New American Dream Staff
Kathy Hedge, Acting Executive Director
B.A., Indiana University; MBA, University of Maryland. Kathy brings to New American Dream both a passion for its mission and over 20 years of experience working for the nonprofit sector in program management, organizational capacity-building and fund-raising. Prior to joining New American Dream, she worked for 14 years at BoardSource, advancing its mission to improve the effectiveness of nonprofit organizations by strengthening their boards of directors. Kathy served as BoardSource’s chief fundraising officer and later as strategic initiatives advisor, and co-authored the report, Advancing Good Governance: How Grantmakers Invest in the Governance of Nonprofit Organizations. Prior to BoardSource, Kathy served in leadership and fundraising positions at American Red Cross, Hostelling International-USA, and the Hariri Foundation.
Outside of New American Dream, Kathy and her husband are busy with their two young boys – both with school and extracurricular activities and preserving unstructured time for play and reading.
Jonathan Cohen, Director, Workplace Programs
B.A., University of Delaware; M.A. New York University. Jonathan has specialized in corporate social responsibility (CSR) for the past thirteen years of his professional career.
Most recently he was Senior Manager for Chapter Relations and Corporate Social Responsibility for the American Staffing Association. He previously was the Executive Director of the William James Foundation, which educates and funds entrepreneurs to launch socially responsible businesses. Before that he managed the launch and development of the first global standard to verify CSR reports—the AA1000 Assurance Standard, as Programme Manager for the international, UK-based organization AccountAbility. He managed the United Nations Association of the USA’s national non-governmental organization (NGO) membership program. He created and taught the first class on NGO-CSR partnerships in New York University history, has published book chapters concerning global CSR trends, partnerships, the U.N.-business relationship, and the NGO role in global governance.
Outside of the Center for a New American Dream, he continues 20 years of service in numerous leadership positions with Amnesty International by working on business and human rights, and also campaigns for the return of street cars to Washington, D.C. with the Sierra Club.
Carolyn Danckaert, Director, Home and Communities Programs
MPA, Syracuse University; B.A., University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Carolyn has worked in the nonprofit sector for over eight years on a wide range of public interest issues including climate change, wilderness preservation, sustainability, and peace and conflict resolution. She has served as the Executive Director of Campus Greens, Field Director of Churches for Middle East Peace, and Regional Peacebuilding Director of the American Friends Service Committee. She holds MAs in public administration and international relations from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs of Syracuse University and BAs in biological science and English from the University of Maryland Baltimore County. Outside of New Dream, Carolyn serves on the board of Takoma Park’s local community foundation, the Takoma Foundation, and enjoys cycling, traveling, and the arts.
Alexis Blackman, Development Manager
M.A., American University, B.A., Nazareth College of Rochester. Alexis joined New Dream staff in August 2008. In May 2009, Alexis completed her Master’s in Philosophy and Social Policy at American University with a special interest in identity studies, hermeneutics, and phenomenology. Prior to New Dream, Alexis worked for non-profit organizations in environmental education, healthcare, as well as working with the Unitarian Universalist Association. Outside of work, Alexis enjoys spending time outdoors, cooking, and finding the best local produce the DC area has to offer.
Vincent Kitira, RPN Manager 
M.Eng. and B.S., Cornell University. Vincent's background includes two degrees in engineering and management, with concentrations in psychology and sustainable development. Before joining New Dream, he researched and promoted the use of environmentally preferable products at the City of New York's main purchasing agency. His published study on the use of hybrid electric taxis in NYC stemmed from interests in sustainability issues and fast moving vehicles. Additionally, he has done research on biodegradable microsensors, water treatment systems in Honduras, and the drinking habits of rats. Aside from spreading the use of green products, he loves biking to work, playing softball, eating at authentic ethnic restaurants, and cooking with the best possible ingredients.
Phillip Kobernick, RPN Fellow
B.A., University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Political Science and Environmental Systems and Society. Before joining the New Dream team, Phillip has been involved in several environmental groups in California. He was Chapter Chair of UCSD’s CalPIRG chapter, working to promote the use of solar energy on California campuses and also worked with Environmental California to pass a state renewable electricity standard. At UCLA, he helped draft and eventually pass The Green Initiative Fund (TGIF), a green fee referendum that is raising over two million dollars for student led sustainability projects over ten years. In his spare time, he enjoys backpacking in the Sierra Nevadas, bike riding, cooking and facial hair advocacy.
Chris Mastin, Conscious Consumer Marketplace Intern
Originally hailing from the university town of Gainesville, Florida, Chris is currently a senior pursuing a political science degree at American University. Chris has been interested in the green movement since the age of 13 when a study was published stating that a local superfund site had the potential to contaminate his hometown’s only source of clean drinking water. At New Dream Chris’ position could be described as jack of all trades. As an intern he helps out with creating and maintaining the Conscious Consumer Marketplace as well as doing some blogging keeping tabs on the e-mail inboxes and performing the role of office handy man/furniture mover.
Lushani Nanayakkara, Administrative and Research Intern
Born and raised in the tropical island of Sri Lanka, Lushani attended Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware, Ohio, earning a BA in Zoology. Currently she is enrolled in the MS in Environmental Sciences and Policy program at Johns Hopkins University and serving as the administrative and research intern for Bob Ferris, starting in September 2009. She enjoys traveling, spending time with family and friends, reading and watching documentaries about wildlife, history and politics.
Kim Puchir, Web Content Manager
BA, Warren Wilson College. Kim joined the staff of The Center for a New American Dream in August 2007. Prior to New Dream, Kim worked at other nonprofits in capacities varying from caseworker to IT support. Currently she also works for another nonprofit, Positive Exposure, an arts advocacy organization celebrating genetic difference.
Michaella Song, Communications Intern
B.A., University of Maryland.. Michaella earned her B.S. from University of Maryland, College Park in Environmental Science and Policy. She is currently an intern for the communications team. Michaella developed a passion for environmental policy through courses such as environmental law and ethics. As an intern she mainly focuses on writing blogs and finding information that is helpful to Center of New Dream’s numerous campaigns. During her free time she enjoys reading poetry and playing the piano.
Samantha Stallybrass, Director of Administration and Finance
Prior to making her dream of working with New Dream a reality, Samantha was most recently employed for eight years at the Baltimore Museum of Art where she served as the director of visitor services. Her early nonprofit career spans well beyond her role at the BMA and includes a position as director of education for STAGE (The Society for Theatrical Artists Guidance and Enhancement), and a variety of management positions with Planned Parenthood of Dallas and Northeast Texas. She holds a Post-graduate Certificate in Non-Profit Management from Johns Hopkins University, a MS In Human Resources from Amber University, and a BA in Sociology from the University of Texas at Austin. Born in the UK and raised in Texas, Samantha enjoys wearing cowboys boots in the rain and fog and eating bland food smothered in
bar-b-que sauce. She lives in Severna Park, Maryland with her better half, Tom Rhatigan, and a couple of adorable furry "children."
Jessica Weber, Responsible Purchasing Network Intern
B.A., Multidisciplinary Studies with areas of emphasis in: Business Administration, Leadership, and Sociology, West Virginia University. Jessica Weber is the RPN Internship for the Responsible Purchasing Network. She is currently studying Public Administration through West Virginia University, with a specialization in Sustainable Policy. She enjoys spending her time on event planning, teaching, and strategic development. Jessica enjoys reading, kayaking, and biking in her free time.