Anchor Institutions Task Force (AITF)

Executive Director of Community Relations, Office of Institute Relations, Georgia Institute of Technology

In April 2011, Chris joined the Georgia Tech Office of Government and Community Relations as Director of Community Relations, and in 2019 became the Executive Director of Community Relations. In this position Chris works with local government, educators, religious, business, and civic leaders to assure that Tech plays an integral part enriching the metro-Atlanta region, particularly the communities closest to campus. Chris is a 2014 graduate of the Regional Leadership Institute and 2019 graduate of Leadership Atlanta. Chris holds a BA in Sociology and MPA in Urban Administration from Clark-Atlanta University.

Community Relations Manager, Montefiore Health System

Jason A. Caraballo proudly calls The Bronx home. It’s where he was born and raised and his experiences there are what fuel his goal of improving the health and life opportunities of people throughout the borough. He currently works toward that goal in the Office of Government & Community Relations at Montefiore Health System, a multi-hospital academic health system with deep roots in His work at Montefiore is focused on developing community-based partnerships with a broad range of entities with the goal of increasing access to information and services that address the social determinants of health.

Director of University and Community Partnerships, Drexel University

Joanne Ferroni is charged with implementing the President’s civic engagement vision through coordinated institutional alignment of academics and research, volunteerism and institutional economic inclusion. She currently leads the University’s cradle to career portfolio of place-based neighborhood education and youth workforce initiatives. Ms. Ferroni co-designed and co-launched the Dornsife Center for Neighborhood Partnerships, the University’s urban extension model, and leads the University’s collective work within the federally West Philadelphia Promise Zone. She currently sits on the Mayor’s Digital Literacy Alliance, Read by 4th citywide early literacy campaign, and the Philadelphia Youth Employment Cabinet.

Assistant Dean, School of Professional and Continuing Education (SPCE) at James Madison University (JMU) in Harrisonburg, VA

Carol Fleming holds the position of Assistant Dean of the School of Professional and Continuing Education (SPCE) at James Madison University (JMU) in Harrisonburg, VA. During her 15 years at JMU, Carol has helped JMU elevate its community outreach and engagement work, including managing JMU’s successful classification and reclassification for the Carnegie Foundation’s Classification for Community Engagement. While focusing on university-wide community engagement initiatives, Carol led JMU’s inaugural Engagement for Public Good National Conference and is now collaborating with others on campus to make sure JMU is seen as an Anchor Institution.

Senior Vice President, Workforce Development, Dignity Health Global Education

Geoffrey is an accomplished leader with steadfast commitment and passion for healthcare innovation, future-focused strategy, transformation, and workforce impact. His professional career has included over nine years in hospital administration where he served as a strategic advisor to the President and CEO and department director of various departments for a regional healthcare system in Northeast Pennsylvania. Geoffrey also has served in senior leadership roles at two academic institutions where he led strategic partnerships, organizational strategy, and business development for both Lebanon Valley College and Harrisburg University of Science and Technology.