Senior Staff

Erica Hunt
President
Erica Hunt, a leading expert on Black social justice and economic issues, was a Senior Program Officer with the New World Foundation, before joining 21CF in 1998 where she has led new work in the field of Black philanthropy. During her tenure, 21CF has sought to strengthen Black giving and community-based philanthropy through donor education; grant making through donor-advised funds and special national initiatives; and applied research to document trends in Black philanthropy and community impact. Under her supervision, 21CF has grown from an all volunteer organization, to a premier national $8 million public foundation. Hunt holds a B.A. in Literature from San Francisco State University, and is a past Fellow in the Duke University/University of Cape Town Center for Leadership and Public Values. She currently serves as a participant to Diversity and Effectiveness in Philanthropy; the International Working Group on Philanthropy for Social Justice and Peace; and Rye Collaborative National Progressive Foundations. Her past professional leadership affiliations include: the New York Regional Association of Grantmakers; National Center for Black Philanthropy, and the Coalition for New Philanthropy. Hunt, a published author of numerous articles and essays on Black philanthropy, was the 2008 recipient of Spelman College’s award for National Community Service.

Alexandra Rojas
Director of Administration
Alexandra Rojas has more than 15 years experience in nonprofit management, grants management, and curriculum development. Prior to joining 21CF, she co-founded and served as director of Youth Unlimited, a citywide youth leadership program of the Citizens Committee for New York City that sought to place local young leaders in positions of leadership in their communities. She has also designed and implemented training programs that built the capacity of local institutions (e.g., schools) to increase youth participation in such areas as health, economics, government, education and community spirit. She also consulted with other national foundations and organizations in completing research to support reconnaissance activities that informed institution and field building program models. Rojas received her M. S. in Non-Profit Management from the Robert J. Milano School of Management and Urban Policy, New School for Social Research.

Rev. John H. Vaughn
Program Director
Rev. John Vaughn served as Executive Director of the Peace Development Fund (PDF), in Amherst, Massachusetts before joining 21CF. He has held the position of Minister for Education and Social Justice at the Riverside Church, in New York City as well as Director for Community Development at the Community Training and Assistance Center (CTAC), in Boston, Massachusetts; Executive Director of East Harlem Interfaith, in New York City; and Assistant Minister of Hamilton United Methodist Church, in San Francisco, California. Vaughn, a graduate of Holy Cross College in Worcester, Masschusetts, holds a M.Div. from the Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, California and is an ordained minister within the American Baptist Churches.

Leighton Watson
Director of Finance
Leighton Watson has more than 23 years experience in accounting and finance management for both profit and nonprofit organizations. Prior to joining 21CF, he served as Global Payroll Manager for the International AIDS Vaccine Initiatives, and the Field Controller in charge of India and Southern Africa. Before that, he was Tax Data Manager for the Soros Foundation/Open Society Foundation. Watson, a graduate of Baruch College in New York City, holds a B.B.A. in accounting. He also holds a degree in commerce/accounting from the College of Arts, Science and Technology (CAST) in Kingston, Jamaica, and a diploma from the British Education Council in Accounting.

Coleen Porcher
Director of Development
Coleen Porcher has worked extensively in nonprofit educational and social service organizations. Before joining 21CF, she was the major gifts and external affairs officer for the Episcopal Church Foundation. She has served as a development and communications professional at St. Luke's School and Lauralton Hall in Connecticut, and in New York City at Episcopal Relief and Development and New York University. She also served briefly as public relations manager for former Mayor of New York City David Dinkins when he taught at Columbia University. Porcher, fluent in Spanish, holds an A.B. from Vassar College and an M.P.A. from New York University's Robert Wagner Graduate School of Public Service.

Daphne C. Mack
Director of Marketing and Communication
Daphne C. Mack has more than 20 years experience in journalism, public relations, and communications for nonprofit organizations. Prior to joining 21CF, she served as editor and correspondent for Episcopal Life, an award-winning national newspaper and Episcopal Life Online, its electronic equivalent. Mack has also served as Public Relations Coordinator for the Riverside Church, in New York City and Communications Associate for United Way of Central New York, in Syarcuse, New York. After receiving her B.A. in journalism from Utica College of Syracuse University, she began her career as the first Black reporter for The Evening Sun, a daily newspaper in Norwich, New York.