New leaders bring the knowledge to advance OICA’s goal of bringing no-cost workforce training to 25,000 students annually

Philadelphia, PA – OIC of America announced today the appointment of five new members to its Board of Directors, joining at a critical time as OIC of America advances in scaling up its workforce development model across the country. The Philadelphia-based national nonprofit organization builds direct economic pathways for America’s poor people through no-cost workforce training in high-demand fields.

• William “Bill” Diggs is the executive director of Miami Dade County Economic Advocacy Trust and previously served as the president and CEO of The Broward Health Foundation.
  
• Allison Green Johnson currently serves as senior vice president, chief diversity officer and president of the Lincoln Financial Foundation.
  
• John C. Howe is the CEO and founder of Old Hill Partners and a former United States Army captain.
  
• Evelyn Sample-Oates is the chief communications and community affairs officer with Philadelphia’s Fairmount Park Conservancy. Prior to that, Sample-Oates led government relations, advocacy, and community engagement for the School District of Philadelphia.
  
• Keith Wyche is a best-selling author and served as vice president of community engagement for Walmart, developing strategies to partner with community leaders and local businesses in areas where Walmart does business.

“These new board members bring a wealth of knowledge and experience, along with a deep appreciation for the life changing work OIC of America is doing,” said OICA Board Chair James Talton. “Their appointment provides the perfect momentum as we continue charging ahead to build the national Sullivan Training Network and expand the impact of the OICA affiliate network to tackle the national labor shortage by training 25,000 students across the country annually by 2030.”

The new members bring decades of experience in financial investment, diverse hiring, education, minority business, and advocacy. All five members assumed their roles in March of 2024. 

More about Bill Diggs

William “Bill” Diggs is a thirty-year veteran of the nonprofit and executive management industry. Currently he is the Executive Director of Miami-Dade Economic Advocacy Trust, running the county’s largest advocacy and business development unit that focuses on the inclusion of the Black community in the economic growth of the Miam Metroplex. He is currently also the chairman of the board of the nationally recognized charter school organization, KIPP Schools. Bill is the former president and CEO of The Broward Health Foundation, president of the Mourning Family Foundation, and Chief Executive Officer for The Miami Dade Chamber of Commerce, Florida’s oldest Chamber of Commerce with a primary mission in the growth and retention of minority businesses. 

More about Allison Green Johnson

Allison Green Johnson is senior vice president, chief diversity officer and president of the Lincoln Financial Foundation for Lincoln Financial Group. In these roles, Allison oversees the company’s diversity, equity and inclusion strategy and practices, corporate philanthropy, and community involvement. Throughout her career, she has held business operations; management consulting; organizational development and design; talent management; and diversity leadership positions of increasing responsibility at well-known

More about John C. Howe

John C. Howe founded Old Hill Partners in 1996 and has over 25 years of experience investing and managing credit and asset-based lending transactions. He currently serves as the CEO and is also chairman of the Investment Committee. Before Old Hill, John was managing Director at Nomura Securities in New York, overseeing the $40 billion Government Securities Business Unit. Prior to Nomura, John was Senior Vice President at Kidder Peabody. John was a captain in the United States Army, serving ten years in active and reserve units.

More about Evelyn Sample Oates

Evelyn leads all governmental, legislative, and community affairs in her role as Chief of Government & External Affairs for Fairmount Park Conservancy. A native Philadelphian, Evelyn worked at the School District of Philadelphia for 12 years prior to joining the Conservancy. The first 20 years of her career were spent working in the media as a television reporter/anchor, writer, and associate producer for television and radio stations in Pennsylvania and Maryland. Evelyn is a member of Jack & Jill of America and The Links, Incorporated, where she serves as a Eastern Region Legislative & Policy Chairman for both entities.

More about Keith Wyche

Keith has over 30 years of experience for some of America’s best known corporations including Walmart, Ameritech, Convergys, AT&T, IBM, Pitney Bowes and SuperValu. He serves as Walmart’s vice president of community engagement and support, developing the operational strategy to support the overall plans to leverage business, government and community organizations in major metropolitan areas in which the company serves. Currently he serves on the Corporate Board of Directors of The Brinks Company. Keith is the bestselling author of four business books – his most recent title Diversity Is Not Enough: A Roadmap to Recruit , Develop and Promote Black Leaders in America was nominated for an NAACP Image Award in 2022.

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About OIC of America

OIC of America (OICA) is a national nonprofit with 60 years of experience transforming lives and strengthening communities through meaningful participation in today’s economy. Strategically located in the hearts of forgotten places, OICA’s 25 affiliates support underserved communities in 15 states throughout the nation. Visit https://oicofamerica.org/ to learn more.