Finalists: 2023 Corpsmembers of the Year

Learn about the nominees for the 2023 Corpsmember of the Year Award! We are inspired by all our remarkable finalists and their outstanding achievements and service to local communities.
The Corpsmember of the Year Award recognizes young adults who have demonstrated leadership abilities, gone above and beyond, and leveraged their service experience. Learn more about Awards here. The winners will be recognized at The Corps Network’s 2023 National Conference, March 7 – 9. Stories are arranged in alphabetical order by Corps name.
“Precious Vicente is absolutely a positive influence and role model in her community.”
Before joining American Conservation Experience (ACE), Precious Vicenete had spent the past few years working as a barback and a Fedex employee. She was seeking a new opportunity when she came across ACE and decided to join their Traditional Trades Advancement Program.
While at ACE, Precious was able to connect with her ancestry and work to help preserve the Gila River Indian Communities culture, traditions, and historic sites. She was able to use her experiences to inspire and recruit Indian Youth Service Corps members from her community. Precious leads by example in her community, she says, “When kids come to tour our site, I hope they can see a representation of themselves working in the Corps or Park Service.”
Precious was able to network during her TTAP term and secured another internship with Conservation Legacy. From there she was hired by the National Park Service where she works as a Park Ranger full-time at the Casa Grande Ruins National Monument. She says that she serves as a cultural resource for the staff and public. Precious would like to return to school to study field archaeology. She believes that, “through the Corps, Indigenous youth are able to find their own self-identity by preserving their own sacred sites and learning to be stewards of the land.”
“No one person has been more committed to the success of BoriCorps than second-term AmeriCorps member, Sara Del Mar Velez.”
Sara has impressed BoriCorps staff with her commitment to not only her own success, but the success of her fellow Corpsmembers and BoriCorps as a whole. She is known for her work ethic and stable presence and is seen as a mentor to younger members. Staff note that, “BoriCorps’ collective accomplishments would not have come to fruition without her presence.” Before joining BoriCorps, Sara was working in customer service. She says of her Corps experience, “The organization has become a part of me. I’ve done everything I can just to see a better future for it.” During her term she organized over 30 volunteer work days with potential project partners for herself and her fellow Corpsmembers.
Sara is currently serving her second term as an AmeriCorps member with BoriCorps, and has advanced to a Crew Leader position. She is starting a Bachelors of Science degree in Industrial engineering and has hopes of becoming a wildland firefighter in the future. Sara believes that BoriCorps helps inspire Corpsmembers like herself to, “believe that anything we want to do is attainable.”
“Claire is truly a team player, and her bright, quiet strength and perseverance has been consistent and inspiring through the season for everyone who works with her. Claire has been a consistent positive presence throughout a challenging season.”
Claire joined the Ohio Conservation Corps as her university lies between two parks the Corps had previously restored. She has a passion for nature and being physically active outdoors. Not wanting a desk job and already spending much of her time at the parks, she pursued a position with Metroparks on a trail crew. She helped in an ambitious project to restore two miles of trail in a Cleveland Metroparks restoration that has already seen thousands of visitors in its first few weeks reopened. Her work serves a community of almost 20 million park visitors. Her dedication never falters and she is able to lean into trail work and learn about it while also motivating her fellow crew members to approach projects constructively and keep their spirits up. Though the job is physically demanding, she feels a sense of accomplishment building beautiful parks for others to find leisure and peace.
Claire is in her final year studying Sustainability and Business Administration and hopes to find a job within the environmental protection industry upon graduating. She plans to research new sustainability initiatives that she can get involved with in her city. She believes her generation can grow through a Corps experience and make a difference in environmental protection.
“Zerxes’ positive attitude and enthusiasm has been so infectious and makes Joshua Tree National Park a better place!”
As a Night Skies Assistant at Joshua National Tree Park, Zerxes was tasked to develop one light pollution-based interpretive program and deliver it to the public once a week. However, Zerxes exceeded expectations and went on to develop three interpretive programs on night skies and presented their programs three times a week. Zerxes connected and engaged with a diverse range of visitor populations at Joshua Tree National Park during their presentations and “inspired people of all backgrounds to embrace science, astronomy, and conservation of natural resources.” A UCLA graduate who majored in Astrophysics, Zerxes has been described as a “sponge,” as they often took advantage of numerous educational opportunities and resources at the park. In addition to teaching park rangers about astronomy, they also developed a guide to assist new rangers interested in offering astronomy programs to the public.
To say that Zerxes is liked by staff at Joshua Tree National Park would be an understatement, as “Zerxes is one of the only interns in numerous years that have caused park management to consider how [to] rearrange [the] budget and keep them on permanently.” Zerxes has continuously strengthened relationships with the park’s partners including the Sky’s the Limit Observatory and also represented Joshua Tree National Park in public events as an “amazing ambassador within the community.” Zerxes is currently still “loving every single minute of” their Stewards Individual Placements position with Conservation Legacy and hopes to attend graduate school in the future.
“CJ is such a joy to work with! He exudes aloha and brings it to work with him every day! We all hope he can become a more permanent fixture here at Haleakala National Park!”
CJ worked in different national parks in various food and beverage positions and volunteered with the National Park Service before joining Conservation Legacy. He wanted to learn to become a steward and follow his dream of handing off beautiful scenery to the next generations. He has served terms with Conservation Corps North Carolina (CCNC), as a crew leader with Arizona Conservation Corps (AZCC), and is now serving his third term as a Indian Youth Service Corps Traditional Trades Intern with Haleakala National Park under trail maintenance for historic preservation. In order to access the worksites. which are located inside a crater, CJ and his crew must hike 10-18 miles one way, leading a team of donkeys to transport their supplies. He completed his A100 flight class and became certified to be a flight crew member to assist with the heli-ops, also transporting project materials. In addition to the outstanding work he is doing in the field, CJ has played an integral part in two rescue operations involving visitors to the park, receiving a letter of commendation from the park for his efforts.
CJ has also demonstrated a keen interest in showing his appreciation for the native flora and fauna through artwork during his down time in the backcountry. After his term, CJ will continue to work with the park and solidify his career in the National Park Service. He plans on pursuing his education at a university and hopes to learn enough to pursue his interest in becoming an EMT-certified ranger. Haleakala National Park has also expressed that they hope to bring him on as a full-time staff member upon the completion of his current internship. CJ wants to continue being a steward of the land and make progress in his practice of the arts.
“After three years of service with Conservation Corps New Mexico(CCNM), Nina will be greatly missed. She has made a big impact for CCNM within the Las Cruces community and we would not be where we are as an organization without her hard work and dedication.”
Prior to joining Conservation Corps New Mexico (CCNM), Nina supported her family by working as a litigation/legal secretary in Los Angeles for 20 years. Taking some years out of the workforce and wanting to help and serve others, AmeriCorps helped her to find a job. She has loved the experience; the opportunity to work for something bigger than herself was transformative. She has successfully served three terms through the Stewards Individual Placement Program in Las Cruces. During her terms, she successfully secured multiple grants that CCNM will use towards implementing youth-focused programming in the Las Cruces area. She has worked to re-engage a handful of vital organizational partnerships, building a total of five during this service term and helping expand CCNM’s footprint in the region. She also found time to work with the local community, engaging with over 100 community members through tabling events and other public outreach.
Nina’s service illustrates the gold standard in what it means to live up to the AmeriCorps pledge to “Get Things Done.” She received the President’s Call to Service Award, which is the highest level of award given to U.S. citizens for community service. The New Mexico Forest and Watershed Restoration Institute, a partner organization of Stewards, in hearing of Nina’s reputation has created a project and position for her to continue civically engaged work from the comfort of her home in Las Cruces following her third term in 2023.
“Mary specifically embodies respect, service, and community.”
Mary Metchneck is known for truly valuing serving her community. Before she joined Conservation Corps Minnesota and Iowa (CCMI), Mary did a service term with Kupu in Hawaii. Throughout her three terms with CCMI, Mary served on an emergency deployment to Missouri for COVID-19 vaccinations and in 2022 as a Field Specialist. She completed over 300 hours of disaster response work, became certified in wilderness first aid, wildland firefighting, racial equity and much more. She also helped to install a rain garden and has participated in civic engagement and outreach opportunities. Today, Mary is a Program Coordinator at CCMI for their Increasing Diversity in Environmental Careers program.
Mary wants to help open up the natural resource field for BIPOC and underrepresented individuals. Throughout her service terms, Mary’s commitment to her community was shown through her belief that people can improve the environment and make the outdoors accessible for all. Her supervisors say that she “welcomes everyone, regardless of background or differences, and inspires everyone around her.” Mary hopes to use her AmeriCorps education award to pursue a masters degree in Marine Conservation.
“Omar is truly an exemplary role model to his fellow Corpsmembers”
Since joining Conservation Corps North Bay (CCNB) in 2019, Omar Bueno Arroyo has truly taken advantage of all that the Corps experience can offer and has been able to earn his high school diploma in addition to numerous certifications. He has demonstrated personal growth throughout his service, learning to manage his time and put the crew’s needs first. This has gained him a reputation as a leader and team player who takes pride in seeing his crew succeed. He enjoys helping others learn and is known for welcoming and encouraging new Corpsmembers.
Omar’s biggest challenge throughout his Corps experience was in earning his high school diploma. The task became so challenging that he briefly left the Corps when learning became virtual. However, Omar persevered and walked the stage in front of his family, son, and fellow Corpsmembers in September 2022. Omar says, “I continue to work at CCNB because I like to help the community by providing support for environmental issues.” In the future Omar plans to pursue a career as a firefighter or EMT.
“Kassie is someone we see having a significant influence on her community and the world. She is unique and knowledgeable, with the drive to continue making an impact for years to come. We are so excited to see her journey unfold!”
After Kassie graduated college with a degree in International Business and a minor in Environmental Studies she was considering pursuing a career in environmental litigation and worked as a paralegal. She came to realize her skills and passions were more oriented towards hands-on environmental work and she wanted to find a more fulfilling career. She spent two seasons on The Student Conservation Association’s all-women’s restoration crew before becoming an Education Program Coordinator for GEM Environmental. She took over their Yavapai Exceptional Industries program, which oversaw up to 20 participants. YETI is a local non-profit that provides adults with disabilities a chance to participate in different learning experiences. She continued a relationship with the Community Nature Center in a significant way by helping lead 2nd-grade outdoor learning events, which involved trail walks and lesson planning. She also was involved in the UNC’s Nature Ninos, a monthly event for families at a different park each month. One of her unique projects was creating a Leave No Trace (LNT) project, which was the first of its kind to cater to younger children. The Leave No Trace booklet was referenced in her Nature Ninos walks as a series and encouraged the LNT lessons to be used in a fun and creative way for children to hold interest.
Upon finishing her term, Kassie took a position as an Interpretative Park Guide at Indiana Dunes National Park and was promoted to Education Program Guide at The Morton Arboretum. She hopes to continue working in the environmental field and will be using her education award to pursue a Masters of Science in Conservation Education through Mississippi State University.
“Cassandra has been a positive influence by setting the example for professionalism, participation, and engagement. Cassandra has been consistent throughout the program year by having wonderful attendance, being reliable, and always wearing appropriate personal protective equipment(PPE).”
Cassandra spent six years as a middle school teacher, serving two of those years in the AmeriCorps Teach for America program on the south side of Chicago. She wanted to spend more time out in nature and felt she was losing the passion for teaching when she joined Greencorps Chicago. Not only did she meet all base level milestones set for Corpsmembers, but she gained additional certifications becoming an Illinois state certified pesticide applicator and Chainsaw Feller 1. She utilized an opportunity to present at the Corps’ annual end-of-year Conservation Corps conference hosted by the Forest Preserve District of Cook County. This opportunity made her more recognizable to the many conservation organizations that attended the event. She goes the extra mile by being inquisitive, asking engaging questions, and leveraging her position with Greencorps to improve the opportunities she can receive.
Cassandra has been volunteering with Openlands, a partner agency, in the TreeKeepers Program. This program trains individuals to become tree ambassadors that care for the urban forest in Chicagoland. With this certification program, Cassandra plans to partner with the school where she used to teach to create a tree keeper program for their students. She hopes to also partner with the Chicago Park District as a long-term tree ambassador. She will continue working towards bringing safe, accessible green spaces to the south side of Chicago and be a conduit for elementary and middle school-age children to immerse themselves in nature.
“Jill has had a positive influence on her Corps and peers by being a stand-up leader, crew member and educator. Jill genuinely cares about the well-being of all of those around her. Jill would always lead by example and strive to be the best every day.”
Jillian joined Heart of Oregon Corps after finishing high school. She enjoys being outdoors and working with her hands. She completed the basic certifications of First Aid/CPR, S-212, and Heart of Oregon Corps Saw Training, and participated in all of the skills clinics that were provided during her term. She even began teaching skills and would often step in to instruct her peers alongside trainers and year-long AmeriCorps members. She served well over her required service hours by the end of her term. She always does more than is expected and is always asking how other Corpsmembers are doing if they seem down or are experiencing issues outside of AmeriCorps. She has even shown up on days she wasn’t scheduled just to connect with past Corpsmembers or help a crew get ahead on a project. She also attended three spike camping trips, more than any other Corpsmember, during which she was an integral part in treating 700 acres.
Jillian is currently using her education award in her first year at Smith College, studying Geosciences. After graduating from college, she hopes to work for the U.S. Forest Service or the National Park Service, continuing to better natural spaces. Jill has done amazing things for the Heart of Oregon Corps, the local community, and herself. She is a devoted, kind and hard-working AmeriCorps member.
“Matt has taken full advantage of his Kupu term despite the challenges of the pandemic and continues to lead with humility.”
Matt began working with Kupu at the National Tropical Botanical Garden in 2021. While there, he assisted on the Endangered Endemic Trees of Kauai project and decided to continue through a second term to see the project to completion. Through this experience Matt was able to gain a deeper knowledge of Hawai’i’s rare and endemic plants, all while serving as a leader in creating community among his fellow Kupu Corpsmembers. Matt believes, “this work has given him a full-circle perspective of the work involved in saving rare plant species, from their collection to their outplanting.” Matt received the “Hana” (work, duty, task, service) award last year for being kind, humble, contributing to the overall success of plant conservation work, and understanding the bigger picture of what the Corps is working toward.
Matt is currently continuing his education as a first-generation college student at the University of Hawai’i at Manoa, studying botany. He plans to continue working in conservation in the future and says he may even pursue a PhD. Matt believes, “when people share the kind of work that they’re working and participating in, this motivates others to want to get involved and make a difference as well.”
“Kevin has been a positive influence on the Corps by being a helpful member to his supervisors and by being a Corpsmember driver.”
Kevin joined the Los Angeles Conservation Corps (LACC) looking for an opportunity to use his driver’s license. Being a Corpsmember driver is an important position with a lot of responsibility. His position entails moving project equipment, gear, and Corpsmembers across the city from site to site. Kevin has been awarded by his Corps as Corpsmember of the month and is now being nominated for Corpsmember of the Year for his work ethic and sense of responsibility. While serving with LACC, Kevin has grown as an individual. He has a “can-do” attitude, follows the Corps rules and regulations, and serves as a role model to his fellow Corpsmembers. In addition to driving, Kevin has helped with tree maintenance, planting, and street cleaning services.
Kevin believes that his Corps experience has helped him to become stronger and more careful and helped him to become a better leader and work with a team. In the future he would like to pursue a leadership position working at a hotel or as a staff maintenance worker for LACC. Kevin believes that Corps programs can help their community by planting more trees to provide cleaner air.
“Her smile is infectious and her energy is boundless – she is fierce!”
Throughout Sanaya’s term with New Jersey Youth Corps of Phillipsburg (NJYC) she was known as a leader and trail blazer. After personal hardships, Sanaya connected with Corps work, finding peace and healing in nature. Her hard work and determination helped her not only to succeed in the Corps but to earn her high school diploma and go to college. Sanaya says that her Corps experience empowered her to become more confident, conquer her fears, and become a stronger leader. She believes that her Corps experience helped her to develop into the person who she is today. Corps staff says that Sanya is the, “role model we direct our current Corpsmembers to as a success story – a primer on how success is done.”
NJYC helped Sanaya to learn the importance of community, and the impact of her actions and that the world needs more patience, kindness, and understanding. She says that the Corps, “Brought out a side of her that wanted to help and care for others because of the way they constantly treated her, always letting her know that it was okay to be confused, scared, or even in pain.” Sanaya is currently pursuing a degree in Business Management at Bloomsburg University and hopes to one day own a sports and athletics store.
“Aisha is always willing to help her peers.”
Aisha has been helping her community through Corps service while “maintaining a reserved but positive attitude.” Keeping her friends and family in mind, she was motivated to join the Reading Climate Corps to improve her local community. She promotes “a good atmosphere among those who run into her” and is always willing to assist her peers.
In addition to helping maintain the environment through Corps service during the day, Aisha has been working night shifts at a grocery store. Yet she still finds the energy to offer civic service in her spare time. Aisha continues to expand on her leadership skills while working alongside her service team, and she has consistently shown the initiative and focus required to perform necessary tasks.
“Charity has a gift of bringing people together, and her connection to the Haverstraw community engaged the children we work with. Working with her was an enriching experience for every Corpsmember and student.”
Described as “driven, scientifically curious, and results-oriented, it’s no surprise that Charity has faced numerous professional, personal, and environmental accomplishments while working with the Rockland County Youth Bureau and the Rockland Conservation & Service Corps. Eager to help the neighborhood she was raised in, she conducted important community fieldwork and citizen science within the Village of Haverstraw while also being a critical part of Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University’s Next Generation of Hudson River Educators. One of her supervisors stated that “Charity really helped to define the role of building connections between the local community and their environment. Her passion for introducing her community to the Hudson was unstoppable.” A key member of NextGen for two summers, Charity maintained close connections with 19 high school students while they participated in the eight-week program. Additionally, she educated 1,440 people with Hudson River Activities while co-facilitating Science Saturdays on the Piermont Pier.
Charity’s passion for environmentalism and outreach led her to speak at conferences, on webinars, and environmental events. An aspiring writer and journalist, she was also featured in the Lamont Newsletter and asked to author an article for The Conservationist this year. What makes Charity so effective in her work in environmental education and outreach is her “ability to render scientific concepts into engaging and fun community events.”
“Rosalina has been the example of a Corpsmember success story since the beginning.”
Despite facing adversity, Rosalina is constantly uplifting her San Jose Conservation Corps community with her can-do attitude and perseverance. While taking care of two daughters as a single mother, she has helped improve her community’s green spaces by working on various vegetation management projects this past year. She has been described as “a staple and influence for other women in the organization by leading by example.” Not only did she encourage her team with endless support and lead the way for various community improvement projects, but she was also able to earn her driver’s license and become a U.S. citizen, all while raising two daughters.
Rosalina is still serving as a Corpsmember while also working as a translator at a law office. She is currently working to become a certified translator. Due to her work with SJCC, Rosalina was connected to various new experiences and skills that have given her the confidence to accomplish her goals. “I’m really thankful that I joined the Corps because I got the help that I needed in order to get my citizenship, driver’s license, OSHA-10, CPR, and chainsaw certifications. These will all help me in my future job opportunities.” With her newfound skills and experiences, Rosalina plans to apply for permanent jobs involving city or park maintenance. She also has aspirations of becoming a medical assistant.
“Every so often, I’ll reflect on how I’ve changed since working with SEEDS, and every single time I notice something new.”
Starting college in 2020 was not an easy experience. Marlo finished her freshman year feeling a desire to take action and get out in the world to explore her interests. After joining the SEEDS team as an EcoCorps Assistant Crew Leader in 2021, Marlo’s hands-on skills, environmental knowledge, and leadership qualities led her to become a Crew Leader for the 2022 spring-summer season. According to supervisors, Marlo “shared enthusiasm for the work on the toughest of days and communicated well with all of our site partners and the general public” while supporting incoming Corpmembers and collaborating with her fellow Crew Leaders. She was even described by SEEDS’ Program Director as “an exemplary mentor to other EcoCorps staff, members and leaders, alike.”
Marlo, who is a first generation college student, is studying astrobiology at Rice University. She has even had the opportunity to serve as a research assistant on the Mars Rover project. Marlo is currently studying abroad in Copenhagen, Denmark, learning about polar biology. She will continue her studies and research in ecology and begin her senior thesis when she returns to the United States. She is passionate about conservation and largely credits her experiences at SEEDS for increasing her self-confidence.
“Hamed is behind every Corpsmember incentive activity, supporting and encouraging Corpsmembers to take advantage of every experience offered to them.”
Shortly after Hamed left Afghanistan and came to the United States in December 2021, he was connected with Urban Corps of San Diego County (UCSD) through the International Rescue Committee. Hamed soon enrolled in UCSD along with three of his siblings and dozens of other new Afghani refugees. Since then, he has been taking advantage of numerous Corps opportunities. After Hamed became one of the first members in his Afghani community cohort to earn a driver’s license through the Corps, he began helping others to do the same by driving fellow Corpsmember to the DMV to take their driving test. Previously named Corpsmember of the Month, it’s often joked that Hamed is an Urban Corps spokesperson since “he wants to share his experience with others, supporting their time at Urban Corps, and helping them feel comfortable on this journey.” In addition to working in the e-waste department, he works as a translator and interpreter to any new Corpsmembers who speak Dari and Pashto. He is also learning Spanish so he can communicate with some of his peers at the Corps in their native language. Hamed was recently nominated to become a Crew Leader.
Hamed is still enrolled as a Corpsmemer and is working alongside UCSD to prepare for his future goals. After showing interest in becoming a pilot, the Corps helped set up a sit-down interview with an Air Force pilot so that he can learn more about the career route. Looked up to as a leader within the Corpsmember community, Hamed is constantly helping others like him to follow in his footsteps. Hamed is thankful for his Corps experience – as he says, “the Corps has given me the encouragement and support to be who I always wanted to be and get out of my comfort zone.”
“Sophie lived on site and fostered a deep sense of community within our campus cohort, living the Corps experience each day.”
It didn’t take long for Vermont Youth Conservation Corps (VYCC) to recognize Sophie’s unrelenting positivity and compassion for others. Not only did Sophie help lead VYCC’s women’s affinity crew for their youth members, but she also proudly represented AmeriCorps members in Vermont by speaking publicly about her AmeriCorps and VYCC experiences at an AmeriCorps State and National Symposium. Even though only project leads typically deliver the “Health Care Share” food boxes VYCC grows and prepares for hospitals in the surrounding area, Sophie went on deliveries to connect with recipients even after her crew left. “Something remarkable about Sophie is her ability to connect and find common ground with anyone. Several times throughout the season we saw her meet people’s skepticism with openness and unwavering positive regard. It made her a highly effective leader both in creating a fulfilling experience for members and in getting projects done.”
Sophie is now a field instructor with Trails Carolina. In her new role, she will lead disengaged young adults on wilderness therapy excursions which include various recreational activities like backpacking, equine therapy, and yoga classes. Eager to help others, Sophie continues to give back to those in need and hopes to continue her career in outdoor education.
“Cory established himself, not only as driven, disciplined, and dedicated, but he demonstrated that he wanted fellow Corpsmembers to succeed.”
A major part of X-Cel Conservation Corps is preparing Corpsmembers to obtain a license that’s required to obtain an entry-level wastewater service operator position in treatment plants. This process involves taking a class similar to a college-level course. Not only did Cory consistently score higher on his weekly exams and final test than any other previous Corpmembers who participated in the course, but he was also dedicated to motivating and supporting his classmates. “Before weekly tests, without being asked, Cory would go around to fellow Corpsmembers to review questions or practice solving math questions to make sure they were ready to pass the test.” Even though it had never been done before, Cory’s cohort requested to be prepared for a higher-level license immediately after graduation. Largely due to Cory’s leadership, almost everyone in his cohort earned their Grade 5 license which can add around $9 to the hourly pay rate they would have received with a lower-level license.
As a result of his hard work and dedication, Cory now has the highest level of wastewater operator license that he can obtain in Massachusetts without having work experience in a wastewater treatment plant. Additionally, Cory was hired as a part-time instructor for the Corps’ wastewater operator license preparation classes, and he recently completed a second-round interview for a full-time wastewater operator position in his hometown. Motivated by his enjoyment in helping Corpsmembers prepare for their wastewater operator license exams, Cory is now determined to find a full-time wastewater operator job that doesn’t conflict with his instructor responsibilities at X-Cel Conservation Corps.
“YouthWork was honored to host Megan as a member and offer more avenues for achievement during this impressive and non-traditional journey she’s embarked on.”
Megan Smith joined YouthWork during a pivotal time of personal achievement in her life. After being taken out of school at the age of 6, Megan decided to go back to high school as a freshman at the age of 17; she has been working hard to achieve her high school diploma. During her on-going education, Megan discovered YouthWork. Megan believes that YouthWork helped her to develop leadership skills, adaptability, and new knowledge of animals and agriculture. Her supervisors say that she embodied YouthWork’s core values by, “exploring careers, creating new connections, developing social and manual skills, and passionately giving back to her community.”
Through YouthWork’s GoatWork partnership with City Girls Farm, Megan discovered a passion for working with animals and was offered a position at the farm. Her experience has also motivated her to pursue a degree in biology, and she is currently dual enrolled at Northwestern Michigan College. Megan believes that the Corps model is a great way to address environmental issues as a community. She says, “the Corps model allows us to provide immediate, active, and ongoing relief to our planet, while developing us into leaders equipped to diminish its underlying stressors.”
Kevin joined The Corps Network in 2023 as Administrative Assistant to support the Executive Office. He supports the team through a variety of administrative tasks, preparing meetings, and handling public inquiries.
Kevin grew up in Newport News, VA, and graduated from James Madison University in 2019. After college, he served as a financial empowerment AmeriCorps VISTA and worked as a Communications Assistant. During this time, he discovered a talent for administrative duties and event management, along with a drive to help others. Kevin looks to support TCN so other Corp members can receive the same opportunities he did while serving as a VISTA.
During his free time, Kevin enjoys going to the lake and relaxing with good friends and a good book. When the lake is out of reach, he can be found attempting to make whatever he saw on the cooking channel last.
Leslie began with the Human Environment Center in 1984 and transitioned to The Corps Network when it was created in 1985. Since she began, Leslie has planned numerous conferences, designed and edited a quarterly newsletter, and directed member services. Leslie has taken on almost every responsibility possible at one time or another, and has become one of the most knowledgeable leaders in the Corps Movement, sought out for her wisdom, command of Corps history, and expertise in AmeriCorps programs and initiatives.
Leslie previously administered The Corps Network’s AmeriCorps Education Award Program (EAP). She created TCN’s AmeriCorps Program Manual as well as a document on how to get the most out of the AmeriCorps Education Award (scholarship), which includes non-traditional uses of the award. She also ensures compliance and provides technical assistance to TCN Subgrantees in our Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) AmeriCorps grants.
Throughout her tenure, Leslie has developed a cache of tools for national service and youth development programs and has emerged as one of the leaders of the EAP, serving on numerous working groups for CNCS. She also provides training to Subgrantees for the eGrants Portal on-line member management system, AmeriCorps Compliance and other aspects for running a successful, compliant program. In addition, she worked with Willis Towers Watson to develop The Corps Network’s Health Insurance Plan for Corpsmembers and AmeriCorps members.
Leslie has a degree in Textile Design and likes to spend her free time creating beautiful quilts and other fabric items. Attendees at the special AmeriCorps session at TCN’s Annual Conference always get a fun fabric craft or toy to take home.
Pronouns: she/her/hers
As the Communications Associate, 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 recent 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 and for the Media Research Center in Reston, VA.
Outside of work, Emma enjoys exploring new places, hiking with friends, and tasting the newest local cuisine.
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As the Government Relations Coordinator, 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)
Stephanie Mathes is a native Mississippian with over 20 years of nonprofit management and workforce development experience. She attended California State University, Long Beach studying Philosophy with an emphasis in Pre-Law. She, and her husband Bruce, have three college aged children. Her favorite pastimes are gardening, painting, and being involved with her local church.
Stephanie’s previous roles at The Corps Network included Director of Special Initiatives and Director of Gulf Operations. Prior to her tenure at The Corps Network, Stephanie was the co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of a local community development organization (CDC) specializing in human development programs including workforce training for opportunity and at-risk youth. Over the course of her 20-year career, Stephanie has worked with nonprofit organizational management, project development and the implementation of over 135 million dollars of federal funding. Besides the workforce training institute, her project implementation experience has included prevention of child abuse, micro-enterprise, social enterprise, juvenile justice programs, housing and homeless programs, and disaster response/recovery. While at the CDC, Stephanie developed and managed the organization’s conservation corps program as part of their Environmental and Conservation employability track. Stephanie is very involved in her community serving on a variety of local Boards of Directors and committees. She completed Leadership Gulf Coast, Class of 2014 and is a graduate of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business program.
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Hannah joined The Corps Network in 2021 as the Member Data Coordinator. She graduated from the University of Illinois with a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science and promptly moved west to work for various public land agencies. 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. Her Corps experiences 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.
Outside of work, you will most likely find her exploring the Pacific Northwest with her dog Ravioli going backpacking, hiking, and attempting to fly fish.
Pronouns: she/her/hers
As the Director of Communications, Hannah develops and produces written, graphic and video content. She also oversees The Corps Network’s website and social media accounts. Over the years, Hannah has created countless publications about Corps, written articles and opinion pieces for national outlets, and assisted in the planning efforts for The Corps Network’s events. She has developed resources for helping Corps improve their communications efforts, and leads a working group of communications and marketing professionals across the Corps community. Hannah was the lead author of the book Join the Crew: Inspirational Stories of Young Adults in America’s Service and Conservation Corps.
Hannah received her bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communications from George Washington University’s School of Media and Public Affairs. While in college, Hannah volunteered at the National Air and Space Museum, and volunteered in DC Public Schools through DC Reads (a tutoring program) and Prime Movers (a journalism education program). She also spent a semester interning with the National Alliance to End Homelessness, and spent over a year interning and writing for Street Sense; a DC-based newspaper focused on raising awareness about homelessness.
Hannah enjoys warm jackets, houseplants and figs.
Pronouns: she/her/hers
As the Director of Member Services, Bobby coordinates and manages activities designed to identify and meet the needs of TCN members, including administration of membership information, management of efforts to retain and recruit members, assistance with the Corps Center of Excellence Accreditation program, and the coordination of member benefits. Member benefits include technical assistance offerings, trainings, resources, partner relationships, events and new initiatives as they arise.
Prior to working at The Corps Network, Bobby completed two AmeriCorps terms-of-service with the Montana Conservation Corps as both a crewmember and a crew leader. He served on a backcountry wilderness trails crew as well as a roving habitat restoration crew. Bobby also worked as the Government Relations Intern at The Corps Network where he assisted the Director of Government Relations as well as provided logistical support for the Public Lands Service Coalition.
Bobby graduated from the University of Mary Washington with a BA in International Affairs. Outside of work, he enjoys running, documentaries on Netflix, and watching the Wizards and Nationals.
Pronouns: he/him/his
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 two 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
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
Bridget Street joined The Corps Network in 2022 as the Youth Program Assistant. Bridget works in close partnership with the National Park Service, Interior Region 1 to coordinate planning, monitoring, and reporting outcomes of youth and young adult programs in national parks throughout the northeastern United States. Prior to her work with The Corps Network, Bridget served as a Community Volunteer Ambassador at Weir Farm National Historical Park through Conservation Legacy’s Stewards Individual Placement program. She has a passion for connecting communities and conservation and holds degrees in Earth Science and Linguistics from Columbia University. Outside of work, Bridget enjoys dancing, concerts, and outdoor adventures.
Michael Summers was born on November 19, 1972, and is originally from North Carolina. Michael has been a resident of Maryland since 2001. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from North Carolina A&T State University and Master of Liberal Arts from The Johns Hopkins University.
Mr. Summers has been a Business Development Manager that employs an entrepreneurial and collaborative approach to achieving results for business and community leaders, non-profit organizations, government agencies through creative and innovative solutions.
He is a former State Delegate to the Maryland General Assembly for Prince George’s County (Dist. 47). He is a former Member of: The Cheltenham Youth Facility (CYF) Advisory Board, Prince George’s Co. School Mental Health Initiative Advisory Board, Prince George’s County Workforce Investment Board’s Youth Council, and Prince George’s Co. Schools Interagency on Attendance Council. He is also a co-founder of Cheverly Village, a community organization that assists senior residents age in place.
Michael has been a recipient of; the Civic Engagement Award from the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Foundation of Prince George’s County, Outstanding Contributor Award for his involvement with the Prince George’s Co. Local Management Board, Prince George’s County Public Schools Community Partner Award, Maryland Municipal League Outstanding Friend of Municipal Government Award, and a Council of State Government (CSG) Henry Toll Fellow.
On September 30, 2019, David Vela, a 29-year career veteran of the National Park Service (NPS), was named Deputy Director, exercising the authority of the Director of the National Park Service. He had been serving as Deputy Director of Operations since April. Vela previously served as superintendent of Grand Teton National Park and the John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway from March 2014 to April 2019. Prior to assuming his Grand Teton post, Vela served as associate director for Workforce, Relevancy and Inclusion in the NPS Washington headquarters where he administered a $32 million-dollar operational budget with 153 employees, and served as a key advisor to the NPS Director and Deputy Director on the full spectrum of strategic Human Capital Management issues, initiatives, and policies. His national program areas included: Human Resources, Learning and Development, Equal Opportunity, Youth, and the Office of Relevancy, Diversity & Inclusion. Vela began his NPS career in 1981 as a cooperative education student at San Antonio Missions National Historical Park in Texas, and later became a permanent park ranger. From 1987 to 1998, Vela worked in a variety of federal posts outside the NPS, and retired from the agency in September 2020. Vela is the recipient of numerous awards both within and outside of the National Park Service for leadership and performance excellence. He and his wife, Melissa, have two children, Christina and Anthony, and eight grandchildren.
Jeremy “Jerry” M. Jacobs, Jr. is Chief Executive Officer of Delaware North and an alternate governor to the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League (NHL). He shares the CEO and alternate governor titles with his brothers, Lou and Charlie Jacobs.
Delaware North is a family-owned global leader in hospitality, with operations in food and retail at airports and sports venues, hospitality services at parks and major tourist attractions, hotel ownership and management, gaming operations, fine dining and catering, and sports facility ownership and management. In 1995, Delaware North built a new multi-purpose arena in Boston, Mass., that is currently home of the Bruins and the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Over the past 25 years, the TD Garden has undergone many transformations and is now considered one of the most innovative and celebrated venues in North America.
Delaware North maintains a global headquarters in Buffalo, N.Y. where the Jacobses are celebrated as longtime supporters of the University at Buffalo, a flagship institution in the State University of New York system. The university named and dedicated the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences in 2015, in recognition of the Jacobs family’s many decades of philanthropy. Most recently, the Jacobs family contributed $30 million for the construction of the new, state-of-the-art medical school building in downtown Buffalo. The Jacobses also founded the Jacobs Institute, a medical innovation center focused on accelerating device development in vascular medicine.
The Jacobs family and Delaware North are significant benefactors to multiple non-profit organizations in Western New York and throughout the United States and world. Jerry serves on the Scholarship Board for Say Yes Buffalo, an organization dedicated to increasing high school and postsecondary completion rates for students in the City of Buffalo. He is a past member of Georgetown University’s Board of Regents and volunteers as an alumnus interviewer.
Jerry has additionally dedicated more than two decades of volunteer service to the United Way of Buffalo and Erie County, including past chairmanships of the organization’s board of directors and annual fundraising campaign, and is a past chair of the Nichols School’s Board of Trustees, where he founded the Jacobs Scholars program for high-achieving students with financial need.
Jerry is active in multiple business and civic organizations. He completed a term on the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Travel and Tourism Advisory Board in 2015, and in 2018 he was named to the U.S. Secretary of Interior’s “Made in America” Outdoor Recreation Advisory Committee. He is an active member of the U.S. Travel Association’s CEO Roundtable and the Partnership for New York City.
Jerry completed an M.B.A. from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania and a B.A. from Georgetown University. He met his wife, Alice Jacobs, when they were both students at the University of Pennsylvania, where she earned a J.D. Alice is the chair emerita of the Western New York Women’s Foundation, president of the Albright-Knox Art Gallery Board of Directors, and a member of the board of directors for the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo.
Jerry and Alice reside in East Aurora, New York. They have two children, Melissa and Justin.
Karen Pittman is the Co-Founder of The Forum for Youth Investment, and served as its President & CEO until February 2021, then transitioned to a senior fellow role to dedicate more of her time and energy to thought leadership. Karen has made a career of starting organizations and initiatives that promote youth development – including the Forum for Youth Investment, which she co-founded with Merita Irby in 1998. Karen started her career at the Urban Institute, conducting studies on social services for children and families. She later moved to the Children’s Defense Fund, launching its adolescent pregnancy prevention initiatives and helping to create its adolescent policy agenda. In 1990 she became a vice president at the Academy for Educational Development. In 1995 Karen joined the Clinton administration as director of the President’s Crime Prevention Council, where she worked with 13 cabinet secretaries to create a coordinated prevention agenda. From there she moved to the executive team of the International Youth Foundation (IYF), charged with helping the organization strengthen its program content and develop an evaluation strategy. In 1998 she and Rick Little, head of the foundation, took a leave of absence to work with ret. Gen. Colin Powell to create America’s Promise. Upon her return, she and Irby launched the Forum, which later became an entity separate from IYF. Under their leadership, the Forum has established deep roots as a national nonprofit, nonpartisan “action tank” – combining thought leadership on youth development, youth policy, cross-system/cross-sector partnerships and developmental youth practice with on-the-ground training, technical assistance and supports – fully committed to changing the odds that all children and youth are ready for college, work and life.
Jennifer Palmieri is a co-host of Showtime’s Emmy-nominated “The Circus.” She is the author of the Number 1 New York Times bestselling book Dear Madam President, and She Proclaims: Our Declaration of Independence from a Man’s World. Jennifer is one of the most accomplished political and communications strategist in the country. She served as White House Communications Director under President Barack Obama and was head of communications for Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign. Prior to joining the Obama White House, Jennifer was President of the Center for American Progress Action Fund, the advocacy arm for a premier progressive think tank. She was also national press secretary for the Democratic Party, White House deputy press secretary for President Bill Clinton, and national press secretary for the 2004 John Edwards for President campaign. She started her career as a legislative assistant for then Congressman Leon E. Panetta of California. Jennifer is a graduate of American University and lives with her husband Jim Lyons in Maryland.
Kionne McGhee grew up in South Dade public housing and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree from Howard University and a Juris Doctorate from the Thurgood Marshall School of Law. He was first elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 2012 for Florida House District 117 and served as the Minority Leader from 2018 to 2020, when he was elected as Miami-Dade County Commissioner for District 9. Commissioner McGhee is an accomplished attorney and the author of the bestselling-book “Conquering Hope: The Life You Were Destined to Live.”
His numerous affiliations include the Florida Trial Lawyers Association, Wilkie D. Ferguson Bar Association, and the Greater Miami Service Corps, where he serves as a board member. He is also President and founder of 2NOIT Media & Publishing, founder of Y.A.L.E. (Young Advocates Leading by Example), and president of Transitions, Inc. He has been named as one of Miami’s Rising Voices by AT&T and the Miami Herald and earned the Florida Self-Sufficiency Award in 2010. Commissioner McGhee is married to Stacy McGhee and is the father of Kionne II, Hayley and Hays.
Jim Lyons began his career with the US Fish and Wildlife Service then served as Policy Director for the Society of American Foresters before joining the House Committee on Agriculture where he led development of the conservation and forestry titles of the 1990 Farm Bill. President Clinton chose Jim to serve as USDA Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment where he oversaw the Forest Service and the new Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). He was an architect of President Clinton’s Northwest forest plan, helped protect national forest roadless areas, and also led efforts to promote greening of disadvantaged communities in major cities across the nation by advancing the Forest Service’s Urban and Community Forestry Program and launching “URP” – the Urban Resources Partnership. Jim was Interior Department Deputy Assistant Secretary for Lands and Minerals Management in the Obama administration where he helped lead efforts to conserve the Greater sage grouse, advance wind and solar energy on public lands, and advance strategies to combat rangeland fires across the West. Jim has been a Lecturer and Research Scholar at the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies (now School of the Environment) and recognized as a distinguished alum by Yale. He now serves as a consultant on natural resource policy, conservation, and climate issues.
Emily is from Mississippi and went to College at the University of Southern Mississippi to receive degrees in Psychology and Environmental Biology. She has worked in many roles, from Business Analyst to Alaska Crab Boat Biologist, but fell in love with the Conservation Corps world when she served as a Crew Leader for Wyoming Conservation Corps. Later, Emily joined the staff team at American Youthworks as a Field Coordinator for TxCC and then transitioned over to manage LACC. When she moved back to Mississippi this year, Emily was excited to see that the Gulf Operations team with TCN was hiring.
As a Communications Associate, Ed supports The Corps Network Communications Team by creating media content and managing social media platforms. Born in Texas and raised in the Midwest, Ed received his bachelor’s degree in Political Science with a minor in Media Studies from DePauw University. During college, Ed volunteer coached for a special needs travel ice hockey team in Indianapolis (Go Twisters!) and served as a teaching assistant at DePauw University and Ewha Women’s University in Seoul, South Korea. Ed also spent a summer interning on Capitol Hill as a congressional intern and later completed a 6-month internship with the Bureau of Land Management at Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area. Before joining The Corps Network in 2022, Ed worked as a Communications Lead for Environment for The Americas and managed the nonprofit’s various internship social media accounts.
Ed currently lives in Colorado and enjoys playing roller hockey, petting dogs/cats, and exploring natural spaces.
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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
LaShauntya joined The Corps Network in 2016 as a Fellow to the Education and Workforce Development department and is now the Member Services Assistant. She brings 16 years of environmental service to her position. She started as an AmeriCorps member at Earth Conservation Corps, a DC-based environmental organization. She completed two terms and was asked to join the staff as a site manager. After six months, she was promoted to Youth Program Coordinator. She has been featured on 60 Minutes, NOW with Bill Moyers, and in People magazine. In her free time, LaShauntya enjoys spending time with her family, reading and traveling.
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Tim was hired by TCN in July of 2022 as the Maintenance Action Team (MAT) Program Manager. The MAT assists the National Park Service (NPS) by developing project scopes of work and related cost estimates for small and medium sized parks. Funded through the NPS Legacy Restoration Fund (LRF), these projects will be staffed and executed by Service and Conservation Corps members.
Tim grew up in Yosemite National Park where he started his career with the NPS. His 40-year tenure with the Service included maintenance positions at Grand Canyon National Park, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, and Mount Rushmore National Memorial. In his final position, Tim served as the Chief of Park Facility Management in the Washington Office, where he provided leadership and policy direction to ensure the effective stewardship of the Service’s constructed asset portfolio. Within this capacity, he also championed the transformation of NPS’s reactive style of maintenance to one that is proactive and rooted in industry best practices. Tim received an Associate of Arts degree in Liberal Arts from Fresno City College.
Ms. Dorsett is Executive Director of Greater Miami Service Corps where she directs fundraising and development efforts to sustain the organization; initiates public relations efforts to engender support from the public and private sectors of the community; and ensures the delivery of program services are effectuated with optimal results while meeting the changing dynamics of a global non-profit environment. Her primary areas of concentration include grant development and implementation; contract management and monitoring; personnel management; budget development; design and implementation of education, job training activities and coordination of social services.
During her over 30 years in public administration, Ms. Dorsett has served in numerous leadership positions including, former Chairperson of The Corps Network Board Directors (now Corps Council). She also served as Vice President and Treasurer of Unity of Miami Gardens Church; President and Vice President, Fountain Park Village Homes Association, and Health Committee Co-Chair, for Gamma Zeta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. Ms. Dorsett currently serves as Assistant Treasurer of the Women’s Involved in Service to Humanity (WISH) Foundation, Vice Chairman of NieCat Foundation of Excellence, Incorporated, Vice President of the Florida YouthBuild Coalition, and Chairman of the Risk Management Committee of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated Gamma Zeta Omega Chapter and member of The Corps Council and The Corps Network Board of the Directors. In 2019, she was awarded by Legacy Magazine as one of the 50 top influential black business leaders and public official of the year. Ms. Dorsett received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management from Florida Memorial University, and she earned a Master of Business Administration from St. Thomas University.
Austin Bowley grew up in Jackson, Mississippi and graduated from Davidson College in North Carolina in 2018. In his first year after college, he served an AmeriCorps term in Tallahassee, FL providing free vision screenings for preschoolers and free tax preparation for working class families and individuals. After completing his first AmeriCorps term, he moved to Pensacola, FL to serve another AmeriCorps term with the Conservation Corps of the Forgotten and Emerald Coasts (CCFEC).
Finding a home within conservation, Austin moved into a staff role with CCFEC for 2 years where he worked closely with the GulfCorps program. He particularly enjoyed working with young adults, helping them reach their personal and career goals. After years of missing his hometown, he moved back to Jackson, MS. Luckily, his friends at The Corps Network were hiring for the Gulf Operations team, and he joined The Corps Network in the summer of 2022, where he is able to continue working with young people.
In his free time, Austin enjoys making music as a guitarist and vocalist, playing soccer, and playing board games and video games with friends and family. His cats ensure he rarely has a moment to himself.
Tiffany Madison is an Alabama State University graduate that hails from Century, FL. Tiffany has an undeniable love for nature that has allowed her to engage in urban agriculture, sustainability, historic preservation, animal husbandry, community gardening, environmental education, and workforce development.
With a desire to lead future generations, Tiffany has worked in conservation and public land management for the last decade. Alongside agencies like the National Park Service, USDA Forest Service, and the State Botanical Garden of Georgia, she has cemented this path with her commitment and dedication for community growth and advancement.
Jordan Reeder joined The Corps Network as the Grants Coordinator in 2022, where she works with the Director of Programs to provide support across the diverse portfolio of Corps programs.
Jordan received her Bachelor’s degree in Health Care Management from Towson University and has worked with various non-profit organizations in the Washington Metropolitan area prior to joining TCN.
Outside of work, Jordan enjoys cycling, a good movie, and volunteering within her community.
Maame Aba Ackon joined The Corps Network as the Executive Assistant in 2022, where she works with the executive office.
Maame received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Sociology from Frostburg State University and worked with a non-profit organization in Baltimore prior to joining TCN.
Outside of work, Maame loves to watch Jeopardy, binge watch Bob’s Burgers, and get buried in a good book.
Rachael Zwerin is responsible for assisting the Member Services Team in identifying and supporting the needs of The Corps Network’s member organization. Rachael was born and raised in Westchester, NY. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Sustainability from The State University of New York College at Oneonta. Rachael has prior experience volunteering with the non-profit organization Common Ground Relief in New Orleans, LA, working on coastal restoration projects to rebuild communities and wetlands along the coast of Louisiana. She also worked for two consecutive summer seasons as a Youth Program Assistant for Groundwork Hudson Valley as a crew leader for youth working on local conservation projects, such as trail restoration and invasive species removal. In her free time, Rachael enjoys traveling, kayaking, camping, and sunset picnics with friends.
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Aileen Yelle is a native Mississippian with an MBA and over 20 years of small business, HR and project management experience. She has three grown boys, loves to cook, and loves to watch movies, football and sunsets on the water. She has traveled to almost every area of the country (and lived in a few different areas), but she chose to make her home on the southern shores.
Aileen has experience running a small construction business, working in human resources, and project management. She has worked in a variety of industries including computer software, wireless communications, manufacturing, beverage distribution, multimedia, finance and non-profit.
Prior to taking her current position at The Corps Network, Aileen worked with Climb CDC for five years, investing in Mississippi Gulf Coast communities through housing programs and workforce development for opportunity youth. During her last year with Climb, the organization had two Conservation Corps crews; Aileen was closely involved with hiring the crews and implementing the program.
“Working in the non-profit workforce development arena has been infinitely more satisfying than any job in a for-profit company because it allows me to merge my moral and spiritual principles with my daily work endeavors. I feel privileged to continue my career on a regional scale with The Corps Network, increasing the environmental, social and cultural impact I can have on my southern home.”
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Capri serves as the Director of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at The Corps Network. Her focus has been on increasing exposure as well as opportunities in the environmental and conservation field for young adults of color. She has looked to deepen The Corps Network and the Corps understanding around institutional and structural racism and how it plays out in the work that we do. She is a graduate of New York University for both her BFA and MA. She has over 35 years of experience in education in NYC, Seattle, and now DC. She taught Media Studies at Seattle Central College as well as the Intercultural Communication course for international students where she was introduced to the concept of “Integrative Learning Communities,” which is a collaborative interdisciplinary approach to higher education. She was a Faculty member at the BA Completion Program at Antioch University Seattle where she taught the cultural studies courses, and then Director of Student Life and Disability Services at Antioch University Seattle.
Prior to joining The Corps Network, she was in NYC at Federation Employment Guidance Services (FEGS) in their Education and Youth Division where she developed the education program for their now signature Bronx program (serving over 400 young people a year) that works primarily with foster care youth.
She with her husband are the founders of “Rebuilding Haiti One Trip at a Time,” where they focus on changing the narrative of the country by engaging small groups in cultural and historical tours of the country.
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Christian joined The Corps Network in 2021 as a Program Coordinator. Originally from Round Rock,TX, he received his bachelor’s degree in Environmental Policy with a minor in Math Informatics fromWesley College in 2020.Post-graduation, he moved to Biloxi, MS, where he started as a crew member atClimb CDC, eventually becoming a crew leader.Outside of work, Christian likes to spend time with his wife and two dogs.
Pronouns: he/ him/ his
Victor O. Robertson Jr. joined The Corps Network as the Director of Workforce Development in October 2021. In this role, he develops viable career pathways for Corpsmembers by working with Corps to strengthen their employer partnerships; expanding their training and credentialing offerings; and, building their supportive services to assist Corpsmembers who face barriers to employment and education.
Prior to joining The Corps Network, Victor spent eight (8) years at the Department of Employment Services (DOES) developing and implementing workforce programs for adults, youth, and special populations. During his time with DOES, he was responsible for was creating workforce programs and career pathways for individuals with barriers to employment including opportunity youth with a criminal record and lacking literacy and numeracy skills. In addition to developing and implementing workforce programs, Victor has a proven track record of establishing public-private partnerships; policy advisement; performance and compliance management, labor market analysis; and, providing technical assistance.
A proud Howard University graduate, Victor holds bachelor’s degrees in Psychology and African American Studies, as well as a Master’s of Social Work (MSW) with concentrations in Mental Health and Family and Child Welfare.
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Danielle Owen has joined The Corps Network as the Director of Government Relations. In this role she works to develop and implement policy and legislative initiatives with a focus on conservation/natural resources, national service and youth/workforce development. She works closely with Congress and federal agencies on these issues.
Prior to joining The Corps Network, Danielle worked for 14 years in the office of former Congressman Melvin L. Watt, seven of those years serving as his Chief of Staff. Following her time in the House, she served as a Director of Governmental Affairs and then as a Deputy Assistant Secretary for Governmental Affairs in the Office of Secretary Foxx at the United States Department of Transportation. When not working, Danielle can be found in a bookstore searching for her next favorite book or talking about her adorable nephew, Owen, and her adorable niece, Emerson.
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Candace Hollingsworth joined The Corps Network in January 2019 as the Director of AmeriCorps Programs. She now serves as Director of Programs.
Candace has a passion for service and improving the effectiveness of public sector organizations to advance their missions. She has 15 years’ experience in the nonprofit sector having assumed roles ranging from grants manager to virtual CFO and has managed projects of all sizes. However, Candace is no stranger to corps or The Corps Network. She cut her teeth in workforce development through service and conservation corps as the grants finance manager for the Conservation Corps of Greater New Orleans, a project of The Corps Network from 2008-2009. Since that time, Candace has kept positive youth development as a centerpiece of her work as the mayor of the City of Hyattsville. In that role she regularly works to build strategic partnerships and programming to create meaningful connections with young people to promote civic engagement, expand education and economic opportunity, and support the long-term sustainability of the city.
Candace is a graduate of Phillips Exeter Academy and received a Bachelor of Arts in African-American Studies from Emory University and a Master of Public Policy (MPP) specializing in education, family, and social policy from Georgetown University. When she’s not at work or banging the gavel, you can find Candace somewhere enjoying great coffee or bourbon and making friends laugh with animated stories and eerily accurate impersonations.
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Dan has over 8 years of experience on staff with TCN member organizations (PowerCorpsPHL & The Work Group). As a Program Manager, Dan is currently focused on coordinating the multitude of communities and partnerships across four states, involved in the newly launched Delaware River Climate Corps (DRCC).
Dan graduated from the Pennsylvania State University with a BA in Environmental Studies. Upon graduating, Dan completed 1+ term-of-service as an AmeriCorps VISTA serving Greater Philadelphia.
Outside of work, Dan volunteers his time to improve Philadelphia’s environment as a Master Watershed Steward through the Penn State Extension office and a Philly Forest Steward with Philadelphia Parks & Recreation. He also enjoys visiting national parks, board games with friends, and science-fiction series.
Pronouns: he/him/his
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.
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As the Chief Operating Officer, Marie manages the day-to-day operations of The Corps Network including the Gulf Coast Restoration Initiative. Marie supervises The Corps Network’s contracts as well as the organization’s private and federal partnerships with AmeriCorps, the National Park Service, and the U.S. Forest Service. Marie also helped develop 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.
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); 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 and serves as co-chair of the development committee.
Marie holds bachelor’s degrees in Political Science and Sociology, as well as a MPA 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.
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Mary Ellen Sprenkel has been a long-time champion for youth. Mary Ellen came to The Corps Network in March of 2008 as Director of Government Relations. She was promoted to Vice President of External Affairs in 2011 and then appointed Interim CEO in May of 2012, prior to being selected as the CEO in October of 2012. During her tenure, Service and Conservation Corps have become better known programs to lawmakers and policymakers throughout the federal government. Legislation that would expand and bolster youth programs including Service and Conservation Corps has been routinely introduced in both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. Under Mary Ellen’s leadership, in 2010 more than $63 million of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act projects were granted to Service and Conservation Corps throughout the country by 15 federal agencies. These projects provided youth with jobs and service opportunities while connecting them to public lands including national parks and forests. More recently, Mary Ellen has served as a member of the Federal Advisory Committee tasked with providing recommendations to federal land management agencies on how to implement a 21st Century Conservation Service Corps.
In addition to her productive time at The Corps Network, she has ten years of Capitol Hill experience, including two years on the House Committee on Education and Labor handling postsecondary education, training, and life-long learning programs. She also worked for Representatives Matthew G. Martinez (D-CA) and Nydia Velazquez (D-NY). Before joining The Corps Network, Mary Ellen was Vice President of Government Relations at the Education Finance Council, the national trade association for nonprofit and state based student loan providers. Prior to that, she spent two years as the Assistant to the President of the University of Montana.
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Paul Schmitz builds the collective leadership of organizations and communities to achieve greater social impact through his roles as Senior Advisor at The Collective Impact Forum and CEO of Leading Inside Out. He is an author, speaker, trainer, and consultant whose work focuses on leadership development, collaborative culture, racial equity, community engagement, and result-based strategies.
Paul is the author of Everyone Leads: Building Leadership from the Community Up (Jossey Bass, 2011). The book is based on lessons learned from 21 years leading Public Allies, an innovative leadership development program that helped more than 5,000 passionate and diverse young leaders across the country begin careers working for community and social change.
Paul is a faculty member of The Asset-Based Community Development Institute, and a board member of The Corps Network, Playworks, and The United Way of Greater Milwaukee. Paul previously served on the board of Independent Sector, the association of nonprofit and philanthropic leaders, and was the co-chair of Voices for National Service, which led advocacy for AmeriCorps and other national service programs. Paul co-chaired the 2008 Obama Presidential campaign’s Civic Engagement Policy Group, was a member of The Obama-Biden Transition Team and was appointed by President Obama to The White House Council for Community Solutions.
Paul is an honors graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. In 2014, Paul was appointed the first Innovator in Residence at Georgetown University’s Beeck Center for Social Innovation. He has also been recognized by The Rockefeller Foundation as a Next Generation Leadership Fellow, by the Nonprofit Times three separate years as one of the 50 most influential nonprofit leaders in America, and by Fast Company Magazine with their Social Capitalist Award for innovation. He lives in Milwaukee with his wife and five children.
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.
Bruce Saito is leading the California Conservation Corps – the oldest and largest conservation corps in the nation – in its commitment to enhance the Corpsmember vocational experience and expand environmentally focused projects that make California an even better place to live.
While Governor Jerry Brown appointed Bruce as CCC Director in September of 2015, his career with the Corps goes back to 1977 during the CCC’s earliest days. Bruce started as a supervisor/instructor at the Bret Harte Training Academy in Calaveras County, and over the next ten years, promoted his way up to director of the Los Angeles Urban Center and the Conservationist Supervisor CCC Camarillo Center.
In 1986, Bruce helped establish the non-profit Los Angeles Conservation Corps (LACC). He later served as the LACC executive director- devoting 30 years to the program and growing it to be one of the country’s largest local-nonprofit corps. In 2014, LACC’s Charter High School was renamed the Saito Charter High School.
Bruce has also been active in the corps movement at the national level. He previously served as board president for the Corps Network and he currently serves on the Corps Network Board of Directors and Corps Council. In 2014, Bruce was honored with the Corps Legacy Achievement Award.
Bruce continues to serve on a number of Los Angeles Boards and Commissions, including the Friends of Manzanar, Little Tokyo Senior Nutrition Center, Community Nature Connection, the Coalition for Responsible Community Development, the LA Education Corps, the LA League of Conservation Voters (LACLV) and the Los Angeles County Beaches and Harbor Commission.
Bruce grew up in Los Angeles, graduated from San Francisco State University, and resides in Long Beach, CA.
Jane Oates is the President of WorkingNation, a non-profit media entity that tells the stories of solutions bridging the education and workforce worlds. Through film and live events WorkingNation raises awareness of the changing world of work and helps individuals, businesses and communities address those changes. Before joining Working Nation, Oates worked at the Apollo Education Group, managing Corporate Social Responsibility and working on linking the universities with employers through thought leadership events.
Oates served as the Assistant Secretary for Employment and Training at the US Department of Labor (DOL) under Secretary Hilda Solis. Managing a $14 billion budget, and a talented career staff of 1100, Oates oversaw the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) programs, guest worker visas, unemployment insurance and Job Corps. She partnered with cities and states to strengthen local economies during the worst economic recession in recent decades. She worked with industry leaders to create policies that would give immediate assistance but also create long term opportunities. With her colleagues at the Department of Education she created the Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College grant program with a one-time appropriation of $2 billion.
Oates became a national leader in education and workforce programs during her ten years with Senator Edward M. Kennedy on the US Senate’s Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee (HELP). Oates served as the Commissioner of the New Jersey Council of Higher Education under Jon Corzine. Oates began her career as a teacher in the Boston Public Schools and later the Philadelphia Public Schools. She went on to become the Director of Field Services at the Temple University Center for Research and Human Development, working with k-12 districts nationwide.
Oates sits on a number of non-profit boards, including NOCTI and NCCEP.
Angela Noah (she/hers) is White Mountain Apache and Choctaw from Cibecue, Arizona attending the University of Oregon in Planning, Public Policy, and Non-Profit Management as a first-generation student. Prior to her academic journey, Angela was a 2016 Corpsmember of the Year awardee for The Corps Network, former Crew Leader and served as an Inclusion Coordinator at Northwest Youth Corps (NYC), a Corps on Kalapuya ancestral lands or what is called Eugene, OR. Angela first discovered her passion for the outdoors while serving on an all-Native American youth trail crew in partnership with the boarding school she attended in Oregon, Chemawa Indian School, in 2015.
In 2016, Angela was the first in her family to obtain a high school diploma and decided to continue serving in AmeriCorps, this time with the Hoopa Tribal Civilian Community Corps (TCCC) on the Hoopa Valley reservation in northern California. Here, Angela completed service projects within the community, including serving as a fifth grade Teacher Assistant at Hoopa Elementary School, supporting disaster relief in Baton Rouge, LA, and various trail and cultural projects within the Hoopa Valley tribal community.
Committed to the mission of Northwest Youth Corps and completing her service term in Hoopa, Angela returned to Northwest Youth Corps in 2017 as an Ancestral Lands Volunteers In Service To America (VISTA) member under Conservation Legacy, where she became instrumental in launching Northwest Youth Corps’ first Native American youth and young adult conservation program, Tribal Stewards. As the Tribal Stewards Inclusion Coordinator, Angela built tribal partnerships in the Northwest and presented in numerous conferences across the country, working with Native American youth.
Outside of conservation, Angela is a 2019 NOLS alumni having completed a backpacking expedition in Nelson, New Zealand, the ancestral lands of the Maori people. Here, she learned outdoor leadership and risk management skills. She is committed to amplifying Native American womxn and youth voices: she was a 2019 Earth Ambassador and a recent 25 Under 25 recipient under the oldest Native youth organization established in the country, the United National Indian Tribal Youth (UNITY), Inc.
Currently, Angela is designing curriculum surrounding cultural perspectives in the
justice court system, with regional trainings for Native youth. This program known as the Healing Indigenous Lives Initiative (HILI) is in partnership with the Office of Juvenile Delinquency Prevention Program (OJDPP) where Angela serves as a Northwest representative.
Angela is a member of the University of Oregon’s Native American Student Union (NASU), serving as the 2nd annual Miss Indian University of Oregon, a student cultural ambassador platform advocating for Indigenous scholars in western academia. Angela aspires to mentor young Native American womxn and plans to oversee her very own non-profit one day serving Indigenous communities.
Michael Muckle is the Executive Director of the New Jersey Youth Corps of Phillipsburg. He helped establish the program in Warren County in 1998. Building the program from the ground up, his goal was to establish a Corps program that mirrored the Civilian Conservation Corps of the 1930’s and 40’s. Over the past 22 years, he has worked with over 1,000 high potential young men and women, providing an opportunity to earn a diploma while in serving the community in the Warren County NJ area. Putting the Phillipsburg Youth Corps on the map as ‘the environmental’ NJ Youth Corps program was a high priority early on – and it is a characteristic that makes the program stand out amongst its peers in the state.
Michael found his way to the Corps movement through his term of service as an AmeriCorps member at the Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge in 1997. During that time, Michael caught the public service bug and never looked back. As a hands-on Director, most days you can find Michael working alongside his Corpsmembers on a variety on environmentally themed service projects, coaching and teaching every step of the way. From streamside restoration plantings to help provide better wildlife habitat to clearing and maintaining hiking trails while advocating for more opportunities for outdoor recreation – he never misses an opportunity to turn service into a teachable moment. “Our work lends itself to easily understood metaphors for our youth” he says, “Creating suitable habitat to thrive, constructing a clear path so others may benefit. It’s in the doing where we learn!”
His passion for the Corps Movement runs deep. He provides a unique perspective as a Corps Director having valuable insights into the dynamics of crafting programming for the very youth he serves, drawing from his own corps experience, providing advocacy for youth removing systemic barriers and creating equitable spaces for them to learn and grow.
Michael is a product of the Corps Movement. He has embraced a life of service and can testify to the fact that you often get more out of a Corps experience that you bring to it. “It defies the Laws of Conservation of Matter. Everything good in my life has come as a result from my service with AmeriCorps – through service I found my purpose: to serve others”. Indeed, Michael even met his wife, Thea (also an AmeriCorps Alum), through their work at NJ Youth Corps. They reside in Nazareth, PA with their daughter, Ainsley.
Rosa Moreno is Principal of Social Impact Associates, a consulting firm based in Washington, DC that partners with government, philanthropy, and nonprofits to design innovative and effective solutions to address critical social issues. Rosa specializes in strengthening social sector organizations to improve outcomes and grow their reach and impact. With over 20 years’ experience, she has worked with organizations and communities across the country.
Rosa has extensive history working in the national service field at the state and national level in leadership roles that focused on making a year of service a common expectation and opportunity. In prior roles, she led efforts at the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) to support the fulfillment of the bipartisan Serve America Act through the formulation of public and private partnerships to expand national service opportunities. Prior roles include serving as Deputy Director of AmeriCorps, a flagship national service program of CNCS.
Rosa holds a B.A. in Mathematics from the University of Texas – Austin. Rosa is a proud AmeriCorps alum. Rosa lives in Washington, DC and can often be found performing with Batalá Washington, an all-women Afro-Brazilian percussion band. Rosa is also a member of the P.E.O. Sisterhood that supports women achieve their education goals. She chairs The Corps Network’s Fund Development and Marketing committee.
Monique Miles is the Director of the Opportunity Youth Forum and the Deputy Director of the Forum for Community Solutions at the Aspen Institute, Prior to joining the Aspen Institute Forum for Community Solutions, Monique was the Director, Postsecondary Achievement at the National Youth Employment Coalition (NYEC). In her role at NYEC, Monique oversaw the Postsecondary Success Initiative, a national pilot that supported Community Based Organizations (CBOs) across the country to design and implement postsecondary programming, in partnership with local institutions of higher learning, for students who were disconnected from education.
Monique began her career in education reform working as a Literacy Instructor at Youth Opportunity Boston. In this role Monique worked directly with students remanded to the Massachusetts Department of Youth Services (DYS) to design and deliver education and career development curriculum. Monique went on to serve the same population of students through political advocacy initiatives at the Commonwealth Corporation (CommCorp).
Monique earned a Bachelor of Science from Springfield College and a Master’s in Education, Policy & Management from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Monique serves as the Vice-Chair of the Board of Trustees at the Pomfret School. She also serves on the Advisory Board of Tulane University Cowen Institute of Public Education Initiatives. She is on the board of Independent Trust and The Corps Network.
Kalef Jones was born and raised in Philadelphia, PA, in the northern section of the city. As a youth, Kalef always sought additional knowledge which led to numerous citywide contests and events. It wasn’t until his later teen years that he started to find himself involved with the criminal justice system. By the age of 21 he returned to civilization a reformed individual. Since then, Kalef has worked closely with a plethora of workforce development programs that target men and women who identify as “disconnected youth.” He was a featured speaker of a My Brother’s Keeper forum in late 2015. Also during this time, he was an intern in the Mayor’s Office during Mayor Michael Nutter’s administration. In February 2017, The Corps Network awarded him a Corpsmember of the Year: this national honor recognized Kalef for the great work he does not only at his job but also in the community.
Currently, Kalef works in the non-profit sector for the AmeriCorps program PowerCorpsPHL, which is operated by EducationWorks. His sole responsibility is creating culture that benefits the population at large. He works as the Deputy Climate Manager in which he currently implements culture enforces discipline, and introduces healthy dynamics that bolster the overall member experience. As a result of this, he became interested in social justice and then proceeded to work alongside REFORM as well the city’s District Attorney in efforts to reform the criminal justice system by becoming a voice to in this fight. He has future plans of obtaining a degree in social work and views the political arena as a possibility later on down the line. He wishes to change the narrative for his generation and create systems that work for everyone.
Tonya Gayle is Executive Director of Green City Force (GCF) where she created and led GCF’s development team from July 2014 to September 2020. She is a board member of The Corps Network focused on national service, and Environmental Advocates of NY focused on environmental justice. Prior to joining GCF, Tonya served in public-private partnerships at the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) and the Sponsors for Educational Opportunity (SEO) Career Program. She has spent most of her career in nonprofit organizations focused on economic justice for young people of color. Tonya is a member of The New York Women’s Foundation Circle of Sisters for Social Change, a graduate of Wesleyan University, and a native Brooklynite. She is an associate producer of the 2006 documentary The Perfect Life featuring young adults from Harlem. Tonya is passionate about providing young people with viable paths to create and lead a just and equitable world.
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 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.
Stephanie Davison is a program officer for the Human Services program at The Kresge Foundation. She joined the foundation in 2018.
Previously Stephanie served as a project manager at FHI 360, where she managed a portfolio of juvenile justice, youth development, and workforce development programs including overseeing program design and execution, subgrantee management, team and consultant management, and policy development. She also supported college and career readiness initiatives, increasing high school graduation rates and post-secondary enrollment rates.
In previous roles, she coordinated and supported workforce development and education programs and initiatives, including those funded by private foundations, the U.S. Department of Labor, U.S. Department of Justice, and the U.S. Department of Education.
Stephanie earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science from the Mercyhurst University and a Master of Public Affairs from the School of Public and Environmental Affairs at Indiana University, Bloomington.
DERRICK CRANDALL — is Counselor to the National Park Hospitality Association and CEO of Outdoor Solutions USA. He recently retired from the American Recreation Coalition/Outdoor Recreation Roundtable after 37 years as its President. He Co-Chairs the Coalition for Recreational Trails and was Vice Chair of Interior’s Outdoor Recreation Advisory Committee. He received Presidential appointments to the President’s Commission on Americans Outdoors from 1985 to 1987 and the President’s Commission on Environmental Quality in 1991. He served on Brand USA and Western Governors Association advisory panels and was Chairman of the Take Pride in America Advisory Board, appointed by the Secretary of the Interior. He was a Founding Director of the National Forest Foundation, appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture. Among the dozens of public-policy efforts in which he has played a central role are Great Outdoor Month, the National Scenic Byways Program, Recreation Fee Demonstration Program, Recreational Trails Program, Wallop-Breaux Program, unification of federal campground reservations and the National Recreation Lakes Study Commission. He has received numerous national awards, including Chevron’s Conservation Award, induction into the RV Hall of Fame, a Centennial Award from the Forest Service, and Interior’s Spirit of Take Pride Award. USA Today references him as “the outdoor guru.” Mr. Crandall attained Certified Association Executive and Fellow designations from the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) and served on its board for seven years, including two terms as Vice Chairman. He now enjoys connecting his five grandkids, ages 10 to 4, with the Great Outdoors.