Staff

Meet our Staff

Christopher R. RianoPresident

Christopher R. Riano is the president of the Center for Civic Education, the nation's largest constitutional law and civic education nonprofit dedicated to promoting an enlightened and responsible citizenry both in America and ... [read more]

Mia NagawieckiVice President & Chief Operating Officer

Mia Nagawiecki is the Center for Civic Education’s Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. She works to advance the Center’s mission, providing meaningful civic and constitutional education to students, teachers, and citizens across the country and ... [read more]

Donna PhillipsVice President & Chief Program Officer

Donna Phillips is the Center for Civic Education’s Vice President & Chief Program Officer for the Center for Civic Education, leading the Center’s ambitious strategic plan in development, implementation, and innovation of its national and international programs ... [read more]

James B. HerediaVice President & Chief Financial Officer

James Heredia works with the president and other vice presidents to advance the mission of the Center by providing fiscal leadership to meet its strategic goals and objectives. ... [read more]

Mara TolasLillian B. and Martin J. Jarvis Director of Development

Mara Tolas is the Lillian B. and Martin J. Jarvis 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 connecting people with opportunities to create significant positive impact. ... [read more]

Alissa Irion-GrothDirector of National and International Programs

Alissa Irion-Groth has been coordinating international partnerships and other Center programs since 2004. Originally joining the Center to support the Arab Civitas Program in the Middle East and North Africa, she has worked to support programs ... [read more]

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 of the Center's websites and social media platforms. Gage co-founded the 60-Second Civics podcast in 2009 with Kaci Patterson and ... [read more]

Chelsea M. SchusterPublic Relations and Social Media Manager

Chelsea M. Schuster is the Center for Civic Education's public relations and social media manager. Schuster spent nearly a decade managing communications, stakeholder engagement, and fundraising initiatives at leading civic organizations and startups including... [read more]

Greg SynnottDirector of Information Technology

Greg Synnott develops and manages the Center's information systems, including data systems, accounting systems, and websites. Synnott is a hands-on leader who serves many roles, including data management, database administration, web development, and accounting. ... [read more]

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. Milianni has been with the Center since 1989 ... [read more]

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 migrating to the United States in 2001. ... [read more]

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 child care centers in Pennsylvania and Vermont. Huber is the Center's receptionist ... [read more]

Meet our Staff

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Center for Civic Education

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