Staff

Jennie Sparandara, JOIN Director

Jennie Sparandara is the director of JOIN, a public-private partnership that seeks to build career pathways for low-skilled workers and a talent pipeline for businesses in Greater Philadelphia. Jennie leads JOIN’s strategy, fundraising, program investments, advocacy efforts, and management of consultants.  She reports to JOIN’s Investors Committee, which includes leaders from the philanthropic community, the economic development community, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Prior to leading JOIN, Jennie served as the first Director of Human Capital Investments in the City of Philadelphia. Appointed to this role by Mayor Michael A. Nutter, Jennie was responsible for the coordination of the Mayor’s anti-poverty programs and workforce development initiatives, including the strategic realignment of the city’s workforce agencies. Before this appointment, Jennie was the Senior Policy Aide in the Mayor’s Office, working closely with the Director of Policy, the Chief of Staff, and the Mayor to define, implement and analyze a broad range of citywide initiatives. Jennie also worked on the Nutter for Mayor campaign and transition policy teams. In January 2010, Jennie was appointed by the mayor to the Philadelphia Workforce Investment Board.

Jennie moved to Philadelphia from Washington, DC where she worked at the Center for Democracy and Technology, an Internet policy and privacy rights think tank, and the US Government Accountability Office.  A native New Yorker, Jennie’s work experience also includes serving as an outreach coordinator and political organizer for non-profit health organizations in New York City and Philadelphia.

Jennie earned a B.A., cum laude, in Sociology and English from Columbia University and a Masters in Public Policy from Georgetown.

Jennie spends her free time cooking, running, and listening to music in South Philadelphia with her husband Rob and dog Leo.

Stephanie Waller

Stephanie Waller is the Program Coordinator for JOIN. In this role, she supports JOIN”s programmatic initiatives, communications, partnerships, and advocacy efforts.

Prior to coming to JOIN, Stephanie worked in the Office of Human Capital at DC Public Schools, which houses Human Resources, recruitment and selection, and performance management for over 100 schools and the Central Office.

Stephanie earned her BA in Public Policy Studies from Duke University. She is currently pursuing a Masters of Social Policy at the University of Pennsylvania. A native of Yeadon, Delaware County, she enjoys yoga, trying new food, spending time with family and friends, and cheering for Duke Basketball in her spare time.