Our Team

Gregory J. Allen, Ph.D.

President & CEO

Dr. Allen is a lifelong resident of the Overbrook neighborhood. He has 30 years of experience delivering on projects that revitalize business corridors, establish affordable housing in low-income communities and support positive youth development throughout the region. Some areas he has worked in include The Richard Allen Homes, Cecil B. Moore, Francisville & Fairmount communities of North Central Philadelphia, Camden, New Jersey and Chester, Pennsylvania. Prior to founding OWN, Greg held positions as Director of Foundation & Government Relations at the Vetri Community Partnership and as Director of Development for People for People Charter School, where he fostered numerous, long-term corporate and organizational partnerships, and secured grants to advance educational initiatives. Greg attends church at The African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas (the first Black Episcopal church in the United States) and is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. He holds a Bachelor of Art in General Arts & Sciences from Penn State University and a Master of Education and a Ph.D. in Psychoeducational Processes from Temple University.

Brahin Behlin

Director

Brahin Behlin is a dedicated public servant, communications strategist and community leader with over a decade of experience in government operations, civic engagement and public safety. He currently serves as the Special Assistant to the Chairman of the Philadelphia City Commissioners, where he helps lead voter education initiatives, public outreach campaigns, and intergovernmental coordination to strengthen the city’s democratic processes.

Brahin has played a pivotal role in Philadelphia’s political and civic landscape — managing political campaigns, coordinating large-scale voter engagement efforts, and serving in senior staff roles throughout city government. His work has supported critical community revitalization projects and public safety partnerships, including his work with Overbrook West Neighbors, Inc. where he helps drive efforts to enhance neighborhood safety that improve the quality of life.

From directing social media strategy in real time at major city events to training dozens of volunteers in voter protection, Brahin brings a results-driven approach grounded in community connection, responsiveness, and leadership. He is known for his ability to build trust across agencies, mobilize residents, and advocate for policies that empower underserved communities.

Director

Dr. Wesley Tyrone Proctor is a graduate of George Washington Carver High School of Engineering and Science and is a proud member of the White-Williams Scholars class of 1989. After high school, he received a scholarship to attend the University of Delaware. At Delaware, he received numerous awards and served on several university and community related committees – including the University of Delaware’s Board of Trustees.

Adding to his outstanding commitment at Delaware, he received his Bachelor’s Degree in English with a concentration in Business and Technical Writing 1993. After Delaware, he attended Temple University and received his Master’s Degree in 1994. Shortly after obtaining his Master’s in Education, he was awarded the Dr. Marcus Foster Fellowship. This fellowship funded his doctoral education at the University of Pennsylvania. At age 26, he obtained the degree of Doctor of Education from the University of Pennsylvania in 1998. His dissertation was entitled: A Piece of the Ivy: A Case Study of Black Student Retention at the University of Pennsylvania and his final defense merited distinction by his committee.

Dawn Cowan

Director

Dawn Cowan, a West Philadelphia native, comes to OWN with over three decades of serving others. Being raised by a single mom, she learned early on about serving others and giving back, while being of good service on the choir and women’s Missionary Group at Vine Memorial Baptist Church. While a freshman at Overbrook High School, a rising neighborhood politician recruited Dawn to help get-out-the-vote. She continued to volunteer until her senior year. When she graduated high school, Ms. Cowan enlisted in the Army Branch of the U.S. Armed Forces.

With a solid professional foundation inherited from her military service, Ms. Cowan began her civilian career working with a nonprofit organization that trained and placed over 300 low-income women in nontraditional careers at SEPTA, PECO, PGW and Tradeswomen of Purpose/Women In Nontraditional Work (TOP/WIN). Dawn continued to professionally train at Energy Coordinating Agency (ECA)’s Training Center as a nationally certified Building Performance Institute Instructor & Proctor. She successfully taught and trained over twenty certified instructors and 250 trainees. She also helped design ECA’s state-of-the-art energy efficiency training center and their nationally recognized curriculum. She has been recognized as 1 of 6 women in the elite group of twenty-seven prestigious national IREC Master Trainers in Energy Efficiency and Auditing. Ms. Cowan has served a number of nonprofit organizations including the Hispanic Family Center of New Jersey, Friends Neighborhood Guild and Share Food Program.

Ms. Cowan has served as Chief of Staff for two
Pennsylvania State Representatives, responsible for supervision, training and managing District
Offices that serve over one hundred constituents daily. Dawn’s political experience includes successful campaign management and support for multiple federal, state and local elected officials. Dawn has earned professional certifications from both LaSalle University Nonprofit Management and Bryn Mawr School of Social Work Nonprofit Executive Leadership Institute (NELI). Currently, she is enrolled in Strayer University’s Business Administration degree program.

Elaine Gillison

Director

Elaine Gillison has spent the better part of her life in Philadelphia. She is a proud graduate of Temple University’s Fox School of Business, holding a BBA in Marketing and a certified Early Childhood Education teacher. Whether parenting, running the Black Women in Sport Foundation, teaching preschoolers at the Overbrook Presbyterian Pre-School and Kindergarten or supporting the clients at M&B Paul, Inc. prestigious automotive dealerships, Elaine has always been committed to improving the lives of all around her as evidenced by 40 years of active involvement with her sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Elaine currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors for Team Up Philly, continues to serve on the Advisory Council for the Mural Arts Program, and current member of the Executive Committee to the Board for MANNA and is active in the Overbrook community serving as a block captain. Elaine is married and the mother of two amazing young women.

Richelle Robinson

Director

Sheldon Robinson

Director, Treasurer

Sheldon Robinson is a life-long resident of Overbrook who is committed to helping young people in our community make positive decisions that will impact their lives. A 1990 graduate of Overbrook High School, Sheldon is the Founder of Hill Top Hope, Inc., a sports mentoring program for young men. Mr. Robinson is also the basketball coach at Science Leadership Academy (SLA) Beeber, a team he led to a championship season this year and owner of Hilltop Print Shop, a full-service printing company. Father of 5 sons and 9 grandchildren, Sheldon is actively engaged in making a difference in the lives of Overbrook’s children and young people.