Our Commitment Runs Deep
Dana Center staff bring to our work a rich collective expertise in classroom teaching, instructional leadership, education administration, curriculum development, and national leadership in organizations
While we may come from a range of backgrounds and bring a range of experiences, each day we show up with a common purpose: to support the access of all students to an excellent math and science education.
Our team understands the challenges, issues, and opportunities facing our nation’s education systems. Many of our staff have served firsthand as instructors, instructional leaders, curriculum developers, and K–12 or higher education administrators. We bring a deep, research-based approach to our work, and we continually push ourselves to innovate.
It is this visionary spirit that led to the creation of the Dana Center by our founder Uri Treisman—and it’s what inspires us each day.
Dana Center Leadership
Afi Y. Wiggins, Managing Director
Afi oversees the Center’s work, ensuring that our vision and mission continue to be at the heart of all that we do.
Afi Y. Wiggins BioRichard Blount, Chief Operating Officer
Richard leads the business affairs and operational functions of the Center, including accounting, finance, communication and publishing, human resources, and informational technology.
RICHARD BLOUNT BIOKatey Arrington, Director, Systemic Transformation
Katey leads the Dana Center’s programmatic work at scale as we help systems ensure they are providing every student with a modern math and science education.
Katey Arrington BioLya Snell, Director, Building Capacity for Innovation
Lya directs the school and classroom focused work at the Dana Center, including professional learning, curricular resources, and early education.
Lya Snell BioClaire Hagen Alvarado, Director, Literacy First
Claire is the director of Literacy First, a program of the Dana Center which is dedicated to ensuring that all students develop reading skills that allow them to realize their full potential.
Claire Hagen Alvarado BioMeet Our Teams
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Curriculum Team
Josh Recio, Systemic Transformation Lead
Kadron Johnson, Course Program Specialist
Sherri Jones, Course Program Specialist, Secondary Mathematics
Anne Joyoprayitno, Course Program Specialist, Secondary Mathematics
Margaret McCook, Electronic Publishing Specialist
Tammi Perez-Rice, Postsecondary Course Program Specialist
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Professional Learning and Implementation Team
Denise A. Thornton, Manager, Professional Learning and Implementation
Daniela Collazo, Professional Learning and Implementation Specialist
Mary F. Davis, Professional Learning and Implementation Specialist
Molly Ewing, Professional Learning and Implementation Specialist
Michael Greenlee, Professional Learning and Implementation Specialist
Cassidy Kist, Professional Learning and Implementation Specialist
Jackie M. LeJeune, Professional Learning and Implementation Specialist
Denise Schulz, Professional Learning and Implementation Specialist
Joan M. Zoellner, Launch Years Initiative Lead
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Operations Team
Richard Blount, Chief Operating Officer
Megan Cantu, Financial Analyst
Cynthia Flores, Assistant Director, Finances
Courtney Howard, Manager
Bryan Kennel, Manager, Technology
Alison Kothe, Manager, Communications and Publishing
Javier A. Abrego, Senior Administrative Program Coordinator
Sherry Ambani, Accountant II
Renee Andrews, Senior Administrative Assistant
Ophella Dano, Publishing Lead
Steve Engler, Grant Writer and Coordinator
Paulette Garcia, Technical Writer/Editor III
Calista López, Development Associate
Laura Maldonado, Administrative Associate
Levi Methvin, Policy Analyst
Genesis Moreno, Communications Coordinator
Michael R. Parks, Human Resources Coordinator
Carol Pazera, Evaluation Lead
Rachele Seifert, Senior Administrative Program Coordinator
Sydney Steen, Development Strategy Lead
Alisha Thompson, Grants and Contracts Coordinator
Madeline Townsend, Communications Coordinator
Travis Williamson, Digital Content Specialist
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Literacy First Team
Literacy First is an early childhood literacy program, providing low-income schools with highly trained tutors to ensure that children advance to grade level in reading before third grade.
Claire Hagen Alvarado, Director, Literacy First
Cristy Andrews, Senior Bilingual Academic Program Coordinator
Gabriela Garcia-De Avila, AmeriCorps Project Manager
Jason Buckingham, Manager of Innovation Projects
Kristen Eickhoff, Senior Bilingual Academic Program Coordinator
Lindsey King, Senior Academic Program Coordinator
Mariesther Flores, Senior Bilingual Academic Program Coordinator
Cristina López, Senior Bilingual Academic Program Coordinator
Monica Ortiz, AmeriCorps Coach ManagerLeah Pagano, Recruitment & Outreach Coordinator
Whitney Wallace, Senior Academic Program Coordinator
Sebastian Wren, Senior Program Coordinator for Research and Development
Juan Yepes, Data Analyst
Get In Touch
We collaborate with state districts and teachers to develop innovative curricular, resources, and professional development.