Sean E. Vereen, BA
President and CEO, Heights Philadelphia
“We are only going to succeed as a city and region if we help each other. Essential to that commitment of mutual aid is behavioral health...the care and support of people's whole wellbeing. I am excited to be a part of the Foundation's good work to support people's health and wellbeing.”
Sean is the President & CEO of Heights Philadelphia. He co-lead the merger of Steppingstone Scholars (where he was President) and Philadelphia Futures that formed Heights Philadelphia in 2022. He became the sole CEO in 2024. Heights is dedicated to creating a future where all Philadelphia students achieve economic mobility through educational and workforce success.
Heights now serves more than 4,000 students from middle school through career entry. Heights has a staff of 70 with many based in 25 schools within the School District of Philadelphia, has official partnerships with 13 colleges and universities, and a number of employers and institutions throughout the region. It has a $12 million dollar annual budget and a $25 million dollar endowment. 88% of students graduate college within 6 years and 83% are employed or in graduate school 6 months after graduation.
Sean is a noted thought leader in educational pedagogy and racial, social, and economic inequities within the educational system, and building pathways to economic mobility.
Sean previously served as vice chair of the mayor’s Education Nominating Board for the School District of Philadelphia’s (SDP) Board of Education. He also served on the Education Subcommittee of Mayor Cherelle Parker’s Transition. He is also a member of SDP’s Facilities Advisory Group.
Sean holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Rochester and an Ed.D. from the University of Pennsylvania.
Fun Fact: Comic book collector since 1988