Veronica Amodu
Ellen Evans
Ashley Gatewood
Brenda Grey
Sara Grosvenor
Richard Lewis
Yvette Marr
Paulina Migalska
Beth Millas
Ethan K. Owen
Cathy Price
Diana Rothe-Smith
Jeffrey Skarin
Kelly Valente

Veronica Amodu Payroll Manager, Finance & Accounting (202) 729-8016 As Payroll Manager, Veronica works with Human Resource on all payroll processing. She reviews the master report of the ADP (Accounting Department Payroll) for accuracy. Veronica is also responsible for tracking and processing time sheets and preparing federal and state filings. Veronica earned her B.S. degree in Economics Education from the University of Abuja, in Nigeria. Originally from the Kogi state in Nigeria, she currently lives in Bladensburg, Md. In her free time, Veronica enjoys sewing, reading the Bible, writing Christian songs and traveling.

Ellen Evans Training System Designer (202) 729-3242 As the Training Systems Designer, Ellen says, “I provide a holistic approach and framework to the educational offerings, publications (hard copy and electronic) and products that we offer to our members and customers in order to avoid duplication, increase efficiency and enhance overall quality, delivery and accessibility. “If we are successful,” she adds, “the bottom line is a more satisfied constituency and increased revenue for the services and programs we offer.”  Ellen has worked at the local and national level in a variety of professional settings with a variety of professionals from around the country.  “I’m happy to have managed to find the common thread that has enabled us to have programming success, long-lasting relationships and fun—in the midst of some challenging times.”  After receiving a BA from Pennsylvania State University, Ellen spent eight years with the United Way of the Columbia Willamette in Portland, Ore., managing the Information and Referral Service.  In 1986, she transferred to the national United Way organization, United Way of America in Alexandria, Va., working in local program development and support, conferencing and training.  She also spent time as a program management consultant for the National Human Services Assembly.  A native of San Rafael, Calif., Ellen has lived in New Jersey, New Mexico, Colorado and Pennsylvania before moving to Oregon.  She has lived in Alexandria since 1986.  What does Ellen do in her spare time?  “Anything that gets the circulation going: walking, yoga, Pilates, cyber (weight training) and anything that gets the creative juices flowing: reading, music, art and photography.”  She is proud of the fact that she ran in the New York City Marathon in 1990, finishing in three hours and 45 minutes.

Ashley Gatewood Marketing Coordinator Mission Fish (202) 729-8278 As the Mission Fish Marketing Coordinator, Ashley is responsible for executing the marketing plan and works to increase brand awareness. Whether communicating with nonprofits or eBay sellers, Ashley identifies the audiences’ needs and shows them how they can benefit from using Mission Fish. Currently she is hard at work on Mission Fish’s next e-newsletter and helping to develop the new “Spotlight on a Cause” promotion. After receiving a Bachelor’s in English from Towson University, Ashley worked for the Keri Company as a scientific journal reviewer. In 2004 she headed to graduate school at the University of Texas at Austin where she earned a Master’s in advertising with an account planning emphasis. She worked as a project manager on behalf of a market research company, but the East Coast’s allure pulled this Jersey girl back to her Mid-Atlantic roots. An avid traveler, Ashley has been to 37 countries across six continents. She has lived in Baltimore, London and Sydney. Highlights from her adventures include visiting a snake farm in Bangkok, hiking around Ayer’s Rock in the Outback, and befriending stray dogs in Uruguay. Her ultimate dream trip is a cruise to Antarctica to participate in a whale watch. When she isn’t trekking the globe, Ashley enjoys reading, dancing and going to the cinema. She lives in Columbia Heights, Md.

Brenda V. Gray Receptionist/Administrative Assistant, Office Operations (202) 729-8000  Brenda is POLF’s new Receptionist/Administrative Assistant.  Her responsibilities include greeting guests; typing correspondence, reports and memos; scheduling and maintaining reservations for conference rooms; directing incoming calls; assigning purchase numbers; approving office supply orders; and maintaining custody of the “loaner” office entry cards for those who need them.  “I feel that my greatest accomplishment has been educating and expanding the horizons of young minds,” says Brenda, who taught 5th grade academics and well as 4th and 5th grade religion in the Catholic School System.  Before becoming a teacher, she was Executive Assistant/Events Coordinator for a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit organization for 12 years.   “I love watching meteor showers at three o’clock in the morning,” she says.  A native Washingtonian, Brenda’s hobbies include star-gazing, directing a choir and choreographing dancing.

Sara Grosvenor Director, Media Development (202) 729-6015 As director for media development, Sara provides strategic direction in the development of Foundation and program information and manages internal and external communications. She is the department’s point person for the We Are Family and Seasons of Service campaigns, the e-newsletter To the Point and the Foundation’s Website redesign, and publisher of Volunteer Leadership magazine. Sara has a multimedia background in journalism and communications. After being a reporter, photographer and editor for publications including U.S. News & World Report, she worked on productions for WETA, Discovery and spaceday.com. Before coming to the Foundation, Sara worked in communications and media relations for associations including AARP, Fannie Mae Foundation, National Association of Secondary School Principals and Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors. A native of Washington, D.C., Sara received degrees from Stanford University and the Missouri School of Journalism and later lived in Hong Kong and New York. Sara spends much of her time mucking around in boats and recently reenacted her great-grandfather’s sail to Sable Island, known as "The Graveyard of the Atlantic" for its more than 350 recorded shipwrecks.

Richard Lewis            Training Manager 1-800-Volunteer.org  (202) 729-8014  Richard manages the training and performance for 1-800-Volunteer.org users, which includes online and classroom training.  He is responsible for developing and maintaining the metrics related to the training.  A graduate of James Madison University, Richard has more than 10 years of training experience with progressively more responsible positions.  Most recently he worked for Freddie Mac University, which was listed as one of the top 100 training organizations in the U.S. by the American Society for Training and Development.  Richard began his career as a certified process improvement trainer, and soon became a corporate computer trainer.  While at Palm Beach County, he was promoted to the position of Training Project Manager for the Justice Information System, a multi-million dollar program that consolidated all of the justice-related databases and information into a single system.  His greatest professional accomplishment?  “I was selected for the Palm Beach County Golden Palm Award from the pool of approximately 3,000 country government employees,” Richard says.  “The award is the highest level of recognition for employee and work accomplishments.  I received the award for my work in reducing the 1,200-person training backlog to zero in three months’ time.  A native of Washington, D.C., Richard was raised in a State Department family and grew up in countries around the world, but he returned to the U.S. to attend college and currently resides in Burke.  He likes canoeing and playing volleyball during the summer and cooking (and eating) international food.  But, he says, “My signature dish is good old American chili.”

Yvette Marr Program Associate, Human Resources (202) 729-8133 As the Program Associate for Human Resources, Yvette is responsible for recruiting the temporary staff while managing the intern program. Yvete also prepares HR reports, offer letters and maintains the daily appointment calendar and schedule of the vice president of Human Resources. Yvette continues to pursue her degree in HR Management attending Strayer University.   Her greatest joy is her son Blair. When not working she enjoys spending time and traveling with her family. She grew up Washington, D.C., and now resides in Hyattsville, Md., with her husband and son.

Paulina Migalska Manager, Business Services, Corporate Volunteer Development Infrastructure Development & Delivery Systems (202) 729-8252 As Manager, Business Services, Paulina is responsible for information on business membership benefits and the National Conference Business track. She also manages the business training curriculum, monitors workplace volunteering issues and organizes corporate resources, products and services. Paulina previously worked as a Program Associate for the Foundation’s National Partnerships department. Before coming to the Points of Light Foundation, Paulina worked with Ashoka: Innovators for the Public – an organization devoted to the growing field of social entrepreneurship and support of Social Entrepreneurs all over the world. Previously, she completed her Master’s degree in Central & Eastern European Studies at the Jagiellonian University in Poland, and her undergraduate degree in International Relations at Boston University. “I am most proud of the Polish Government’s decision to support the publication of my Master’s thesis and humbled by the opportunity to present my research at an international conference among distinguished scholars and historians.” Originally from Poland, Paulina moved to Boston at age 14 with her parents and sisters. Since moving to the U.S., she also lived in Sydney, Australia and at one point decided to move back to Poland, only to return to America a year later. Paulina currently lives in Silver Spring, Md. Outside of work, Paulina enjoys reading books and her all-time favorite, Economist, continuing her research, attending a variety of events in town, and volunteering with the Polish Library of Washington, D.C. Given her love for cheese, she also openly admits to being “cheesoholic.”

Beth Millas Development Associate, Development (202) 729-8141 As a Development Associate, Beth provides support to the development officers through research and cultivation of prospects.  She also contributes to grant-writing projects and facilitates relationships with various program managers.  “My greatest accomplishment was designing my bachelor’s degree in Nonprofit Management and Leadership,” says Beth, who graduated last May from William Jewell College.  “It’s exciting because a lot of the curriculum work that I contributed to is now being used to transition the major into a permanent degree at the college.”  She also recently received the Alpha Delta Pi Dorothy Shaw Leadership Award, which is presented to 25 senior college women across the country who have demonstrated excellent leadership in their community, on their campus and within their sorority chapter.  Prior to joining the Points of Light Foundation, Beth worked for the Heart of America United Way, the YMCA of Greater Kansas City and the American Humanics National Office.  She grew up in West Palm Beach, Fla. and lives in the Capitol Hill area of Washington, D.C. She would like to open a nonprofit performing arts center to serve young people from low income backgrounds.

Ethan K. Owen User Experience Manager, MissionFish (202) 729-8191 Ethan is MissionFish’s User Experience Manager and works to make the site as usable as possible for visitors. Ethan stays busy updating content on the site, designing new pages, uploading articles, and maintaining the overall look and feel of MissionFish.org. Previously, he has worked as a Web designer/developer for a Forbes magazine "Best of the Web" award-winning Web site and designed sites for a wide range of clients, including Cornell University, Greece101 and the Monterey Institute of International Studies. Proving that he has both a formidable left brain and right brain, Ethan also worked as a consultant for the World Bank and as a researcher for the United Nations Development Program in Serbia and Montenegro. When not working on Web sites, Ethan indulges in photography and globe-trekking.

Cathy Price Director, Human Resources (202) 729-3218 Cathy Price has more than 13 years of diversified Human Resources (HR) experience from multiple industries. Her responsibilities have included administrating all HR functions to support operations from 150 to 3,000 employees. Previously, Cathy worked as the Corporate Human Resources Director for the Alpha Corporation headquarters in Sterling, Va. Cathy’s experience extends beyond HR. She was the Executive Director of the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce. Cathy has a BA degree in Political Science from Southern University, in Baton Rouge, La. She is currently pursuing her MBA.

Diana Rothe-Smith Director, Disaster Initiatives, Infrastructure Development and Intake Systems  (202) 729-8169  Diana oversees the disaster initiatives and national disaster program for the Points of Light Foundation.  “The Foundation is the lead agency in the management of spontaneous or unaffiliated volunteers,” she says.  “I serve as our connection to National VOAD (Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster), assist in building the capacity of Volunteer Centers and work with national partners on disaster-related issues.”  Before coming to the Foundation, Diana worked at Volunteer Fairfax as emergency response program manager, coordinating spontaneous volunteer management and community preparedness plans within the county and the National Capital Region.  Her past experience includes working with other community-based organizations to mobilize volunteers in order to meet local needs.  She spent seven years working in logistics and volunteer management for several international sporting events, including the 1996, 2000 and 2002 Olympic Games.  Her greatest professional accomplishments, she says, were “meeting Mohammed Ali, working at the 2003 World Special Olympics in Anchorage and driving a zamboni.”  A graduate of Oglethorpe University with a BA in Business Administration and Behavioral Science, Diana received a graduate certificate in Emergency Management and Organizational Continuity from Boston University.  She grew up in New York but spent most of her adult life in Atlanta.  She and her husband reside in Fairfax County, Va.

Jeffrey Skarin Training Program Associate, Training and Public Awareness (202) 729-8149 Jeffrey joined the Foundation last March and was astounded by the warm welcome he was given and the sense of community and friendship he has found here. As the Training Associate, he administers Points of Light Foundation training registrations and customer support, and he assists in the development of new training curricula. Jeffrey has a B.A. in English from St. Mary’s College of Maryland where he studied rhetoric and early 19th century American literature.  For the last two years he lived and worked in Ukraine as an English teacher and Peace Corps volunteer.  While in Ukraine he also worked as a teacher-trainer, helping to introduce western teaching methodology to the largely Soviet-style school system.  He considers his greatest professional accomplishment to be Camp One Crimea, a summer camp he created while in Ukraine, for ethnic Ukrainian, Russian, and Tatar children.  The camp focused on diversity, conflict resolution, leadership and English language. Originally from Columbia, Md., Jeffrey enjoys playing miniature golf, big tennis, and spending time with his lovely wife, Olya.

Kelly Valente Account Manager , 1-800-Volunteer.org (202) 729-8124 As Account Manager for 1-800-Volunteer.org, Kelly is responsible for the overall satisfaction of the Volunteer Centers that have elected the service, as well as our state, business and nonprofit customers. Through account audits and communication, Kelly analyzes customer satisfaction, and she works closely with Training, Customer Service and Sales/Marketing to ensure that customers’ goals are met. Prior to joining 1-800-Volunteer.org, Kelly spent more than five years in various sales support, customer service and management positions at John Hancock Life Insurance Company in Boston, Mass. In her most recent position at John Hancock, she was the senior manager of the Divisional Service Consultant team and served as the liaison unit between the wholesale sales force and back office operations. She was responsible for managing the relationships of more than170 wholesalers with a revenue impact of over $6.9 billion. Kelly was born and raised in the Boston metropolitan area and recently moved to Washington, D.C. She received her bachelor’s degree from St. Anselm College in Manchester, N.H. Kelly enjoys spending time with friends and family, traveling and participating in the unique civic and social opportunities that the nation’s capital offers.