Staff

Meet Our Staff

Donna PhillipsPresident and Chief Executive Officer

Donna Phillips is the Center for Civic Education’s President and Chief Executive Officer, leading the Center’s ambitious strategic plan for development, implementation, and innovation of its national and international programs...
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John ThurmanVice President & Chief Operating and Financial Officer

John Thurman is the Center for Civic Education’s Vice President and Chief Operating and Financial Officer. He is responsible for the financial and business management of the Center as the organization...
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Aruna PatelSenior Director of Civic Education

Aruna Patel is the Center for Civic Education’s Senior Director of Civic Education. She is responsible for supporting her colleagues in ensuring ongoing success ...
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Mara TolasSenior Director of Development

Mara Tolas is the Senior Director of Development. Dedicated to engaging friends of the Center and supporters of civic education, she works to advance the mission by deepening relationships and...
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Michael BlauwDirector of Civic Learning and Strategic Partnerships

Michael Blauw is a proud alumnus of We the People. The program ignited in him a passion for political science and philosophy, eventually impelling him to become an educator...
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Mark GageDirector of Publishing and Communications

Mark Gage directs the Center for Civic Education's publishing efforts in traditional and new media and helps create the Center's strategy of growth and innovation. He also manages the editorial content...
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Alissa Irion-GrothDirector of Program Grants and Innovation

Alissa Irion-Groth works with educators throughout the United States and the world to strengthen and expand civic education for all people. She has worked to innovate, evaluate, and sustain civic education....
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Gary WiseDirector of Operations and Information Technology

Gary Wise is the Center for Civic Education's Director of Operations and Information Technology. Gary is a multifaceted, strategic, and results-driven senior-level director...
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Bradford PilcherSenior Designer and Editor

Bradford (Brad) Pilcher joined the Center in 2023. He previously spent more than a decade helping grow the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival into the largest in the world as Associate Director...
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Umesh NaiduSenior Accountant & IT System Administrator

Umesh Naidu is the Center's senior accountant and IT system administrator. Naidu has been with the Center since 2002. He studied in Fiji Islands and worked as an accountant prior to...
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Emily VossSenior Manager of National Programs and Professional Development

Emily Voss joins the Center from the museum field. She was most recently the Education Director at the Robert H. Smith Center...
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Sarah AvilesFinance and Human Resources Manager

Sarah Aviles is the Center for Civic Education's Finance and Human Resources Manager. She is responsible for the financial and human resources management of the Center...
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Taja ButlerManager of Civic Learning Projects

Taja Butler joined the Center for Civic Education as the Manager of Civic Learning Projects, bridging professional development, curriculum development, and civic education....
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Valerie MilianniManager of Sales and Operations

Valerie Milianni is the Manager of Sales and Operations at the Center. She also provides administrative support for the Center’s educational programs, events, and conferences...
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Kelly ReichardtManager of Civic Learning and Curriculum

Kelly Reichardt is the Manager of Civic Learning and Curriculum for the Center for Civic Education. In her current role, she strives to further the mission of the Center through the development of high-quality instructional....
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Sunita ParisapoguDevelopment Manager

Sunita Parisapogu is the Center for Civic Education’s Development Manager and is responsible for the project management and administration of the Center’s annual development plan ....
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Anna BallardCoordinator of National Programs and Grants

Anna Ballard joined the Center for Civic Education as the Coordinator of National Programs and Grants in 2023. Through this role, she manages...
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Meghan VolcyCoordinator of National Grant Projects

Meghan Volcy is a Massachusetts native who currently serves as Coordinator of National Grant Projects at the Center for Civics Education. She attended Boston University and obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science...
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Janel HuberAdministrative Assistant

Janel Huber has been with the Center since 2005. She has a bachelor of science degree in education from Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania. She has taught at various childcare centers in Pennsylvania and Vermont...
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Meet Our Staff

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Center for Civic Education

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