Development & Impact Associate AmeriCorps VISTA
Tierra is a KIPP alumna with a BA in Communication Studies from Elizabeth City State University. Born and raised in rural NC, she spent a semester in the Disney College Program at WDW in Orlando. She’s a self-proclaimed womanist who loves writing, sweet tea, and Paul Laurence-Dunbar.
Director of Development
One of 826 Boston’s earliest after-school tutors, Maggie brings more than a decade of national fundraising experience to 826 National. She is dedicated to supporting organizations that serve youth and contribute to a vibrant, equitable community. A native Pennsylvanian, Maggie now happily resides in Oakland, CA.
Chief Executive Officer
Prior to 826 National, Laura held leadership positions at high achieving youth organizations including Build, First Graduate, Juma Ventures, and The Posse Foundation, where she developed the organization’s first national career, corporate engagement, and alumni programs. She holds a Master’s in Education and a Master’s in Counseling Psychology from Columbia University, and is the Chair of the Board of Directors at Youth Speaks.
Director of Research & Evaluation
Lauren received her Ph.D. from the University of Connecticut where she conducted research on the effects of early childhood experiences on later development. She brings a strong background in statistical analysis, research writing, and data management, as well as five years of teaching at the collegiate level.
Operations Manager
Daniel graduated from the Iowa Writers’ Workshop, where he studied fiction and taught undergraduate creative writing courses. After earning his MFA, he taught as an adjunct professor at the University of Iowa, and served as the Writer-in-Residence at Iowa Lakeside Laboratory, one of the oldest biological field stations in the country.
826 Digital Manager
Anna has spent much of her career teaching high school English in New Orleans and Chicago. She brings curriculum development, instructional coaching, and administrative experience to her role as Digital Manager. Prior to this role, Anna served as Program Development and Support Coordinator at 826 National.
Corporate & Foundations Relations Manager
Cecilia earned her MA in Arts Administration from New York University and has over five years of experience fundraising for arts organizations in the Bay Area and New York City. Before becoming a grant writer, Cecilia taught English to toddlers, scientists, and everyone in between, in Japan and the Czech Republic.
Research & Evaluation Associate AmeriCorps VISTA
During her time at UCSB, Caroline developed a passion for student empowerment and college affordability. She obtained her B.A. in Political Science and hopes to earn an Ed.M. Outside of politics and student issues, her other interests include traveling, reading, and getting a full 8 hours of sleep.
Program Development & Support Coordinator AmeriCorps VISTA
Born in Providence, Rhode Island, Okailey attended art school at Alfred University and taught English in South Korea before obtaining her Masters in Arts Management from Claremont Graduate University. Some of her interests include K-POP, Japanese fashion and pushing the number of colors she can wear at one time.
Field Operations Coordinator AmeriCorps VISTA
Prior to this role Arfi was an 826 National intern with a continued passion for service and professional development. She earned a B.A. in Psychology, minoring in Comparative Literature from San Francisco State University. Arfi despises hot weather but actually hails from Jakarta and grew up in Southern California.
Director of Field Operations
A founding member of 826CHI, Kait played a key role in program/curriculum development, serving as the organization’s first Programs Coordinator and later as its Director of Education. Prior to joining 826, Kait taught creative writing in the foothills of the Indian Himalayas. She holds a B.A. in English/Creative Writing from Northwestern University.
Salesforce Administrator
Shida earned her B.S. in Psychology at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo and believes in the importance of investing in youth and education. As a certified Salesforce administrator, Shida values clean organized data. She also loves traveling, Giants baseball, and searching for the best east coast style pizza in the Bay Area.
Board of Directors
TONI MORELL
Board President
Managing Partner, Zingerman’s Mail Order
MEG RAY
Board Vice President
Owner, Miette Pâtisserie & Confiserie
KATE O’SULLIVAN
Board Secretary
General Manager, Industry Affairs, Legal and Corporate Affairs, Microsoft
STEPHEN ENSLEY
Board Treasurer
Principal, Hellman & Friedman
LAURA BRIEF
CEO, 826 National
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ERIC ABRAMS
826 Valencia Representative
Chief Inclusion Officer, Stanford Graduate School of Education
JOHN COUCH
Investment Management, Goldman Sachs
DONNA COWAN
826 Boston Representative
Active Community Volunteer
JODIE EVANS
826LA Representative
Author, Documentary Film Producer & Co-Founder of CODEPINK
ELIA HERRERA
Litigation Associate, Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP
JORDAN KURLAND
Founder & Owner, Zeitgeist Artist Management
LACIE SANDSTROM
826michigan Representative
Google Ann Arbor
MARY SCHAEFER
Consultant
PAUL SCHUTT
Co-Founder, Issue Media Group
KASHIF SHAIKH
826CHI Representative
Co-Founder & Executive Director, Pillars Fund
TESSIE TOPOL
Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility & Community Affairs, Time Warner Cable
MORGAN W. TOVEY
Partner, Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP
LEAH WILLIAMS
General Counsel, WestEd
ANNE WINTROUB
Director, Social Innovation, AT&T
KATHRYN YONTEF
826NYC Representative
U.S. Government Affairs, Microsoft
HOWARD YOON
826DC Representative
Literary Agent at the Ross Yoon Agency
EMERITUS BOARD MEMBERS
NÍNIVE CALEGARI
826 National Co-Founder
CEO, Enterprise for Youth
President & Founder, Teacher Salary Project
DAVE EGGERS
826 National Co-Founder
Founder of McSweeney’s Publishing & Award-Winning Author
Join the 826 National Network
We offer a variety of tracked internships that provide you with practical in-depth experience into the world of nonprofits.
