SkillPointe Foundation is now SKILLED Nation.
SKILLED Nation
Scholarships for Skilled Careers

Our Leadership

In 2021, we were just an idea. Today, we're a leading force for change. We're not talking about workforce problems, we're fixing them.  

Just like America’s workers, our leaders are doers. Learn more about them below, and you’ll see the mix of business, philanthropic, and public policy experience that sets SKILLED Nation apart. 

Leadership

Alvin Townley

Founding CEO

Starting from scratch, Alvin has built SKILLED Nation into a $10M national leader in the workforce and skilled scholarship space – one that functions at the intersection of business strategy, philanthropy, advocacy, and public policy. His unique background includes each of those elements.  He served as a global strategy consultant, national fundraiser, and Capitol Hill staffer. He more recently served as a senior fellow at the United States Naval Academy and is a New York Times-reviewed author, sought-after public speaker, Eagle Scout, and former NCAA athlete. Alvin founded SKILLED Nation because he believes America's skilled workers deserve champions. 

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Hal Logan

Board Chair

  • CEO and Investor, Third Set Partners

  • Former COO, BuyBook Technologies and RepairPal

  • Former president and CEO, Manheim Interactive (Cox Automotive)

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Sarah McDonald

Vice Chair

  • Director, Public Affairs and Community Investments Communications, The Home Depot

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Chris Collins

Board Member

  • Senior Vice President, U.S. Digital Buildings, Schneider Electric 

  • Former Country President, Ireland, and Major Pursuits Leader, United Kingdom & Ireland Zone, Schneider Electric

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John Laughter

Board Member

  • Former E.V.P., Chief of Operations, and President, Delta TechOps (Delta Air Lines) 

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Matt McKenna

Board Member

  • Automotive marketing & advertising executive, Cox Automotive (retired) 

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James Mylett

Board Member

  • CEO, Smart Care Solutions

  • Former SVP, U.S. Digital Buildings, Schneider Electric

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Laura Petrucci

Founding Board Chair​​​

  • CEO, The Winthrop Group​

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James Runcie

Board Member

  • CEO and co-founder, Partnership for Education Advancement

  • Former COO, U.S. Department of Education-FSA

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Kathy Waller

Board Member

  • Executive Director, Atlanta Committee for Progress

  • Former CFO and EVP, The Coca-Cola Company

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Staff Leads

Keith Perry

Chief Financial Officer

Keith brings deep financial sector leadership to SKILLED Nation, including prior service as CFO of Florida Capital Bank.

Tasha Rose

Senior Director of Experience and Operations

Tasha is a nonprofit executive, philanthropy advocate, and governance leader with deep expertise in partner engagement, relationship building, and organizational strategy.

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Melissa Mullinix

Director of Scholarships

Melissa is a strategic philanthropy leader and entrepreneur with a track record of high-performance outcomes. She previously served as an IBM communications lead and United Way chair.

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Thomas Hardy

Data Strategy & Technology Lead

Thomas holds a Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania and brings expertise in data strategy, analysis, and technology to the SKILLED Nation team.

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My family was full of men who were in the trades. I will be the first female in my family to be in the trades.

Amanda Lang

Industrial Electrician

Pittsburgh, PA