Raymond Briscoe
Ray Briscoe leads the strategic direction for the Foundation and works closely with grantees, staff, and the Board of Directors to ensure alignment between the Foundation’s vision, grant-making, and overall impact.
Prior to this, Ray spent more than 20 years as an educator, administrator, and leader specializing in curriculum development, educational technology, international exchange programs, and staff development. Ray created and implemented innovative, strategic, high-impact educational programs in all his positions.
In 2019, Ray was named the District of Columbia Champion for College and Career Readiness by the American College of Testing (ACT) for his work in STEAM and several entrepreneurship programs in Montgomery County. He also advanced a partnership with Chef Jose Andres and Think Food Group to institute a Food and Science curriculum.
Ray holds a Master's of Science degree in Educational Administration from Trinity University and a BS in Social and Behavioral Sciences from Seton Hall University.
Emily Goss
Emily Goss is the Director of Communications and Programs for The Verstandig Family Foundation (VFF). She works closely with the Leadership Team to support VFF’s operations and cross-program collaborations.
Emily has worked extensively in both the private and public sectors; she is an experienced professional with a demonstrated history in policy analysis, research, information synthesis, communications, and program and policy development, implementation, and management. Before joining VFF, Emily worked for Genentech as a Government Affairs Specialist. There, she worked as a key member of the Federal Government Affairs team, supporting the company’s Federal public policy and lobbying objectives through legislative research and monitoring. She further worked to build direct advocacy plans, develop internal and external communications content and prepare briefing materials for executive engagement in policy-related forums.
Emily has a BA in Political Science from Elon University. She resides in Richmond, VA with her family.
Toni Verstandig
Toni Verstandig is the Co-Founder of the Verstandig Family Foundation (VFF). Mrs. Verstandig has served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Near East Affairs, where she focused on the Middle East, specifically the Israel-Palestinian Conflict and ways to create a pathway to broaden the aperture for enhanced Arab-Israel normalization and support for the two-state solution. She also covered the Arabian Gulf portfolio. In addition, Ms. Verstandig chaired the Aspen Institute’s Middle East Program, which developed several innovative programs, Partners for New Beginning and the Aspen-Abu Dhabi Next-Gen Leadership and Innovation Program.
Mrs. Verstandig is actively engaged in the Washington community. She serves on the National Democratic Institute Board, the University of Denver’s Korbel Graduate School for International Affairs, the National Cryptologic Foundation, the Institute of Peace’s International Advisory Board, and the Risk and Return Foundation. She recently completed a 20 year-Board tenure at Children’s National Hospital, where she was Chair of the Children’s National Hospital Foundation and served on the Parent Board and the Center For Global Development as Chair of the Nomination & Governance Subcommittee.
She graduated from Boston University and received an Honorary Doctorate from Seton Hill University. She is married to The Honorable Lee L. Verstandig
