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About Fund II

At the heart of Fund II Foundation is a deep commitment to advancing social change and creating an enduring American legacy.

Our History

Fund II Foundation was established in 2014 for the purpose of making grants to public charities. To date, Fund II Foundation has made grants worth nearly $250 million to a broad range of charities, including The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, The United Negro College Fund, NPower, The Opportunity Network and The National Park Foundation.

Our Work

Fund II Foundation developed the Cradle to Greatness framework to ensure our strategic grantmaking priorities aligned with outcomes that prepare and propel generations of talent. The framework ignites innovation, demands fair access, and accelerates the careers of young people who have been overlooked and underestimated.

To rekindle hope and community economic success, we have doubled down on our investments in preparing and supporting students studying in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields. We are committed to facilitating their growth to become thriving professionals and entrepreneurs through internXL, a platform that matches promising talent with internship opportunities in companies throughout the United States.

Technology touches every industry. It is a field where the demand for talent is growing exponentially. We understand to engage our youth of today; we must connect our future to theirs.

The Fund II Team

Linda Wilson

Executive Director

Ivana Jackson

Director, internXL

Wendell Layne

Director of Operations

Monica Lugo

Operations Manager

Steve Vassor

Senior Program Manager

Royce Jarrett

Program Associate

Dominique Young-Smith

Program Coordinator

Kiarah Young

Communications Associate

Jordan Middlebrooks

Student Engagement Manager, internXL

The Fund II Foundation Board

Robert F. Smith

Founding Director & President

Anthony Spikes

Director

Dafna Tapiero

Director

Lori Malcolm

Director

Dr. Jeanine Abrams-McLean

Director
Our mission is to preserve the African-American experience; safeguard human rights; provide music education; preserve the environment while promoting the benefits of the outdoors; and sustain critical American values such as entrepreneurialism.
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Linda Wilson Headshot

Linda Wilson

Executive Director

Linda is the Executive Director of Fund II Foundation, which has several signature initiatives. Restoration Retreat for black boys and girls, the Cradle to Greatness which tracks grantees as they ensure black and brown people move toward prosperity and happiness. InternX.org is uniquely designed to match culturally aware companies with overlooked and underestimated students. Fund II is devoted to authentic collaborations, metrics off the chart and transformative scalability and sustainability.

A human rights activist and consultant for decades, Linda has worked with diverse groups of all ages, in education, engineering, government, media, politics, big business, not-for-profits, and grassroots. Tough conversations do not frighten her—working with police and returning citizens, city leaders and displaced residents, religious and cultural opponents, all to build bridges.

Before Fund II, she was diversity and inclusion vice president at a global engineering company, winning awards for its internship program. She worked with historically black universities, multicultural programs, and associations both devoted to and devoid of diversity. Communication and collaboration are her passions; they represent love in action. As an ordained interfaith minister, she provides workshops to anyone who wants to improve their lives. She helps dying people and their families. She is one of Al Gore’s soldiers against climate change. She is a wife, mother of 3, grandmother of 5, and great grandmother of one.

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Ivana Jackson

InternX Program Manager

Ivana Jackson joined Fund II Foundation (F2F) in 2018 as the internXL Program Manager. She is responsible for the leadership, development, and implementation of the internXL initiative. Ivana manages the recruitment of STEM students, builds strategic partnerships with corporations, collaborators, and other key stakeholders. She leads a team of engineers that provides the infrastructure and the support of the internXL platform.

Prior to joining F2F, Ivana oversaw the Corporate Communications at Blue Skye Construction & Development, where she developed the company’s strategic communications plan, produced informational materials for stakeholders and wrote technical proposals.

Ivana has a passion for inspiring the next generation of leaders. She served as the American Graduate Project Manager & Education & Outreach Coordinator at WHUT Howard University Television. During her tenure, she trained and managed Howard University fellows to serve as mentors for at-risk youth in Washington, D.C. She also developed and maintained relationships with schools, community members, business stakeholders and local government officials.

Ivana Jackson is a board member of the IBBGives, a giving circle aimed to invest in projects and organizations servicing Black women and girls in the Omaha community. She is also a member of Colorcomm Inc.

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Wendell Layne

Director of Operations

Wendell is a forward-thinking public interest technologist with a passion for scaling social impact and business transformation. With a broad background in the technology sector, supporting large-scale, multimillion-dollar, enterprise deployments across the globe, Wendell is now focused on creating complex solutions in the social sector.

Reporting directly to the Executive Director, Wendell manages the Foundation’s annual operating budget and ensures resources are allocated properly for the Foundation to fulfill its mission and vision. Additionally, Wendell is responsible the creation and execution of technical strategy, in support of all Fund II Foundation programs.

Wendell previously worked for World Wide Technology (WWT) where he spent most of his tenure on the management and leadership teams in Business Development and Professional Services. Most recently, Wendell managed the global partnership and go-to market strategy with Microsoft and was largely responsible for WWT becoming a nationally recognized Microsoft US public sector Partner of the Year. Prior to that Wendell managed the engineering and software development teams supporting WWT’s first in-house developed software platform.

Wendell serves on the advisory board for The Hip Hop Architecture Camp, a national program that positions Hip Hop culture as a catalyst to introduce underrepresented youth to architecture, urban planning, and design. He is a veteran of the U.S. Navy, where he served onboard the USS Harry S. Truman, supporting radar and navigational equipment within the combat systems division. Wendell received a B.S. in Business from Saint Louis University’s Cook School of Business, has one son, Wendell IV, and is an avid music-lover, reader and amateur photographer.

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Monica Lugo

Office Manager

Monica, a native New Yorker, is driven by her curiosity, love of life, people and the Earth. She seeks to inspire harmony, bring clarity, and harness the best of each experience to bring it forth into the next.

Monica holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, specializing in organizational management and employee engagement. As a seasoned administrator, life coach and brain-based energy yoga instructor, Monica has helped local organizations and schools develop mindfulness practices that promote a culture of wellness, inclusivity and tolerance. She began her career as a sales agent at a tour agency specializing in large group travel to Africa, the Middle East and Europe. At a cultural NGO in Midtown Manhattan, Monica was responsible for writing and implementing employment policies, negotiating employee benefits, supervising staff and managing the use and refurbishment of a NYC landmark building.

As a program manager for diversity and inclusion, Monica worked at an environmental engineering firm alongside Linda Wilson, managing an award-winning internship program and delivering staff development workshops. Most recently, Monica supported the executive team of a large not for profit human services agency on the Lower East Side and managed their US Citizenship program. These opportunities sharpened her organizational management skills and taught her the art of diplomacy and effective communication, all of which she plans to utilize in support of Fund II Foundation’s mission.

When not working, Monica loves to spend time in nature, cooking with her daughter, Olivia, watching movies, reading and playing with her yorkie, Cosmo.

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Steve Vassor

Director of Operations

Steve Vassor is a dad, husband, mentor, man of faith and action. He enjoys travel and is also a professional DJ. Steve’s life mission is to mobilize and liberate people. He enjoys supporting leaders, creating coalitions, strengthening organizations and developing strategies that improve life chances and conditions.

Steve served at local, regional and national non-profit and municipal organizations. He’s trained people, created strategies and worked to build communities and coalitions. He serves on two Board and Chairs a third.

Steve earned a bachelor’s degree in Mental Health from Morgan State University, and a Master’s in Social Service Administration from Case Western Reserve University. He and his wife currently live in New York City with their two dogs.

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Royce Jarrett

Program Assoicate

Royce Jarrett is a results-driven Program Associate at Fund II Foundation, where he plays a key role in planning and executing Restoration Retreats. A native of Charlotte, North Carolina, he began his academic journey at Cape Fear Community College, earning an associate's degree while excelling as a Region 10 All-Academic honoree in men’s basketball. He later earned a bachelor's degree in communications media and technology at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, where he gained valuable experience in event coordination and philanthropy. His passion for community impact was evident in his independent coordination of a holiday toy drive and volunteering for Thanksgiving food drives at local shelters. While at UNC Charlotte, he worked as an Operations intern at The Brand Print, supporting Restoration Retreat and Black Maternal Health. He later joined the Fund II Foundation part-time, further honing his skills in program execution and stakeholder engagement. Now a full-time Program Associate, Royce has successfully launched and leads the Alumni Ambassador Program, helping Restoration Retreat alumni connect with career development opportunities. With a background in athletics, leadership, and community engagement, he remains committed to contributing to impactful initiatives that support growth and opportunity for others.

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Dominique Young-Smith

Receptionist

Dominique is passionate about human rights and early childhood education. Before joining Fund II Foundation, she worked with the Holocaust Museum education program, bringing the lessons home, where she worked with students, survivors, and the FBI. There, Dominique realized she never wanted to be a bystander in any way shape or form. She believes in the power that once voice can have in the masses, and she pledged to teach young students the same. She is strongly inspired by Montessori practices and is a Montessori advocate. Dominique has studied and helped teach Montessori for 5 years at Full Circle Montessori. Dominique also worked closely with toddlers-middle school aged children doing guided mediations, and was deeply inspired by their growth. She believes that early childhood education is a critical foundation for children to be successful emotionally. At Fund II Foundation she plans to continue to be an advocate for young voices and inspire them to living healthy and happy lives.

Dominique a mother of one vivacious toddler, and one Aussiedoodle. In her free time, she enjoys watching movies and sunbathing at the beach.

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Kiarah Young

Communications Associate

A proud native of Sacramento, California, Kiarah Young crossed the country to earn a Bachelor of Arts in African American Studies and Civic Engagement from Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut. She currently serves as a Communications Associate at Fund II Foundation, where she manages the social media, website, and digital media efforts to amplify the foundation’s mission. As a Restoration Retreat alumna from 2019, Kiarah returned to Fund II Foundation in 2022 as a Youth Development Intern, later transitioning to a Communications Intern in 2023 before joining the team full-time in 2024. Before joining Fund II Foundation, she gained experience as an intern at Politico and Hearst, strengthening her expertise in media and communications. During her time at Wesleyan, she worked as a Marketing Assistant at the Resource Center for four years, documenting the stories of first-generation, low-income, and students of color. She also served as a tutor for the Center for Prison Education, helping incarcerated students pursue a college degree. Her passion for human rights, social justice, and community engagement fuels her work in digital media, where she strives to create accessibility and amplify unheard voices.

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Jordan Middlebrooks

Student Engagement Manager, internXL

Jordan Middlebrooks is the Student Engagement Manager at the Fund II Foundation – internXL, where she plays a key role in the career development of students and implementation of the internXL initiative. In this position, Jordan is responsible for recruiting students, fostering strategic partnerships with institutions, and collaborating with key stakeholders. Before joining the Fund II Foundation, Jordan worked in various roles where she gained valuable experience in higher education, strategic planning, and community outreach. She has a strong commitment to empowering the next generation of leaders. Jordan is passionate about supporting underrepresented communities and works diligently to create opportunities for students to thrive in their careers.

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Anthony Spikes

Director

Anthony C. Spikes is the Managing Principal and CEO of Sapphire Hill Global Partners, a global-macro investment firm he founded in 2009. Mr. Spikes has over 24 years of experience in the law, investment and finance industries and also has extensive philanthropic interests. He is a member of the Board of Trustees, Chair of the Finance Committee and Treasurer for International House of New York; a graduate level residential community with graduate students from over 100 countries and produces international leaders who are skilled at working with others across cultural differences.

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Dafna Tapiero

Director

Dafna Tapiero is the Co-Founder of Laurel Strategies, Inc. Tapiero is a seasoned executive having worked on strategy, communications, and strategic philanthropy in the private, public and civil society sectors. Prior to Laurel Strategies, she worked at the World Bank Group for 20 years, serving in leadership roles launching funds and new implementation models for development, ranging from financial system reform in East Asia, to developing and applying ESG standards, to leading agricultural land privatization in Russia, to advancing corporate social responsibility and more. In 2014, she also served as Senior Advisor on Innovative Financing in the Office of the Executive Director of the UN World Food Programme, forging partnerships and financing mechanisms to build resilience and increased preparedness for climate-induced natural disasters. Following the Asian Financial Crisis, she also founded and managed the World Bank’s Financial Sector Reform and Strengthening (FIRST) Initiative, a US$ 66 million global fund established to provide direct support to countries in reforming and developing their financial systems.

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Lori Malcolm

Director

Lori Malcolm was appointed Bloomin’ Brands Senior Vice President, Human Resources, in March 2021. She oversees the human resources function for the Restaurant Support Center as well as the restaurant brands, Outback Steakhouse, Bonefish Grill, Carrabba’s Italian Grill, Flemings Prime Steakhouse and Aussie Grill.

Prior to joining Bloomin’ Brands, Lori served as the Chief Culture and Operations Officer at United Way Worldwide. Lori has nearly 25 years of experience in senior Human Resources roles at companies such as Walt Disney World, Walmart, and Checkers and Rally’s Restaurants.

Lori holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Operations Research and Industrial Engineering from Cornell University. She has served on numerous nonprofit boards and industry associations focused on her passion to help others live better, healthier lives.

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Dr. Jeanine Abrams-McLean

Director

Dr. Jeanine Abrams McLean is the President at Fair Count, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, founded by Stacey Abrams. The goal of Fair Count is to ensure that every person in Georgia and the nation is counted for a fair and accurate census and to build pathways to continued civic participation, including voting and redistricting.

Jeanine is a highly skilled researcher with over 20 years of experience designing, managing, and implementing population-based studies and projects, and she has authored over 25 peer-reviewed publications. While at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, she applied her expertise in computational biology and population research to advance public health initiatives. At Fair Count, she has led the creation of statistically-relevant census undercount maps of all 50 states with a focus on Black and Latinx communities and advocated for community-driven solutions through the pairing of scientific researchers and organizers.

She is widely renowned for championing the voices of the rural South, earning her a seat on the National Advisory Committee for the Census Bureau in advance of the 2030 Census. Jeanine was recently selected for the 2023 Keseb Democracy Fellowship, which focuses on cross-country learning with democracy entrepreneurs from the United States, Brazil, and South Africa.