Our Education Partnerships team is dedicated to building long-lasting, supportive, and engaged partnerships with educators and those who work with us to make our mission a reality. With 40 years of expertise in the fields of education and child advocacy, we’ve developed a team of passionate professionals who truly understand the challenges faced by schools and districts. We’re committed to working with our clients by providing high-quality, research-based programs and ongoing support that promote our vision of safe children thriving in a peaceful world. Join our growing team! Visit our Careers page to learn about our current openings. Noah Koritz Education Partnerships Regional Manager Read Bio × Noah Koritz Education Partnerships Regional Manager Noah joined Committee for Children in 2019 after spending a decade in education services—starting as an after-school teacher and moving into teacher training, program management, territory management, and finally national sales and partnerships. In his role, he works with school districts and state agencies to adopt and implement social-emotional learning (SEL) programming in the Mountain Plains region. He also plans regional thought-leadership events, featuring experts who are innovating in the field of SEL. “I believe in the importance of social-emotional learning in our society,” he says. “This was not a subject that was explicitly—or often even implicitly—taught in school when I was growing up, and I feel that my classmates and I would have benefited enormously from this type of programming.” Noah, who has a bachelor’s degree in history from Beloit College, says his SEL superpower is social engagement—he’s always excited to meet and engage with others, both inside and outside of work. Jennifer Sanderlin Education Partnerships Regional Manager Read Bio × Jennifer Sanderlin Education Partnerships Regional Manager Since 2013, Jennifer Sanderlin has served as CFC’s senior education partnerships manager for the southern US states. Working with leaders at state, district, and school levels, she provides program guidance, strategies, and coordination with funding opportunities. As part of her work at CFC, she helped develop a grant in Georgia focused on social-emotional learning (SEL) as a foundation to long-term primary prevention of violence and maltreatment of children. So far, the grant has awarded nearly $2 million over the past five years. Jennifer’s own SEL superpower is perspective-taking. “Traveling over 50,000 miles every year has given me a unique perspective to see a wide variety of ways that our clients bring in and sustain SEL in their schools,” she says. “I get to help connect people to resources and each other, making their journey more efficient and usually more enjoyable in knowing they’re not alone.” With bachelor’s degrees in both sociology and elementary education, Jennifer has more than two decades of experience as a teacher and senior administrator in both school-based and out-of-school time settings. She hones her SEL skills daily with the help of her husband and two teenage children. Kate Tovias Education Partnerships Regional Manager Read Bio × Kate Tovias Education Partnerships Regional Manager Kate Tovias brings a teacher’s perspective to her work with districts, schools, and organizations throughout the northeast US. Prior to joining Committee for Children in 2014, she was an academic intervention specialist and long-time elementary and middle school teacher. Kate has two bachelor’s degrees: one from Seattle University in psychology and one from Central Washington University in elementary education. She is also certified in leadership and management from Cornell University. Natalie Archer Client Development Representative Read Bio × Natalie Archer Client Development Representative Natalie uses her strong communication and relationship-building skills to help school districts and educational leaders learn about and effectively implement Second Step® social-emotional learning (SEL) programs. Previously, Natalie worked in Pierce County, Washington, connecting adults without a diploma to high school completion programs and other educational services. The passion she developed for helping create fair and equitable access to education drew her to Committee for Children. “I spent many years working with adults who were not successful in the school system,” she says. “I’m excited to be part of an organization that can help provide the support future students need as they embark on their educational journeys.” Natalie believes her SEL superpower is building positive relationships. “I look forward to building our relationships with districts,” she says. “I want to ensure they can bring high-quality SEL to their schools.” In her spare time, Natalie enjoys exploring the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest and is converting a 1969 Chevy into a camping truck to take on her explorations. She also enjoys creating art and going to baseball games. Prashansa Banepali Education Account Manager Read Bio × Prashansa Banepali Education Account Manager Prashansa is the education account manager for the Northeast territory of the United States. As part of the Education Partnerships Team, she provides guidance, resources, and strategies to schools and districts implementing our Second Step® family of social-emotional learning (SEL) programs. A former educator, Prashansa joined Committee for Children in May 2022. She was drawn to the organization’s mission of empowering children everywhere with SEL. “I didn’t have access to SEL growing up, and I feel grateful for the opportunity to provide children around the globe with quality resources that will help them prepare for the real world,” she says. Prashansa believes her SEL superpower is relationship-building. “Communicating with empathy was very important throughout my experience teaching and tutoring, and remains important in my current role,” she says. “I use those skills every day when connecting with principals and district leaders.” In her spare time, Prashansa enjoys meditating, long hikes, working out, and bonding with friends and family. Zach Beetham Client Development Representative Read Bio × Zach Beetham Client Development Representative Zach Beetham has been committed to student well-being since he was an undergraduate at the University of Washington, where he volunteered for a program that helps high schoolers obtain skills to successfully apply to college and prepare for life after graduation. After earning a bachelor’s degree in political science and communication, Zach gained experience in project coordination, research, and community outreach. He also had the opportunity to develop cross-cultural understanding and relationships during travel to Europe and Southeast Asia. As a client development representative, Zach uses his experience and passion for helping others to support educators and school leaders with their implementation of our Second Step® social-emotional learning (SEL) programs. He considers his SEL superpower to be building positive relationships, a strength he utilizes daily while ensuring district and school staff have the information and resources they need to teach our curricula. Zach was drawn to Committee for Children because of the far-reaching effects of its mission and programs. “The organization works diligently to promote equity, inclusion, and children’s overall well-being. These are values that I’m proud to stand behind,” he says. Nick Bonvouloir Education Account Manager Read Bio × Nick Bonvouloir Education Account Manager Nick Bonvouloir is the education account manager for the Southeast region of the United States. As part of the Education Partnerships Team, he provides guidance, resources, strategies, and support to schools and districts implementing the Second Step® family of social-emotional learning (SEL) programs. To promote the benefits of SEL, Nick draws on his background in business development and sales, as well as his experience working with schools, nonprofits, and non-government organizations. “Creating and maintaining relationships is exciting to me,” Nick says. “It’s a privilege to bring social-emotional learning into new school districts.” Nick joined Committee for Children in May 2022. He believes his SEL superpower is building positive relationships. “Being an authentic and reliable person that people can depend on is something I value at work and in my own life,” he says. In his free time, Nick enjoys long walks on the beach, snowboarding, and camping. Kelly Brazell Education Account Manager Read Bio × Kelly Brazell Education Account Manager Working as a drug and alcohol prevention specialist strengthened Kelly Brazell’s passion for supporting the well-being of children. “I care deeply that every child has the skills to attain long-term success,” she says, “so I was very excited to find an organization like Committee for Children that takes active steps to positively impact the lives of children everywhere.” As an education account manager for the western US, Kelly provides program guidance, resources, strategies, and support to schools and districts implementing the Second Step® family of social-emotional learning (SEL) programs. With a bachelor’s degree in communication studies from Biola University, Kelly considers goal-setting her SEL superpower. “I love setting personal and professional goals for myself,” she says. “I have a very proactive approach to life that has allowed me to have many incredible experiences, both in my personal life and in my role at Committee for Children.” Adam Campbell Senior Education Partnerships Manager Read Bio × Adam Campbell Senior Education Partnerships Manager A former teacher, Adam Campbell has been a longtime advocate of social-emotional learning (SEL) and a believer in its positive impact on long-term outcomes for students. He sees SEL as an essential early intervention for children and a foundation on which positive classroom, school, and community culture is built. As a senior education partnerships manager, Adam works with school districts in the central US to implement the Second Step® family of SEL programs. Adam has a bachelor’s degree in international business from Washington State University, a teaching certification from the University of Michigan, and a master’s degree in public administration from Seattle University. He considers his SEL superpower to be social awareness, and strives to recognize the feelings and needs of those around him. “I’m practicing a lifelong growth mindset in developing my appreciation for diversity and for how my personal identity impacts my worldview,” he says. Harriet Dempsey Proposal Specialist Read Bio × Harriet Dempsey Proposal Specialist Harriet Dempsey is a proposal specialist for the Education Partnerships team. She supports Committee for Children’s request for proposal (RFP) submission process and assists with other program compliance and document needs, including purchasing requests. She has more than 15 years of experience working as a lawyer and in a variety of educator roles in New Zealand, Germany, Australia, and the US. Harriet believes it’s her international perspective and expertise that help her form authentic relationships with prospective clients and foster collaboration across departments. She says, “It’s about building connections and trust. Whether it’s in cross-functional meetings or solving a district’s compliance issue, I value every connection I make.” Harriet joined Committee for Children in June 2022 and says the mission is what drew her in, explaining, “CFC is truly a mission-led organization that walks the talk. I feel fortunate that I get to do meaningful work and learn and grow at the same time.” Harriet says building positive relationships is her SEL superpower, a skill that aids her in both her personal and professional life. In Harriet’s spare time, she enjoys reading, gardening, and playing with her children. Geena Dingman Client Development Representative Read Bio × Geena Dingman Client Development Representative Geena Dingman is a client development representative for Education Partnerships. She grew up in Leavenworth, Washington, and earned a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Washington before pursuing her passion for teaching. For five years, Geena worked as an educator abroad, teaching kindergarten and elementary students. It was her international work that introduced her to and inspired her advocacy for social-emotional learning (SEL). After Geena returned to the United States to seek a new professional challenge, she discovered a talent for marketing. She created marketing strategies that supported the growth of small businesses during the pandemic. In 2021, Geena joined Committee for Children. “I missed the part of helping people you experience as a teacher. I loved teaching SEL in my classroom and I wanted to help schools and educators teach these life skills in their classrooms,” she says. Geena believes her SEL superpower is teamwork, which she uses to help her team strategically promote SEL and support school leaders in their implementation of our Second Step® programs. “With such important material and demand, I want to assist in any way I can,” she says. Casey Escola Education Partnerships Manager Read Bio × Casey Escola Education Partnerships Manager When Casey Escola was working on her master’s thesis, she wrote about the importance of teaching empathy at critical stages of childhood—and referenced Committee for Children’s work in her research. Soon thereafter, she joined Committee for Children and now serves as an education partnerships manager for school districts in the Mountain Plains region. Prior to joining Committee for Children, Casey worked for several nonprofit organizations and volunteered for the Peace Corps in Northern Benin. Among her undertakings, she developed educational materials for the Metropolitan Museum of Art, helped fundraise for the World Literacy Foundation, and worked as a research assistant for the Literacy Lab at New York University. Casey is highly skilled in community engagement, policy analysis, and positive communication, but she believes her SEL superpower is empathy. “I love hearing other people’s perspectives and stories and imagining life through their lens, which enables me to help others feel seen, appreciated, and understood,” she says. Casey earned her bachelor’s degree in cultural anthropology from the University of Washington and her master’s degree in sociology of education from New York University. Cassandra Hebert Client Development Representative Read Bio × Cassandra Hebert Client Development Representative Cassandra earned a bachelor’s degree in communication studies from Western Washington University, with minors in cultural anthropology and event planning. She brought this background, as well as a passion for community outreach, to roles in corporate marketing, customer relations, and business operations before joining Committee for Children in 2021. Cassandra’s dedication to educational equity and advocacy for social-emotional learning (SEL) fuels her work at Committee for Children. She supports schools in the southern United States with their implementation of our Second Step® family of SEL programs. “I’m grateful to be part of an organization that recognizes the importance of teaching social and emotional skills as explicitly and thoughtfully as we teach math or science to help kids get to the same starting point,” she says. Cassandra believes her SEL superpower is strong relationship skills, which she uses to help identify and remove systemic barriers in public education. “I am passionate about working toward a system that supports children of all backgrounds to build healthy, happy, productive, and meaningful lives,” she says. Joany Higgins Education Partnerships Manager Read Bio × Joany Higgins Education Partnerships Manager Working with nonprofit organizations that serve youth and families deepened Joany Higgins’s passion for making a lasting difference in the lives of students. At Committee for Children, she supports school districts across 15 states in the Mountain Plains region as they implement Second Step, our social-emotional learning (SEL) curriculum. “I believe deeply in the power of social-emotional learning to transform schools, communities, and students,” she says. “Each day, I am inspired by my colleagues and our clients who make our mission a reality and help us move closer to a vision of ‘safe children thriving in a peaceful world.’” Joany has a bachelor’s degree in political science from Saint Michael’s College and a master’s degree in public administration from Villanova University. Joany considers her SEL superpower to be teamwork, and she enjoys helping others feel empowered to combine their skills, talents, and passions toward a common purpose. Wesleigh Jones Education Account Manager Read Bio × Wesleigh Jones Education Account Manager Wesleigh Jones joined Committee for Children to pursue her passion for creating a safer, more peaceful world by helping kids thrive. She’s drawn to work that serves a values-driven purpose and facilitates positive results that change lives. Wesleigh’s experience in the nonprofit sector has included roles in education, development, and event management. She comes to Committee for Children after having served most recently as development manager for the American Lung Association. Prior to that position, she managed events for the Obesity Medicine Association. She has an educational background in social work and child development, and she received her bachelor’s degree in family studies from Miami University. In her current role as education account manager at Committee for Children, she provides program guidance, resources, strategies, and support to schools and districts implementing the Second Step® family of social-emotional learning (SEL) programs. “What excites me most about this work,” she says, “is connecting with thought-provoking individuals who have a shared passion for Committee for Children’s vital mission.” Gracious and calm under pressure, Wesleigh says her SEL superpower is building positive relationships. “I enjoy having meaningful conversations and cultivating relationships to conquer shared goals,” she says. Wesleigh adds that she feels lucky to work on causes she cares about and is excited to work toward solutions that help kids lead their best lives. Jackie Mahedy Education Partnerships Manager Read Bio × Jackie Mahedy Education Partnerships Manager Having worked at regional and national nonprofits, Jackie Mahedy knew she wanted to join an organization with values she genuinely believed in, where her colleagues would share her passion and drive for the mission. This search brought her to Committee for Children. As an education account manager for the southeastern US, Jackie provides program guidance, resources, strategies, and support to schools and districts implementing the Second Step® family of social-emotional learning (SEL) programs. She has a bachelor’s degree in sociology and public health from Boston University. Jackie sees her SEL superpower as her ability to foster strong relationships and develop connections with others. “I love connecting with colleagues, clients, and friends on a deeper level and enjoy thoughtful communication,” she says. Lindsey Mascarenas Education Partnerships Manager Read Bio × Lindsey Mascarenas Education Partnerships Manager Lindsey Mascarenas is education partnership manager overseeing the West Coast region of the US. She supports district leaders in their implementation of Second Step® programs across the West Coast. As an ambassador for Committee for Children, Lindsey builds relationships with prospective clients and ensures that every district and administrative leader she works with has a deep understanding of social-emotional learning and the programs available to support them in reaching their educational goals. Lindsey is passionate about providing equitable access to education and equal opportunities for every child. She brings more than eight years of experience in the education space supporting districts of all demographics, enrollment sizes, and backgrounds. Joining Committee for Children in August 2022, Lindsey says it was the powerful mission that drew her in. The opportunity to collaborate and build positive relationships internally and externally is what inspired her to join. “My greatest passion is serving the underserved, especially those facing socioeconomic challenges. You never know what someone is going through or has gone through. Every day, I try to communicate compassionately and to listen and lead with an empathetic heart.” Lindsey’s SEL superpower is perspective-taking, a core value she integrates into all parts of her life. In her spare time, Lindsey enjoys live music, film, traveling, and camping in the great outdoors. Trish McRae Senior Proposal Specialist Read Bio × Trish McRae Senior Proposal Specialist Trish joined Committee for Children in May 2022 with expertise in developing proposals for financial services, institutional investment, and real estate industries. Now, Trish develops and maintains customized proposals, bids, and other program documents for prospective clients of Second Step® social-emotional learning (SEL) programs. “I feel a direct connection to the mission and positive work being done at Committee for Children,” Trish says. “It’s inspiring to apply my skills to such important work.” Trish holds a bachelor’s degree in comparative literature and two writing certificates from the University of Washington. Diligent and detail-oriented, Trish says her SEL superpower is problem-solving, which she believes is key to improving processes and remaining adaptable. “I’m very solution-oriented and adept at noticing areas that could use improvement,” she says. “It’s about building on both successes and failures.” In her spare time, Trish enjoys reading, watching films, and rollerblading. Bridgette Melton Client Development Representative Read Bio × Bridgette Melton Client Development Representative Bridgette is a client development representative for the Southern region of the United States. As part of the Education Partnerships department, Bridgette supports school and district leaders in their implementation of Second Step® programs. As a former PreK and Kindergarten teacher, Bridgette has always been passionate about education, and as she completed her master’s degree, social-emotional learning (SEL) became an inspiration. This led her to search for an organization focused on SEL where she could use her relationship-building skills and unique perspectives as both a teacher and a student. “I try to live my life in such a way that I create a positive impact wherever I go,” Bridgette says. “I knew that, to make the biggest impact possible, I needed to join an organization with likeminded people, and Committee for Children fit the bill.” Bridgette joined Committee for Children in May 2022. She says her SEL superpower is respect for others, a strength she draws on in her personal and professional life when connecting with clients. “Respecting others and accepting them where they are in their life journey helps me develop genuine relationships with people,” Bridgette says. “This gives me the opportunity to help them see their own value and worth.” In her spare time, Bridgette enjoys traveling, walks on the beach, a home-cooked meal, and enjoying time with her family. She is also the founder of a nonprofit that works with Syrian refugees in Greece. Tyler Morrison Education Account Manager Read Bio × Tyler Morrison Education Account Manager Before joining the Education Partnerships Team with Committee for Children, Tyler Morrison spent five years teaching high school science in the Denver metropolitan area. “I have a passion for helping students succeed, and I understand the important role that social-emotional learning plays in achieving that goal,” he says. “I joined Committee for Children because I wanted to support students in a more systematic way. I’m excited to contribute to this mission.” As Education Account Manager for the Gulf Coast Territory, Tyler engages with district leaders to support their Second Step® implementations and social-emotional learning (SEL) priorities. He proactively provides a variety of resources that leaders can use to optimize Second Step programs within their district and stay informed of relevant news and events. Whether he’s helping district leaders plan implementations, train teachers, or expand adoption of Second Step programs, Tyler says he focuses on the end goal of supporting students’ social-emotional needs. He says his SEL superpower is making responsible decisions, and he helps districts do the same by listening carefully to their needs, gathering and sharing information, and inclusively considering the effects on all involved. Tyler earned his bachelor’s degree in biology and philosophy from the University of Idaho, and he holds a master’s degree in education from Regis University in Colorado. Leah Murray Education Account Manager Read Bio × Leah Murray Education Account Manager Leah Murray joined Committee for Children in May 2022 as education account manager for the Central region of the United States. As part of the Education Partnerships Team, she supports schools and districts implementing Second Step® social-emotional learning (SEL) programs. In a previous role, Leah helped graduate students work through roadblocks that prevented them from being successful. Now she uses those skills to help educators meet their SEL goals. “I love working with people to determine what they’re looking for and how I can help them get there,” she says. One of Leah’s strengths is building positive relationships. “Collaborating is about listening, empathizing, and sharing my expertise,” she says. “It’s always helped me build strong relationships at work and in my own life.” In her free time, Leah enjoys a reading a good book, taking a beautiful hike, or baking delicious treats. Neha Panwar Education Account Manager Read Bio × Neha Panwar Education Account Manager Neha joined Committee for Children in October 2021 after working as a consultant in soft skills and interpersonal training. She is a long-term advocate for social-emotional learning (SEL) and believes SEL greatly impacts the interactions you have and the decisions you make as an adult. Neha earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism at Delhi University. She spent years sharpening her communication and presentation skills as a news anchor in India before relocating to Tallahassee, Florida, and then to the Pacific Northwest, where she fell in love with the beauty of Washington State. Neha believes her SEL superpower is empathy, which manifests in her strong ability to understand others’ perspectives. In her current role, Neha’s compassion and interpersonal skills, as well her professional experience, are invaluable to helping school districts choose and implement our Second Step® SEL programs. Neha says she was compelled to join Committee for Children because though “we are all lifelong learners, supporting our current generation from early on gives us hope for a successful future where we can make a difference.” Daniela Ramírez Education Account Manager Read Bio × Daniela Ramírez Education Account Manager Working in the education field strengthened Daniela Ramírez’s appreciation of social-emotional learning (SEL) and belief that SEL benefits students far beyond the classroom. As an education account manager for the central US, Daniela provides program guidance, resources, strategies, and support to schools and districts implementing the Second Step® family of SEL programs. She also assists with some translations of our K–5 materials from English to Spanish. Daniela has a bachelor’s degree in international affairs from Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey and a degree in marketing and international development from ESCD 3A University in Lyon, France. She considers her SEL superpower to be relationship skills, particularly establishing and maintaining healthy relationships with diverse individuals and groups. “I’m passionate about learning about other cultures and backgrounds, while actively listening and cooperating with others,” she says. Kyra Rhoads Education Partnerships Regional Manager Read Bio × Kyra Rhoads Education Partnerships Regional Manager As Education Partnerships Regional Manager, Kyra Rhoads leads the team responsible for Committee for Children’s sales, strategic planning, and partnership development across the Gulf Coast and Southeast regions. She also promotes awareness of social-emotional learning (SEL) at the state level and helps educators and community leaders learn more about our Second Step® family of SEL programs. “We have the most amazing clients,” Kyra says. “It’s beyond rewarding to support educators’ efforts to create systemic and meaningful change in their school communities.” Kyra has a background in nonprofit management and youth advocacy, as well as more than 20 years of experience in sports leadership. In 2017 she joined Committee for Children as an education account manager because she was excited by the mission and wanted to contribute to the greater good. She felt the role aligned with her values and allowed her to leverage her experience as a mother who is active in the classroom education of her children to support other parents and educators and create spaces for students to learn, grow, and thrive. Kyra says her SEL superpower is teamwork and collaboration. Her experiences with organizational management and athletics have taught her the power of creating opportunities for everyone to succeed—a skill she applies to her partnership with educational leaders. “When you work with districts, you become a part of that team,” Kyra says. “Seeing districts transform their environments by embedding the social-emotional practices that children need to flourish is an amazing experience to be a part of. An experience where everyone wins.” Kyra has a BS in business and economics from George Fox University and is currently pursuing an MS in organizational change leadership from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. She also holds a change management certificate from Cornell University. Soham Sengupta Education Account Manager Read Bio × Soham Sengupta Education Account Manager Soham Sengupta is an education account manager for Education Partnerships, serving the West Coast territories. Before joining Committee for Children, he worked as an elementary classroom teacher and assistant principal. Most recently, Soham was a program manager at a local nonprofit that provided one-on-one tutoring. Soham is passionate about helping kids grow and thrive and sees social-emotional learning (SEL) as a critical part of education. “As a first-generation college graduate, I realize how badly I needed SEL to ensure I felt safe, valued, and affirmed,” he says. “I want to extend that to many other students.” He brings collaboration and creativity to his work at Committee for Children, and is excited to help children and educators access research-based SEL. “SEL is fundamental to a twenty-first-century child’s future well-being,” he says. He believes his SEL superpower is building positive relationships and seeing the best in others. “Everyone holds brilliance in them,” Soham says. “It’s important to recognize and affirm that.” Zach Sherman Education Partnerships Manager Read Bio × Zach Sherman Education Partnerships Manager Growing up overseas, Zach Sherman wanted to work in global development and foreign aid. But when the opportunity presented itself to join Committee for Children in 2013, he knew he had to jump at the chance to help children nationally and globally, even though it wasn’t in the original plan. Now, Zach works with schools and districts in the central US states to implement our social-emotional learning (SEL) curriculum, Second Step. He connects with and supports the educators and administrators as they use Second Step to create empathetic, safe, and successful learning environments. Zach believes that his SEL superpower of empathy is key to this role. “I use this skill in life and at work by trying to make people laugh when I see they might be feeling down, and by lending a listening ear when someone might be struggling,” he says. Zach received his dual degree in economics and international political economy from the University of Puget Sound. Patrick Starner Education Partnerships Manager Read Bio × Patrick Starner Education Partnerships Manager Patrick Starner is the education partnerships manager for the Northeast region of the US. He supports district leaders and decision-makers in their educational goals and implementation of Second Step® programs. Patrick is also responsible for client acquisitions and represents Committee for Children as an ambassador at industry events. Education has always been a major part of Patrick’s life. His mother was a classroom teacher, and Patrick worked for six years with TeachTown, an educational software company that provides resources and support for students with moderate to severe disabilities. Patrick joined Committee for Children in June 2022. He feels his SEL superpower is reflecting, a skill he uses in his daily life. Patrick explained, “Successful partnerships with school and district leadership are built on strong relationships. Connections make an impact. Reflecting and deepening those connections, that’s how you build trust to help our clients meet their SEL goals.” In his spare time, Patrick enjoys reading, watching football, playing golf, and spending time with his two dogs. Alex Van Hook Sales Operations Manager Read Bio × Alex Van Hook Sales Operations Manager As sales operations manager, Alex Van Hook is responsible for the planning, development, administration, and management of systems, training, and processes that support the success of CFC’s Sales team. In her role she also optimizes the sales process and streamlines sales automation. With years of experience in leadership roles, Alex also provides trainings, as well as gathering and reporting data and analytics. She brings a deep knowledge and wide range of experience in sales and operations and has worked with companies such as BioMed, Neuromodulation, AbbVie, Abbott Labs, and other clients within the software-as-a-service (SaaS) industry. Alex joined Committee for Children in June 2022 and says it was Committee for Children’s powerful mission that drew her in. She believes her SEL superpower is problem-solving, a skill she utilizes in both her professional and personal life. In her spare time, Alex enjoys cooking delicious meals and playing great music. Tosh J. Villery Senior Education Partnerships Manager Read Bio × Tosh J. Villery Senior Education Partnerships Manager Tosh J. Villery is senior education partnerships manager for the Gulf Coast region of the US. A strong advocate for education and equity, Tosh brings more than 13 years of experience in education with roles ranging from high school classroom teacher to district-level human assets and brand management. As part of the Education Partnerships team, Tosh supports school districts with more than 15,000 enrolled students across the Gulf Coast in their implementation of the Second Step® family of programs. Tosh was drawn to Committee for Children’s mission and says the role is a perfect fit for his background and experience with clients across the Gulf Coast. He explains, “Speaking with Committee for Children leadership demonstrated the organization’s commitment to equity. It was wonderful to find a company whose goals and priorities align with their actions.” Tosh joined Committee for Children in May 2022 and believes relationship-building is his SEL superpower. He says, “It’s my priority to show up as my authentic self in all settings. We’re all human, and relationships should never be seen as transactional. My communication and leadership style focuses on making space for honest conversations.” In his spare time, Tosh is passionate about health, fitness, and recreational sports. He enjoys music, video games, and spending time with his family. Forrest Walter Education Partnerships Manager Read Bio × Forrest Walter Education Partnerships Manager As a second-grade teacher who used Second Step social-emotional learning (SEL) curriculum in his classroom, Forrest Walter saw firsthand how powerful it can be. That made the decision to join Committee for Children in 2019 an easy one. Forrest now helps districts implement SEL programming, providing support throughout the life of the partnership. He also works with community organizations, state departments, and nonprofit organizations to expand the SEL footprint nationwide. “Education equity has always been at the heart of my career mission,” he says. “I was attracted to the vision and reach of CFC, which is worldwide and focused on not only developing amazing curricula, but also on furthering the SEL frontier through policy and legislation, innovation, and many other methods.” Forrest earned his bachelor’s degree in history from Colgate University. He considers his SEL superpower communication, as he loves to connect with people and build authentic relationships. Maureen Wishkoski Senior Proposal Manager Read Bio × Maureen Wishkoski Senior Proposal Manager Maureen joined Committee for Children in 2021 after managing programs to assist victims of sexual and domestic violence. She has also served as board chair for an outdoors leadership nonprofit for girls. With a background in providing and teaching others to provide trauma-informed care, she is passionate about the capacity of social-emotional learning (SEL) to mitigate trauma and help build caring communities where all children can thrive. As a senior proposal manager at Committee for Children, Maureen provides schools and districts with the information they need to bring the Second Step® family of SEL programs into their classrooms. “My focus is on demonstrating the many benefits Second Step programs can offer students, schools, and communities,” she says. Maureen has a bachelor’s degree in history and a master’s degree in nonprofit leadership from Seattle University. A lifelong athlete, she considers teamwork to be her SEL superpower. “At Committee for Children, teamwork looks like collaborating with my colleagues to enhance our communication and client services,” Maureen says. Seth Zeldenrust Client Development Representative Read Bio × Seth Zeldenrust Client Development Representative Seth is the client development representative for the Central region of the United States. As part of the Education Partnerships department, Seth supports educators and school leaders in small and rural school districts with their implementation of Second Step® social-emotional learning (SEL) programs. Seth says his SEL superpower is positive relationship-building, a skill he draws on while working with each unique district. “It’s important to connect and speak directly with the districts about the issues they’re facing, especially for small and rural schools,” Seth says. “Helping them identify those problems is the biggest step toward solving them and the best way to build positive relationships.” Seth earned his undergraduate degree in Integrated Strategic Communications at Washington State University. He completed a semester-long internship with the nonprofit Northwest Innovation Resource Center, where he gained significant experience in market research and client relations and development. Seth was inspired to make a meaningful change after witnessing the hardships educators and students faced throughout the pandemic. “When I was a student, I wasn’t fortunate enough to be exposed to the benefits of SEL,” he says. “I want to use all of my skills to ensure every student has the opportunity to thrive.” Seth joined Committee for Children in April 2022. In his spare time, he enjoys outdoor sports and activities, spending time with friends and family, and supporting his favorite team, the Seahawks.