May 29, 2025
Spark the Journey’s Board of Directors is pleased to announce the selection of Dr. Brandon White as our next Chief Executive Officer. Currently Executive Director, Brandon succeeds longtime President and CEO Khari Brown as a champion of Spark’s mission to provide mentorship and a community of support to young adults as they chart their own paths to college and career. Brandon steps into his new role on July 1, 2025.
His succession comes at a moment of rapid change in the landscapes of higher education and workforce development. As CEO, Brandon will ensure that Spark the Journey’s programs expand to meet an urgent need in our region and equip more young adults with the skills, resources, and networks they need to attain economic mobility.
“Since joining Spark the Journey in 2017, Brandon has had tremendous impact within our organization,” said The Honorable Mary K. Bush, Board Chair. “His strong leadership and exciting vision have supported Spark in doubling the number of young people that we serve. The board and I look forward to continuing our partnership with him in the years to come.”
Following Spark the Journey’s announced leadership transition in early 2025, the organization embarked on a nationwide CEO search in partnership with Good Insight, a Washington, DC-based search firm focused on nonprofit leadership. Among a competitive pool of nearly 200 applicants, Brandon received the Board of Directors’ unanimous approval as CEO.
A leader in education policy and practice, Brandon joined Spark the Journey in 2017, first as Director of Learning and Evaluation and then as Chief Program Officer and Vice President. The many hats he has worn within the organization have supplied him with unique insight into the challenges the organization’s participants face and the ability of its mentorship model to evolve to meet their needs. Named Executive Director in 2022, Brandon has taken a lead role in promoting Spark’s vision, programmatic impact, and partnerships, including the development of Spark’s most recent strategic plan, which will have served over 1,000 young adults at its conclusion this summer.
“Working side-by-side with Brandon for the past eight years, and seeing his own commitment to mentorship within our team, gives me every confidence that Spark the Journey has a bright future under his leadership,” said Khari. “Brandon brings a dedication to our work, a record of innovation, deep familiarity with our model, and the respect of our colleagues and collaborators.”
“It is the honor of a lifetime to continue this work as CEO and expand the promise of Spark the Journey to more young people.” Brandon said. “With our mentorship, community, and support, Spark the Journey’s mentees have found their own paths to economic mobility for themselves, their families, and their communities. I look forward to working alongside the board and staff to advance our impact across DC and the broader region.”
As Spark the Journey completes its executive transition this summer, the organization will launch a celebration of Khari’s legacy of leadership. Please stay tuned for more information about how you can join us in thanking Khari for his 24 years of service to Spark the Journey.