Board of Directors

Bernex Richardson is the Senior Vice President of Career Accelerator and Alumni Relations at Per Scholas and the Founder of Thrive Collaborative. As a nonprofit executive and certified Empowerment Coach, he is deeply committed to advancing equity, expanding access, and creating opportunities that empower individuals and communities to thrive. Since beginning his career with Teach For America in 2009, Bernex has held leadership roles across education, workforce development, and people management in schools, nonprofits, and global tech companies.

He is currently pursuing an Ed.D. in Higher Education Leadership and Practice at the University of North Georgia, where his research focuses on workforce development, upward mobility, and the role institutions play in leading learners to opportunity. This scholar-practitioner perspective informs his executive leadership and strengthens his commitment to building more equitable systems for learning and work.

Bernex holds certifications in Diversity and Inclusion from Cornell University and in Executive Coaching from the Academy of Creative Coaching. He is also an active member of the International Coaching Federation (ICF). His academic background includes a B.S. in Music Education from the University of North Georgia and an M.S.Ed. in Higher Education Management from the University of Pennsylvania.

James Leuthe is the Chief Executive Officer of Scopewell Solutions, a global technology consulting firm, where he leads digital transformation initiatives for mission-driven organizations. He brings a deep commitment to expanding access to care and believes technology can help dedicated teams reach more people with greater impact. As a father of three boys, he is especially motivated by Hopebound’s work to support the next generation. James holds a BS from Penn State, an MBA from DePaul University, and an MS in Engineering from Brown University. He is also a graduate of the United Way of Atlanta’s Volunteer Involvement Program and is honored to support Hopebound’s mission through his technology leadership and service on the board.

Dra. Luz Narcisse is a distinguished leader in higher education and diversity, equity, and inclusion. She currently serves as the Chief of Staff and Assistant to the President for Strategic Initiatives at Edward Waters University in Jacksonville, FL. Dra. Narcisse brings to Edward Waters University a distinguished career spanning over 15 years in higher education and nonprofit leadership.

As the Chief of Staff and Assistant to the President for Strategic Initiatives, Dra. Narcisse works directly with President Faison, executive cabinet members, and various institutional stakeholders and constituencies to develop and implement strategic initiatives that align with and advance the university’s mission, objectives, and goals. She also oversees key assigned projects designed to increase the university’s visibility and external community engagement, enhance the institution’s global operational effectiveness, foster student success, and promote a culture of innovation and excellence across campus. A key aspect of her responsibilities includes ensuring the successful execution of President vision for Edward Waters University’s growth and transformative impact. She also leads on developing executive-level communications, offering policy recommendations, managing budgets, and responding thoughtfully to institutional concerns while ensuring the President’s objectives are realized through strategic decision-making and actionable solutions.

Prior to EWU, Dra. Narcisse served as Senior Vice President and Executive Director at City Year Baton Rouge, where she led a team of staff and volunteers, managed a $3.4 million budget, and successfully secured substantial funding from major donors, foundations, and government grants. Her tenure at City Year was marked by creating comprehensive development strategies, establishing impactful partnerships, and initiatives that significantly boosted community engagement.

Prior to her role at City Year Baton Rouge, Dra. Narcisse held leadership positions at Louisiana State University, St. Petersburg College Foundation, and the University of South Florida Foundation, among others. Her career highlights include successfully launching the Helios-SPC Titan Achievement Program, which secured a transformative $1.3 million grant, and designing innovative fundraising programs that enhanced scholarship opportunities for underrepresented students. At Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University’s College of Education, she developed a comprehensive Teacher Education Candidate Progression Plan, significantly increasing student success rates and retention.

Some of her many notable achievements include serving as Associate Vice Provost for Diversity at LSU, where she streamlined DEI strategies and secured landmark donations. Dra. Narcisse also raised over $3.5 million for diversity initiatives at the University of South Florida and established the Black Leadership network. Her leadership has consistently driven institutional growth and fostered inclusive excellence.

Dra. Narcisse’s academic credentials include a Doctor of Education in Higher Education Leadership and Administration from Nova Southeastern University, where her dissertation examined the impact of Latina sorority membership on the persistence of Latinas in higher education. She also holds a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction (College Student Affairs) and a Bachelor of Arts in Interpersonal and Organizational Communication, both from the University of South Florida. Additionally, she has earned multiple certifications in nonprofit financial management, post-crisis leadership, and strategic program development.