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Meet the Cohort

Building Pathways to Board Leadership and Equity in Corporate Governance

Welcome to the Incoming Cohort

The Black Corporate Board Readiness (BCBR) program, hosted by the Leavey School of Business at Santa Clara University, prepares accomplished Black executives for service on public and private corporate boards. Its mission is to increase representation in boardrooms, driving stronger business performance and advancing racial equity in corporate governance.

BCBR provides a comprehensive approach to board readiness, equipping leaders, connecting organizations with exceptional talent, and fostering a powerful network of peers and mentors. Through education, access, and community, BCBR accelerates pathways for leaders to influence, innovate, and lead at the highest levels of corporate decision-making.


Cohort 17 – Summer 2026

The Leavey Center at Santa Clara University is proud to present the 2026 Summer Black Corporate Board Readiness Cohort 17.

Through education, mentorship, and community, BCBR equips leaders to excel in governance roles while fostering a powerful network of peers, alumni, and corporate partners. We accompany BCBR Participants and Alumni on their board journeys, partner with organizations and individuals seeking qualified, exceptional leaders to serve on boards, and facilitate meaningful networking across the BCBR community.

Each participant in Cohort 17 exemplifies excellence, integrity, and leadership at the highest levels of business and governance.

Black Corporate Board Readiness (BCBR) – Cohort 17

BCBR Cohort 17

Dennis Brooks

Experienced Pharmaceutical Physician in Medical Affairs/ Pharmacovigilance/Public Health Expert

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BCBR Cohort 17

Joseph Brown

COO, Strategic Industries, Google Cloud
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BCBR Cohort 17

Monique Brown, Esq.

Senior Corporate Counsel & Global Privacy Officer and Global Data Protection Officer
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BCBR Cohort 17

Dr. Cheryl Boyce

Founder/Principal, Humiscus Human Development and Services Consulting, LLC | Director, Milken Institute
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BCBR Cohort 17

Ivan Francis

VP, Lean and Process Optimization, Exact Sciences
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BCBR Cohort 17

Owen Griffin

President and CFO, Currie Medical
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BCBR Cohort 17

Thomasina (Tomi) Hiers

Vice President, Center for Civic Sites and Community Change, Annie E. Casey Foundation
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BCBR Cohort 17

Paule Joseph PhD, MBA,CRNP, FAANᴵᴾ

Nurse Scientist & Senior Investigator
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BCBR Cohort 17

Dr. Sabrina Kizzie, DBA, MPA

CEO and Founder, Social Media Glamour, LLC.
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BCBR Cohort 17

Sophia Marshall

Founder & Principal, Stratavance Consulting
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BCBR Cohort 17

Shawn Maxwell, CRMP

CEO & Founder, Homepoint Lending, Inc.
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BCBR Cohort 17

Jennifer Miles-Thomas, MD, MBA

Vice Chair, Integration and Innovation, Northwestern Medicine
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BCBR Cohort 17

Anka Twum-Baah

Area Managing Partner, Chief Marketing & Commercial Officer, Chief Outsiders
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BCBR Cohort 17

Dr. Juanita (Dr. J) Reynolds

Chief Operations and Program Officer, Child Action
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BCBR Cohort 17

Dexter Turner

CEO at OpConnect
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BCBR Cohort 17

Raifael Williams

Owner, Williams Premier Realty, LLC
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