Crystal G. Brown
Angela M. Copeland
Sarah Keith
Thomas P. McDevitt
James Murphy
Cindy Vizza

Crystal G. Brown Program Associate, Human Resources 202-729-8133 As the Human Resources Program Associate, Crystal is the assistant to the Vice President of Staff Services & Human Resources. She is the primary point of contact for the Human Resources department. Crystal spent four years with DeVry University and then felt it was time for her to broaden her horizon. She says that coming to the Foundation has given her that opportunity, and she looks forward to serving the Foundation's Human Resources department. A graduate of DeVry University, Crystal holds a B.S. in Business Administration with a concentration in Business Information Systems. She has plans to obtain an MBA in Human Resources. Crystal's hometown is Newark, N.J. She relocated to Laurel, Md. in February 2005. In her spare time she enjoys collecting miniature teapots and Betty Boop. She also takes an interest in making dollhouses. One interesting thing Crystal would like people to know about her is that one shouldn't judge her by facial expressions; get to know her first and you'll be able to tell what the expressions mean.

Angela M. Copeland Manager, Technical Assistance and Strategies; Knowledge, Leadership and Public Awareness 202-729-8130 In her current position, Angela is responsible for technical assistance management and developing a Peer-to-Peer Initiative, among other tasks. A graduate of Howard University and University of D.C., Angela holds a Master's degree from Lincoln University, the first historically black college and university in the United States. Angela also has 10 years experience working in the nonprofit sector. She notes that her most significant professional accomplishment to date is having been published and the programmatic work she's done in communities east of the Anacostia River. Angela currently resides in the Historic Anacostia neighborhood of Washington, D.C.—one block from the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site. Meeting one of Mr. Douglass' descendants at The Extra Mile ceremony held special meaning for her! Like most mothers, Angela laments that her spare time disappeared after the birth of her son, August, who just turned a year old. She is praying for a speedy return. Interestingly enough, Angela did not name her son after the eighth month of the Gregorian calendar, but august (accent on the second syllable), an adjective meaning “awe inspiring, and of majestic nature;” it's also the name of Angela's favorite playwright, the recently deceased, August Wilson.

Sarah Keith Program Associate, Volunteer Centers and Community Based Strategies 202-729-8257 Sarah provides program support to the YES Ambassador Program, the Points of Light Youth Leadership Institute, the Service Learning Impacting Citizenship Program and the new Disability Outreach program. She graduated from George Washington University with a B.A. degree in International Relations & History, and from Huron University in London with an M.A. in International Affairs. Before coming to the Foundation, Sarah's career endeavors include working for Amnesty International UK as a student group coordinator and the Disability Rights Commission to raise awareness about and equality for disabled people in the UK. Born in Orlando, Fla., Sarah moved back to DC about 3 months ago and currently live in Chevy Chase, Md. She loves to travel and hopes to take many daytrips to places around DC and to explore as much of the USA as she has of Europe. Sarah also loves to read and is learning how to knit and cook (but not at the same time!). Sarah admits that part of her love for traveling is learning about new places... and then sharing them with other people. She has been told that she is a great tour guide in DC, so whenever friends or family come to visit, she is out amid the monuments.

Thomas P. McDevitt Vice President, Marketing and Communications 202-729-8174 As the new V.P. for Marketing and Communications, Tom directs the marketing strategy, design and dissemination of all external and internal communications to strengthen, distinguish and protect the brand identity of the Foundation. The Marketing and Communications Department works in the areas of media relations; marketing, advertising and promotion; special events; editorial services; Foundation product design; market materials and publications; as well as communications products and projects. A few of Tom's professional accomplishments include overseeing the growth of The Washington Times National Weekly Edition to more than 100,000 paid subscribers within three years; developing the first strategic branding campaign in the 23-year history of The Washington Times ; and, directing a series of 88 American Leadership Conferences with more than 20,000 participants in 50 states within a ten-month period. Tom loves both the art and science of Marketing and would rank his growth in the discipline as his greatest accomplishment. Prior to working at the Foundation, Tom had the honor of working in the publishing and media industry for the past 12 years at The Washington Times in the roles of Vice President, Marketing Director, General Manager of the Magazine Division, Special Assistant to the President and Business Director. Prior to The Times , he served in various managerial roles with the American Freedom Coalition, the American Constitution Committee and other non-profit organizations. His undergraduate degree is from the University of Maryland in Government and Business. A proud Hoosier from Gary, Ind., Tom currently resides in Fairfax, Va., with two of his five sons. (Three are away at college...) With five boys aged 13-22, Tom spends most of his “spare” time at their football and baseball games. He also likes watching movies, is an avid reader and enjoys cooking. One interesting thing Tom would like people to know is that he subscribes to Gourmet Magazine and loves to read recipes for relaxation. Sometimes, he even dares to try them out!

James Murphy Program Associate, Infrastructure Development and Delivery Systems James Murphy's job responsibilities are divided between working with Bandana Shrestha in the model programs dept. and with Kristin Buckley on the Foundation's disaster initiatives. Before coming to the Foundation, James graduated from Boston University with degrees in Political Science and Film and has since lived and worked on all three coasts in the United States. Immediately after college, he spent a year as an AmeriCorps VISTA with the Youth Volunteer Corps in Seattle, Wash. More recently, in May, James completed a two-year term with Teach for America in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where he taught high school social studies and coached basketball. He points out that teaching for two years was definitely his most challenging professional accomplishment to date, while coaching basketball was probably his most enjoyable experience. If he calls timeout mid-conversation, just humor him. Born in Alaska, James has lived in 10 states, but considers New England (Maine and Massachusetts, specifically) to be his home. He currently resides in a small apartment in Washington, D.C. James is a big Boston sports fan but tries to balance his interests by enjoying movies and live music. And if you're ever looking for a lunch buddy, keep in mind that James is always hungry, and he stresses that means always.

Cindy Vizza Director, Knowledge Leadership and Product Development 202-729-3238 In her new role, Cindy will oversee publication of the Foundation magazine, Volunteer Leadership, and other knowledge products/projects developed by the Foundation. Prior to coming to the Foundation, she was an editorial consultant for the National Council of Better Business Bureaus, Inc. and a freelance writer. A graduate of Indiana University of Penn., Cindy also taught in the Fairfax County school system and was director of communications for VOLUNTEER-The National Center, a predecessor organization of the Foundation. Cindy is the author of A New Competitive Edge: Volunteers from the Workplace, a book on employee volunteer programs. She points to completing this book as her greatest professional accomplishment to date. To prepare for this project, she spent considerable time traveling to the companies profiled in the book, conducted interviews with a diverse cross-section of employees ranging from line workers and mid-managers to CR executives and CEOs, and learned the corporate culture of each company. Away from the office, volunteering is still central to Cindy's life. She is a Fairfax County Master Gardener and serves as the association's newsletter editor. She volunteers with her family at Zacchaeus House, a Washington, D.C. soup kitchen. Cindy's favorite activities, though, are attending her sons' lacrosse games and concerts. Currently a resident of Oak Hill, Va., Cindy's hometown is Johnstown, Penn. She has been married for 22 years to Paul and they have three sons, twins Matt and Mike (16) and Paul, Jr. (14). An interesting fact about Cindy is that she's been learning Italian. If anyone speaks the language, she'd relish the opportunity to sharpen her skills.