LaVonna is dedicated to work that prioritizes community growth and progression, focusing on the needs of marginalized groups and their advancement. She believes that if we think of the well-being and development of others in our everyday lives, we will naturally find we are creating a better world for ourselves and future generations. LaVonna has worked primarily in the field of education, in the K-12 and adult education sectors.

LaVonna was born in Philadelphia, raised by her mother with three sisters, and attended the historical Girard College boarding school for 10 years. During a summer program at Barnard College, she fell in love with Columbia University and the city of New York, knowing it was where she was meant to be. She went on to become a Columbia Lion, and after completing her undergraduate degree she was introduced to the world of business operations when accepting her first professional position with Public Prep, Girls Prep Middle School Lower East Side. Having one of the most beneficial learning experiences of her life, LaVonna finished the year with two certainties – she would continue her work in education, and she would need to expand her knowledge base. The decision was made to obtain her graduate degree, moving back to Philadelphia to attend the University of Pennsylvania, Graduate School of Education, and pursuing a Master of Science in education policy.

While completing her program, LaVonna worked with The Philadelphia Center for Arts and Technology and Legacy Youth Tennis and Education, and began an operations internship with KIPP Philadelphia Schools’ regional office. Upon completion of her graduate degree and internship, she was offered a position to become the founding director of operations with a new KIPP Philly elementary school. Unfortunately, the school was not able to open that year, but LaVonna stayed in the KIPP family and joined the operations team at KIPP Philadelphia Elementary Academy. A large portion of LaVonna’s role included working closely with KIPP families and parents, and through this work LaVonna better understood that for a school to be successful and serve its students effectively, parents and families must have the tools to be successful as well, evoking LaVonna’s decision to obtain professional experience in adult-based learning and education. LaVonna became the founding program director with Girl Develop It, a nonprofit organization that offers web and software development classes and resources to adult women, focusing on accessibility and affordability.

Girard College was never far from LaVonna’s thoughts. The boarding school serves students from single-parent households and low-income communities, and she knew she would return in some capacity one day as a resource for younger generations. LaVonna was referred to an operations position at Girard, working directly under the vice president of operations, where she spent three years managing the school’s rental program, student service departments, and multiple human resource and staff development initiatives.

As a member of the Bloom Planning team, bringing her strengths in business operations and strategic planning, LaVonna is a powerful contributor to Bloom’s mission and values!