About Us

Why We Exist

We are building a more inclusive, resilient innovation economy by helping founders build sustainable companies, generate wealth, and reinvest in their communities.

Meet The Team

Candice Matthews Brackeen

CEO

Alexis Alston

Director of Corporate Partnerships

Raquel Robinson

Executive Director

Dari Daniels

Chief of Staff

Vanessa Misoon

Director of Communications

Kate deJesus

Head of Content

Steven Shaw

Project Manager

Yasvin Rajapakse

Program Manager

Rod Walton

Entrepreneur in Residence

Our Mission & Values

Lightship Foundation exists to empower remarkable entrepreneurs with the education, community, and capital needed to build scalable companies, create jobs, and drive long-term economic growth.

Community First

Lightship is an ecosystem. We believe progress happens in rooms, relationships, and shared experiences. We build spaces where founders, creatives, and partners connect, collaborate, and grow together.

Creativity as a Catalyst

We believe creativity fuels innovation. From how we design programs to how we convene people, we center imagination, culture, and original thinking as essential drivers of impact.

Bold Innovation

We push boundaries and challenge the status quo. Lightship exists to test new ideas, build what does not yet exist, and continuously evolve how entrepreneurship and culture intersect.

Sustainable Impact

We focus on long-term outcomes, not short-term wins. Our work is designed to help founders build enduring companies, generate real economic impact, and reinvest in their communities.

Excellence Over Everything

We hold ourselves to a high standard. From programming to partnerships, we are intentional, data-informed, and committed to delivering work that is thoughtful, high-quality, and impactful.

Joy and Having Fun

We take the work seriously, but not ourselves. Lightship believes joy, curiosity, and fun are essential to creativity, collaboration, and building something meaningful.