PHILADELPHIA – Children’s Scholarship Fund Philadelphia (CSFP) welcomes two new members to the organization’s Board of Directors. Ricky Liss and Zeke James join CSFP and will be charged with overseeing the organization and advancing its mission for the future. Board members serve three-year terms. CSFP is thrilled to have such respected and knowledgeable individuals join our efforts and guide the organization.
Ricky Liss: Ricky is the founder and managing partner of Liss & Marion, P.C., a successful regional law firm. In addition to his law practice, Ricky is a co-founder of and General Counsel for Hightop Real Estate and Development LLC., real estate development firm focused on the acquisition, investment, development, and management of commercial and residential real estate throughout the Greater Philadelphia region. He has worked with various non-profit organizations in the Philadelphia region and advocates for a diverse client population in a wide range of legal matters.
“As a lifelong ‘Philly guy,’ I was drawn to CSFP because I believe quality education is the best way to overcome generational poverty,” said Liss, “After reviewing CSFP’s successful history and its profound impact upon student outcomes, I was thrilled to join this distinguished Board to further the mission and witness its direct and immediate effect upon young students and their families.”
Zeke James: Zeke is the National Head of Advisor Acquisition and Development at Fidelity Charitable. Zeke leads a national team of charitable planning consultants who introduce innovative philanthropic strategies, including Private Equity, Alternative Investments, Corporate vehicles, and more. Zeke has extensive expertise in wealth management, institutional trading, and 401(k) sales, having held leadership roles at Vanguard, Wells Fargo Investments, JPMorgan Chase, and Merrill Lynch.
James noted, “Growing up in the inner city, I witnessed firsthand the power of education and the doors it can open. I also saw the challenges that come with limited access to quality learning opportunities. That’s why the work of CSFP is so meaningful – it’s not just about scholarships; it’s about empowering families to shape brighter futures for their children. What excites me most is the impact we’re making and the opportunities ahead. As CSFP continues to focus on expanding its reach and scaling our efforts, I look forward to working with an organization that provides thousands of Philadelphia kids with the opportunity to thrive.”
“Participating in a non-profit’s Board of Directors is one of the most impactful ways to volunteer. CSFP is fortunate to have respected community leaders who have many years of experience in nonprofit volunteer leadership joining our board. We are excited to work with Ricky and Zeke to further our mission,” said Keisha Jordan, President and CEO of Children’s Scholarship Fund Philadelphia.
About Children’s Scholarship Fund Philadelphia
Children’s Scholarship Fund Philadelphia (CSFP) changes lives by providing scholarship funding for Philadelphia families to choose a tuition-based school that meets their student’s educational needs. It is the largest and most diverse provider of K-8th scholarship support in Pennsylvania, focusing on the highest need students in the lowest-achieving schools in the city. During the 2024-25 school year, CSFP awarded more than 6,500 scholarships for K-8th grade studentsenrolled at more than 150 tuition-based schools in the Greater Philadelphia area. CSFP scholarships are need-based and awarded by random lottery. To learn more, please visit www.csfphiladelphia.org.
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