Board of Directors

John Foley is former lead solo of the Blue Angels, the U.S. Navy’s precision exhibition flying team, and founder of Centerpoint Companies, Inc., a performance-management consultancy serving Fortune 500 corporations, educational organizations...

John Foley is former lead solo of the Blue Angels, the U.S. Navy’s precision exhibition flying team, and founder of Centerpoint Companies, Inc., a performance-management consultancy serving Fortune 500 corporations, educational organizations, and professional associations. He has served as an advisor to exceptional corporations and leaders around the globe. A Sloan Fellow at the Stanford Graduate School of Business, he has three master’s degrees (in management, from the Stanford Graduate School of Business; in international policy studies, from Stanford University; and in strategic studies, from the Naval War College).

In his work with clients, John draws from his experiences with the Blue Angels and with founding and running successful enterprises to provide a framework for performance excellence and team alignment. His ideas and message have helped not only organizations but also individuals pursue and attain their highest.

Janice Bryant Howroyd is the Chairman and CEO of the Act•1 Group, a global leader in the staffing and human resources industry. Based in California, her company creates and implements innovative...

Janice Bryant Howroyd is the Chairman and CEO of the Act•1 Group, a global leader in the staffing and human resources industry. Based in California, her company creates and implements innovative technologies and business services that allow firms to optimize their talent pools and bottom line through resource management.

Since founding Act•1 in 1978, Janice has grown her organization through changing economic climates, and it has thrived and survived at the California, national and global levels. As a leader in the staffing industry, Janice Bryant Howroyd has a unique insight into trends in hiring and layoffs, and has her finger on the pulse of state’s job market. By invitation of the Commission’s Chair, Accenture CEO Bill Green, Janice is a member of the Springboard Commission, whose mission is make sound recommendations to the United States President and his administration based on how to help American workers acquire the new skills and the education needed to thrive in the 21st century's evolving labor market.

From the day she started her company over three decades ago, Janice’s core business has been employment. With one of the state’s most extensive staffing networks, Janice has a comprehensive knowledge of the diverse California population and business industries. Her organization works with business of all sizes, from start-ups to global conglomerates. Janice believes that to build a robust business, being cognizant of the global and national economic climates is critical. The Act•1 Group employs technology throughout the organization and its clients in a manner that ensures accurate employment reporting on the national and global levels.

In keeping with her passion for developing a robust economy through a strong workforce, she currently sits on boards at major universities including North Carolina A&T State University’s Board of Trustees, the Board of Councilors for the University of Southern California (USC), and the Executive Committee of the Women's Leadership Board, for Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government. Appointments on these, and other boards, give her clear insight into the direction of the current and near-future talent pools. Because her core business is finding individuals jobs, she understands how companies are hiring and how differing segments of the working population are faring.

Janice is engaged in principal California councils, one of which is the Southern California Leadership Council (SCLC). SCLC Board Members include all California Governors and as well as the CEOs of the region’s utility companies. She also serves on the Board of the National Utilities Diversity Council (NUDC), which promotes diversity in the utility industry in the areas of governance, employment, procurement, language access/customer service and philanthropy NUDC is driven by State utility commissioners representing a cross section of states in the nation.

In 1997 she was appointed to the Los Angeles Economic Development Commission (LAEDC) Board of Governors by then Los Angeles County Second District Supervisor Yvonne Braithwaite Burke, and in 2009, Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas of the same district extended her appointment. She currently sits in both LAEDC’s Executive and Workforce Development Committees.

Today, as a sought-after speaker and lecturer, Janice is the embodiment of the importance of combining education and entrepreneurship with service. She shares her unique understanding of the challenges faced by American workers and business owners alike. She offers practical as well as motivating solutions in her speeches from coast to coast, and, most recently in her book The Art of Work: How to Make Work, Work for You! Building upon more than thirty years of consistent business and personal success, Janice is showing the world that California is a place where dreams do come true!

Cheryle R. Jackson is president and CEO of the venerable Chicago Urban League, one of the city’s most respected social and civil justice organizations. Appointed in October 2006, Jackson is the first female to hold the position in its 92-year history...

Cheryle R. Jackson is president and CEO of the venerable Chicago Urban League, one of the city’s most respected social and civil justice organizations. Appointed in October 2006, Jackson is the first female to hold the position in its 92-year history. The Urban League focuses on the city’s African American workforce and business community to empower and inspire individuals to reach and exceed their economic potential.

Prior to her history-making appointment at the Urban League, Ms. Jackson served in the administration of Illinois Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich, most recently as deputy chief of staff of communications and before that as communications director and chief press secretary, making her both the first woman and African American to hold the position in the state’s history.

Before joining Gov. Blagojevich’s administration, Ms. Jackson spent three years in senior-level government affairs positions with Amtrak as vice president for communications and government affairs. She was responsible for Amtrak’s state and local government affairs and served as spokesperson in 41 states, often during times of crises, including the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

In addition, she served in various capacities at National Public Radio (NPR), including as vice president of communications and brand management, director of corporate communications and director of corporate identity and information. Among her charges, Jackson served as national spokesperson and oversaw the network’s national marketing, advertising and public affairs operations.

Jackson serves as a director on the boards of the Field Museum, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Northwestern University, the Metropolitan Planning Council, and the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce. She also serves on the 2016 Chicago Olympics Committee and the Daniel Burnham Anniversary Planning Committee.

Jackson is a native of Chicago and graduated from Northwestern University in 1988. She and her husband, Charles, reside on Chicago’s South Side.

Gloria Johnson Goins is the Chief Diversity Officer at The Home Depot, overseeing all aspects of the Company’s Diversity and Inclusion program for the Company’s more than 350,000 associates in the United States, Canada, China and Mexico...

Gloria Johnson Goins is the Chief Diversity Officer at The Home Depot, overseeing all aspects of the Company’s Diversity and Inclusion program for the Company’s more than 350,000 associates in the United States, Canada, China and Mexico. Gloria joined The Home Depot in May 2003 as the vice president of Diversity and Inclusion. As vice president, she was responsible creating and implementing company-wide diversity and inclusion initiatives for the world’s second largest retailer. She is currently responsible for developing and implementing global strategy and initiatives that are designed to enable The Home Depot to grow market share, attract and retain the best talent, develop strategic community alliances and to become the retailer of choice.

From an unpaid internship in 1991, Kevin Liles has had a meteoric rise through the ranks to become President and CEO of the Def Jam Music Group in 1998...

From an unpaid internship in 1991, Kevin Liles has had a meteoric rise through the ranks to become President and CEO of the Def Jam Music Group in 1998 when he was just 30-years-old. In 2004, Kevin joined his long-time mentor Lyor Cohen, Vice Chairman, Warner Music Group and Chairman and CEO, Recorded Music – Americas and the U.K. As one of the industry’s most influential executives, he oversees a number of marketing and brand extension initiatives and provides support for key artist promotions and strategic ventures for a collection of WMG’s labels, including Atlantic Records and Warner Bros. Records as well as the Company’s world-renowned music publishing company, Warner/Chappell Music.

Over the course of his more than 20-year career, Kevin has developed and brought to market some of the most important brands in the media and entertainment space.

Kevin has not only put his extraordinary talents and determination to work in the music industry, he has also been a visionary, activist and philanthropist and an advocate for numerous social causes, including free speech, civil rights and voting rights. He has also been an outspoken voice against racism and censorship across the country. Determined to use the blueprint of his own success to help guide young America, Kevin has worked to inspire youth for more than two decades including through his bestselling book “Make It Happen: The Hip Hop Generation Guide to Success” and subsequent youth empowerment speaking tour.

In addition to his own Kevin Liles for a Better Baltimore and Make It Happen Foundations, which engages youth through business, education and community-based initiatives, he also serves on Ogilvy & Mather’s Diversity Advisory Board and serves on the Board of Directors for the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network, the RIAA, the SEED School of Maryland, New Yorkers for Children, Junior Achievement and the UJA Federation of New York. Kevin's philanthropic work includes involvement in a number of non-profit organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Unions, Healthcorps and the NAACP among others; earning him recognition from the TJ Martell Foundation, the 2008 “Nicholas Scoppetta Child Welfare Award” from New Yorkers for Children, the “Urban Hero” award from The Catalog for Giving, the UJA Federation Association’s “Visionary Award,” and the prestigious “Racial Harmony Award” from the Foundation for Ethnic Understanding. In 2005, Woodlawn High School in Baltimore renamed their stadium after Kevin and in 2007, the Mayor of Baltimore renamed Presstman Street to Kevin Liles Drive.

Kevin is the proud father of three children.

Clarence Mitchell is a Partner in Accenture’s Communications and High Technology Market Unit. Since joining the company, Clarence has worked throughout Europe and North America, addressing business performance...

Clarence Mitchell is a Partner in Accenture’s Communications and High Technology Market Unit. Since joining the company, Clarence has worked throughout Europe and North America, addressing business performance, strategy and market-related issues for some of the world’s most successful telecommunications and high technology firms.In addition he has also worked with a number of innovative smaller and start-up firms. He has also written on several topics including “Value Creation in the Telecom Industry” and “Network Optimization as a Business Imperative”. Clarence has an MBA in Strategic Management from the Wharton School, and a BA in Economics from Rutgers College.

William Mzimba is the Chief Executive of Accenture South Africa. He is also co-chair of the South African FoodBanking Network and Director of the Global Foodbanking Network. Before his tenure at Accenture, William was involved in setting up...

William Mzimba is the Chief Executive of Accenture South Africa. He is also co-chair of the South African FoodBanking Network and Director of the Global Foodbanking Network.

Before his tenure at Accenture, William was involved in setting up and running a number of businesses in the information, communication and technology (ICT) sector. He was founder member and Director of IRS and New Africa Technology Holdings.

During his 20-year career, he has obtained invaluable experience in various industries, including government, utilities, manufacturing, insurance, information technology and telecommunications. His strengths lie in designing effective information technology solutions that are structured to support and lead strategic business transformation.

William’s qualifications include a Diploma in Datametrics or Computer Science (Unisa), BA (Honours) in Business Studies (De Montfort University), Masters in Business Administration (Bond University) and Management Advancement Certificate (Wits Business School).

William has been involved with the development and the implementation of business strategies and the successful transformation of organization’s operations through the use of technology. He has also been responsible for large-scale projects in some of South Africa’s leading utilities, municipalities, insurance, IT companies and government departments. His in-depth understanding of the business environment, combined with his technical expertise, has enabled him to play a vital role in the successful re-engineering of business processes for improved efficiencies and greater value delivery.

William also holds the following positions: Director of Accenture Africa (Pty) Ltd; Director Accenture East Africa (Pty) Ltd; Non-executive Director Twenty30 (NGO); Member of Accenture Global Corporate Citizenship; a member of the Premier of the North West Advisory Council on ICT; Trustee of the Accenture Foundation.

Bob brings a business background as an entrepreneur and co-founder of a number of business ventures, and 20 years of international non-profit experience to Powered By Action board. He is currently the Executive Director of Newman Family Foundation...

Bob brings a business background as an entrepreneur and co-founder of a number of business ventures, and 20 years of international non-profit experience to Powered By Action board.

He is currently the Executive Director of Newman Family Foundation based in the San Francisco Bay Area. The Newman Family Foundation is deeply involved in sustainable Holistic Transformation projects, Micro-Enterprise and Community Development in Africa, the Arts and Media, and many projects dealing with Social Justice and the combating of Human Trafficking around the world.

Mr. Norsworthy spent five years, as a youth leader in the San Francisco Bay Area, mentoring High School and College students in the late seventies and then for fourteen years gave leadership in numerous capacities to International Students Inc., a public charity, based in Colorado Springs. Bob and his team worked to identify and mentor emerging young leaders studying abroad, who would eventually return to their home nations to use their influence to change society for good. During his tenure, Bob served as Western States Regional Field Director, National Field Director, Director of Professionals In Partnership, U.S. Vice President, and International Vice President.

Bob also served for five years as the Team Leader for Asia, for The Institute for Innovation, Integration and Impact, coaching business leaders and their executive teams to find their ultimate purpose. Bob has led numerous teams of repurposed business people to consult abroad, to leverage their business acumen to help CEO's and business owners in Asia repurpose and see their Corporations as agents to transform their society. Bob brings a deep understanding of the global scene, as well as an extensive network of relationships with indigenous leaders throughout China, SE Asia, the Middle East and Africa, to the Board of Powered By Action. His passions are leadership development, strategic networking, growing a vision and mobilizing teams for transformational impact in the Marketplace.

Bob and his wife Cindi live in Alamo, CA. and have three married children Leisa, Joel and Danielle. Bob is the co-author of The World at Your Door, the author of Sharing God With Others and Knowing God Personally, a contributing author to Perspectives on A World Christian Movement, as well as many other volunteer and mission mobilization tools.

Dr. William Payne is an Orthopedic Surgeon. He practices with the WellGroup Health Partners in Chicago Heights. Dr. Payne is certified with the National Board of Medical Examiners and American Board of Orthopedic Surgery...

Dr. William Payne is an Orthopedic Surgeon. He practices with the WellGroup Health Partners in Chicago Heights. Dr. Payne is certified with the National Board of Medical Examiners and American Board of Orthopedic Surgery. Dr. Payne brings a wealth of knowledge about the Kalamazoo Promise and is helping to shape the Action US Educational Blueprint.

Mr. Phanord is the Global Managing Director and co-founder of RTX Technology Partners. His consulting experience comprises over 17 years of operational strategy, business transformation, due diligence, large implementation programs...

Mr. Phanord is the Global Managing Director and co-founder of RTX Technology Partners. His consulting experience comprises over 17 years of operational strategy, business transformation, due diligence, large implementation programs driving Fortune 500 corporations and emerging market organizations to solve complex information, technology, management, and operations problems. Mr. Phanord, is responsible for all strategy, sales, marketing, business development activities at the firm. He also leads RTX’s Business Consulting practice. In this role, he has led the firm to establish engagements with major corporations in the United States and Asia and multiple projects in emerging market countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. These projects span multiple industries including Communications, Media, Financial Services, Consumer Electronics, Consumer Products, and the NGO sector.