Meet Our Staff
![Donna Phillips](/images/2023/08/01/headshot_sqoptimized_donnaphillips_01.jpg)
Donna PhillipsPresident and Chief Executive Officer
![Donna Phillips](https://reagan.civiced.org/images/2023/08/01/headshot_sqoptimized_donnaphillips_01.jpg)
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 Thurman](/images/2023/08/01/headshot_sqoptimized_johnthurman_01.jpg)
John ThurmanVice President & Chief Operating and Financial Officer
![John Thurman](https://reagan.civiced.org/images/2023/08/01/headshot_sqoptimized_johnthurman_01.jpg)
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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![Mara Tolas](/images/2023/08/01/headshot_sqoptimized_maratolas_01.jpg)
Mara TolasSenior Director of Development
![Mara Tolas](https://reagan.civiced.org/images/2023/08/01/headshot_sqoptimized_maratolas_01.jpg)
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 Blauw](/images/2023/08/01/headshot_sqoptimized_michaelblauw_01.jpg)
Michael BlauwDirector of Civic Learning and Strategic Partnerships
![Michael Blauw](https://reagan.civiced.org/images/2023/08/01/headshot_sqoptimized_michaelblauw_01.jpg)
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 Gage](/images/2023/08/01/headshot_sqoptimized_markgage_01.jpg)
Mark GageDirector of Publishing and Communications
![Mark Gage](https://reagan.civiced.org/images/2023/08/01/headshot_sqoptimized_markgage_01.jpg)
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-Groth](/images/2023/08/01/headshot_sqoptimized_alissairiongroth_01.jpg)
Alissa Irion-GrothDirector of Program Grants and Innovation
![Alissa Irion-Groth](https://reagan.civiced.org/images/2023/08/01/headshot_sqoptimized_alissairiongroth_01.jpg)
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 Wise](/images/2023/11/09/headshot_sqoptimized_garywise_01.png)
Gary WiseDirector of Operations and Information Technology
![Gary Wise](https://reagan.civiced.org/images/2023/11/09/headshot_sqoptimized_garywise_01.png)
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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![Umesh Naidu](/images/2023/08/01/headshot_sqoptimized_umeshnaidu_01.jpg)
Umesh NaiduSenior Accountant & IT System Administrator
![Umesh Naidu](https://reagan.civiced.org/images/2023/08/01/headshot_sqoptimized_umeshnaidu_01.jpg)
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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![Bradford Pilcher](/images/2023/08/01/headshot_sqoptimized_bradfordpilcher_01.jpg)
Bradford PilcherSenior Designer and Editor
![Bradford Pilcher](https://reagan.civiced.org/images/2023/08/01/headshot_sqoptimized_bradfordpilcher_01.jpg)
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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![Emily Voss](/images/2023/08/01/headshot_sqoptimized_emilyvoss_01.jpg)
Emily VossSenior Manager of National Programs and Professional Development
![Emily Voss](https://reagan.civiced.org/images/2023/08/01/headshot_sqoptimized_emilyvoss_01.jpg)
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 Aviles](/images/2023/11/09/headshot_sqoptimized_sarahatkinson_011.png)
Sarah AvilesFinance and Human Resources Manager
![Sarah Aviles](https://reagan.civiced.org/images/2023/11/09/headshot_sqoptimized_sarahatkinson_011.png)
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 Butler](/images/2023/12/19/headshot_sqoptimized_tajabutler_01.jpg)
Taja ButlerManager of Civic Learning Projects
![Taja Butler](https://reagan.civiced.org/images/2023/12/19/headshot_sqoptimized_tajabutler_01.jpg)
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 Milianni](/images/2023/08/01/headshot_sqoptimized_valeriemilianni_01.jpg)
Valerie MilianniManager of Sales and Operations
![Valerie Milianni](https://reagan.civiced.org/images/2023/08/01/headshot_sqoptimized_valeriemilianni_01.jpg)
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 Reichardt](/images/2024/03/22/headshot_sqoptimized_kellyreichardt_02.jpg)
Kelly ReichardtManager of Civic Learning and Curriculum
![Kelly Reichardt](https://reagan.civiced.org/images/2024/03/22/headshot_sqoptimized_kellyreichardt_02.jpg)
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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![Anna Ballard](/images/2023/11/21/headshot_sqoptimized_annaballard_01.png)
Anna BallardCoordinator of National Programs and Grants
![Anna Ballard](https://reagan.civiced.org/images/2023/11/21/headshot_sqoptimized_annaballard_01.png)
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 Volcy](/images/2024/03/05/headshot_sqoptimized_meghanvolcy_01.jpg)
Meghan VolcyCoordinator of National Programs and Grants
![Meghan Volcy](https://reagan.civiced.org/images/2024/03/05/headshot_sqoptimized_meghanvolcy_01.jpg)
Meghan VolcyCoordinator of National Programs and Grants
Meghan Volcy is a Massachusetts native who currently Coordinates National Programs and Grants at the Center for Civics Education. She attended Boston University and obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science...
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![Janel Huber](/images/2023/08/01/headshot_sqoptimized_janelhuber_01.jpg)
Janel HuberAdministrative Assistant
![Janel Huber](https://reagan.civiced.org/images/2023/08/01/headshot_sqoptimized_janelhuber_01.jpg)
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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