OIC Philadelphia is proud to announce the appointment of Ayanna Washington as our new Chief Learning Officer. Ms. Washington brings over two decades of experience in higher education to this pivotal role, having previously served on OIC Philadelphia's Board of Directors for seven years.
"I am thrilled to return to OIC Philadelphia in this new capacity as Chief Learning Officer," said Washington. "Having served on the board for seven years, I've witnessed firsthand the transformative impact OIC has on our community. I look forward to leveraging my experience in education and workforce development to create new pathways for success for the people we serve. OIC's mission of empowering individuals through education and training resonates deeply with my own commitment to being an unapologetic advocate for students' education and career preparation."
A native Philadelphian, Washington most recently served as the Executive Director of the Career and Advanced Technology Center (CATC) at the Community College of Philadelphia, where she oversaw operations, expanded program offerings, and fostered employer partnerships to support student success. During her 11-year tenure at the Community College of Philadelphia, she also held positions as Director of Business Development and Director of Career Connections.
Washington began her career in higher education at the Art Institute of Philadelphia as an Assistant Director of Admissions. She later joined Strayer University, where she served for approximately 7½ years, rising to the position of Campus Director and opening campuses across multiple states. Under her leadership, her campuses received prestigious recognitions, including Best Campus for Student Graduation Rates and Runner-Up for Campus of the Year out of 92 Strayer University locations.
Active in community service, Washington currently serves as Vice President on the Board of Bebashi-Transition to Hope and chairs the Governance Committee. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with a minor in Education from Temple University and a Master's in Education with a focus on Educational Management from Strayer University. Washington is currently pursuing her doctorate in Organizational Leadership, Learning, and Innovation with a concentration in Strategic Leadership from Wilmington University.
Washington and her husband of 18 years are proud parents to three daughters. Her appointment represents OIC Philadelphia's continued commitment to excellence in education and workforce development for the communities we serve.
"We are delighted to welcome Ayanna Washington to our executive team," said Sheila Ireland, President & CEO of OIC Philadelphia. "Ayanna's extensive background in higher education, workforce development, and her previous experience with our organization as a board member make her uniquely qualified for this role. Her passion for education and commitment to creating pathways to economic opportunity align perfectly with OIC's mission. I look forward to the innovations and leadership she will bring to our learning initiatives."
About OIC Philadelphia: OIC Philadelphia, a leader in workforce development since 1964, stands at the intersection of workforce development, social justice, and economic empowerment by connecting individuals to future-proof employment that provides a family-sustaining wage with career ladder opportunities for growth. Founded by Reverend Dr. Leon H. Sullivan, OIC Philadelphia envisions economic empowerment as a pathway to social justice. For more, visit www.OICPhila.org
