The Center for Nonprofit Excellence (CNE) is proud to announce the appointment of four distinguished new members to its Board of Directors. These accomplished leaders bring a wealth of experience in nonprofit management, community development, financial services, architecture, and civic engagement — strengthening CNE’s capacity to serve the nonprofit sector across Virginia.
Matt Brandon
Director, Board of Directors, The Center for Nonprofit Excellence
Matt Brandon is a seasoned nonprofit and higher education leader with more than 30 years of experience in alumni engagement, advancement, and philanthropy. He currently leads the William & Mary Alumni Association (WMAA), guiding its board and staff in serving more than 110,000 alumni worldwide, with a focus on global alumni engagement, volunteer leadership, lifelong learning, and alumni business services.
Matt began his career in alumni relations at WMAA and has held senior leadership roles at the University of Virginia, the University of Lynchburg, and the Ridley Scholarship Fund. He earned his bachelor’s degree in economics from the College of William & Mary and holds a Master of Science in journalism and public relations from Ohio University.
Corey Clayborne
Director, Board of Directors, The Center for Nonprofit Excellence
Corey Clayborne is a senior leader in the architecture and construction professions, currently serving as President of the Construction Industry Roundtable (CIRT), a network of leading design and construction firms in the U.S. dedicated to inspiring innovation and advancing a safe, sustainable quality of life for the future.
Prior to CIRT, Corey served as Senior Vice President, Knowledge & Practice, at the American Institute of Architects (AIA), providing strategic leadership for professional education, climate action, design excellence, equity, research, and member engagement. Before that, he served as Executive Vice President of AIA Virginia, where he led advocacy, education, and member services initiatives.
Corey also serves as an elected Planning Commissioner for Albemarle County, representing the Rivanna District, and was elected Chair of the Planning Commission in 2023.
He is active in civic and professional leadership, serving on the boards of Lead Virginia and ACE Mentor Program of America, and on the advisory board for the School of Architecture at Virginia Tech. A frequent speaker on design excellence and equity in architecture, Corey is a graduate of Virginia Tech and Liberty University.
Dr. Elle Harris
Director, Board of Directors, The Center for Nonprofit Excellence
Dr. Elle Harris is a nonprofit leader, counselor, and advocate dedicated to empowering women and girls. A native of Portsmouth, Virginia, she brings nearly two decades of experience in human services and counseling, with expertise spanning direct care, agency management, operations, and organizational restructuring.
Dr. Harris is the founder of the WWW Group and has served in numerous leadership roles across her community, including board and commission appointments in the City of Suffolk. Her academic research focuses on imposter syndrome and feelings of inadequacy among women nonprofit leaders, reflecting her deep commitment to strengthening women’s leadership in the sector.
She holds degrees from Virginia State University, Norfolk State University, Purdue University Global, and earned her Ph.D. in Counseling and Human Services from Capella University. Her service has been recognized with a Gold Level Presidential Volunteer Service Award, a Women of Distinction Award from the YWCA of South Hampton Roads, and a Top Forty Under 40 honor from Inside Business.
Simeon Harris
Director, Board of Directors, The Center for Nonprofit Excellence
Simeon Harris brings 18 years of financial industry experience and a member-centric approach to problem-solving that has defined his career as a Commercial Banking Officer at TowneBank. His consultative approach helps partners understand their short-, mid-, and long-term financial goals to achieve sustainability and smart growth.
A graduate of Old Dominion University with a bachelor’s degree in marketing e-commerce, Simeon is also a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated. He actively serves on the boards of UTURN, the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, and ChildSavers.