Board of Directors

Nnenna Akotaobi is a Vice President at Springboard Collaborative, which closes the literacy gap by coaching educators and family members to help kids learn to read by 4th grade. Springboard envisions a world in which all children have the requisite literacy skills to access life opportunities. Previously, Nnenna was Executive Director of Black Women in Sport Foundation (BWSF), whose mission is to increase the involvement of black women and girls in all aspects of sport, including athletics, coaching and administration. Additionally, Nnenna founded 122 Consulting Group, a women-owned and minority-owned consulting firm that fosters culturally inclusive organizations by supporting the design and implementation of diversity strategies. She also served as Swarthmore College Senior Associate Director of Athletics/Senior Woman Administrator (SWA)/Title IX Deputy Coordinator for eight years. Nnenna holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Denver and a master’s degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign program for Education Policy, Organization, and Leadership. She is a certified leadership development facilitator and diversity trainer, and serves as a freelance consultant and management coach. Nnenna is native of Thornton, Colorado, and played Division I basketball at Denver.

James (JP) Faunes is an attorney at Ross Feller Casey, LLP. Previously, James worked at Feldman Shepard and as as the Deputy City Solicitor for the City of Philadelphia Law Department. Earlier, James completed clinical internships with Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, as well as an internship with the office of the Montgomery County (PA) Public Defender. James earned his law degree from the Temple University Beasley School of Law. James is a former President of the Hispanic Bar Association of Pennsylvania, as well as Vice President of the Legal Education Fund endowed and administered by the Association. He also volunteers his time at a number of nonprofit organizations in the area including Philadelphia VIP, the Homeless Advocacy Project, and Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. A graduate of Swarthmore College and the Men's Soccer Program, JP is dedicated to using athletics for community development. 

Brendan Grady is Co-Founder of CUYS and former Executive Director of the organization.  He now serves as head men’s soccer coach at Juniata College. Grady enjoyed a decorated soccer career over the past two decades both playing and coaching men's soccer. A four-year starter and two-year captain for Swarthmore College, Brendan returned to his alma mater in 2013 as an Assistant Men’s Soccer Coach. He also spent the 2009 and 2010 seasons as an Assistant Coach with the Widener University Men’s Soccer team. College accolades include leading Swarthmore to the team title and also earned places on the NSCAA All-Mid-Atlantic Region and All-Centennial Conference teams, as well as the Philadelphia Inquirer Academic All-Area Team.  In addition, Grady was a member of the California North Olympic Development Program’s A Team from 1999 through 2001 and he captained the San Juan Predators and Santa Clara Ruckus to the US Club National Championship and Y-League National Championship, respectively.  On the scholastic level, he was most notably a member of the Bellarmine College Preparatory 2002 squad which was ranked #1 in the nation. Grady earned a bachelor’s degree in English from Swarthmore College and his master’s degree in Fine Arts and Poetry from the Warren Wilson MFA Program for Writers.  He currently holds a USSF “B” coaching license.

Harry Ischiropoulos is the Gisela and Dennis Alter Research Professor of Pediatrics at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute and a Professor of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.  His laboratory investigates and develops therapies for pediatric diseases caused by deficiencies in enzymes that metabolize fat. In his spare time, Harry is an enthusiastic soccer, coach, having served as an Assistant Coach for the Swarthmore College Men's Soccer team from 2008 to 2022.  He frequently participates in training clinics for high school and youth soccer players. Harry lives in Nether Providence with his wife, Patti and sons, Dean and Alex.

Brent Jacquette is Co-Founder and former CEO of CUYS. In 2008, Brent was the founding Director of the original organization, named Chester Upland Soccer for Success, for which he was named the Philadelphia Union’s nominee for the Major League Soccer MLS WORKS Community MVP Contest in 2014. He served ten seasons as the head men’s soccer coach at Widener where he helped make program history. Brent enjoyed a successful collegiate playing career, having been named an All-American as well as a two-time All-Big Ten Conference defender at Penn State. The four-year starter and team captain was tabbed a Collegiate MVP by Soccer America in 2002 and was selected to participate in the Major League Soccer combine in 2003. Furthermore, he competed in the United Soccer Leagues with the Pittsburgh Riverhounds and the Minnesota Thunder. A native of Wallingford, Brent graduated from Penn State with a bachelor’s degree in telecommunications and earned a master’s degree in public administration from Widener University. He currently holds a USSF “A” License as well as an NSCAA Premier Diploma.

LaShanda Patton is the Director of Civic Engagement in Widener University’s Center for Civic Engagement. LaShanda was born and raised in Mobile, AL and moved to the east coast after completing her time in the US Army and US Army National Guard. She received her undergraduate degree at Temple University. She also holds a master’s degree in organizational leadership and management from Peirce College and a master’s degree in higher education leadership from Widener University. In her current role, LaShanda oversees Widener’s Center, Bonner Leaders, Maguire Foundation Scholars, and the Pride Service Site Leaders scholarship programs. She also serves as a liaison with organizations who partner with Widener University, working closely with the students and community leaders to build a more collaborative campus and deeper connections to community partners which help to further the university’s civic mission. Professionally and personally, LaShanda uses her enthusiasm and drive to improve community engagement. She feels most accomplished with the pivotal role she plays in the lives of students while connecting them to life-changing experiences in the Chester community.

Grant Phelan is a business lawyer and partner in Klehr Harrison Harvey Branzburg, a full service Mid-Atlantic law firm.  Within the firm, Grant serves as Chair of the Associates Committee and is also responsible for assigning and staffing all litigation matters as the firm’s Assigning Partner.  Grant is an active community member who volunteers regularly.   Grant was Chairman of the Board of Directors for Art-Reach, a 501 (c)(3) located in Philadelphia that creates, advocates for and expands accessible opportunities in the arts for physically, mentally and economically impaired and challenged individuals.  Grant has been recognized by Leadership Philadelphia as a 101 Top Connector, was a two term President of the Philadelphia Chapter of the College of William and  Mary’s Alumni Association and was nominated to the MS Leadership Class for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s, Delaware Valley Chapter.  Grant is currently a member of the Alumni Executive Council for the Haverford School located in suburban Philadelphia.  When not working with Soccer for Success, Grant likely will be found with his wife on the sidelines of a youth soccer game with one or both of his two children.    

Jody Severinghaus has been associated with CUYS since 2013. She was originally introduced to the program through connections she had with the Swarthmore men's soccer team. CUYS' mission of strengthening the communities it serves by mentoring youth, engaging families, and promoting healthy living inspired Jody to volunteer her time and join the team. Jody's interest in youth soccer stems from years as a soccer parent and volunteer, she also works as one of many site coordinators for the Jefferson Cup, hosted by Richmond Strikers.

Stacy Yates is a Certified School Counselor for the School District of Philadelphia. She is married to Malcolm Yates and they are the parents of two amazing daughters. Born and raised in Queens, New York City, Stacy attended the University of Delaware and Wilmington University where she advanced through her scholastic endeavors and obtained her Bachelor's degree in Human Services and two Masters of Education. She is a  self-published author of three motivational journals and serves on multiple leadership boards.  Stacy recently obtained a certificate in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion from Widener University and is currently pursuing a certificate in Marriage and Family Counseling from Capella University.  Stacy believes in being the change she wishes to see. 

Board Advisors

John Brennan is the Founder and CEO of New View Gifts & Accessories Ltd., a home décor company located in Media PA that has manufacturing across the globe and product distribution internationally.  A native of Wallingford PA, John graduated from Drexel University with a degree in Business.  John currently resides in Media, PA with his wife and two children.  In addition, John has served as the VP of NPAA Soccer for over 10 years, Executive Director of 1776 United for over 3 years, and on the working committee at Notre Dame Academy in Villanova to install its new athletic complex.  As part of his role with NPAA, John served as delegate with DELCO soccer league where he was on the advisory council to promote small sided soccer at U11 as well as many other initiates to improve the youth game.

Arik Misler is the CTO at Perpay, a collaborative team of creative problem-solvers on a mission to make life's purchases more accessible and affordable. An avid soccer fan and coffee aficionado, Misler leads Perpay’s engineering team alongside his pup, Kingsli. He hopes to continuously help CUYS navigate technology and improve its online presence. Arik holds a M.S. in Information Technology and Software Management from Carnegie Mellon and a B.S. in Computer Science from University of Pittsburgh.