Ms. Purfey is a seasoned marketing and event strategist based in New York City. She currently serves as Managing Director and Head of Global Talent Brand and I&D at Accenture. Prior to this, she served as National Director of Events & Meetings Strategy for KPMG. In this role, she guided more than 50 business professionals aligned to KPMG’s 21 major markets in the creation of event activities that facilitate relationship building, extend the brand in the marketplace and strategically position the firm as a thought and industry leader.
Ms. Purfey previously served as Director of Executive Meetings & Events at American Express. In her role, she led the strategic development and implementation of domestic and international meetings and events for the Office of the CEO as well as for the firm’s senior executive management team. She has also held leadership responsibilities for the global events and alumni program at Skadden, Arps LLP; served as the Director of Communications and Marketing for The Jackie Robinson Foundation; and earlier in her career managed Deloitte’s initial global alumni relations program.
Ms. Purfey currently serves on the Advisory Board for the Ron Brown Scholar Program. She is actively involved with the University Virginia, having most recently served as the 2nd Vice Chair with The Ridley Scholarship Family of Funds. She is a former recipient of the Ridley Scholarship. Ms. Purfey also previously served as Vice Chair, Board of Trustees for Teaching Firms of America (TFOA) Professional Preparatory Charter School, a highly innovative charter school located in Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn.
Ms. Purfey graduated from the University of Virginia with double B.A. degrees in Psychology and African American Studies. She lives in Brooklyn.
It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of Cal LaRoche, a brilliant and dedicated advisor and champion of the Ron Brown Scholar Program, who left us on Wednesday, April 9th, 2025.
Born in New York in January 1946, Cal graduated from Central State University in Ohio, where he joined the Eta Gamma Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. His career spanned decades of leadership and innovation, beginning at the National Security Agency and continuing through key roles at IBM, SkyTel Communications, and The Orkand Corporation.
A visionary entrepreneur, Cal later co-founded DC Ventures and Associates.
His commitment to service was unwavering. Cal chaired the Boards of Trustees at Suburban Hospital in Bethesda and Norwood School and served with distinction for 15 years on the Advisory Board of the Ron Brown Scholar Program. His leadership extended to the Beta Mu, Boulé Foundation Board, where he served as Chair, and to Patients For Affordable Drugs, where he was a founding board member and Treasurer.
An avid golfer and advocate for equity in the sport, Cal co-founded the Pro-Duffer/Carter Foundation Scholarship to promote diversity in golf. A long-time member of TPC Potomac at Avenel Farm, he was as passionate about creating opportunity as he was about the game itself.
Cal’s legacy is carried on by his beloved family: his mother, Lucille “Gloria” David; his wife, Esperanza, and their sons, CJ and Ethan; his former wife, Cheryl LaRoche; their daughters, Gina LaRoche, Renee LaRoche-Morris, and Danielle LaRoche; six grandchildren; and his siblings. His wisdom, warmth, and unwavering belief in the potential of young people will remain an enduring part of the Ron Brown Scholar community.
We are forever grateful for Cal’s enduring support, leadership, and love. He leaves behind a legacy of excellence, generosity, and deep humanity. He will be deeply missed.
