Meet Our Team

Under the leadership of Mishaela Durán, a recognized leader and champion in the youth development field, the Forum’s diverse team includes researchers, educators, policy analysts, youth work practitioners, advocates, and communications specialists.


Office of the CEO


Mishaela Durán
President & CEO

Mishaela serves as President & CEO of the Forum.

Megan Grimaldi
Vice President, Strategy
Amanda Heckenkamp
Communications Manager

Amanda is a skilled digital communicator and content creator working to amplify the Forum's message and role in advancing youth-serving systems.

Improving & Aligning Policies


Gerod Blue
Director, Federal Advocacy & Policy

Gerod manages the development of policy programs, agendas, & various campaigns focused on decreasing the Opportunity Gap & furthering the mission of the Forum.

Meghan McCann, J.D.
Vice President, State Policy

Planning and Partnering for Impact


Adrienne Bard
Director, Cross-Systems Consulting - New York
Jason Callahan
Executive Vice President, Cross Systems Consulting

Jason Callahan is Executive Vice President, Cross Systems Consulting & leads capacity-building efforts for state systems change to improve outcomes for youth.

Dana Levine Kunzman
Senior Director, Cross-Systems Consulting
Madison Quijano
Director of Juvenile Justice

Madison Quijano is a passionate youth advocate working to achieve the Forum’s mission as the Director of Juvenile Justice for Cross-Systems Consulting.

Strengthening Practices and Programs


Venalin Aguilar
Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) Specialist

Venalin designs learning experiences and provides coaching, project leadership, and technical assistance to support equitable CQI system building.

Alice Anderson
Senior Research and Evaluation Specialist
Jacqueline Banda
Administrative Assistant

Jacky will be assisting the Weikart Center as an administrative assistant.

Pamela Beltran-Mayen
Program Associate
Keshante Cavin
Program Associate

Keshante Cavin provides YPQI implementation support, including managing project logistics and delivering high-quality consultation and technical assistance.

Shavon Dotson
Managing Senior Learning & Development Specialist

Shavon designs and oversees training content and delivery.

Edgar Gomez
Learning & Development Specialist

Edgar provides support in coaching and training to clients in Michigan.

Mostafa Hashemi
Senior Research and Evaluation Analyst
Donna Lloyd
Senior Manager, YPQI Implementation

Donna provides leadership, coordination, and support in the design, maintenance, and implementation of the Weikart Center’s YPQI approach.

Dave Martineau
Director of Design & Innovation

Dave returns to the Weikart Center as the Director of Design & Innovation with more than 20 years of experience in youth development and facilitation.

Sheely Mauck
Director, Equitable Quality Improvement Systems

Sheely is the Director of Equitable Quality Improvement Systems for the Forum for Youth Investment.

Ari Pak
Senior Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) Specialist

Ari leads projects, provides coaching and technical assistance to system leaders, and designs learning experiences to advance equitable CQI systems.

Lisa Rice
Senior Continuous Quality Improvement Specialist
M. Brook Trejo
Youth Program Quality Associate
Tiffany Walker
Senior Research & Evaluation Specialist

Tiffany provides technical assistance and evaluation support in partnership with youth development organizations focused on continuous quality improvement.

Leah Wallace
Learning & Development Specialist

Leah provides coaching, training, and technical assistance to Weikart Center clients around the country.

Internal Services & Administration


Alexis Allen
Internal Services Associate

Alexis is an associate with the internal services staff, providing support to the internal services team and the Forum as a whole.

Yael Coburn
Grants and Contracts Manager

Yael serves as the Grants and Contracts Manager at the Forum.

Lisa Danaczko
Vice President, Strategic Growth & Resource Development
Isabel Gastulo
Senior Accountant
Cari A. Hourigan, SHRM-SCP
Vice President, Finance & HR

Cari has more than a decade of experience managing the intersection of finance, HR, grants, and contract management in startup and growing nonprofits.

Stephanie Lipper
Events Manager

Stephanie brings her expertise in event management and her passion for fostering meaningful connections to her role as the Events Manager at the Forum.

Ora Shamley
Staff Accountant

Ora is a Staff Accountant, working on accounts payable, accounts receivable, and many other financial matters for the organization.

Neil Sumilas
Chief Operating Officer

Neil is an experienced senior non-profit executive focused on financial and operational management, talent management, board governance, and strategic planning.

Our Vision

All young people reach their fullest potential - in education, work, and life.

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