More about us
Vaughn served as the First Deputy Chief of Staff to Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney from 2016-2021. In his time with Mayor Kenney, he retained a portfolio of departments focused on economic development including the department of Planning and Development; the Commerce Department; and the Office of Transportation, Infrastructure, and Sustainability.
Prior to joining municipal government, Vaughn spent five years as a fundraiser for political campaigns in and around Philadelphia. He led successful fundraising efforts, culminating in Mayor Kenney’s 2015 victory, and oversaw direct donor outreach, principal management, and financial compliance.
Vaughn is a commissioner of the Delaware River Port Authority, the bi-state agency responsible for managing four bridge crossings between Pennsylvania and Delaware as well as the PATCO High-speed line, serves as treasurer of the Philadelphia City Fund, a city-associated non-profit organization that both serves as a financial administrator for donor-restricted grants to the City of Philadelphia and administers a board-directed targeted community grant program, and serves on the board of Germantown United CDC, his neighborhood community development corporation. He is a former co-chair of the Philadelphia chapter of the Urban Land Institute’s Technical Assistance Panel Committee, former member of the board of Philadelphia250, and former member of Philadelphia Soccer 2026.
He is a member of the African American Chamber of Commerce of PA, NJ, DE, the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, and the Urban Land Institute. He has a B.A. in International Relations from Lehigh University.
Sonny’s dream
Rvesta stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of ambition and resilience. Named in homage to Vaughn’s paternal grandfather, Sonny (originally Arvester), who migrated from Georgia to Philadelphia during the 1940s Great Migration.
Sonny's journey, emblematic of countless black Americans, epitomized the pursuit of a better life, driven by the promises of employment, housing, and prosperity in the industrial cities of the North. Despite facing formidable institutional barriers that hindered the realization of those promises, the establishment of Rvesta signifies a bold commitment to honoring Sonny's unwavering hope, indomitable spirit, and industrious ethos.
Our mission transcends commemoration; it embodies a resolute dedication to catalyzing tangible change. We aspire to redefine the trajectory of American cities, ensuring they not only fulfill the promises of the past but also unlock the boundless potential of the future. In doing so, we aim to be architects of transformative progress, echoing the resilience and aspirations of Sonny and countless others who sought a brighter tomorrow against formidable odds.
What we stand for
The Power of Cities
Small, midsize, or large, we believe in the power of cities and those who live in them to change the world for the better. We believe that we should do whatever it takes to improve cities and the conditions for their residents.
Integrity
In all of our work, we strive to operate with integrity, honesty, and candor. We do not work in ethical “gray areas” and will not compromise our ethical standards.
Collaboration
We believe that the best work happens with a team. Our consultative approach is to work in lock-step with our clients to create a team-like environment that fosters genuine collaboration to accomplish our goals.
Racial Justice
Racism pervades almost every aspect of our lives and that is particularly true in the urban environment. We are dedicated to advancing racial justice in cities and utilizing an antiracist approach to redress racial and ethnic systems.
Sustainability
It doesn’t matter if we work to build a better world if the work doesn’t last! We believe that every client-oriented solution should be vetted for operational sustainability so that even after our engagement has concluded the results of our progress are preserved. We also believe that environmental sustainability is paramount, and while we don’t offer environmental services, we will always keep an eye on a project’s climate impact.