Where is the Money ?
A $3 million grant from the PwC Charitable Foundation to Phi Theta Kappa Foundation was meant to support students. PTK promised to use the funds for scholarships, leadership training, and faculty engagement. Instead, it raised serious questions about leadership, finances, nepotism, and the use of charitable funds.
What Actually Happened
PTK’s leadership received huge raises. The CEO’s salary increased by 49%—from $259,674 in 2021 to $386,564 in 2023—while the organization reported a $900,000 deficit.
The CEO’s wife was hired into a grant-funded role. Dr. Courtney Lange was appointed to lead special initiatives funded by the PwC grant, confirmed via internal documentation. Was there a competitive posting that was publicly shared?
Every senior staff member involved in the grant left the organization. The individuals listed in the original grant award email—including Rebecca Warren, Nancy Sanchez, Blake Ellis, and Monica Marlowe—no longer work at PTK.
Source: PwC Grant Award Notification
Executive Pay While Students Paid to Join
Rod Risley, former Executive Director, received over $3.9 million in total compensation between 2012 and 2017—including $743,652 in a single year.
Lynn Tincher-Ladner, current CEO, increased her salary from $259,674 in 2021 to $386,564 in 2023—a 49% raise during a reported deficit.
Ellen Roster, former Chief Information Officer, was paid $401,959 in a single year.
Steven Mulhollen, PTK’s CFO, has held high-level financial positions in both PTK and the PTK Foundation across multiple years—often listed on both organizations’ tax filings.
Deidra Daws, former Chief of Staff, received $150,000+ annually, even while student-facing programs were scaled back.
What Did Students Actually Receive?
No documented increase in scholarships. Despite receiving $3 million, PTK has not released any public report showing how many students received new or expanded scholarship opportunities.
No published breakdown of grant spending. There is no accessible report showing how much of the PwC grant went to students, staff, events, or operations.
Student outcomes were never publicly measured. The grant proposal included bold promises: serve 11,000 students, expand honors programs, and improve transfer rates. There is no published data showing whether these goals were met.
A new discovery raises questions about PTK's spending priorities. Records confirm at least two private board dinners, including a January 2023 event at Addison by William Bradley — one of the most expensive restaurants in California.
Luxury Board Dinners
PTK appears to host two private board dinners, including:
Jan 25, 2023: Addison by William Bradley (Michelin-starred, Fairmont Grand Del Mar)
Events attended by board members, executive staff, and grant personnel
Held during a time of reported financial strain
Estimated Cost: $50,000+
Addison quotes $25,000 minimum for private event packages
Pricing includes a Champagne Room Reception, multi-course tasting menu, and wine pairings
Two intimate board dinners = $50,000++
Why it matters:
These expenses coincide with:
Reported budget deficits
Lack of scholarship transparency
Executive salary increases and grant-funded hires
What Did Students Get?
PTK is a nonprofit entrusted with charitable funds to benefit students — not executives.
But during the period of these luxury dinners, there was no publicly reported increase in student scholarships, programming, or services.
Instead, in 2023, the organization reported financial losses, while internal benefits for top leadership expanded.
How do these spending decisions reflect a student-first mission?
Were restricted funds were misused for leadership’s benefit?