Board of Directors
Executive Committee
Mike Krzyzewski, Chair and Founder
Duke UniversityJamie Spatola, Vice Chair
AuthorLuis Hernandez, Treasurer
LenovoJazmin Garcia Smith, Secretary
Durham AcademyElizabeth Aldridge
Community VolunteerChair of the Advancement Committee
Tonya Armstrong, Ph.D.
The Armstrong Center for Hope
Members At-Large
Valerie Anderson, Ph.D.
Chief Executive Officervanderson@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.combsDonnell Cannon
Teach for AmericaMichael Clawar
Altus GroupPatrick Cummings
Hubrich Contracting Inc.Chair of Building Committee
Connie Gomez-Joines, Ph.D.
Durham Technical Community CollegeIwinosa Idahor, Ph.D.
Durham Public SchoolsDoug Kahn
Mistoda CapitalPatrick Kurz, Ex Officio
Immaculata Catholic SchoolDaisy Magnus-Aryitey
Code the Dream
Joel Marcus
Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.Joshua Mbanusi
WileyChair of Programs Committee
John McCann
Partners for Performance
David Morris
Michael Best and Friedrich LLP
Max Perkins
Spektrum LabsGianelly Vargas Santos
Emily K Center Alumna
Manuel Viera, Ex Officio
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church