Good afternoon.
My name is Christopher Goins, and I have the honor of serving as the President and CEO of Philadelphia Academies, Inc.
I’ve only been with PAI for a short time—just under two years—and I first met Steve during my interview process. But it didn’t take long for me to understand who he was to this organization. Very quickly, and very affectionately, he became known as the Godfather.
We called him that not because he was intimidating, but because of the opposite. Steve had a respectful candor that cut through noise. He spoke plainly, wisely, and always with purpose. And when Steve was in the room, you felt protected. You felt steady. You felt like the mission was safe.
I’ll never fully know why Steve loved PAI the way he did—but I know that he did. Deeply. He never wavered. He showed up as a board member, as an advocate, and as a believer in the potential of young people, especially those who don’t always get the benefit of belief. His commitment was quiet, consistent, and powerful.
Steve’s last board meeting with us was in late fall. And just like always, we could count on two things: affirmation for the work being done, and a gentle but firm push for greater impact. He wasn’t satisfied with good intentions. He cared about outcomes. He cared about whether we were truly changing lives.
PAI is the only youth-serving organization in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania that owns and operates six registered pre-apprenticeships for high school–aged young people. That is something I inherited when I stepped into this role. But the truth is, I could not live out my purpose as a leader—or as a human being committed to equity and opportunity—without the sustained leadership and devotion of Steve Rauscher.
Our experiences with Steve were only a snapshot of who he was. And knowing that, I can’t help but imagine how extraordinary he must have been as a husband, a father, a grandfather, a brother, an uncle, and a cousin. If he gave us this much wisdom, this much steadiness, and this much love in a boardroom, then his family experienced something truly special.
Steve leaves behind a legacy that will continue to move through PAI—not just in policies or programs, but in the way we lead, the way we protect our mission, and the way we show up for young people with conviction and heart.
On behalf of the entire Philadelphia Academies community, we are deeply grateful. We are better because of him. And we will carry his spirit forward in the work.
Thank you, Steve. And thank you to his family for sharing him with us.
F. Christopher Goins
President & CEO
Philadelphia Academies, Inc.