Board appointments bring experience in technology, philanthropy, education, civic engagement, and communications.
PRINCETON, NJ — August 19, 2026 — C&S today announced the election of four new trustees to its Board of Trustees: Marc Brown, Rebecca Fishman Lipsey, Alejandro J. Ramos and Dillon St. Bernard. The appointments strengthen C&S’s leadership as the organization expands its mission to spark 20 million young people ages 14–24 to step up as civic problem-solvers by 2029.
As C&S deepens its work with young people across campuses, workplaces, and communities in every state across the country, these appointments bring the Board closer to the ideas, networks, and real-world challenges shaping the next generation’s civic life. Together, Brown, Lipsey, Ramos, and St. Bernard contribute experience in building institutions, expanding opportunity, strengthening democratic participation, and engaging people through culture and communications. Ramos and St. Bernard also bring direct Gen Z perspectives to the Board as full trustees.
“Marc, Rebecca, Alejandro, and Dillon bring the experience, insight, and commitment that will strengthen C&S at an important moment for our organization,” said Rajiv Vinnakota, President of C&S. “Their diverse expertise and lived experience will help us advance our mission: creating more opportunities for young people to build the skills, connections, and confidence to meaningfully participate in civic life.”
C&S is working to help more young people develop skills, relationships and confidence to address the issues shaping their lives and communities. Through its Power of & approach, the organization brings people together across differences, connects ideas to action, and supports young people in creating practical civic solutions.
Marc Brown is Managing Director, Venture Capital Coverage at JP Morgan. As a technology investor and corporate-development leader, he previously served as Partner and Head of EQT Growth and as Corporate Vice President of Corporate Development at Microsoft. He led more than 185 acquisitions and 80 strategic investments at Microsoft and currently serves on the boards of Tamr, Rapid7 and Syncro, as well as Choate Rosemary Hall’s Board of Trustees.
Rebecca Fishman Lipsey is President and CEO of The Miami Foundation, where she has grown the organization by 50 percent since 2020 and embedded equity across its grantmaking and initiatives. A former public-school teacher and founder of social-impact incubator Radical Partners, she also served as the youngest appointee in the history of the Florida Board of Education.
Alejandro J. Ramos is Founder and Executive Director of the Ramos Research Institute, a nonpartisan nonprofit think tank advancing research and programming on civic engagement, democracy, and public policy. A first-generation college graduate and current doctoral candidate at Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College, he also serves as the Community of Democracies YouthLeads Ambassador to the United States.
Dillon St. Bernard is Chief Creative Officer of Team DSB, a digital communications agency and media company that partners with purpose-driven organizations and creators to drive cultural change. A Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree and Webby Award-winning producer, he has led digital-first communications strategies for more than 100 organizations and co-founded Youth250, a project documenting young people’s perspectives ahead of the nation’s 250th anniversary.
“These appointments add meaningful depth to an already exceptional Board,” said Stefanie Sanford, Chair of the C&S Board of Trustees. “They broaden the experience and perspectives around our table and bring together leaders across sectors and generations. That combination will make C&S stronger as we create more opportunities for people with different experiences to work together, and for young people to take on real responsibility and shape what happens next.”
About C&S
Founded in 1945 as the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation, C&S (cands.org) sparks young people to help build a strong and thriving America. Guided by the Power of &, C&S is grounded in a simple belief: young people with ideas—not institutions with ideologies—make our country stronger. We meet young people where they are—on campuses, at work, and in their communities—creating clear pathways for discovery, collaboration, and fresh civic solutions. Across all our work, C&S helps young people practice three essential civic skills: having productive conversations; using credible information; and collaborating to create solutions. Learn more at cands.org.
Media Contact
Zach Coville-Carney
Brodeur Partners for C&S
zcarney@brodeur.com
