Braven Executive and Leadership Team

September, 2026

Leadership Overview

Braven has 4 executives leading key functions including operations, organizational strategy, internal management, and institutional growth.

Dedicated to empowering underrepresented college students, Braven bridges the gap between higher education and professional success through rigorous skill-building and career-focused mentorship programs.

Leadership Roles at Braven

  • Director, Chief Executive Officer Operations - Nina Landrum
  • Founder & Chief Executive Officer - Aimée Davis
  • Co President - Samara Lakhan
  • Chief of Staff - Catherine Deutsch
  • Nina Landrum - Director, Chief Executive Officer Operations

    Nina Landrum, the Director, Chief Executive Officer Operations at Braven, manages the internal infrastructure supporting the Braven Accelerator course. This role involves optimizing the delivery of supplementary education to underrepresented students across various university partnerships. By streamlining operational workflows, Landrum ensures that professional mentors effectively guide student teams through networking and soft-skill development. Nina Landrum maintains high standards for program execution, directly impacting the transition of low-income students into post-graduate employment. The Director, Chief Executive Officer Operations coordinates with academic partners to refine the curriculum, ensuring alignment with current labor market demands. Through meticulous oversight of internal systems, Landrum facilitates the scaling of the Post Course Experience Program. This leadership function drives organizational efficiency, allowing the non-profit to expand its reach across diverse geographic regions while maintaining the quality of student outcomes and long-term career readiness.

    Aimée Davis - Founder & Chief Executive Officer

    Aimée Davis, the Founder & Chief Executive Officer at Braven, architects the overarching vision for closing the college-to-career gap for underrepresented students. This leadership position involves cultivating strategic partnerships with institutions like San Jose State and Rutgers-Newark to embed the Braven Accelerator course into academic ecosystems. Aimée Davis drives the mission of equipping low-income students with essential professional networks and soft skills. By engaging with the Board and external stakeholders, the Founder & Chief Executive Officer secures the resources necessary for national expansion. This role focuses on long-term sustainability and the continuous evolution of the Post Course Experience Program. Through high-level advocacy and institutional relationship management, Davis ensures the organization remains a leader in educational equity. The Founder & Chief Executive Officer maintains a sharp focus on measurable student success, ensuring that every initiative directly supports the transition of fellows into high-quality post-graduate roles.
    Aimée Davis

    Samara Lakhan - Co President

    Samara Lakhan, the Co President at Braven, directs the expansion of institutional partnerships and the development of the Post Course Experience Program. This leadership role focuses on scaling the impact of the organization by integrating the Braven model into new academic environments, such as the Harrison Professional Pathways Program. Samara Lakhan oversees the engagement of professional volunteers who lead student teams, ensuring that the mentorship experience remains high-quality and relevant. By analyzing student performance data, the Co President identifies opportunities to enhance the curriculum and improve post-graduate job placement rates. This position involves close coordination with the executive team to align regional growth strategies with the national mission. Through the management of key external relationships, Lakhan secures the long-term viability of the organization's educational initiatives. The Co President drives the strategic vision for student success, ensuring that every fellow receives the support necessary to thrive in the modern workforce.

    Catherine Deutsch - Chief of Staff

    Catherine Deutsch, the Chief of Staff at Braven, synchronizes executive priorities and cross-departmental initiatives to advance the organization's mission. This role involves managing the flow of information between leadership and the broader team, ensuring that strategic goals regarding student outcomes remain the primary focus. Catherine Deutsch facilitates decision-making processes that allow the non-profit to effectively serve underrepresented students across multiple university campuses. By overseeing internal communications and project management, the Chief of Staff ensures that the Braven Accelerator course maintains operational excellence. This position requires constant collaboration with the executive team to refine organizational policies and support the growth of the Post Course Experience Program. Through rigorous attention to detail and strategic alignment, Deutsch enables the leadership team to execute complex initiatives efficiently. The Chief of Staff directly contributes to the stability and scalability of the organization, ensuring that every department remains focused on the core objective of professional development.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Braven Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Braven?
    Braven is led by Nina Landrum (Director, Chief Executive Officer Operations), along with executives such as Aimée Davis (Founder & Chief Executive Officer) and Samara Lakhan (Co President).
    Who is part of Braven’s executive team?
    The executive team of Braven includes leaders such as Nina Landrum (Director, Chief Executive Officer Operations), Aimée Davis (Founder & Chief Executive Officer), Samara Lakhan (Co President) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Braven have?
    Braven has 4 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Braven’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Braven includes roles such as Director, Chief Executive Officer Operations, Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Co President, Chief of Staff.