive culture inspire innovative, creative solutions
to the complex issues of a changing – and increasingly diverse – world.
We aim to create a future where all people have the ability to achieve what they want for their lives.
The IDEA Council helps the Community Foundation to authentically deepen its commitment to humanity in all its diversity, by:
#1: Help align DEI aims with organizational strategies, by providing ideas, feedback and links to resources.
This enables the Community Foundation to refine its programs, services, communications, managerial practices & governance practices, with an eye toward increased inclusion, diversity, equity & access.
(ex: Community Conversations series; GetOnBoard initiative)
#2: Share information on social justice DEI initiatives throughout the Chester County region that the Community Foundation can spotlight and promote, so as to attract more attention, involvement, resources, and support.
connect people who care with DEI causes that matter
Idea Council Members
Community Foundation Board Members
Bronwyn Martin, Ph.D., Ameriprise Martin’s Financial Consulting Group, LinkedIn
Debbie Bookman, Chester County Prothonotary, LinkedIn
Emily Temple Abels Esq., Larmore Scarlett, LinkedIn, Bio
Natalie Ortega-Moran Ed.D., Villanova University, LinkedIn, Bio
Rev. Dr. Richelle Foreman Gunter, Associate Minister, St. Paul’s Baptist Church, LinkedIn
Zebulun Davenport Ed.D., West Chester University of Pennsylvania, Bio
Members
Alice Hammond, President, NAACP West Chester
Rev. Andrew Esqueda, Senior Pastor, First Presbyterian Church of West Chester, LinkedIn
Andrew Watring, Community Programs Creative Director, People’s Light, LinkedIn
Bertram Lawson, President/CEO LinkedIn, Terri Edgar, VP Operations LinkedIn, YMCA Brandywine Valley & Guillermina Rios, Association Director/DEIB, LinkedIn, YMCA Brandywine Valley
Carol Weaver, Co-Founder & Director, Seba Enrichment Academy, LinkedIn
Cheryl Miles, Chair, Black Women of Chester County In Action, LinkedIn
Debbie Bookman, Chester County Prothonotary, LinkedIn
Diane Matthews, Executive/Artistic Director, West Chester Dance Works, LinkedIn
Dolly Wideman-Scott Ed.D., CEO, Domestic Violence Center of ChesCo, LinkedIn, Bio
Donna Rowland, President, Coateville NAACP, LinkedIn
Donnell Sheppard, Deputy District Director, U.S. Rep Chrissy Houlahan, LinkedIn
Gizelle Jones, Communications Chair, NAACP West Chester
Javonna Wylie, CEO, Chester County OIC, LinkedIn
Joshua Lee, Chief of Police, West Chester Police Department, LinkedIn
Joyce Chester, President/CEO, Friends Association for the Care & Protection of Children, LinkedIn
Keith Burress, Project One Director, Family Service ChesCo, LinkedIn
Kevin Ressler, President/CEO, Alliance for Health Equity, LinkedIn
LaToya Myers, Community Volunteer, LinkedIn
Laura Gonzalez, Ph.D., Kennett Advisory Commission on Latino Affairs, LinkedIn
Hon. Lillian DeBaptiste, Mayor of West Chester & Director, DeBaptiste Funeral Homes, LinkedIn, Bio
Lisa Quiveors, Community Volunteer, LinkedIn
Mayra Castillo, Coordinator of Program Activities, Migrant Education Program CCIU, LinkedIn
Pachy Banks-Cabral, Development Director, Chester County History Center, LinkedIn
Renee Washington, Melton Center, NAACP West Chester, LinkedIn
Rev. Dr. Kyle Boyer, Pastor, Tabernacle Baptist Church of Coatesville, LinkedIn
Rev. Dr. Richelle Foreman Gunter, Associate Minister, St. Paul’s Baptist Church, LinkedIn
Terry Vodrey, President/CEO, United Way of S. Chester County, LinkedIn
Tracey Ray Robinson Ph.D., Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, West Chester University, LinkedIn, Bio
Tyree Lewis, Director of Quality Mgt, CheCo MH/IDD, Chester County DEI Task Force, LinkedIn
Vincent Miles Jr., Public Affairs Representative, City of Coatesville, LinkedIn
Viviann Schorle, Director of Corporate & Foundation Relations, WCU Foundation, LinkedIn
Staffed By
Karen Simmons, President/CEO, karen@chescocf.org, LinkedIn, Bio
Timmy Nelson, Outreach Advisor, timmy@chescocf.org, LinkedIn, Bio
Ajené Livingston, Outreach Advisor, ajene@chescocf.org, LinkedIn
IDEA Council Meeting Agendas & Recordings
2024-04 ChesCo Hospital • 2024-04 Recording
2023-02 Phoenixville & Coatesville Health Foundations • 2023-02 Recording
2023-01 ChesCo Hospital • 2023-01 Recording • 2022 ChesCo Hospital Community Health Needs Assessment
2022-11 Power Metro • 2022-11 Recording
Click here to add your ideas to our collaborative Google Doc.