Board of Directors

Executive Committee

Mike Krzyzewski, Chair and Founder

Duke University

Jamie Spatola, Vice Chair

Author

Luis Hernandez, Treasurer

Lenovo

Jazmin Garcia Smith, Secretary

Durham Academy

Elizabeth Aldridge

Community Volunteer

Chair of the Advancement Committee

Tonya Armstrong, Ph.D.

The Armstrong Center for Hope

Members At-Large

Valerie Anderson, Ph.D.

Chief Executive Officer
vanderson@emilyk.org
919-680-0308 x201

Valerie joined the Emily K Center as Chief Program Officer in 2017 and was promoted to Chief Impact Officer in 2022. Valerie transitioned to an Executive Director role in 2024 and Chief Executive Officer in 2025. She earned her B.A. from Yale University and her M.A. and Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology from Duke University.

Favorite late-night college snack: Ramen, of course!
Best advice ever received about education: Get your education. Once you get it, no one can take it away from you. (Thanks, mom.)

Nate Branscomb

b.combs

Donnell Cannon

Teach for America

Michael Clawar

Altus Group

Patrick Cummings

Hubrich Contracting Inc.

Chair of Building Committee

Connie Gomez-Joines, Ph.D.

Durham Technical Community College

Iwinosa Idahor, Ph.D.

Durham Public Schools

Doug Kahn

Mistoda Capital

Patrick Kurz, Ex Officio

Immaculata Catholic School

Daisy Magnus-Aryitey

Code the Dream

Joel Marcus

Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.

Joshua Mbanusi

Wiley

Chair of Programs Committee

John McCann

Partners for Performance

David Morris

Michael Best and Friedrich LLP

Max Perkins

Spektrum Labs

Gianelly Vargas Santos

Emily K Center Alumna

Manuel Viera, Ex Officio

Immaculate Conception Catholic Church

Tomeka Ward-Satterfield

Durham Public Schools