Advisory Board

TARA HILL, Design Industry Committee

Atlanta, GA.

MEKA JONES, Design Industry Committee

Atlanta, GA.

Meka D. Jones is a full scope interior designer, product designer, brand developer, and color consultant. Prior to joining LittleFish, Ms. Jones worked for two years under the direction of architects/designers at one of the nation’s top residential design firms. Since joining LittleFish, Ms. Jones has worked in direct collaboration with Tara Rae Hill on numerous successful and award winning design projects.

Ms.Jones’ design philosophy stems from the passionate pursuit of design solutions that powerfully impact the visual and emotional experience of the environment around us. Drawing inspiration from life’s simplistic beauty, pattern, texture, form, utility, and the power of color to directly affect human wellness, her goal endeavors to transcend design from problem solutions into a vehicle impacting human interactions & health, societal transformations, educational growth, and unity.

Recent design commissions include: Showroom and Product design for IoA Healthcare Furniture, CF Stinson, Norix Furniture Group, and LG Hausys.

SUZANNE KASLER, Design Industry Committee

Atlanta, GA.

Suzanne Kasler is inspired. As the principal of Atlanta-based Suzanne Kasler Interiors, she often asserts that “a room should be collected, not decorated.” Incorporating the personal collections of her clients with fine art and antiques, contemporary pieces and custom-designed furniture, Suzanne’s meaningful interiors straddle that rare middle ground between sophisticate and ingénue. As a graduate of the University of Cincinnati’s College of Design, Art, Architecture and Planning, Suzanne brings a comprehensive knowledge of interior architecture and decorative arts to her design work.

Suzanne’s classic interiors have been featured in Architectural Digest, Elle Décor, House Beautiful, House & Garden, Southern Accents, Traditional Home and Veranda. Her widely published work has won numerous awards, placing Suzanne among the elite of America’s top designers. In the fall of 2009, Rizzoli published Suzanne’s first book, Inspired Interiors, featuring her “deft use of couture-like detailing, a keen sense of sublime color selections, and an aesthetic that seamlessly bridges American and European sensibilities.” In June 2010 and again in June 2012, Suzanne was named to Elle Décor’s “A-List” of top designers in the country, and in January 2012, Suzanne was chosen for Architectural Digest’s New AD100.

“Being able to work as a designer is a gift—an amazing opportunity to connect to people and design spaces that inspire them.”

TRICIA GLASS

Boston, MA.

A former Director of Project Development at ARZU STUDIO HOPE, Tricia Curry Glass helped to launch Peace Cord®, a bracelet handmade by Afghan women and sold in the U.S. and abroad to fund job creation and humanitarian aid efforts in Afghan villages. She coordinated construction of and designed programs for the ARZU Dragon Valley Women's Community Center and ARZU Women's Community Garden Center in Bamyan, Afghanistan. She serves on the board of the Afghan Scholars Initiative, which provides fully funded placement at private high schools and colleges in the U.S. for young Afghans who will become transformational leaders back home. In Boston, she supports several not-for-profits that provide education opportunities for children from underserved communities and volunteers time with the Home Base Program, which supports American veterans who return home with brain injuries. She is also active at all three of her daughters’ schools!

AMY LETTENEY

Boston, MA.

A former Director of Project Development at ARZU, Inc., Amy Letteney continues a long-term commitment to aiding the people of Afghanistan by managing projects that bring hope to rug-weaving families and their communities. As a founding board member of Boston-based Beyond the 11th, she drew on her background in corporate branding and marketing to shape a successful Afghan aid organization in the United States, including logo and web site design. Amy has also assisted a number of smaller non-governmental organizations with their day-to-day operations. Locally, Amy is active in planning and implementing a children’s event that supports the Pan-Mass Challenge, a bike-a-thon that has contributed over $239 million to support cancer research. Amy has B.A. from Franklin & Marshall College. 

MIAH ARMOUR

Chicago, IL.

Miah Armour is a marketing executive who has worked internationally with Accenture and AT&T France in Paris, as well as with the Points of Light Institute and White House Office of National Service in Washington, D.C. Most recently, she was Director of Marketing and New Customer Acquisition for Harley-Davidson in Milwaukee where she helped launch the Harley-Davidson Museum. In 2010, Miah started www.ThelmaSays.com, a website dedicated to “spreading the spirit of philanthropy” by sharing great stories of social impact and innovation. She is also an active marketing consultant with Chicago-area nonprofit organizations including the Taproot Foundation, Hyde Park Art Center, Chicago Urban League, Riders for Health and others. Miah is a Director and serves on the Executive Committee of the Lake County Community Foundation, an affiliate of the Chicago Community Trust, and volunteers with the Parent Board of the Gorton Children’s Drop-In Center in Lake Forest, Illinois.

Miah graduated from University of Wisconsin and has an M.B.A. from the Thunderbird School of Global Management. She lives in Green Oaks with her husband, Kelley, and their son.

DORRITT BERN

Chicago, IL.

Ms. Bern is the former Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President of Charming Shoppes, Inc., the second largest specialty retailer, specializing in women’s plus-size fashion. During her tenure from 1995 - 2008, she grew the corporation from a $1 billion single- channel, bricks and mortar retailer, to a $3 billion multi-channel corporation with e-commerce and catalog direct marketing. She launched and was publisher of Figure Magazine, a nationally distributed magazine devoted to plus-size women.

Before joining Charming Shoppes, Inc, Ms. Bern was Vice-President of Women’s Apparel, authoring “The Softer Side of Sears” initiative, and then became the first women officer in Sears’ history. She was promoted to Group Vice President of Women’s Apparel and Home Fashions.

Ms. Bern is a 1972 graduate of the University of Washington in Business. She also is a course instructor for Board Leadership at the Wharton Business School at the University of Pennsylvania, and is a member of the Retail Advisory Board. She has three sons and three beautiful granddaughters.

CHRISTINE DeYOUNG

Chicago, IL.

Christine DeYoung is a Managing Director of Executive Retained Search for Allegis Partners in the Chicago Office. Christine specializes in senior-level Executive Search assignments for Consumer Product and Services as well as Professional Service businesses. Additionally, across industries, she has a strong functional expertise in the Marketing and Sales/General Manager arenas. Prior to Executive Search, Christine spent 20 years leading and advising consumer driven businesses - from Procter & Gamble to private equity backed companies and boutique strategy Consulting firms. Together, her marketing expertise and high level business acumen enable Christine to understand her Clients’ senior level talent needs and to successfully attract true industry leaders.

Christine earned her M.B.A. from Harvard Business School and her B.S., magna cum laude and phi beta kappa in Packaging Engineering, from Michigan State University.

HELENE HAMILTON FAIGEN, Design Industry Committee

Chicago, IL. 

JENNIFER FORTNER

Chicago, IL.

Jenny is a private wealth advisor in the Investment Management Division in Chicago. She works with high net worth families, privately held business owners, and foundations, advising on asset allocation and portfolio strategy. Jenny is the co-head and founder of the Chicago Women’s Network, co-captain of the Client Outreach Committee for the Firmwide Women’s Network (Americas), and a member of the Operating Committee for the IMD Women’s Network. She is also the divisional recruiting team captain for Chicago Booth School of Business. Jenny was named managing director in 2011.

Jenny is on the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors of Special Olympics Illinois. She also serves on the board of the Big Shoulders Fund. Jenny is a member of The University of Chicago Women’s Board and has served on the Visiting Committee for The University of Chicago. In 2008, she was awarded the Highest Leaf Award for leadership and entrepreneurship from the Women’s Venture Fund.

Jenny earned a B.A. in Psychology with Phi Beta Kappa honors from The University of Chicago in 1998. She and her husband, P.Jay, have three children and live in the south suburbs of Chicago.

VICKIE MARASCO

Chicago, IL. 

Vickie Marasco is passionate about all things art and service related. Her adventures have brought her from UW with a Textile Design degree to designing fabrics and clothing in Saudi Arabia for both Bedouins and Royalty. She was honored to design for the Kingdom for the World Fair in Spain. Vickie raised a family overseas in Germany, England and Greece. Stateside after 10 years, she ran her own business, V, designing paper for weddings. Most recently, Vickie served on the Board of Deer Path Art League for 8 years and was employed as Gallery Director. She steered several of the nonprofit's fundraisers and their annual Art Fair. Vickie developed and conducted an after school art program for underserved children in North Chicago. She is currently partnered with creatives in Waukegan, where she designed and curates a gallery called Urban Edge, to assist in resurrecting the City's viability through the Arts.

JULIE McCARTHY, Design Industry Committee

Chicago, IL.

Julie joined the staff of Interior Design in 2000 as an account manager for the Midwest territory. McCarthy previously worked with the IIDA selling Perspective Magazine. Her earlier work experience includes both design and sales for a Steelcase dealership in Chicago.

GAIL STURM

Chicago, IL.

Gail specializes in professional portfolio advisory services, build-to-suit, brokerage, consulting and representation for the real estate needs of corporate clients. She is a commercial and industrial real estate professional with more than $2.5 billion in sales and leases completed during her 29-year career. Previously, Gail was a President of a National Real Estate firm. While there, she was instrumental in shaping the company’s structure and developing its philosophies.

Gail is a member of the Rocky Mountain Institute and its “Green Development Services.” She co-authored “Seeing the Light,” an article illustrating the impact of new lighting opportunities on lowering energy cost to tenants. Gail was a featured speaker at the 2003 Annual Crew Network Convention in San Francisco, “Energy & Real Estate - Adding Value in a Changing Market Place.” In 2007 Gail served as the moderator of a panel discussion on Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design regarding neighborhood development (LEED-ND). Gail received her B.B.A. in Marketing and Management from St. Mary’s College of Notre Dame.

MICAELA WHITE

Chicago, IL.

Micaela White is currently pursuing a full-time M.B.A. from the University of Chicago, concentrating on strategic management and finance. Prior to school, Micaela worked at Rite-Hite Corporation, an industrial equipment manufacturer, as a strategic account specialist and an active participant on acquisitions. She also has experience as an analyst from Bank of America Merrill Lynch in the public finance investment banking group. Micaela received her Bachelor of Arts in economics from the University of Chicago, where she played varsity basketball and soccer.

REBECCA WOAN

Chicago, IL.

Rebecca Korach Woan is a principal and founder of Chartwell Insurance Services in Chicago. Chartwell Insurance Services arranges personal property and liability insurance, provides risk management solutions and other consultative services for high net worth individuals and their families. In addition to insurance programs for residences, automobiles, aircraft, boats and yachts, Chartwell has considerable and respected expertise in insuring collections of fine art, antiques, jewelry and collector automobiles. Rebecca regularly comments on insurance matters for national and local publications. She currently serves on the governing committee of the Illinois Fair Plan and is a member of the Professional Independent Insurance Agents of Illinois (PIIAI) and the Chicago Finance Exchange. She also serves on the Auxiliary Board of the Art Institute of Chicago. Rebecca received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Pennsylvania in International Relations and French and an M.B.A. in Finance from the University of Chicago Booth School.

CYNTHIA WROBLE, DESIGN INDUSTRY COMMITTEE

Chicago, IL.

Cynthia Wroble is a marketing executive who has worked in the commercial interior design and furniture industry for over 25 years. She specializes in office furnishings, space planning, green solutions, project management and representation for the interior needs of corporate clients. Additionally, she has
collaborated with multiple furniture manufacturers to custom design solutions to fit very specific needs. Cynthia’s vast knowledge of resources allows her to provide clients with the best possible resolutions to meet and exceed all the interior project objectives.

Cynthia received her B.S. degree in Environmental design from the University of Colorado. In addition she regularly contributes her time and resources to many charitable causes. 

KATHERINE LaLONDE

Dallas, TX.

Katherine LaLonde joined U.S. Trust in 2009, and is the West Division Marketing Executive. In that role, she works with U.S. Trust partners to develop and implement strategies to expand U.S. Trust’s brand and client relationships in the Western U.S. LaLonde brings more than two decades of experience to her marketing role at U.S. Trust, and has previously held positions as the Southwest Regional Marketing Manager for The Wall Street Journal, Director of Marketing for American Way, the magazine of American Airlines, and Director of Advertising and Public Relations for the Westin Hotel at the Galleria among others.

Her current and former board positions include the Dallas Women’s Foundation, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Dallas, Literacy Instruction for Texas, the Dallas Children’s Theater and the Dallas Film Society. She has also served as chairman of the 2009 Cattle Baron’s Ball and the American Cancer Society’s single largest fundraiser in America for cancer research. Her civic activities have included serving on the Dallas 2012 U.S. Wrestling Olympic Trials Committee and the Host Committee for the North Texas Super Bowl XLV.

CHARITY WALLACE

Dallas, TX.

Charity Wallace serves as the Director of the Women’s Initiative at the Bush Institute and Senior Advisor to Mrs. Laura Bush. As the Director, Charity is responsible for setting the vision and creating the programming for the Women’s Initiative, including the empowerment of women in the Middle East.

Most recently, Charity served as the Chief of Staff to Mrs. Laura Bush. In her role, Charity managed the team that supports Mrs. Bush and oversaw Mrs. Bush’s initiatives - from her wide ranging policy agenda to her recent book tour. Charity served in the Bush Administration from January 2001 to January 2009. A native of California, Charity graduated magna cum laude from Pepperdine University, with a B.A. in Political Science, with a focus in International Relations. Following graduation, Charity began a career in professional musical theater before joining the Bush-Cheney campaign in January of 2000.

CHRIS PELLEY

Denver, CO.

Chris devotes seemingly endless passion — and time — to what is important to him. He serves as managing director of CIMCO, the private wealth management firm he founded in 1994 after decades of experience as an investment advisor in London and New York. With a talented team of recognized independent experts in law, tax, banking and other proficiencies, CIMCO embraces the Japanese proverb: “None of us are as smart as all of us.” He is also committed to promoting social entrepreneurship (using entrepreneurial principles to organize, create and manage a venture to make social change). Over six years ago, while helping CIMCO clients make decisions about personal transitions; Chris learned that people’s legacy, children and charity are important and significant. And, last but not least, Chris is an active connector; engaged in global professional organizations such as ACG, TiE Rockies, and FEI. Rising before dawn to fit in his exercise routine, he is often still sending e-mails late into the night.

Chris has a B.A. in Psychology and a B.S. in Economics from the University of Missouri. He also earned a Chartered Financial
Consultant (ChFC) designation from the American College and is a Registered Principal with First Allied Services, Inc. member
NASD/SIPC.

EDIE HUNT

New York, NY.

Edie Hunt has been and continues to be an exemplary champion for the advancement of women from both a social and economic perspective. She is engaged, supportive and committed to helping women globally leave a footprint of success. For years, Edie has been active with key organizations and programs like the Forte Foundation (former chair), Women’s Campaign International (board member), Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women (representative) and the Trustee’s Council of Penn Women (vice chair). Many of Goldman Sachs’ internal diversity programs for women have been initiated under Edie’s leadership. She has acted as mentor to the women at Goldman Sachs and has advocated for them, ensuring talented women are well represented at all levels – from analyst to partner. She continues to be the firm’s Chief Diversity Officer and serves in an advisory capacity on key talent management initiatives.

ANN KAPLAN

New York, NY.

Ann Kaplan is a partner of Circle Wealth Management, an investment advisory firm. She is also the chair of Circle Financial Group, a wealth management membership organization, and teaches Asset and Wealth Management classes at the Columbia University School of Business.

Ms. Kaplan was previously a general partner of Goldman, Sachs & Co. and a managing director after the firm became a public company. She was a member of the Fixed Income Division for 23 years and served as the head of the municipal bond department. During her last three years at the firm, she was a member of the Asset Management Division focusing on wealth management.

Ms. Kaplan serves as a board member of the Goldman Sachs Bank USA and LearnVest. She also serves on the boards of Columbia University, the Museum of Arts & Design, the Economic Club of New York and the Women’s Forum. She is a member of the Board of Overseers of the Columbia University School of Business and a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.

Ms. Kaplan holds a B.A. in government from Smith College and an M.B.A. from Columbia University. 

VICKI LAWRENCE

Palo Alto, CA.

Vicki is Co-Founder and C.O.O. of Linqto Media, a software firm specializing in Facebook applications and live online business engagement solutions. For 15 years Vicki has been providing online platforms for small business users to maximize their internet presence and create income. She co-founded Home Search Information Network in 1994, the first online real estate communications and marketing solution provider to real estate brokers in 250 U.S. markets. Vicki has been a serial entrepreneur and small business owner for over 25 years. She has received grants from the New York State Science and Tech Foundation, MapInfo (now Pitney Bowes Business Insight) and Stanford University. Recently Vicki worked with the U.S. Dept. of Commerce’s National Advisory Council on Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Vicki moved from Albany, New York to Pebble Beach, California in 1999. She has an academic background in Biology.

DANIELLE WOHL, DESIGN INDUSTRY COMMITTEE

Palo Alto, CA.

Daniele Wohl is a fine art advisor specializing in providing fine art and fine art services to the business community and individual art collectors. Danielle provides art advise, curatorial management, assistance in locating and obtaining specific artworks, and strategic assistance in developing interesting and dynamic collections for the corporate environment and individual collectors.

Danielle works with the business community including law firms, technology firms, financial institutions, municipal governments, hospitals, hotels and foundations.

Danielle’s professional background includes curatorial experience in Contemporary Art, Early American artifacts including Gold Rush Era objects, Plein Air paintings and African art and objects. She has taught Aubusson Tapestry Weaving, restored antique textiles for private rug collectors and prepared Antique Oriental Rugs for the De Young Museum in San Francisco. Danielle has a B.A. from San Francisco State University, has studied language and art history in Florence, Italy and has taken graduate courses from Stanford University. DanielleWohlFineArt.com

ELLEN HASS

Philadelphia, PA.

Ellen Nalle Hass is the Director of Major Gifts at Springside Chestnut Hill Academy a K-12 college preparatory school in Philadelphia that is single sex until 9th grade and coed in upper school. SCH's differentiator is its Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership that prepares its students to be future/innovative ready in a world that is changing at a break neck speed.

In addition to her job at SCH, Ellen is President of The Henrietta Tower Wurts Fund, a foundation that supports the elderly and children in the city of Philadelphia. She is also on the Board of the Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania. Ellen is married to Jay Hass and has 3 children-Charlotte, Johnny and Robert. She has a BA in English from Trinity College in Hartford, CT.

JULIA KLEIN

Philadelphia, PA.

Julia Klein is a Chief Executive, Board Director, and leader in the building materials distribution industry. Her strategic vision, business, and financial acumen have been the foundation for building and managing profitable organizations and high performing teams. As President, C.E.O. and currently Chairwoman of C.H. Briggs Company, she transformed a local business into a super regional, professionally managed platform company.

She has served as C.E.O. of, Chairwoman of C.H. Briggs since 2007. She is a member of the Boards of Directors of Hedwin Corporation in Baltimore, Reading Hospital Medical Group, the Reading Hospital & Medical Center, and the Advisory Board of Modern Distribution Management. She is a former member of the Advisory Boards of Quaker Maid Meats, Inc. in Reading, Arbill Safety Supply Company in Philadelphia, and the Regional Advisory Board of Wachovia Bank. She earned a Masters Degree in Public Policy as an Urban Scholars Fellow at the University of Chicago and a B.A. from the College of Wooster in Wooster, Ohio. Ms. Klein and her husband have a son and live in Reading, Pennsylvania.

RAHILLA ZAFAR

Philadelphia, PA.

Rahilla Zafar is the director of outreach and partnerships for the Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership at the Springside Chestnut Hill (SCH) Academy in Philadelphia. The program has been awarded funding by the NASDAQ Foundation and Dick Hayne, the Founder and CEO of Urban Outfitters who serves as board president of SCH Academy. While a graduate student at the University of Pennsylvania, Rahilla helped Wharton Business School professor Keith Weigelt develop the cross generational program Building Bridges to Wealth, that provides entrepreneurship and financial literacy classes to inner city communities. She previously worked in Afghanistan and is an advisory board member of ARZU STUDIO HOPE which is currently one of the largest private employers of Afghan women. Rahilla is also on the board of the Ibrahim Family Foundation helping run its annual leadership and dialogue trip where selected college students visit Israel, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Oman and the United Arab Emirates.  

BRAD MILLER

San Diego, CA.

Brad is the Director of Business Development at Fathom, a digital marketing and analytics firm, and a recognized digital marketing expert with over 10 years of experience in search, social, analytics and ecommerce. He has worked in multiple capacities including roles in consulting, management, production and sales. His vast experience along with proficiency in Online Marketing and business savvy, allow him to identify areas for improvement and effectively put together strategic solutions. Brad has worked with hundreds of organizations, including those within the technology and education industries as well as e-commerce businesses to generate profitable marketing programs and strongly believes that every marketing dollar should be held highly accountable. Brad has spoken numerous times on topics ranging from SEO and Social Media to B2B Marketing and Lead Generation.

FLORENA NEMTEANU, DESIGN INDUSTRY COMMITTEE

San Francisco, CA.

Florena is a Romanian-born designer who was raised in the heart of New York City. Growing up in a global center of finance, fashion and real estate played a significant role in inspiring her to a successful design career. She has 12+ years of experience planning and designing spaces in multiple industries, including Financial Services, Hospitality, Residential, Education, and Health Care.

Ms. Nemteanu received her B.F.A. in Interior Design from the New York School of Interior Design in 2001, and worked with Gensler, Skidmore Owings & Merrill, and Kohn Pedersen Fox before joining Huntsman Architectural Group in San Francisco. She is passionate about contributing to a dynamic industry in which technology and sustainability lead the way to the future. Projects that she has worked on include the executive offices of Charles Schwab, the Museum of Modern Art, and Macys.com, along with public sector work with the US General Services Administration, the County of San Mateo, CA, and the U.S. Coast Guard.

ADRIANA TRENEV PLUT

San Jose, CA.

Adriana Trenev Plut was originally born and raised in Southern C.A., in the quickly growing Northern L.A. areas of Westlake Village and Agoura Hills. Adriana graduated from University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, P.A. in the Fall of 2006 with her B.A. in Art History and minors in Spanish and Psychology. From there, she went on to receive her M.A. from U.S.C. in the field of Broadcast Journalism. She graduated in May of 2008 and became a P.R./Marketing/and E-commerce specialist for her family’s company: Natren Probiotics Inc. In the Fall of 2009, she relocated to the San Jose Bay Area when she married Ian Plut. Adriana is now a practicing and full-time Realtor with Alain Pinel Realtors Los Gatos. She is happily married and lives in one of the new high rise buildings, the 88, in downtown San Jose. In her spare time, Adriana is passionate about Interior Design, fashion, negotiating, spending time with family and friends, learning new things, traveling the world, fine wine, and good conversation over espresso!

GINA PEREIRA

Toronto, ON.

Gina M. Pereira was born in Bermuda and spent her childhood living between Bermuda and the Azores. She immigrated to Canada where she earned her undergraduate and law degrees; she was admitted to the bar of the Law Society of Upper Canada in 2002. Gina worked as a trust lawyer and fiduciary in the international wealth management sector for more than a decade catering to private clients with multi-jurisdiction connections. Previously operating from Zurich, New York, Bermuda, The Bahamas and Brazil, Gina is currently based in Toronto, Canada.

Gina established Dana Philanthropy to assist her clients create sustainable social enhancement through informed, strategic giving. She supports private clients in developing and executing their philanthropy, helps global corporations invest in the communities in which they operate, and works with non-profit organisations around the world.

MEG KULUNGOWSKI, Design Industry Committee

Washington, D.C.

Meg Kulungowski serves as the Director, Government Relations for Navistar Defense. She engages with the Department of Defense, other executive Departments and agencies, and Congress to ensure that Navistar Defense has the greatest opportunity possible to achieve their business goals.

Meg previously served as the Director of Congressional Affairs for the Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization (JIEDDO). She integrated information to assist the Congress in understanding JIEDDO operations and requirements to support their $4B budget. She is a graduate of the Industrial College of the Armed Forces and previously served as the Senior Legislative Coordinator within the Budget Liaison office, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Financial Management and Comptroller. Additionally, Meg provided the congressional affairs support to PEO Soldier and worked for Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, (R- TX).

She graduated from the United States Military Academy (USMA) in 1981, and served as a Military Intelligence officer for eleven years. She is married to Colonel (Ret.) Mark Kulungowski (USMA ’80) and they have two daughters (CPT Meg Kelvington, USMA ’06 and Mallory, USMA ’14).

LAURA WILLOUGHBY

Washington, D.C.

Laura Willoughby was named the Director of the Washington, D.C. Metro region area in February 2010. In this role, she develops and coordinates BENS members and programs in the Washington D.C., Northern Virginia, and Maryland regions. Laura helped develop and enact the BENS Women in National Security Initiative, a group of senior executive influential women in national security that meet over brunch quarterly. WINS is currently working a project women entrepreneurs in the MENA region to help better stabilize key areas.

Laura graduated from the College of Charleston in Charleston, S.C., with a B.A. in media communications and a minor in International Studies, Latin America. She is a Leadership Maryland 2011 graduate. She lives in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, where she serves on several local non-profits committees and boards.

VIRGINIA HAYES, JUNIOR ADVISORY BOARD

Washington, D.C.

Virginia Hayes was born and raised in Lake Forest, IL and graduated from Lake Forest High School. She attended Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, where she was an active member of the Student Senate and of Pi Beta Phi Fraternity for Women. After graduating from Dickinson College in May of 2012, Virginia moved to Washington D.C. where she currently has two internships working for the Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer and a campaign finance consulting firm. She became involved with ARZU in the summer of 2010 when she interned for the organization and returned to intern again the following summer. After interning for ARZU and getting to intimately understand the importance of what they do, she has continually tried to promote ARZU in whatever way she can.  

HOSUN LEE, JUNIOR ADVISORY BOARD

Champaign, IL.

Hosun Lee is currently a junior at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign majoring in Accountancy. On campus, she is involved in many extra curricular activities such as Enactus and Student Alumni Ambassadors. She started working as an intern at ARZU STUDIO HOPE in the summer of 2012, working on various financial tasks and projects for the CFO, primarily. Next summer, Hosun will serve as a finance intern at Siemens. 

ANNSLEY McKINNEY, JUNIOR ADVISORY BOARD

Chicago, IL.

Annsley McKinney is a recent college graduate and former intern at ARZU STUDIO HOPE. At her Alma matter, Scripps College, she served as Senior Class President. Additionally, she was a founding member and Co-President of the Claremont Colleges branch of the Colleges Against Cancer Organization and was instrumental in the implementation of their largest fundraiser, Relay for Life. Most recently, she worked with Service Speaks, to plan and execute The Frances Xavier Warde School’s scholarship foundation annual fundraiser.

Annsley graduated from Scripps College in Claremont, California in 2012 with a Bachelor of the Arts Degree in Anthropology. Her senior thesis, Women and International Aid and Development in Afghanistan, examined the work of different aid organizations, including Arzu, and their fundamental work with women in the region.
 

FIELD OSLER, JUNIOR ADVISORY BOARD

Chicago, IL.

Field Osler earned her M.A. in International Development from the Josef Korbel School of International Studies at the University of Denver. Field went on to her M.A. straight after graduating from Boston College as a Theology major to merge her interests in social justice, women's empowerment, and global development. Throughout college and graduate school, Field's internships focused on international development and global health to examine the issues from different sectors: non-profit advocacy at Malaria No More, academic analysis at the University of Denver, social action campaigns and corporate goodworks at Message-Global, and public-private partnerships at Imagination Playground. Most recently, Field was in Johannesburg working for South Africa's first and only social enterprise, Food and Trees for Africa. Field worked with the communications team to support EduPlant, a public-private partnership to ensure food security at schools. Field hopes to use her past experiences to support the work of ARZU.  

BRIANA PERRY, JUNIOR ADVISORY BOARD

Columbia Heights, MN.

Briana Perry is an attorney in Minneapolis, Minnesota and currently works for a District Court Judge in Hennepin County. Briana earned her J.D. from the William Mitchell College of Law in May 2012, and her B.A. in Sociology from the University of Illinois at Chicago in May 2008. While living in Chicago, Briana served as the Director of Office Affairs for ARZU STUDIO HOPE from 2005 to 2008, and is excited to serve in an advisory role with ARZU.

Briana’s legal emphasis is in the area of criminal law, having worked for the Innocence Project of Minnesota, Legal Assistance to Minnesota Prisoners, and the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office while in law school. Briana regularly volunteers for Everybody Wins, a reading program serving low-income youth.

NINA ZENNI, JUNIOR ADVISORY BOARD

Lake Bluff, IL.

Nina Zenni joined the ARZU team as a Marketing and New Media Intern for Peace Cord®. She is currently a student at New York University studying to receive a B.A. in Social Work with a concentration in women’s rights. In the past, Nina as works as a Communications and Photography intern at a UN-affiliated organization, World Youth Alliance, focusing on empowering youth through international and diplomatic mediums. She has also worked directly under the Founder and CEO of an educational mentor program located in the Bronx, serving as an Event Coordinator, Teacher’s Assistant, and Relations Advisor. Nina has travelled extensively throughout Southern Africa, the Middle East and Indonesia and through those experiences, she discovered her passion to help encourage and empower women on an international scale. Although she is still in school, she plans to someday work overseas in the fight for women everywhere.