Current Foundation Trustees

Peggy Curchack joined the Board in 2006 and has served the Philadelphia non-profit community for over 30 years. She is currently a part-time career counselor in Career Services at the University of Pennsylvania, and served the Philadelphia Chamber Music Society as temporary Director of Education for their 2010-2011 season. She has provided pro-bono career counseling through the Free Library of Philadelphia. She is a member of Singing City choir, passionate about social and economic justice, and seeing as much of the world as possible.

Nancy J. Kirby Nancy J. Kirby joined the Board in 2008. She recently retired from her position as Assistant Dean and Director of Admissions at the Bryn Mawr College Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research. In her many years of community service she has been a board member with various organizations addressing such service areas as urban primary health care, reproductive health, services to families and children and to those with long term physical disabilities. She is also a trustee of the Douty Foundation.

Alexandra Samuels joined the Board in 2005. She is The Philadelphia Foundation’s Director of Grantmaking Services, and has over 15 years of philanthropic experience. Ms. Samuels has held positions at Delaware Valley Grantmakers and Rohm and Haas, and has served on the Boards of Venture Theatre, Leadership Philadelphia, NPower PA, Center for Literacy and the Junior League of Philadelphia. She lives in Philadelphia with her husband and twin sons.

Barbara J. Silzle joined the Board in 2007, and has been active in Philadelphia's nonprofit community for over 25 years. As Executive Director of The Leeway Foundation, which funds local women and trans artists creating social change, she led the foundation through a transformative period of growth. She is with Valerie M. Jones Associates, a consulting firm dedicated to strengthening the philanthropic and nonprofit sector by providing customized, strategic organizational development, program development and fundraising services. Ms. Silzle was elected to the Lansdowne Borough Council in 2007.

Shawn Towey joined the Board in 2008. She recently joined PCCY as Child Care Policy Associate. Shawn's background is in communications and advocacy for social change, with expertise in women's health and reproductive justice, healthcare worker organizing, and services to women and families. Her career has included management, fundraising, program development, training, evaluation, technical assistance and capacity building, mostly geared to small non-profits. She is a birdwatcher, self-taught graphic artist and quilter.

Tracy Tripp joined the Board in 2007. She has worked in the Philadelphia non-profit community since moving to the city as an undergraduate in 1995. Ms. Tripp’s main focus has been on women's rights and reproductive justice, volunteering for the Women's Medical Fund and Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania, and serving on the boards of both WMF and the National Network of Abortion Funds. A recent graduate of Drexel University's law school, Ms. Tripp continues her public interest work in Philadelphia as an Assistant City Solicitor for the City of Philadelphia.

Linda White joined the Board in 2006. Her background is in non-profit management and communications. She has held senior leadership positions at Operation Understanding, Parents Union for Public Schools in Philadelphia, and the YMCA of Greater Philadelphia. Ms. White is also a writer, and since 2005 has been a member of Penn & Pencil, a writers group housed at Kelly Writers House at the University of Pennsylvania.