Staff Biographies

Brian Alexander, Whole School, Whole Child Program Manager

Brian Alexander moved to the Washington, DC area in 2008 after joining Teach for America to teach middle and high school social studies in Prince George's County, MD. He is responsible for teams of corps members at Malcolm X Elementary School and Turner Elementary School. Brian is an Ohio native and he graduated from Miami University in 2007. As former teacher, student government president and current Eagle Scout, he has always been attracted to leadership and service and found City Year to be an excellent fit for his interests and passion.

Audra Clark, Development Consultant

Audra Clark has a B.A. in Communication and Business Administration from Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas and a Masters of Public Administration from The George Washington University, where she concentrated in non-profit management. Prior to coming to City Year, Clark served a year in San Antonio as a marketing and fundraising AmeriCorps*VISTA with ACCION Texas, the nation’s largest nonprofit microlender. Clark joined the City Year family in August 2004. She has held a number of positions in the development department at City Year Washington, DC, including serving for four years as the Development Director. In this role, she was responsible for all areas of fundraising, including donor identification, cultivation, and engagement, proposal writing, external communications, and event planning. Clark now serves in a part-time capacity as a Development Consultant for City Year Washington, DC, helping with strategic thinking and planning and supporting the day-to-day operations of the department. Clark is extremely proud of City Year’s impact, both on the students served and on the corps members and considers it a privilege to raise money for such an amazing organization.

AnnMaura Connolly, Chief Strategy Officer and Executive Vice President, City Year, Inc.

AnnMaura Connolly is the Chief Strategy Officer of City Year. As CSO, AnnMaura directs City Year’s public policy and public affairs work, manages relationships with national leaders and organizational partners, oversees City Year’s international programs, and collaborates with the CEO on strategic advancement issues. Additionally, AnnMaura serves as a co-convenor of ServiceNation, and oversees the day-to-day operations of Voices for National Service, a coalition of service organizations that works to advance citizen service policy. AnnMaura has over 20 years of experience in the service field, beginning with her service year with the Jesuit Volunteer Corps and including senior management positions at Youth Service America and the Corporation for National and Community Service. She has also acted as an independent consultant to a variety of foundations and nonprofits, including the Grantmaker Forum on Community and National Service, Atlantic Philanthropies, and the Corporation for National and Community Service. She joined City Year as Chief of Staff in 2000, and went on to serve as the Senior Vice President for Global Initiatives and Strategic Partnerships, and Chief External Affairs Officer before being named CSO in May of 2010. AnnMaura holds a BA in Political Science from the College of the Holy Cross and serves as President of Voices for National Service and as a member of the Advisory Board for the Eli J. Segal Citizen Leadership Program at Brandeis University, the Steering Committee for the Civic Mission of Schools, and MyGoodDeed Inc.

Janae Eason, Whole School, Whole Child Program Manager

Janae Eason is a native of Washington, DC, and is happy to serve in the city in which she was raised. She holds a B.A. in Sociology from The George Washington University. Janae worked in different areas, including university fundraising and student financial aid, before coming to City Year Washington, DC as a corps member for the 2009-2010 corps year. She was a member of the Heroes team, and returned for a senior corps year on the 2010-2011 Civic Heroes team. Both experiences gave her significant experience in service-learning and program and youth development. Janae has returned to City Year as a Whole School, Whole Child Program Manager, and will be responsible for managing two teams of corps members and sustaining relationships with her schools and other service partners.

Allison Felder, Whole School, Whole Child Director

Allison Felder graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 2007 with a B.A. in Psychology and minors in Biology and Spanish. After graduating Felder joined City Year San Antonio and served on the Gates Academy Whole School, Whole Child Team. Allison returned to City Year San Antonio to serve as the Team Leader for the Casey Family Programs Youth Outreach Team working with youth who have aged out of the foster care system. Felder then became a Whole School, Whole Child Program Manager in Washington DC from June 2009 to early 2011. Currently she is the Service and Education Partnerships Director working to further develop City Year’s Whole School, Whole Child Initiatives and partnerships with DC Public Schools.

Jeff Franco, Executive Director

Jeff Franco has been the Executive Director of City Year Washington, DC since February 2008. During Franco’s tenure, City Year has grown from 75 to 160 corps members and from serving in 1 to serving in 14 DC Public Schools. During this same time period, the organization’s budget increased from $3 million to $6.2 million. Franco’s leadership in developing and implementing a six-year scale plan has paved the way for effective and sustainable growth. Currently three years in to the plan, by year six City Year will have 340 corps members serving in the 5 high schools that produce 57% of the Washington, DC students who drop out, and the 28 middle and elementary schools that feed into those schools.

Franco came to City Year with extensive experience in the business development and management arenas and has a successful track record of implementing corporate business development plans. Directly prior to joining City Year, Franco served as the Director of Global Business Development and Project Manager at Voxiva, a technology company specializing in disease surveillance systems for HIV-AIDS, SARS and Avian Flu in developing world countries. Franco helped develop Voxiva’s corporate strategy, analyzed market entry conditions and evaluated new opportunities in Latin America, Africa, and the United States. Prior to that, he worked as a Senior Consultant at BearingPoint Consulting, Associate Director of Marketing and Sales at Corporate Executive Board, and a Consultant at the International Finance Corporation.

Outside of his professional work, Franco dedicates his time to various organizations. He has served on his church’s Steering Committee for young adults and has led efforts on a variety of volunteer endeavors in the community. Franco is a member of DC’s Hands on Housing, So Others Might Eat (SOME), and Net Impact, an international nonprofit organization that seeks to make a positive impact on society by growing and strengthening a community of new leaders who use business to improve the world. Franco is also a 2010 graduate of Leadership Greater Washington, an organization focused on connecting diverse leaders to find effective solutions to regional challenges. He graduated from Fairfield University in Connecticut with a B.A. in Political Science, Pre-Medicine, and Spanish and has a Masters in International Affairs and an M.B.A. from American University in Washington, DC. Franco is fluent in Spanish and Portuguese and enjoys traveling and participating in triathlons.

Maria Aurora Frijas, External Affairs Director

Maria Aurora Frijas is a Los Angeles native and a graduate of the University of California, Riverside with a B.A in History/Law and Society. She was always involved with service throughout her school and community and when the opportunity to give back with City Year came along, she knew it was what she was looking for. Maria Aurora served on the E! Entertainment Civic Engagement Team as a corps member and then as the Recruitment & Visitor Program senior corps member at City Year Los Angeles. After her two years at City Year Los Angeles, she joined the 2009 Summer Academy Team and then transitioned to City Year Washington, DC in August 2009 as the Recruitment and Alumni Affairs Manager, in which she recruited young adults to join City Year as part of the national service movement as well as coordinate events for local alumni in the Metro DC area. Maria Aurora now currently serves as the Civic Engagement Director at City Year Washington, DC.

Natalie Grandison, Corporate Partnerships Manager

A native of the Big Apple, Natalie Grandison joins City Year as the Corporate Partnerships Manager. After earning her B.S. in Sociology and Pre-Business at New York University (NYU) in 2007, Grandison served as the Assistant to the Vice President for Student Affairs from 2007-09. While working in the Division of Student Affairs, Grandison received her Master of Public Administration degree from the NYU Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service in 2009. She joined the Department of Athletics, Intramurals & Recreation shortly thereafter as the Athletic Development and Alumni Relations Coordinator. Grandison was responsible for individual giving, the athletics annual fund, special events and corporate sponsorships for Athletics breaking attendance and fundraising records in both years. Natalie is proud to become part of the CYDC development team and an organization that is having a positive impact on students, young adults and the Washington DC community at large.

Hunter Griendling, Operations Manager

Hunter Griendling graduated from Elon University with a B.A. in philosophy and a minor in international studies. She joined the AmeriCorps program as a Volunteer In Service To America (VISTA) at the Tippecanoe Chapter of the American Red Cross, working as a resource development specialist. Hunter served as an AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) team leader at the Atlantic Campus. She supervised a team of nine on seven service projects ranging from environmental conservation in northern New York to community development in Camden, NJ. Her team was deployed to meet immediate relief needs in northwest Alabama after the 2011 tornados and long term disaster recovery needs in Springfield, Massachusetts. Hunter believes strongly in the need for national service programs, as well as the powerful impact a service year can have on young Americans.

Allie Harris, Whole School, Whole Child Program Manager

Allie hails from Glen Burnie, MD. Before starting with City Year he volunteered at the Responsible Actions Program (RAP) in Maryland for 2 years to help serve emotionally troubled youth. He then served a year as a corps member in AmeriCorps NCCC. After his stint in the service world Allie began working in Maryland Public Schools as an assistant teacher at Arundel Middle School. Allie is proud to serve as a Program Manager because he strongly believes in service and the power of youth as agents of change in the community.

Naomi Ho, Events and Outreach Associate

Naomi Ho is from South Pasadena, California. After earning a B.A. in Liberal Studies and a minor in Education from the University of California, Riverside she served with City Year Washington, DC as a Whole School, Whole Child corps member in 2009-2010 and then as the Project Leader for Community Engagement. Her City Year experience reinforced her belief that educational inequity should not and cannot continue to exist in this day and age. Naomi currently serves as the Events and Outreach Associate, playing a small role in City Year’s mission to positively impact the lives of DC youth. In her free time she loves to read, watch films, and travel.

Jane Horstmann, Whole School, Whole Child Program Manager

Jane Horstmann is a proud Philadelphia native and earned her B.S. in English Education from Boston University. Prior to becoming a Whole School, Whole Child Program Manager at City Year Washington, DC, Horstmann worked for City Year’s Headquarters in the Public Policy Department as the National Mobilization Manager. In that role, she helped manage logistics for Voices for National Service, the Save Service in America Campaign, and City Year’s National Leadership Summit. Horstmann is committed to supporting urban schools in working to end the drop out crisis and feels that City Year corps members will help close the achievement gap nationally. Before coming to City Year, Horstmann taught and volunteered in classrooms in DC, Boston, Philadelphia, and Sydney, Australia.

Byron Jackson, Diplomas Now Program Manager

Originally from South Carolina, Byron Jackson graduated with a B.A. in Political Science from Howard University in 2006 and a M.A. in Public Policy from New England College in 2010. Before joining City Year, Byron was an Education Advocate with Advocates for Justice and Education Inc. and later became a Civic Engagement Associate with the Alliance for Children and Families. Byron has dedicated his professional life and volunteer efforts to using civic engagement and community development as tools to bolster the chances of success among youth and their communities. As a Diplomas Now Program Manager with City Year, Byron will continue to serve the youth, families, and communities of Washington, DC.

Lauren Jarema, Communications and Outreach Associate

Lauren Jarema graduated from University of Delaware in 2008 with a B.A. in Mass Communications and Women’s Studies. After college Jarema pursued her passion for service in the Public Allies Delaware AmeriCorps program, as a Development Associate for the National MS Society. Prior to joining City Year’s team, some of her favorite experiences include working at an overnight camp, taking service trips, captaining a dodgeball team, playing rugby for University of Delaware, and coaching a high school team. Jarema began her service with City Year as the Events and Communications Associate in the Development Department where her responsibilities included managing media outreach, website maintenance, brand awareness, e-newsletter, and serving as the development staff lead for external events, including Opening Day, Graduation, corporate service days, MLK Day, and Breakfast of Champions. In her current role as the Communications and Outreach Associate in the Civic Engagement Department she will manage strategic communications and support recruitment initiatives.

Jennifer Jeffries, Training Specialist

Jennifer Jeffries graduated from Hampton University in Hampton, Virginia, with a B.A. in psychology. After graduation, Jennifer moved to Washington, DC to serve as a mental health clinical counselor and clinical intake assessor with National Counseling Group. Most recently, Jennifer has served as program coordinator for National Youth Leadership Forum on Medicine with Envision EMI. As a program coordinator Jennifer served over 800 high school students from across the United States interested in the field of medicine in Boston, MA for leadership conferences. Jennifer continues her dedication to education and leadership for youth as she pursues her Master of Education in Educational Psychology at Howard University. She is excited to join City Year Washington, DC’s team and looks forward to inspiring future leaders of tomorrow to leave their global imprint on the world.

Nicole Kennedy, Special Projects Assistant, City Year, Inc.

Nicole joined City Year in September 2011 as Special Projects Assistant to the Chief Strategy Officer and Executive Vice President. Prior to City Year, Nicole worked as the Community Outreach Coordinator for Starlight Children’s Foundation MidAtlantic. Originally from Rye, New York, Nicole moved to DC after graduating from with a degree in English and Political Geography from Bucknell University. Service has always been a huge part of her life; in college, she helped found Relay for Life at Bucknell, served on the American Cancer Society Pennsylvania Youth Task Force, worked on microfinance programs in Nicaragua, and volunteered with various local community organizations. She is thrilled to join the City Year team and help support its mission to change the world.

Daniel Lawson, Civic Engagement Program Manager

Daniel is serving his first year on the City Year Washington, DC staff as the Program Manager for the team which he previously served on as a corps member and Team Leader for two years. He graduated from George Mason University in 2008 with a BA in Conflict Analysis & Resolution and a concentration in Community, Group, and Organizational Conflict. Daniel has worked with youth of all ages and has built up a passion for community building and civic engagement throughout his academic and volunteer career. His personal mission is to find meaningful ways to bring together citizens from all corners of a community to build something great together.

Cherry Lim, Admissions Coordinator

Cherry Lim grew up outside of Boston in Braintree, MA, where she learned the importance of service and giving back from a young age. Lim graduated from Tufts University, where she majored in American Studies with a concentration in Comparative Race and Ethnicity. Learning about inequities in education as well as society only served to further validate her commitment to the community. Prior to joining City Year, Lim tutored students from Boston high schools through the college application process as well as serve as a Customer Service Assistant at the Admissions Office at Tufts. She is excited to continue her tradition of service with City Year DC and assist passionate and committed young adults through the City Year application process.

Nicole Lucas, Senior Manager of Government Relations and Program & Service Operations

Nicole Lucas graduated from Willamette University in Salem, Oregon, with a degree in Psychology. Prior to coming to City Year, Lucas served two years with AmeriCorps*National Civilian Community Corps, providing relief after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and serving public school systems. Afterwards, Lucas came to Washington, DC and worked for KaBOOM!, a national non-profit that builds play spaces for children through a participatory community-build model. Lucas’ passion for education and national service brought her to City Year, and this is Lucas’ first year in government relations after being a program manager for three years.

Sarah Lucianek, Whole School, Whole Child Program Manager

Sarah Lucianek was born and raised in Downers Grove, Illinois. Lucianek is a graduate of the University of Missouri (2009) where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Education and certification to teach grades 1-6. Prior to joining City Year, she taught fourth grade in St. Louis Public Schools and earned a Master of Education degree in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Learning and Instruction from the University of Missouri. Sarah now serves as Program Manager at D.C. Scholars Stanton Elementary and Kimball Elementary School.

Kristin McDonough, Diplomas Now Program Manager

Kristen McDonough graduated from James Madison University in 2007 with a B.A. in Psychology and a minor in Criminal Justice. After graduating, McDonough joined City Year San Antonio and served on the Miller Academy Whole School, Whole Child Team. She then served as a team leader for the Young Heroes Program. After completing her service, McDonough returned to the DC region whereupon she taught special education in DC Public Schools through the DC Teaching Fellows program. She also earned a Master of Education degree in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Educational Policy and Leadership from American University. Currently, Kristen serves as a Diplomas Now Program Manager.

Lauren Miner, Senior Development Associate

Lauren Miner is a graduate of Roger Williams University (2008) with majors in Political Science and History and a minor in Spanish. While in school, Lauren became involved with numerous student groups surrounding community service and quickly decided to pursue a career in public service. As a result, she joined City Year Rhode Island where she served as the Training Project Leader and the Team Leader for the Hasbro Team serving at Highlander Charter School. After completing her first year in Rhode Island, Lauren moved to Washington, DC to become a part of the City Year DC corps as the Team Leader for the Acacia Group Team serving at Francis-Stevens Education Campus. Today, she continues to work for City Year today as the Development Associate and is now responsible for gift processing, database management, and supporting the other members of the development team with the day-to-day work and on special projects.

Dave Moore, Diplomas Now Director

Dave Moore grew up just outside DC and is a proud alum of the 2001-2002 City Year Boston corps and was a member of the City Year Little Rock start-up team. After four years on staff in Little Rock, Dave took a break from City Year to volunteer in Bolivia, train government employees, return to school to finish his undergrad and get married. Dave is very excited to return to City Year and serve in his hometown.

This year, Dave is serving as the Diplomas Now Program Director and will be working with three middle and high schools to address the dropout crisis. His teams will work in collaboration with Talent Development and Communities in Schools to provide a comprehensive response to truancy, behavior issues, and poor performance in math and English. CLICK HERE to learn more about the Diplomas Now collaborative.

Nick Monts, Diplomas Now Program Manager

A Michigan native, Nick Monts earned a B.A. in Secondary Education and a M.A. in Educational Leadership at Eastern Michigan University. Nick has worked as a high school social studies teacher in the Detroit area. His previous schools include Covenant House Academy, which serves as an alternative high school and a shelter for homeless teens and Clintondale Continuing Education Center, a vocational school helping troubled high school students get back on track. Nick is new to City Year and has enjoyed learning about the culture and camaraderie. Nick has a passion for innovative educational programs and looks forward to working with the Diplomas Now program in DC.

Jennifer Ney, Senior Director of Public Policy, City Year, Inc.

Jennifer Ney joined the City Year family in May 2002. As Senior Director of Public Policy, she is responsible for maintaining current knowledge of national service legislation and directing policy initiatives that expand access to quality service opportunities for all Americans. Prior to City Year, Ney worked for seven years in the office of Senator Charles Robb (VA), with whom she worked extensively on legislation to protect the civil rights of minority farmers. In addition to working on Senator Robb’s legislative team, Ney directed Robb’s scheduling and advance operation and coordinated his speaking and media opportunities. In 2001, she was special assistant to the CEO/President at Dittus Communications, a full-service public relations and issue advocacy agency. Ney graduated from the University of Virginia where she majored in American Government and minored in Sociology. Outside of work, Ney serves on the Board of Directors for Capital Rowing Club, the largest community-based rowing organization in DC. Ney is committed to Capital Rowing Club's mission of diversifying the sport of rowing and making it an accessible, affordable activity for all DC residents.

Leila Pedersen, Special Projects Assistant

Born and raised in Austin, Texas, Leila Pedersen joined City Year after working for ServeNext, a grassroots organization that mobilizes support for AmeriCorps programs. In 2010, she graduated from the University of California, Berkeley with a degree in Psychology and Public Policy. Leila discovered her passion for early childhood education while studying abroad at the University of Cape Town in South Africa where she actively participated as a mentor and volunteer at an orphanage in the Khayelitsha township. As the Special Projects Assistant, Leila will provide support to City Year DC’s Executive Director and the Development staff on a wide range of fundraising and programmatic initiatives.

Neils Ribeiro-Yemofio, Program Director

Neils Ribeiro-Yemofio was born and raised in Alexandria, Virginia. He graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2008 with a B.A. in Management and Society and minors in African-American Studies and Social Entrepreneurship. After college, Neils was a part of the 2008-2009 City Year Washington, DC Corps where he served on the Young Heroes Team. After serving with City Year, Neils worked for Higher Achievement as an Assistant Center Director for the Adams-Morgan Center. He then returned back to City Year in 2010 as a Whole School Whole Child Program Manager of two schools: Francis-Steven Education Campus and Winston Education Campus. Neils currently serves as a Program Director and oversees several teams and their partnerships.

Laura Stankiewicz, Whole School, Whole Child Program Manager

Laura Stankiewicz is a South Jersey native and has always had a deep passion for service. She attended the University of Notre Dame, where she studied social justice and worked on various social justice projects in California, Central America, and Chile. After graduating in 2007 with a BA in Political Science & Philosophy and a concentration in Latin American studies, Stankiewicz went on to do two and a half years of volunteer service at a home for children in rural Honduras. There, she taught middle school and was the Director of Outreach Programs and Projects. Stankiewicz continues to run an independent scholarship program that offers Honduran adolescents the opportunity to attend high school who otherwise would not have the resources to do so. Since returning to the US, she has worked as a Leadership Development Specialist for the Girl Scouts of Central & Southern NJ. She is excited to join the City Year DC team and work with volunteers, kids, schools and communities to transform today’s idealism into tomorrow’s reality.

David Steber, Admissions Manager

Originally from Davidson, NC, David Steber graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a BA in Environmental Studies in May of 2008. After graduation, he moved to Washington, DC to join City Year, where he served two years as a corps member and team leader on the Comcast Team serving at the Browne Education Campus. Steber believes strongly in the national service movement and the ability young people have to make lasting positive change; this is why he is proud to join City Year’s Recruitment Department as the Admissions Coordinator.

Andrew Stein, Development Director

Andrew Stein serves as the Development Director for City Year Washington, DC. As Development Director, Andrew and his team are responsible for raising the site's annual revenue of over $6 million. Andrew is a proud City Year alum, serving as a corps member on the Civic Engagement team after graduating from Michigan State University in 2004. Andrew then served as a senior corps member and a staff member in the Recruitment and Alumni Affairs Department. Andrew left City Year in 2008 to attend law school at Georgetown University Law Center. While in law school, Andrew continued his commitment to service to the DC community by working in a legal clinic that represented low-income tenant groups in Washington, DC. He also served as the co-chair of the City Year Alumni Association of Washington, DC. After law school, Andrew worked at the law firm, WilmerHale, in the litigation department, before returning to City Year Washington, DC in his current role. Andrew is a proud resident of the District and is honored to raise money for an organization that has meant so much to him and has such a positive impact on the city which he and his family now call home.

Michael Stevens, Program Director

Originally from Rochester, New York, Michael Stevens served in the Inaugural City Year Louisiana Corps in 2006. After his time with City Year, Stevens became an AmeriCorps member with Habitat for Humanity of Jacksonville. There, he engaged potential homeowners, community associations, and corporate partners in powerful service. Following that, Stevens returned to Rochester to complete an internship doing research on nationwide best practices around community policing and community/government collaboration. Stevens came to City Year Washington, DC in 2007 and served as the Program Manager for the Civic Engagement (CE) Team where he was responsible for creating & implementing transformative physical service projects that bring together DC residents of all backgrounds in the common experience of service. Currently, Stevens serves as a Program Director where he is responsible for overseeing half of the teams serving Washington, DC.

Lindsay Templeton, Whole School, Whole Child Program Manager

Lindsay Templeton graduated from the University of Georgia in 2008 with a B.A. in Communications. After college Lindsay joined the 2008-2009 City Year Rhode Island corps where she served as a member on the Perry Middle School Whole School, Whole Child Team. After her City Year she moved to Richmond, VA where she served as the Teen Director at the Shady Grove Family YMCA for two years. Lindsay is excited to join City Year Washington, DC this year as a Whole School, Whole Child Program Manager.

Stefany Tobel, Evaluations Specialist

Raised in Queens in New York City, Stefany Tobel attended both public and private schools where she developed her respect and passion for public service. She completed her undergraduate degree at Tufts University in Boston, and received her MS in Education Policy from the University of Pennsylvania in 2010. She has proudly served as an AmeriCorps VISTA for Jumpstart for Young Children, and as a Prekindergarten Teacher for HeadStart. Before joining City Year she was a Stoneleigh Jr. Research Fellow at the Philadelphia Education Fund developing the data system for Diplomas Now. She continues to develop the strategic use of data as the Evaluation Specialist for City Year Washington, DC.

Carolyn Trager, Senior Public Policy Manager, City Year, Inc.

Carolyn Trager joined City Year in June 2011 as the Senior Public Policy Manager. Prior to joining City Year, she worked for the Education Policy Office of the US Senate HELP Committee while completing a Masters in Public Policy at Georgetown University. While working with the Committee, Carolyn drafted, revised and researched elements of the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.

Before attending graduate school, Carolyn served as an AmeriCorps*VISTA and later manager of school outreach and grants at Children for Children/GenerationOn in New York City. In these roles, she managed relationships with over 500 New York City schools, supervised the organization's grant distribution programs and created three programs to engage over 2,000 young people in meaningful service activities. Carolyn received a Bachelor’s degree in English and Psychology from Tufts University in 2004.

Samantha Traverso, Recruitment Manager

Samantha Traverso graduated from West Chester University in 2008 with a degree in Political Science. Upon graduation, she joined City Year Greater Philadelphia and served as a corps member on the Bank of America Young Heroes team. After an inspiring corps year, Samantha moved to Washington DC, to serve as the Team Leader for the City Year Washington DC Young Heroes program. This Year Samantha will continue her work with City Year as the Recruitment Coordinator, where she is responsible for coordinating and attending recruitment events at colleges, high schools, and community organizations.

Kristin Walega, Deputy Director

A native Washingtonian, Kristin Walega graduated with a B.A. in Political Science from Villanova University in Pennsylvania and a Masters of Public Administration from The George Washington University, where she concentrated in non-profit management. After graduating from Villanova, she joined City Year Greater Philadelphia as a corps member in 1997. She has remained on staff since the completion of her second term of service.

Since 2003, she has led the planning and implementation of cyzygy. In 2006, she expanded her responsibilities as the Director of Events for City Year, Inc. where she oversees the network-wide management of the Visitor Program and events, including Opening Day, MLK Day/Young Heroes Opening Day, and Graduation in addition to planning large-scale national events.

As the City Year Washington, DC Deputy Director, she is responsible for all areas of recruitment, including outreach and admissions of the City Year corps. She is responsible for the local City Year Alumni Association and works in partnership with the Alumni Association Board to engage the area alumni. She is committed to the mission and vision of City Year which is her motivation for recruiting dedicated and idealistic young people to give a year of service to the DC community.

Shannon Young, Individual Giving Manager

Shannon Young proudly serves as the Individual Giving Manager at City Year Washington, DC. Prior to moving to DC to take on her role in April 2010, she worked a Development Officer for the American Foundation for the Blind in New York. She has also held development positions with Randolph College (known as Randolph Macon Woman’s College when she was there) and the YWCA of Central Virginia. Shannon is originally from Lynchburg, Virginia, and received her BA in Women’s Studies from Goucher College is 2001. In her role as Individual Giving Manager, she works to build relationships with both current and prospective individual supporters to strengthen their commitment and connection with City Year Washington, DC.

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