HYPE (Hope for Youth, Inc.) Announces Three New Appointments to Board of Directors
HYPE (Hope for Youth, Inc.) Announces Three New Appointments to Board of Directors
ATLANTA, Ga., June 18, 2025— HYPE (Hope for Youth, Inc.), a youth development organization that empowers girls of color to confidently pursue 21st-century careers in computing and technology, today announced the appointment of three new board members: Brian Benn, VP and Chief Information Officer of Clark Atlanta; Keisha Bradley, Senior Product Manager for Intuit Mailchimp; and Renee Mathewson, VP of Corporate Affairs-North America for Sage. All three appointments were approved during HYPE’s April board meeting. With these appointments, HYPE’s board of directors consists of 10 volunteers from across various industries.
“We are pleased to welcome Brian, Keisha and Renee as new members of HYPE’s Board of Directors,” said Kristina Newton, Founder and Executive Director of HYPE. “Brian’s thought leadership in cybersecurity and digital equity, Keisha’s proven track record of deploying technologies to enhance customer experience and Renee’s expertise in strategic global reputation management will further strengthen our board with complimentary and valuable skillsets. Their respective insights and passion for our mission will be beneficial in our efforts to accelerate HYPE’s growth, sustainability and community impact.”
We are pleased to welcome Brian, Keisha and Renee as new members of HYPE’s Board of Directors. Brian’s thought leadership in cybersecurity and digital equity, Keisha’s proven track record of deploying technologies to enhance customer experience and Renee’s expertise in strategic global reputation management will further strengthen our board with complimentary and valuable skillsets. Their respective insights will be beneficial in our efforts to accelerate HYPE’s growth, sustainability and community impact.
Kristina Newton, Founder and Executive Director of HYPE
About Brian Benn (www.linkedin.com/in/bwbenn)
A self-described ‘technology evangelist with a passion for bridging the digital divide,” Brian Benn serves as Vice President and Chief Information Officer of Clark Atlanta University. Prior to his current position, he successfully led the Atlanta Housing IT staff through the pandemic, ensuring the agency’s uninterrupted support of 26,000 Atlanta Housing residents and 70,000 property owners across Atlanta. Benn was recognized as a 2024 Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) Icon. He was also named Georgia CIO’s 2023 CIO of the Year, a recipient of TechBridge’s 2022 Ed Steinike CIO of the Year award, selected as one of Government Technology’s Top 25 Doers, Dreamers & Drivers for 2021 and honored as the Atlanta Technology Professional of the Year in 2020, among other distinctions.
Benn is an author and presenter on topics ranging from leadership to cybersecurity and is regarded as one of Atlanta’s thought leaders in technology ecosystems. He studied Computer Science and Mathematics at the University of Alabama in Huntsville and has a Master of Business Administration degree from Belhaven University.
About Keisha Bradley (www.linkedin.com/in/keishambiwan)
Keisha Bradley is a Senior Product Manager with a proven track record of success at Intuit Mailchimp, where she spearheads initiatives within the Virtual Expert Platform. With over a decade of experience in the tech industry, Keisha thrives in dynamic, fast-paced environments, where she collaborates with cross-functional teams to deliver innovative solutions that drive customer satisfaction and business growth. Bradley is passionate about leveraging technology to enhance customer experiences. At Intuit, she focuses on bridging the gap between users and support by developing live and digital assistance solutions that empower customers to navigate complex challenges with ease.
Bradley holds an MBA from Cornell University and is a graduate of the Dual Degree Engineering Program, earning a B.S. in Science from Spelman College and a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology.
About Renee Mathewson (www.linkedin.com/in/reneemathewson)
Renee Mathewson is an award-winning corporate affairs executive with over two decades of experience driving global reputation strategy, executive visibility, and stakeholder engagement for some of the world’s most respected brands in technology, travel and financial services. She currently serves as Vice President of Corporate Affairs for North America at SAGE, where she leads a high-performing team, oversees multimillion-dollar programs, and acts as a senior advisor to the Global Chief Corporate Affairs Officer and other prominent members of the C-suite.
Mathewson is renowned for her ability to architect strategic campaigns that directly contribute to commercial growth. A passionate advocate for equity and economic opportunity, she is the recipient of the prestigious 2023 Black Stars Leadership Award, which recognizes the top 30 African American corporate executive leaders in the United States, and the 2025 OnBoard Excellence award for Executive Leadership in Corporate Affairs.
Mathewson holds a Master’s in Strategic Communications and Leadership Studies from Seton Hall University, and a Bachelor’s in Business Management and Economics from the State University of New York.
“HYPE is fortunate to welcome such accomplished experts and purpose driven leaders to the board of directors who are dedicated to supporting its mission at such a pivotal time for equity and inclusion,” said Stephen Valrie, Board Chair for HYPE. “I look forward to having our newest board members bring their energy, innovation and collaboration to our efforts in creating connections and community that lead to an increased number of girls of color in STEM programs and careers.”
HYPE, a nonprofit dedicated to building a diverse pipeline of future tech professionals, recognizes that workforce development extends beyond technical training. With a focus on workforce development, inclusion, and community-building, HYPE aims to bridge the opportunity gap and ensure that the future of technology is diverse, inclusive, welcoming and supportive of girls of color. To learn more, visit gethype.org.
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