Our Team

Jo Pamphile

Jo combined her undergraduate major in psychology and minor in business to earn a Master’s degree in Organizational Psychology & Development from Columbia University. Her career objective was to help non-profit, youth-serving organizations fulfill their missions. When asked what her ideal job would be, Jo said working for a foundation.

She ultimately found that ideal job when, in 2006, she joined the T. Howard Foundation where she is President & CEO. She brought her special event fundraising knowledge, program development experience, organizational and leadership skills and love of young people to the Foundation.

Along with a committed Board of Directors and a dedicated team, Jo has been able to develop a mission-driven organization that raises nearly $1.5 million per year to provide paid internships, professional development, career opportunities and an alumni network to hundreds of diverse and underrepresented college students eager to enter the world of media and entertainment.

She believes that the Foundation’s success is measured by the students and alumni who are achieving their career goals as a result of their relationship with THF and its partner companies.

Sarah Giannakopoulos

Sarah is honored and excited to join the T. Howard Foundation as the Vice President of Operations and Development. Sarah has always had a passion for the non-profit and higher education fields and has subsequently spent the majority of her career in these areas. Most notably, Sarah was the Director of Operations at a non-profit in Washington, D.C. that specialized in the accreditation of human research protection programs.

Prior to joing THF, Sarah spent 4 1/2 years at CNN in Washington, D.C. While she loved the pace and intensity that came with working in the media, her heart was pulling her back to non-profit work. Sarah is ready to contribute to the continued success and evolution of the T. Howard Foundation using her operations skills and the media industry experience she gained while at CNN.

Sarah holds a double bachelor’s degree in Political Science and French from Susquehanna University and a Master’s Degree in Humanities from Towson University. Her greatest loves are her family, books and traveling.

LaShika Howard

With a deep understanding of the skills and experiences required to succeed in today’s workforce, LaShika is committed to equipping young professionals with key tools and resources.

LaShika holds a Master’s in Human Resources and a Bachelor’s degree in Business from Fairleigh Dickinson University. She’s spent most of her career helping professionals evaluate and achieve their career aspirations, as well as helping business leaders attract and secure the best talent for their hiring needs.

LaShika joined THF as a certified HR professional with more than 14 years of expertise in executive recruitment, talent pipeline development and building relationships with senior leaders. She has been instrumental in expanding the alumni network, increasing the number of full-time hires in the media industry and developing and managing three new initiatives.

Raphael Richard Jr.

Raphael’s commitment to the overall success of college students led him to the role as Program Manager, Internship Program at the T. Howard Foundation. After serving years as a higher education professional, focusing on multicultural affairs and diversity education, he looks forward to using those skills to continue to diversify the Foundation’s talent pool.

Raphael’s passion for effecting change through storytelling and diversity education was previously shared with students at Columbia University as Assistant Director of Multicultural Affairs and the University of Alabama at Birmingham as Coordinator of Multicultural and Diversity Programs. Additionally, he models and mentors global citizenship practices to an international network of college students as a Senior Fellow in the Melton Foundation.

Raphael holds a M.S. in Higher Education from Syracuse University, where he also served as a Diversity Education Specialist and a B.A. in Urban Studies and Public Policy from Dillard University.

Raphael is delighted to work with THF interns and partners and share his experience in student leadership development, diversity and inclusion and curriculum development.

Tjwana Dixon

Tjwana is committed to providing essential tools and resources to help students and alumni grow their capabilities. She previously served as a Director of Education as well as a Director of Career Development in higher education. Previous roles focused on data-driven initiatives focused on assisting graduates with entry level employment, student retention as well professional development.

Tjwana graduated from American InterContinental University, where she earned a master’s degree in Business Administration specializing in Management and Marketing. She is currently pursuing her master’s in Divinity specializing in Pastoral Counseling at Liberty University Rawlings School of Divinity.

Stephen Garlington

Holding true to his belief that exposure changes lives, Stephen has committed himself to the development of a diverse workforce through professional internships, job shadowing, and career conversations. While working to support persistence/retention efforts at North Carolina Central University and KIPP Los Angeles, he found that a lack of tangible connection to professional aspirations was a major barrier to persistence and sought to increase students’ awareness and level of professional experience prior to graduation.

Prior to joining the Foundaiton, Stephen was Director of College and Career Readiness will KIPP Philadelphia where he managed the Future Focus Internship Program and other career programming efforts. Stephen is excited to use his background and experience to support the T. Howard, partner schools, and companies with creating viable access to professional experience in the media and entertainment industries.

He is a proud graduate of Coppin State University where he earned his BSW and The University of Pennsylvania where he attained MSW.

Shayne Miller-Westfield

Shayne, native of Pass Christian, Mississippi, is the acting Communications & Recruitment Specialist on the Internship Program team. He received his BA in Mass Communications, with a specialization in Public Relations, from Virginia Commonwealth University, and has since gained an array of experience in public relations and communications. Shayne is excited to bring his diverse experience to T. Howard Foundation, where he looks forward to assisting students with professional development and leadership goals.

Aqiyla Moody

Aqiyla developed her passion for working with college students during her time as a student affairs professional. At Syracuse University, she was able to work with a diverse student population and help them develop holistically. As the Training and Recruitment Coordinator, Aqiyla facilitates professional development trainings, co-manages spring and fall internships, and supports the internship program administratively. She is excited to bring her experience with recruitment and passion for helping students reach their goals to the T. Howard Foundation.

Aqiyla holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communications and Rhetorical Studies and African American Studies from Syracuse University. Her Orange pride led her to continue her studies at Syracuse University obtaining a Master’s degree in Public Relations. At THF, Aqiyla looks forward to helping students with their professional growth.

Tekeya Peterson

Tekeya is a native of Sarasota, Florida and after relocating to Maryland, she is now eager to embrace the “Big City” life. Serving as the Training & Recruitment Coordinator, Tekeya’s hope is to inspire, encourage, uplift and educate others, by utilizing her academic, professional and social skills, as well as the knowledge that she’s gained through life experiences. She lives by the affirmation “keep your dreams alive. Understand that to achieve anything requires faith, belief in yourself, vision, hard work, determination, and dedication. Remember that all things are possible for those who believe.”

Edina Varsa

Formerly Director of Administration, Edina is now working with the Foundation as a consultant in PR & Communications. This role involves website maintenance for the Internship Program, Career & Alumni Services, and the Diversity Awards Dinner. Her role also includes developing Diversity Awards Dinner newsflashes and developing the silent auction as well as editing marketing materials for the Internship Program, Career & Alumni Services and Diversity Partners programs, and Administration.

Pendo Waryoba

Born in Tanzania, East Africa, Pendo moved to the United States at the age of 12 and grew up in Tallahassee, Florida. After earning her Master’s degree in Economics, Pendo’s career went in a variety of directions as she pursued her passion for economics. As her career progressed, Pendo discovered the nonprofit world, which uncovered a passion in addition to economics: helping others.

After working for a nonprofit in Florida, Pendo moved to the D.C. area to be closer to her family and to find a company with a mission that she believed in. The T. Howard Foundation was a perfect fit.

Always with a smile on her face, Pendo deals with the full array of administrative and accounting functions of the Foundation. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Economics degree with a minor in Business Administration, as well as a Master’s of Art degree in Economics.