Vaughn Bryant

Vaughn Bryant recently founded V. Bryant Enterprises, established with the mission to invest in and consult with, as well as create businesses and organizations where a focus on social enterprise leads to a successful and sustainable business. Bryant spent the last four years as the Chief Program Officer for the Chicago Park District. He was responsible for its largest department, Community Recreation. The Community Recreation Department focused on the Park District's core mission of providing high quality leisure services to Chicago residents and visitors. Bryant’s department offered programs for citizens throughout the life course in athletics, aquatics, wellness, special events, cultural arts, and environmental education. Highlights of his work include raising over $3M in grant funding, negotiating a public-private partnership worth $427K and increasing program registration by 34% during his tenure. Bryant joined the Park District after working on the Violence Prevention Initiative as a Deputy Officer at Chicago Public Schools (CPS). The three-part evidenced-based initiative consisted of: (1) increasing social and emotional supports in schools; (2) high touch mentorship delivered by community/faith-based organizations; (3) and developing a plan for students to travel safely to and from school called “Safe Passage”. Prior to his work at CPS, Bryant served as a manager in Player Development for the National Football League. He was responsible for creating, marketing, and administering programs that facilitate NFL players’ entry into the league, assists them in maximizing their playing careers, and helps them successfully transition out of the league. A finalist for the 2008 Commissioner’s Award for Innovation, Bryant was nominated for his creation of the NFL Broadcast Boot Camp. In Bryant’s early career, he spent four years at Stanford University where he worked in athletic administration, undergraduate advising and providing psychological services to faculty and staff. Bryant is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with experience working with individuals, couples and families across the socio-economic spectrum. Bryant received a master’s degree from Northwestern University and his undergraduate degree from Stanford University. He is a former fourth-round draft choice of the Detroit Lions, a three-year starter, and a two time All-Pac-10 selection at Stanford, and a 1994 inductee into the Detroit Catholic League Hall of Fame. Bryant is a recent graduate of Leadership Greater Chicago, serves on the National Advisory Board of the Haas Center for Public Service at Stanford University and on various committees with the Chicago Community Trust. He is also a board member for the Positive Coaching Alliance – Chicago.