Philadelphia – The Philadelphia Youth Network (PYN) today announced John F. Clayton Jr. has been named Interim CEO, effective immediately, taking over the role previously held by Chekemma Fulmore-Townsend, who resigned earlier this year to pursue new career aspirations.
As Interim CEO, Clayton will provide vital leadership during this time of transition and oversee PYN’s day-to-day operations and programming as the PYN Board of Directors and executive search firm Bridge Partners conduct the search for a permanent CEO.
“PYN has been a leader in providing youth workforce opportunities for over two decades, and I’m thrilled to carry on the exceptional work accomplished by our team as PYN continues to provide young people access to education and employment to prepare them for a career,” Clayton said.
Clayton has been on the PYN Board of Directors since 2016 and most recently served as Director, Diversity Inclusion & Workforce Initiatives at Independence Blue Cross (IBX), where he held various roles in over 41 years with the company.
“We are grateful that John has stepped forward to lead PYN as we continue our search for a permanent CEO,” said Debra Friedman, PYN Board Chair. “John’s appointment as interim CEO allows us to focus on our organizational imperatives, while continuing our thoughtful and strategic search for a new leader as we set a new course for our future.”
Since its founding in 1999, PYN has provided more than 240,000 opportunities for young people in Philadelphia. One of its signature programs, its WorkReady initiative, provided employment for more than 7,500 youth this summer.
Clayton was the inaugural Individual WorkReady Spotlight Award recipient in 2012 in recognition of his significant contributions to WorkReady Philadelphia and his dedication to advancing opportunities for the city’s young people.
Clayton received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Eastern University in St. Davids, Pennsylvania. He currently lives in Drexel Hill with his family.
The Philadelphia Youth Network (PYN) is a solutions-builder forging together significant players to alleviate a root cause of poverty by preparing 12-24-year-olds to become productive working adults. Our work is grounded in the understanding that young people need access to both education and employment, proven factors in being prepared for a career. With a track record of increasing impact, PYN funds and brokers action with the right partners to collectively address barriers. PYN constructs systems to create change, while innovating to meet evolving needs. Together with our partners, PYN dramatically changes the trajectory of individuals’ lives by giving voice to underserved youth, and ultimately creating a pipeline for an educated, engaged workforce. For more information, visit www.pyninc.org.