WRI would like to welcome Darren Spielman, PhD, as their new Associate Director. In this role, Darren will work to continue The Rand’s growth into a premier applied research institute, harnessing Rutgers’ assets for the wellbeing of the Southern New Jersey region and beyond.
Darren comes to WRI with over twenty years of leadership experience in the nonprofit and education sectors, where he has worked to improve the lives and life chances of vulnerable citizens. He has built educational, workforce development and social service programs and systems—serving as president and CEO of the Philadelphia Educational Fund, vice president of workforce development at Philadelphia Youth Network, executive director of Breakthrough of Greater Philadelphia, and director of adolescent outreach and research at Congreso de Latinos Unidos.
Darren has consulted for a diverse group of organizations, such as the Fund for Peace in Washington, DC, the Consortium for Policy Research in Education at the University of Pennsylvania, and Instituto Nueva Escuela in Puerto Rico.
He currently sits on the board of directors of Breakthrough of Greater Philadelphia and has served as vice president and secretary of the board of trustees of The Philadelphia School and treasurer of the board of directors of Public Citizens for Children and Youth.
Darren holds a BA in psychology and sociology with high honors from Wesleyan University, where he received the Walkley Prize for excellence in research in psychology, and a PhD in psychology (social and personality) from University of Massachusetts, Amherst, where he was an NIMH fellow.