PSV Philadelphia

Ivy Harris is a longtime educator, wellness advocate, and mother of three boys who attend The Haverford School. She began her career at Laurence School in Sherman Oaks, California, and has continued to champion students’ academic and personal growth as an educator on the Main Line in the Philadelphia suburbs. Ivy serves as a volunteer board member of The Haverford School Parent Association and is also the founder of Violet & Ivy Wellness Company, a brand focused on simplifying women’s self-care with clean, high-quality products. After learning that nearly 2,000 Black students are enrolled in private schools across the Philadelphia region, Ivy recognized the urgent need for community, representation, and support—leading her to co-found the PSV Philly chapter. She brings her passion for student advocacy, her experience in education, and her commitment as a mom to this work, helping to build a stronger network of belonging for families of color in independent schools.

Dee Adeyemo brings over two decades of financial leadership and strategic expertise to PSV Philly, currently serving as Chief Financial Officer and Vice President of Finance for Comcast's Beltway Region. During her distinguished 23-year tenure with Comcast, she has demonstrated exceptional financial acumen and operational excellence, driving growth and profitability across one of the company's key regional markets. Her extensive experience spans financial planning, budgeting, risk management, and strategic business development within the telecommunications and media industry. Dee holds an MBA in International Business from St. Joseph's University and has served on the board of Horizons and the Metropolitan Wilmington Urban League, where she contributed valuable financial oversight and governance expertise. A dedicated professional and proud mother of two sons, Kamau and Kaleb, she brings a unique perspective that balances strategic business insight with a commitment to community engagement and organizational development.

Dr. Tracy A. Walker is a pediatric healthcare leader and proud mom of three, including two boys who attend The Haverford School. With a background in pediatric emergency medicine, she has seen firsthand the challenges children face—not only in health, but in their sense of belonging and well-being. Her passion for advocacy and representation led her to partner in co-founding the Philadelphia chapter of PSV, creating a network of support and community for families of color in independent schools. She is also a member of Black Nurses Rock and serves on the Pennsylvania Nursing Workforce Coalition Advisory Board, where she lends her voice to strengthen the nursing profession and expand opportunities for future providers. Guided by both her professional experience and her role as a mother, Tracy is dedicated to building spaces where children and families feel supported, valued, and empowered to thrive.

Charisse Dean has over 20 years leading transformational programs (digital and business) with a purposeful focus on integrating culture into organizations through social strategy. Her areas of expertise include DEI strategy, ePMO launch and execution, program delivery and considerable experience leading and driving software implementations. She is committed to delivering “best in class” solutions that are focused on her client’s challenges, integrating continuous risk management while developing teams of people that embrace a pioneering mindset to deliver outcomes that garner success and achieve impact. Charisse leads, mentors and coaches others, attaining satisfaction in seeing them thrive, especially women. She balances life as a wife, mother of three boys, committed to driving excellence in her family and community. Charisse is a graduate of University of Virginia, M.S. in IT Management and George Mason University, B.S. in Decision Sciences and MIS. She is a member of Gartner’s Senior Advisory Council, Fred’s Footsteps Board – Governance Committee, Women in Technology Network (WIT) and leads Community Service for KPMG’s African Ancestry Business Resource Group (BRG. The phrase she lives by is this: “I live my life leading in love and service, trust and gratitude”.

Jasmine E. Sessoms is a visionary leader at the intersection of civic engagement, philanthropy, and politics, deeply committed to the advancement of Philadelphia and beyond. A proud native of the city, Jasmine has dedicated her career to driving meaningful change through strategic leadership, advocacy, and community empowerment. As the President of The 1968 Collective, Jasmine leads a powerhouse organization that serves as the parent company of Center 1968 and Firm 1968. Inspired by the revolutionary spirit of 1968 and the legacy of Shirley Chisholm’s fearless leadership, The 1968 Collective stands firmly on the ethos of being "Unbought and Unbossed." Center 1968 is dedicated to increasing civic engagement and providing comprehensive political education tailored to Black women.             Firm 1968 offers expert consulting services in political fundraising, government funding, nonprofit strategy, and corporate affairs, equipping organizations with the tools to make a lasting impact.   In 2024, Jasmine played a pivotal role in national politics as the Pennsylvania Chairwoman of Black Women for Kamala Harris and Co-Chair of the Pennsylvania Women for Kamala Harris Committee. In these roles, she worked closely with the Pennsylvania Democratic Party, traveled to all 67 counties, and mobilized over 7,000 Black women in a historic effort to support Vice President Harris’s candidacy.   Before launching The 1968 Collective, Jasmine made significant strides in higher education, corporate affairs, and nonprofit leadership: Chief Engagement Officer, Community College of Philadelphia – Led government relations, corporate social responsibility, stakeholder engagement, revenue growth, and workforce development initiatives.             Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs & Executive Director, Hilco Redevelopment Partners Foundation – Spearheaded community and government relations, ESG initiatives, DEI strategies, and workforce development. Managing Executive Director, The Fund for Philadelphia – Managed $17 million in grants, supporting the philanthropic efforts of Mayors Michael A. Nutter and James F. Kenney. Founder, She Can Win – Established a groundbreaking nonprofit dedicated to preparing and empowering women—especially women of color—to run for political office. To date, She Can Win has trained over 1,000 women nationwide and has hosted high-profile discussions, including a roundtable with Vice President Kamala Harris in Philadelphia.   Jasmine lives in Philadelphia with her husband Jay and their two daughters Jae and Jace.

Passionate about seeing her children thrive in private school alongside other kids who look like them, Takiyah brings both personal and professional experience to her involvement with Private School Village. A wife and mother of seven, including twins currently enrolled in private school, she has spent over 20 years as a Licensed Practical Nurse with a background in home care, pediatrics, rehabilitation, and respite care. Together with her husband, she co-owns two businesses that reflect her commitment to family and community. Got Laundry?, a premier laundry pickup and delivery service serving Philadelphia for over a decade, was created to ease the lives of busy families by offering convenience and reliability. Enurzen Human Healthcare and Wellness is driven by a mission to provide professional and paraprofessional services to clients in their homes, assisting them in achieving the highest level of potential in their day-to-day self-care activities. Both businesses align with her passion for strengthening families and ensuring they have the resources to thrive—values that mirror PSV’s mission. Beyond business, she has organized events to raise awareness for homelessness, including feeding the homeless and supplying hygiene essentials, as well as collecting socks and pillows. She has also led family wellness initiatives in collaboration with Philadelphia’s own Kindred the Family Soul. Not only is she deeply committed to her family, but she carries that same compassion and drive into supporting private schools and the broader community they serve.