Thrive: The Power of Community

JP Patton

Director, California Conservation Corps

JP Patton leads the California Conservation Corps in our commitment to expand our reach to young adults and to protect California’s natural resources through environmentally focused work that makes California an even better place for all. On November 1, 2023, Governor Gavin Newsom appointed JP to serve as the CCC Director. JP’s career with the CCC started in 2021 as a Deputy Director over Northern California. As Deputy Director, he supported multiple CCC centers all actively engaged in mission critical work of Corpsmember development, natural resource conservation, climate resilience, and emergency response.JP graduated from New York University and served as a senior manager for many years in the world of outdoor recreation, outdoor education, workforce development and natural resource conservation. As the Director of CCC, JP is passionate about increasing pathways to careers for the Corpsmember community; championing a corps for all; and expanding the corps movement across the globe.

Amee Shah

Entrepreneur and Strategic Advisor

Amee Shah is a seasoned leader with over 20 years of experience in corporate strategy, organizational transformation, and operations. Currently, she advises businesses and NGOs on strategy development, operational improvement, branding and positioning, and leadership development.

From 2014 to 2023, Amee served as CEO of Artemis Consulting, where she led the company’s expansion into government technology consulting, fostered a culture of innovation, and drove growth that culminated in its acquisition by a private equity firm. Prior to that, she was a Senior Principal at CSRA, overseeing a portfolio of business transformation programs and managing post-acquisition integration. As Director of the DHS and Civilian Sector at MorganFranklin from 2006 to 2012, Amee managed financial performance, operations, and growth while spearheading internal initiatives focused on account management, and career development and industry engagement for women. Amee has dedicated her career to leveraging technology, process improvement, and operational efficiency to help clients achieve their goals. She also has experience working with international NGOs to build civil society institutions in emerging democracies, and advancing women’s roles in civil society and politics.

Amee serves on the Board of Advisors of the Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland, on the Advisory Council for AALEAD, and on the Steering Committee for the Northern Viginia Community Foundation’s Business Women’s Giving Circle. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from Mount Holyoke College, a Master’s degree in International Relations from The American University, and a Masters of Business Administration from the Robert H. Smith School at the University of Maryland.

Hannah Siroky

Member Services Manager

hsiroky@corpsnetwork.org

As Member Services Manager, Hannah manages processes to engage Member Corps in TCN’s member benefits, evaluate Corps impact, and support new Corps development. Her responsibilities include developing training opportunities for Corps staff, managing and cataloging Corps research including evaluations and impact assessments, supporting communities of learning across Corps and assisting communities who want to start a Corps. Hannah joined The Corps Network in 2021 as the Member Data Coordinator where she collected impact data from TCN’s 150+ Member Corps and supported data reporting and analysis needs for the organizaiton. Hannah’s Corps experiences prior to joining TCN range from leading a crew with Arizona Conservation Corps that removed invasive trees in the Verde River watershed, to supporting crews of her own as a Program Coordinator with Northwest Youth Corps. Much of her previous job experience has been seasonal field work focusing on surveying wildlife and implementing habitat restoration efforts in the southwest region of the country. She graduated from the University of Illinois with a bachelor’s degree in environmental science and obtained a program evaluation certificate from Portland State University in 2022.

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Sherrell Lizana

Program Coordinator

slizana@corpsnetwork.org

Sherrell Lizana is a dynamic leader in workforce development, project management, and community engagement, with a strong focus on empowering opportunity youth. A proud graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi and a native of the Mississippi Gulf Coast, Sherrell’s passion for service was ignited in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, where she witnessed firsthand the resilience and potential of her community.

Currently serving as the Workforce Development Coordinator at The Corps Network, Sherrell plays a pivotal role in designing and implementing strategies that equip young adults with the skills, training, and support needed to access sustainable career pathways. She works closely with national partners, Corps programs, and community stakeholders to develop workforce initiatives that foster economic mobility and long-term success for opportunity youth.

Her career has spanned roles in nonprofit management and human capital development, collaborating with organizations such as Boys & Girls Clubs, International Relief & Development, YouthBuild, and statewide planning and development districts. Sherrell specializes in creating pathways to economic mobility by leveraging workforce development strategies that empower individuals to achieve self-sustainability. She is particularly passionate about guiding opportunity youth toward meaningful careers and positive life outcomes.

With a proven track record of managing complex projects and fostering community partnerships, Sherrell believes that workforce development is not just about jobs—it’s about building brighter futures for individuals, families, and communities.

Vivian Meade

Program Manager

Vivian Meade joined The Corps Network in 2024 as a Program Manager. Vivian graduated from Northern Illinois University (NIU) in DeKalb, IL, with a bachelor’s in Spanish and Latino and Latin American Studies in 2020. During her time at NIU, Vivian conducted research and contributed over eight oral history recordings and transcriptions to the Latinx Oral History Project. Shortly after graduating, Vivian joined AmeriCorps VISTA where she served at the Black American West Museum & Heritage Center. In this role she was able to use her passion for history to educate and uplift the Black community of Denver, CO.

Vivian has experience working alongside the National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service to provide youth internship opportunities for Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) communities. Prior to joining The Corps Network, Vivian managed The Latino Heritage Internship Program, a service corps, and an individual placement program. She is passionate about fostering safe spaces for BIPOC communities in our public lands and providing opportunities for youth to grow professionally in cultural and natural resource management. Vivian’s interest in agriculture came from her multi-generational family’s farm in Illinois, and she is eager to uplift the next generation of conservationists while managing the Working Lands Conservation Corps.

In her free time Vivian loves to travel, explore museums, go hiking and bird watching. She is an activist, an educator, a musician, and currently resides in Colorado with her pup and two cats.

Shirley Sagawa

Former CEO, Service Year Alliance; Author

Shirley Sagawa is the former CEO of Service Year Alliance and an architect of AmeriCorps. Over the last three decades, she has developed innovative social and education policy, authored groundbreaking reports, and advised national organizations and foundations on strategy. As a partner with Sagawa/Jospin, she played strategic roles in the creation of America Forward, Cities of Service, Service Year Exchange, and the Presidio Institute Fellows Program. She served as First Lady Hillary Clinton’s policy assistant and deputy chief of staff and helped lead the startup of the Corporation for National and Community Service for President Bill Clinton. For President George H. W. Bush, she served as first vice chair of the Commission on National and Community Service, authorized under the National and Community Service Act of 1990, which she drafted and negotiated for the Senate Labor and Human Resources Committee. She also served as the founding executive director of Learning First Alliance and senior counsel to the National Women’s Law Center and has served on numerous nonprofit and foundation boards. A Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress, Shirley is author of three books, including The American Way to Change and The Charismatic Organization. She holds degrees from Harvard Law School, London School of Economics, and Smith College.

Marie Walker

Chief Operating Officer

mwalker@corpsnetwork.org

As the Chief Operating Officer, Marie has managed the day-to-day operations of The Corps Network for more than a decade. Marie supervises The Corps Network’s contracts as well as the organization’s private and federal partnerships with AmeriCorps, the National Park Service, the U.S. Forest Service, and other national organizations and agencies.

Marie was instrumental in the creation of GulfCorps, a conservation and workforce development initiative focused on training local young adults for careers in the growing restoration economy along the Gulf of Mexico. GulfCorps is now a multi-million-dollar program that has engaged hundreds of young people in job training and hundreds of thousands of hours of critical conservation work. Marie has also overseen The Corps Network’s impactful work with the U.S. Forest Service on such initiatives as the Resource Assistants Program – a rigorous internship initiative targeted at engaging underrepresented populations in natural resources work – and the Urban and Community Forest Program, which is helping strengthen America’s urban tree canopy and diversify our forestry workforce. Additionally, Marie oversees The Corps Network’s Corps Project Assistance program, which has been working with the National Park Service to scope Corps-appropriate projects at parks throughout the country, helping inspire a new generation of public lands professionals.

Marie has a wealth of experience in non-profit operations and management. Prior to joining The Corps Network in 2014, Marie spent 15 years as the Director of Programs and Development for the Citizens Conservation Corps of West Virginia (CCCWV). Marie was involved in the development and implementation of several innovative programs, including the first Brownfields Job Training Program in West Virginia. Marie has served on the board of directors for several organizations, including NASCC (National Association of Service and Conservation Corps – now The Corps Network); WV Development HUB; Harpers Ferry Job Center Community Council; American Cancer Society; and Main Street Martinsburg. She currently serves as a board member of American Trails, where she is co-chair of the development committee.

Marie holds bachelor’s degrees in political science and sociology, as well as a master’s degree in public administration. She studied at Concord University, Old Dominion University, and West Virginia University. Go Mountain Lions, Monarchs, and Mountaineers! In her spare time, Marie enjoys playing nine holes of golf, listening to great jazz music, and watching college football.

Meghan Castellano Shea

Manager, Government Relations mcastellano@corpsnetwork.org

As the Government Relations Manager, Meghan assists The Corps Network’s Government Relations Team with Corps advocacy through administration and Congressional outreach as well as environmental and workforce development policy research.

Meghan is a graduate of the George Washington University with a bachelor’s degree in political science and communication. During her undergraduate career, Meghan interned in both the House of Representatives and the Senate where she discovered a passion for environmental advocacy and sustainability. Meghan was also a member of Alpha Phi Omega, a gender inclusive community service-based fraternity focused on volunteering at various service sites throughout the DC community.

Outside of work, Meghan enjoys running, finding new vegetarian dishes, and keeping up with reality TV.

(she, her, hers)

Thomas Hellmers

Senior Manager, Communications

thellmers@corpsnetwork.org

Thomas joined The Corps Network in 2020 as a Program Associate. His responsibilities focus on helping The Corps Network recruit and manage interns for the U.S. Forest Service Resource Assistants Program (RAP). He works in additional capacities by communicating effectively with the USDA Forest Service, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and the National Park Service. As a Program Assistant, Thomas is responsible for maintaining communications between RAP interns about their specific experiences and projects.

Thomas originates from New Orleans, LA but attended college in Washington, DC, receiving his Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from The Catholic University in 2019. He has held several internships around DC, but he has always been passionate about serving his community and looks forward to the exciting opportunities offered by The Corps Network to assist communities and people who are in need.

Pronouns: He/Him/His

Tia Blakney

Program Manager

Sblakney@corpsnetwork.org

Shytia “Tia” Blakney was born and raised on the Gulf Coast of Mississippi. She has an Associate’s Degree in Business and is close to completing her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. She enjoys shopping and spending time with her beautiful children ages 10, 6, and 4. Tia worked at CLIMB CDC for 3 years managing their Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act program. She was responsible for managing their employer partnership portfolio and placing young people in externship opportunities. Her passion is working with opportunity youth to help them become employable and self-reliant. During her time at CLIMB, she worked very closely with young people creating their Individual Development Plans and assisting them with meeting their education and employment goals. She worked with the conservation and environmental programs, as well as, the general workforce development operation. Prior to CLIMB, she worked at the Harrison County Adult Detention Center as a Correctional Officer.

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Asia Alvarado

Senior Manager, Communications

aalvarado@corpsnetwork.org

As Communications Manager, Asia assists in creating written, graphic, and video content. Originally from Long Beach, CA, she received her Bachelor’s degree in English Writing with a minor in Mass Communications from Loyola University New Orleans. Post-graduation, she moved to Portland, OR, where she was the Community Manager for a small business, running their social media and events. Now located in Washington, DC, her passion is storytelling through digital content. She has worked with and managed various brands such as publishing companies, luxury magazines, tourism boards, and nonprofits. In her most recent position, she worked with the Communications team at Latino Corporate Directors Association to increase gender, racial, and ethnic diversity on corporate boards. She aspires to continue a career in Communications specifically working with organizations based in nonprofit, policy/advocacy, and social justice work. She enjoys traveling, concerts, and spending time with her two dogs, Cronus and Wilson.

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Edward Kim

Communications Coordinator

Edward joined The Corps Network in 2022 and supports the communications team by managing various digital campaigns highlighting Corps. Edward previously served as a Corpsmember with the Bureau of Land Management as an environmental educator and wildlife researcher on the Oregon Coast. Following his Corps service, Edward worked for Environment for the Americas in Boulder, Colorado to continue to follow his passion for wildlife conservation and environmental education. In this role, Edward partnered with the National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service to promote federal internship programs.

Edward lives in Washington, DC and is a student at Georgetown University’s M.S. in Environment and Sustainability Management program. In his free time, Edward enjoys playing roller and ice hockey, reading nonfiction, and cooking.

Tatiana Cleveland

Grants Coordinator

Tatiana Cleveland joins The Corps Network as a Grants Coordinator. She assists the grant team in processing reimbursement requests from our many Corps and helps to ensure responsible and fiscally sound grant stewardship. As a self-proclaimed nomad, her career in national service has taken her to places such as Austin, TX, Atlanta, GA, and now she is so glad to be in Washington, DC. Tatiana attended UNC Pembroke, where she obtained her B.S. in Mass Communications with a focus in Public Relations. She holds a MA from the UNC Wilmington in Liberal Studies, and is currently working on a second Master’s in Nonprofit Administration from Louisiana State University Shreveport. Tatiana is a 3x AmeriCorps Alumna having served in NCCC, VISTA, and State and National. Previously Tatiana has managed several AmeriCorps VISTA projects over her career, which started with the United Way in Wilson County North Carolina after her last service term. In her most recent role, she served as a Portfolio Manager with the South Central Regional Office of AmeriCorps. In her free time, she enjoys yoga, learning about sociology, and volunteering with her sorors of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. Tatiana is lucky to be a mom of to a lovely daughter, Camille, age 10, and a very happy baby boy, Emory, who is 8 months.

Katie O’Hara

Data Coordinator

Katie began her journey at The Corps Network as an intern in late 2023, working in partnership with Agents of Discovery. She transitioned into a full-time position as a Data Coordinator under the Member Service Team in 2024.

Adopted from China, Katie grew up in Portland, Oregon, and has since lived in various states across the country and currently resides in Baltimore, Maryland. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science from The Ohio State University. Before joining The Corps Network, Katie completed a service term with the Maryland Conservation Corps.

In her free time, Katie enjoys playing in a community orchestra, training for open water races, and spending lazy days with her dog Dvorák, and two cats, Asimov and Dostoevsky.

Leslie Weldon

Natural Resource Management Expert

Leslie Weldon is an experienced leader in natural resource management and organizational development. Over the past 41 years, Leslie served in a diversity of senior executive and field-based positions within the USDA Forest Service. From 2018-2022 Leslie was Chief Executive for Work Environment and Performance. In this role, she championed system change to ensure workforce diversity, equity in program delivery, and leadership development.

From 2012 through 2018 Leslie served as Deputy Chief for National Forest System where she guided national natural resource policy, oversight and strategic direction for managing watersheds in the 193 million acres of National Forests and Grasslands. From 2009 – 2011, Leslie served as Regional Forester for the Northern Region of the Forest Service providing oversight and supporting collaborative landscape forest restoration and large landscape conservation efforts on 28 million acres of National Forests and Grasslands as well as State and Private Forestry programs in Northern Idaho, Montana, and North Dakota. Most recently Leslie was appointed by Secretary Tom Vilsack to serve as the inaugural Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer for the United States Department of Agriculture, where she served as the champion for USDA’s ongoing efforts to support a workforce that represents the citizens we serve, who have a sense of value and belonging, and who can thrive in their public service mission. She retired from federal service in March 2023.

Leslie, who began her career with USFS as a teen when she worked two summers on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia in the Youth Conservation Corps, has been a consistent and vocal champion of youth conservation and service corps programs, resulting in the highest ever Forest Service youth enrollment and public private funding partnerships from 2013 through 2017.  Leslie currently serves on the boards of Arbor Day Foundation, Yellowstone to Yukon Initiative, University of Washington Center for Environmental Forensic Science, and Trout Unlimited. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Biological Sciences from Virginia Tech.  Leslie is married to Mike Weldon.  They have twin adult sons, both of whom are pursuing careers in natural resources.

Laura Herrin

President and CEO, American Conservation Experience

Laura Herrin joined ACE in 2018 as President and CEO. In the time since joining, ACE has grown in size and stature and is recognized as one of the nation’s premiere conservation corps. Laura has introduced three pillars to ACE as the organization strives to be the Program, Partner, and Workplace of Choice. Celebrating its 20th year, ACE has developed signature programs and worked on a variety of projects in all 50 states and several US Territories. Laura has a long tenure in the conservation corps arena. Prior to her role at ACE, she spent fifteen years with the Student Conservation Association, ultimately as its Senior Vice President for Programs. During her time at SCA Laura wore many hats including program and partnership development and implementation, risk management and safety, innovation, and organizational growth. Additionally, Laura has a long connection with The Corps Network. As a prior member of the Board, Laura was part of the process to update TCN’s organizational mission and was a member of the CEO hiring team. Laura is currently serving on the Corps Council for a second time and is rejoining the Board of Directors as a representative to the Board from the Corps Council. Additionally, in 2017-18 Laura worked directly with The Corps Network supporting fund development and partnerships. Laura holds a bachelor’s degree from Wheaton College (MA) and a Master’s Degree in Organizational Management and Leadership. She is a certified black belt in Innovation Engineering.

Hon. Louis Caldera

Former Secretary of the Army, United States Armed Forces

Louis Caldera has been a life-long champion of creating opportunities for young people to get a good education and too serve others. He joined the Clinton Administration as COO of the Corporation for National Service before being asked to serve as the 17th Secretary of the Army where he led the nation’s largest employer of young people. He later became president of the University of New Mexico. The son of Mexican immigrants, Louis started his career as an Army officer, lawyer and California legislator. Today, he teaches law at American University in Washington D.C., and he is a founder of the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, an alliance of college and university presidents that advocate on behalf of Dreamers and international students. Louis is a graduate of West Point, Harvard Law School and Harvard Business Schools.

Michele Bolos – Treasurer

CEO and Founder,
Next Tier Concepts

Michele Bolos is the Chief Executive Officer and Chair of the Board of Directors of Next Tier Concepts (NT Concepts), a national security solution provider for the US Government. In this role, Ms. Bolos oversees strategic direction, organic growth plans, and a culture of respect in the company. When founding NT Concepts in 1998, her guiding principle was to innovate and deliver high value mission critical solutions without compromising on exceptional customer service. ​ This principle is the foundation of our success.

Prior to starting NT Concepts, Ms. Bolos worked for Alfa-Laval Thermal, Mobil Oil, Talus Corporation, and API/WANG Global where she led complex software engineering efforts for the commercial and federal marketplace. As CEO of NT Concepts, Ms. Bolos was named the 2016 Executive of the Year for companies $75 million to $300 million as part of the Greater Washington GovCon Awards.

Ms. Bolos is committed to fostering a service-inspired community by empowering employees to pursue their passion in service initiatives. She believes that a company grows stronger when employees work together to serve causes they care about. The company’s platform, #NTC_GivesBack, donates countless hours and resources, both domestically and internationally, to a variety of 501(c) organizations.

Ms. Bolos earned a Bachelor of Science in Information Systems from Virginia Commonwealth University. She maintains an active role in the professional services industry by serving on the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of the Professional Services Council (PSC) and on the Board of Directors of the NOVA Chamber of Commerce. She is actively engaged in community philanthropy by serving as the Chair of the Board of Directors for Leadership Mission International, the Board of Directors of Gabriel Homes and The Corps Network.

Bailey Chambers

Administrative Assistant

bchambers@corpsnetwork.org

Bailey Chambers joined the Corps Network in early 2024 as an Administrative Assistant. Originally from Massachusetts, she received her degree in Environmental Science and Policy from Clark University with a focus on the intersections of environmental and agricultural policy. After graduating, she moved down south to Tennessee, where she spent two years farming organic vegetables and managing the production of gourmet mushrooms. She found her way to The Corps Network after moving to Washington, D.C., to pursue a career in mission-focused non-profits.

Outside of work, Bailey loves gardening, reading, and spending time with her husband Jack, and two dogs, Goose and Moe.

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Jennifer Chesney

Program Coordinator

jchesney@corpsnetwork.org

Jennifer has approximately 20 years of experience serving within her local communities.  She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Education from the University of Mississippi in 2003 and her Master of Science in Counseling and Psychology from The University of West Alabama in 2012.  During her career as an educator, Jennifer served as a licensed classroom teacher and tutor, elementary science teacher, Anatomy and Physiology instructor, Earth Science instructor, and Environmental Science instructor.  As a Certified Mental Health Therapist, Jennifer practiced as a school-based child and adolescent therapist, day treatment therapist, outpatient child and family therapist, and in-home therapist.  She has also worked in school attendance enforcement for the MS Department of Education, has experience working in social services and case management, and previously served as a Public Relations Director, Employee Assistance Program Coordinator, and Behavior Specialist.  Jennifer joined The Corps Network as a Program Coordinator for GulfCorps and Delaware River Climate Corps in 2023.  In her leisure time, Jennifer enjoys spending time with her family and traveling.

Emma Fantuzzo

Communications Coordinator

efantuzzo@corpsnetwork.org

As a Communications Coordinator, Emma assists The Corps Network Communications Team with content creation and strategy and collaborates with external partners to advance The Corps Network’s mission.

Emma is a graduate of James Madison University with a bachelor’s degree in History and Writing, Rhetoric and Technical Communication. While in college, Emma served as a tutor at her university writing center and interned for her New York district senator where she discovered a passion for working within the public sphere. She has also had the opportunity to intern in London for the London Business Matters magazine.

Outside of work, Emma enjoys exploring new places, hiking with friends, and tasting the newest local cuisine.

Allen Dietz

Administrator of Accreditation

adietz@corpsnetwork.org

Allen Dietz has over 35 years of experience working with non-profit organizations. He has managed or provided technical support to AmeriCorps, VISTA, and Senior Corps programs for the past three decades. Allen founded and managed a large statewide AmeriCorps program in Texas, served as the Chief Operations Officer for the Washington Service Corps, and was the director of a Retired Senior Volunteer Program.

Allen was deeply involved with the development of The Corps Center of Excellence Accreditation Standards for Service and Conservation Corps, and currently helps manage The Corps Network’s national accreditation process.

Allen lives on the edge of the North Cascades in Washington State and enjoys hiking, kayaking, and skiing in his free time.

Pronouns: he/him/his

Jacqueline McGhee-Rutledge

Director of Workforce Development

jrutledge@corpsnetwork.org

Jackie joins the Corps Network as the Director of Workforce Development, where she will focus on expanding national workforce initiatives, partnerships, post-placement employment outcomes, Apprenticeships, and workforce project funding. With over two decades of expertise in organizational design, strategic planning, and program management, Jackie has a successful track record in leading government workforce programs and managing contracts and grants for organizations like the Department of Labor (DOL) and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). She excels in building cross-functional teams, optimizing performance improvement measures, and leading organizational change initiatives. Her passion lies in connecting underserved marginalized populations with equitable access to career pathways, higher education, and addressing Social Determinants of Health.

In addition to her previous leadership roles, Jackie has extensive experience in strategic consultancy, contributing to federal projects with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), the Department of Labor (DOL), and the U.S. Department of Education (ED.) in which her responsibilities encompassed federal proposal development, apprenticeship implementation, guiding national program development initiatives, informing green jobs research, and federal project grant management.

Jacqueline holds a Master of Education in Adult Learning and Workforce Education, a Master of Science in Management, and a Bachelor of Arts in Marketing. She is a Certified Workforce Development Professional, Certified Process Improvement Manager, Certified Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Workplace Manager, and Certified Change Management Professional. She also holds various other certifications in project management, Lean Six Sigma, and professional and organizational development.

In her free time, Jackie cherishes family time with her husband, Thoris, and their three children, Avery, Eva, and Kailyn. Together, they engage in various activities, including family movie/game nights, travel adventures, candle-making, and lively karaoke sessions featuring beloved 80s and 90s songs. Additionally, Jackie finds relaxation, rejuvenation, and her ZEN! through the practice of study, meditation, and Hot Yoga.