National Staff

Alicia is Kesem’s Chief Executive Officer. She joined Kesem in 2017 as Chief Operating Officer and as a member of Kesem’s Boston Board of Directors. Prior to joining Kesem, she spent over 20 years in environmental compliance and sustainability consulting. Alicia earned her BS in Civil Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and her MS in Environmental Engineering from Tufts University. Alicia believes that every child affected by a parent’s cancer should have the opportunity to simply be a kid and be their best self. She resides outside of Boston, Massachusetts with her husband, two boys, and dog. Alicia loves to travel and enjoys outdoor activities including hiking, skiing, and road biking.

Domonique is the Chief Brand Officer at Kesem. In her role, she oversees the company’s brand strategy, image, experience, and outreach. She’s been with the company since 2018. Domonique brings 20+ years of expertise in messaging, marketing, production, brand partnerships, and constituent engagement to Kesem. Most recently, she led brand strategy at Teach For America. Before that, she spent more than a decade working in advertising with a range of Fortune 500 companies, including Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer, and CapitalOne. In that time, two of her advertising campaigns received national industry awards. Since shifting to the mission-driven space, she’s brought together her passion for kids and community-building with her love for storytelling and strategy to drive impact. Domonique earned her B.S. in Radio-TV-Film with a focus in Ethnic/Minority Studies from The University of Texas at Austin. A member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Domonique enjoys mentoring, travel, and gardening. She resides in Plano, Texas, with her husband, their daughter, and their dog.

Ingrid joined Kesem in 2019 and serves as the Chief Financial Officer overseeing the organization’s finance, talent and systems functions. Ingrid fell in love with working with children as a summer and after-school counselor while an undergraduate in college, creating curriculum and teaching five and six year-olds. After attending law school and working for a law firm, Ingrid continued to work with children, teaching recent immigrant students dance and helping to create curriculum to enhance their understanding of English. Ingrid then went on to work as the Director of Business Affairs for Consumer Digital Services, an internet marketing company, where she was responsible for aspects of the business operations for the organization. Ingrid’s love of children and education propelled her to transfer her business operations and legal skills to serve as the Chief Operating Officer at various non-profit organizations, including 50CAN and Urban Arts Partnership. Ingrid’s responsibilities have included creating and managing the finance, human resources, operations and legal functions of organizations and providing senior leadership. Ingrid holds a B.A. from Harvard College and a J.D. from Harvard Law School and she resides in New York.

Carrie is the Manager of Marketing and Constituent Engagement at Kesem. In her role, she is passionate about bringing the story of Kesem’s impact to life, and connecting Kesem’s community to meaningful engagement opportunities that facilitate brand and organizational growth. Carrie is a graduate from the University of Georgia, where she served as both a Kesem Co-Director and PR & Marketing Coordinator, and earned a degree in public relations and a certificate in new media. As an alumna, she has held positions on the Kesem at the University of Georgia and Kesem at Vanderbilt University Advisory Boards, and has served as both a Camp Advisor and CIT Advisor. Prior to joining Kesem, she served in social media and PR positions for Project 615 and PLA Media in Nashville, Tennessee, where she happily resides today. A fan of compelling stories from all mediums, Carrie spends her free time enjoying live music, seeing the latest movie in theaters, or wrapped up in a great book.

After years of publication design and national magazine art direction, Katie turned her attention to nonprofit work and joined Kesem as the Manager of Marketing, Copywriting & Design in 2019. Skilled in strategic communications, creative direction, and brand identity development, Katie collaborates across departments to produce a range of internal and external campaigns and assets. She received her BA in Journalism from Indiana University, her AAS in Graphic Design from Parsons School of Design, and her MA in Graphic Branding & Identity from University of the Arts London. After living most of her adult life in New York City, London, or Chicago, Katie recently moved back to her hometown of Indianapolis, Indiana, with her fiancé, Tom. When she isn’t keeping up with her 100-year-old home, you can find Katie trying to start a vegetable garden, cheering at her nephew’s cross-country meets, working through her cookbook collection, watercolor painting, or snuggled up with two cats and a good book.

Trish brings more than 25 years of experience in building revenue-generating and awareness-building strategic brand partnerships. In her role as Manager of Corporate giving, Trish is responsible for developing and stewarding corporate relationships through grants, event sponsorships, employee engagement initiatives, and cause marketing campaigns. After more than 20 years in the advertising industry as a media strategist, Trish transitioned into the nonprofit sector managing corporate partnerships for national nonprofits Best Friends Animal Society and One Warm Coat. Trish is a graduate of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign where she majored in Communications/Advertising. A lifelong Chicagoan, she now resides in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Outside of work, you can find Trish hiking with Dottie, her rescue dog, practicing pottery, or enjoying the winter months on the ski slopes.

Amy is a Major Gifts Officer at Kesem, with a focus on stewardship and acquisition in the events space.  Prior to joining Kesem, Amy spent 7 years in donor-facing work for an international organization that focuses on gender equality in Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean. Her emphasis on fostering a personal connection between donors and the organization’s mission was celebrated in an article in The Zafra Review, a blog that highlights women in the workforce. She graduated from Salve Regina University with a B.A. in Communications and a Minor in Film Studies (and she will happily analyze movies with you). Amy believes that human connection is the most important part of fundraising and that it creates beautiful moments for donors, constituents, and the mission. In her free time, Amy enjoys crocheting sweaters, filling her sketchbook, and playing Stevie Nicks records at full volume. She is a lifelong resident of Rhode Island – the smallest state with the biggest personalities!

Sara joined Kesem as Foundations Manager in 2021. Prior to Kesem, she worked in fundraising with universities, both in the US and abroad, a non-profit hospice, and a children’s grief center. Sara has managed annual fundraising programs, capital campaigns, letter campaigns, and donor relations. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from Missouri State University. Originally from Missouri, Sara currently resides in West Texas with her husband and two cats.

Natalie started as the Development Coordinator at Kesem in July of 2022. She handles numerous Dev Team Ops such as donation data management and revenue support. Natalie is a Southern California native but before Kesem, lived in Philadelphia for two years working at Philabundance, a food distribution center. In 2020, Natalie graduated from UCLA (Go Bruins!) with a degree in Political Science. Her background has always been in service; she has worked and volunteered for LiveUp Programs, Special Olympics, and Make-A-Wish as well as other organizations. Natalie is passionate about the I.D.D. community, particularly working with adults with Down Syndrome through LiveUp. She believes that within each individual lies a seed that deserves equal opportunity to grow and thrive, and fostering inclusive spaces for all is incredibly important. A fun fact about Natalie? She’s swam with whale sharks before! In her free time, Natalie enjoys listening to podcasts, an oddly wide range of music, and frequenting local coffee shops. Come August of 2022, you can find Natalie in Chicago playing both local and tourist!

Jenna joined the Kesem National team in 2014 and has held several roles in her time here: Regional Program Coordinator, Operations Coordinator/University Liaison, Manager of Community Relations, and now Manager of Donor Relations. In her current role she is able to utilize her skills and passion for thoughtful and personalized gratitude and stewardship on a daily basis. Jenna helped found the University of Georgia chapter of Camp Kesem, a LIVESTRONG Community Impact Project recipient, in 2011 and served as Co-Director for the three subsequent years. Jenna studied Film Production at the University of Georgia and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and a minor in English. In her free time, she runs a small cards, gifts, and event planning business with her sister. Jenna has lived in Greenville, SC and Chicago, IL, and now resides back near her hometown just outside of Atlanta, Georgia with her husband, who she met while volunteering with Camp Kesem in college.

Abby is a Certified Fund Raising Executive and brings a variety of nonprofit and development experience to Kesem. For the last 19 years, she has held positions with well-known, national organizations including Best Friends Animal Society, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and the American Cancer Society. Most recently, she provided marketing, communications and development expertise to an animal welfare grant-maker and a chimpanzee sanctuary. Abby is a graduate of Florida State University and currently lives in California with her husband, four sons and Newfoundland dog. In her free time, which is rare, she enjoys hiking, sailing and watching college football.

Dylan is the Events Coordinator at Kesem. In this role, he coordinates the logistics surrounding Kesem's five major fundraising events and Kesem's National Leadership Summit. Dylan first got involved in Kesem as a student at the University of Oklahoma chapter where he served as an Operations Coordinator and Chapter Director while earning his Bachelor's of Business Administration in Marketing. He supported Kesem National as an intern before joining staff full-time in 2019 as an Operations Assistant and later as an Operations Coordinator. Most recently, Dylan served as the Events Specialist for Oklahoma's largest healthcare system where he supported the organization's signature fundraising events. In his free time, you can find him working out, traveling, trying new foods, or reading. Dylan resides in Oklahoma City with his (very cute) dog, Campbell.

Shane joined the Kesem National team as a Regional Program Coordinator in 2019 and moved into the Senior Regional Program Coordinator role in 2021. Shane first became involved with Camp Kesem as an inaugural member of the University of Kansas's chapter in 2016. During his time at the University of Kansas, Shane served as a counselor, Outreach Coordinator, Co-Director, and Advisory Board Member. Shane graduated from the University of Kansas in 2018 with a Bachelor of Arts in Global and International Relations. Upon graduating from the University of Kansas, he worked for the International Relations Council as the Membership Consultant and Assistant. Outside of work, Shane enjoys CrossFit, hiking, hammocking, and other outdoor adventures. Originally from Kansas City, Missouri, Shane now resides in Atlanta, Georgia.

Bree brings 10+ years of nonprofit experience to Kesem. As Data and Campaign Manager, Bree is the Development team's primary Classy and Salesforce expert, and participates in local and national conferences for these nonprofit software tools. Bree also leads Kesem's key fundraising campaigns including annual giving appeals like Giving Tuesday as well as marathons and fitness challenges through Team Kesem. Bree loves seeing the power of grassroots fundraising put into action through Kesem’s individual giving campaigns, which show how donations big and small join together to have a huge impact. Hobbies include exploring new hiking trails and doing puzzles with cat Sophie. A fun fact: Bree has lived in seven different cities and three time zones. Prior to joining Camp Kesem in 2015, Bree specialized in event management, donor engagement, and capacity building at youth-focused organizations including the Austin Children's Shelter and Boys and Girls Clubs of Harford County. Bree holds a Bachelor's degree in Human Services Administration from the University of Baltimore.

Brittany is the Manager of Data and Systems at Kesem. In this role, she manages all things data and systems. Prior to joining Kesem, she spent several years leading a database migration project with an environmental nonprofit in Richmond, Virginia and prior to that, serving as a database administrator with a Denver, Colorado food bank. Brittany graduated from Regis University with a Masters in Nonprofit Management. Brittany is passionate about nonprofit data and systems as she believes they are amazing tools to maximize the nonprofit impact. Brittany is equally as passionate about Kesem’s mission as she believes the experiences are lasting. The positive impact on the campers, their families, staff and volunteers is a small effort in making the world a better place. In her spare time, Brittany enjoys gardening, live music, kayaking and camping. Brittany resides in Ithaca, New York with her husband and two dogs.

Liz is Kesem’s Manager of Talent & Human Resources. In her role she is able to utilize her skills and passion for supporting the incredible Kesem National staff to help fulfill Kesem’s mission. Liz started her adventure with Kesem when she helped found Camp Kesem at Indiana University in 2004 and served as a coordinator, Director, and intern with Camp Kesem National throughout her college career. After graduating with a Bachelor’s in Elementary Education and a minor in Outdoor Recreation and Resource Management, Liz’s extensive background working with children in the camp setting made her a firm believer in the positive transformational power of summer camp and she knew her time with Kesem could not come to an end. Liz joined the Kesem National team in 2008 and has held several roles in her time here: National Program Director, Senior Program Director, Manager of Programs, and Senior Manager of Programs. In 2019, Liz became Kesem’s HR department of one and received her SHRM (the Society of Human Resource Management) certification. In her spare time, Liz loves nature, live music, and spending time with her family and friends. Liz has lived in Colorado and Florida and now resides back in her hometown outside of Indianapolis, Indiana with her husband, 2 little boys, and 2 cats.

Alexis joined Kesem as the Finance and Administration Coordinator in 2021. In this role, she manages and operates Kesem’s financial systems. Alexis has a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and a Master’s degree in Business Administration, and has previous accounting experience in both for-profit and nonprofit organizations. Alexis is very passionate about the opportunities that Kesem provides to its campers and their families, and how much of a difference a support system can make in regards to mental health. Alexis lives in Danville, IN with her husband, dog, and two cats. She enjoys spending her free time doing crafts and puzzles.

Naomi joined Kesem in 2019. Prior to joining Kesem, Naomi was a Program Assistant at The Jewish Federation and a Development Assistant at the Children’s Museum of Arts in New York. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Art History at University of Southern California. She’s lived in New York and San Francisco, but currently resides in her hometown of Los Angeles.

Alex joined the Kesem National team in 2013 as a National Program Director after founding the Michigan State chapter in 2009. She has held various roles on staff, and she currently serves as the Vice President of Operations, overseeing Kesem chapters, summer, and year round operations. She is passionate about providing a safe place for kids to be kids and process the impact of their parent's cancer with others who understand and support them. Alex graduated from Michigan State University in 2012 with a B.S. in Political Science & a B.A. Criminal Justice. She currently resides in Columbus, Ohio with her husband, daughter, and 2 dogs and enjoys reading, drinking coffee, traveling, and volunteering at a local women's shelter.

Meag is Kesem’s Training and Constituent Care Coordinator. In this role, she supports all tier-one inquiries to ensure constituents receive the information requested. She also supports the Data, Metrics, Reporting, and tracking of the Operations team. Meag Started with Kesem National in the summer of 2018 after volunteering with Camp Kesem at West Virginia University for three years as an Outreach coordinator, Marketing Coordinator, and Chapter Director. Before her time on staff, Meag volunteered with Kesem National as an Intern and Camp Advisor. Meag worked with over 35 chapters in a span of three years as a Regional Program Coordinator for four regions across the United States. Meag graduated from WVU with a Bachelor of Arts in English- Professional Writing in 2018. In her spare time, she travels and has even been to 41 states. She enjoys yoga, walks in the park, and cheering on the New England Patriots. Originally from Cape Cod, MA- Meag has fulfilled her childhood dreams and now resides in Boston, MA.

Mekelit joined the Kesem National team in2020 as a Regional Program Coordinator. In this role she is in charge of the Mid Atlantic Region. She first joined Kesem in 2018 as an Operations Coordinator, she later served as a Volunteer coordinator and a Chapter Co-Director, both for a year. Mekelit graduated in 2020 from the University of Maryland College Park with a B.A. in Psychology. Mekelit is passionate about furthering Kesem’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion mission, and currently resides in Columbia, Maryland. Mekelit spends her free time cooking, and spending time with friends and family.

Lauren joined the Kesem National team as the New England Program Coordinator in 2018, moved into the Senior Program Coordinator, New Chapters role in 2020, and now serves as the Manager of Chapter Expansion. In her current role, Lauren oversees Kesem’s new chapter expansion strategy, and the implementation of first year programs. Her love for Kesem began at the Syracuse University chapter during her first year of college, where she served as a Volunteer Coordinator and Co-Director. Lauren graduated from Syracuse University with a B.S. in Public Health and Neuroscience, where she was able to use her passion for serving others to get involved in public and global health research projects. Outside of work, Lauren enjoys visiting family and friends, exploring coffee shops, and planning her next travel adventure. Originally from New Hartford, NY, Lauren currently resides in Boston, Massachusetts.

Keandra is a Manager, Programs at Kesem. She joined the National staff in 2017 after serving as a student leader at the California State University, Fresno. Keandra is passionate about bringing people together to build a supportive and loving community. She graduated from Fresno State in 2017 with a Bachelors of Arts in Family and Consumer Science currently resides in Atlanta, Georgia. Keandra is currently working on her Masters in Social Work at the University of Southern California. In her spare time she enjoys exploring the city with her friends, attending sporting events, and traveling to California to visit her family.

Ariana joined the Kesem National team in 2022 as a Regional Program Coordinator. Ariana first got involved with Kesem in 2017 at the University of Texas at Austin where she served as a camp counselor and unit leader. Since then, she has volunteered as a Camp Advisor and Hotline Operator. Ariana graduated from the University of Texas in 2019 with a B.S.A. in Biochemistry, a minor in French, and a concentration in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Last year, she earned a Health Equity and Biomedical Sciences certificate from Baylor College of Medicine. Ariana is passionate about Kesem and hopes to encourage growth and development in the student leaders and to continue to expand the inclusive and supportive Kesem community. She currently lives in Houston, Texas. In her free time, Ariana enjoys baking, podcasts, and outdoor adventures!

Hannah joined the Kesem National team as a Regional Program Director in April 2019 and moved into the Senior Regional Program Coordinator role in 2021. She first was introduced to the organization while attending University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where she served as an Alumni, Marketing, and PR Coordinator for one year and Co-Director for two. During her time as a student she also served as a Camp Advisor, Camp Prep Volunteer, Funder Prospect Research Intern and on the National Student Panel. She graduated in 2019 with a Bachelor of Journalism in Advertising and Public Relations. Hannah currently resides in Portland, Oregon, and can often be found enjoying the outdoors, drinking coffee or exploring new breakfast restaurants.

Kendall joined the Kesem National team as a Regional Program Coordinator in 2016. Kendall first became involved with Camp Kesem at Indiana University as a student leader after losing her mom to breast cancer. In her current role of Manager, Programs, Kendall manages 4 Program Coordinators and the Manager of Chapter Expansion. She currently resides in Chicago, IL with her husband, where she enjoys reading, cooking new recipes, and taking their dog, Jovie, on long walks around the city.

Ava “Pistachio” Fulweber first joined Kesem in 2018 at Santa Clara University in Santa Clara, California where she was a counselor for 4 years as well as serving as operations coordinator and 2 time director. She graduated in 2022 with a bachelors in Marketing from the Leavey School of Business. Ava is overseeing the Rebuild Region, supporting chapters who need a little help getting back on their feet. During her time at Santa Clara she was involved with the Ignatian Center where she supported Immersion trips focused on being in solidarity with various social justice issues, with a focus on the housing crisis in America. With that she developed working relationships with various partner organizations and with students attending and leading the trips. Ava enjoys traveling with her family and is only 10 states short from visiting all 50!

Comet is a Regional Program Coordinator at Kesem. In this role, she oversees the Greater Ohio region and helps support volunteers to create fun, inclusive, and equitable year round programming. Prior to that, she spent four years teaching third grade in Detroit, MI. Comet graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in Elementary Education, and recently obtained a masters in education from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in Educational Policy, Organization, and Leadership. While at Michigan State, Comet volunteered as a Co-Director and coordinator, after originally discovering Kesem as a camper. Comet is passionate about Kesem's impact and the magic chapters are able to create for campers and families alike and she enjoys working with volunteers to create this. In her spare time, Comet loves being outside, tending to her growing collection of plants, and working out. She lives just outside of Detroit, MI with her dog and boyfriend.

Brittani joined the Kesem National team in 2017. She first became involved with Camp Kesem in 2012 as a student leader at Brigham Young University. Brittani loves empowering our student leaders and alumni to carry out the magic of Kesem in their communities and is continually blown away by the dedication of Kesem's volunteers. She is passionate about intentional and safe programming that leads to transformative experiences. She graduated from Brigham Young University with a Bachelor of Science in Public Health and a minor in Nonprofit Management. Brittani currently resides in the Greater Salt Lake area with her husband and son, where she enjoys eating at restaurants around the valley, frequenting drive-thru soda shops, tastin new oreo flavors, and exploring Utah’s natural beauty.

Bridget joined the Kesem National team in 2021 as a Programs Assistant, and currently serves as a Regional Program Coordinator for the Southwest region. She first joined Camp Kesem in 2016 as a counselor at the UC Santa Cruz chapter, and later served as an Outreach Coordinator for one year, and a Chapter Co-Director for two years. She graduated in 2020 with a B.A. in Psychology and a minor in Education. Bridget currently resides in Sacramento, California. In her free time she enjoys exploring outdoors, cooking and baking, and spending time with family and friends.

Travis is the Manager of Policy and Compliance at Kesem. In this role, he oversees Kesem’s policies for volunteers and participants, organizational standards, university relationships, and state licensing. Travis has been with the company for 3 years. Prior to that, he spent 6 years leading professional training seminars for professionals in human services. Travis graduated from the University of Michigan with a B.S. in Brain, Behavior, and Cognitive Sciences, and the Chicago School of Professional Psychology with a M.A. in Clinical Forensic Psychology. Travis has spoken at the American Camp Association’s Tri-State Conference, leading two sessions regarding policy writing, and navigating difficult conversations. Throughout his career, Travis has helped a variety of organizations review and update their policies and procedures in order to enhance their risk management strategies. As a former Kesem student leader and Mental Health Professional, Travis is passionate about Kesem’s mission and enjoys working to support the organization’s risk management approaches. Outside of work, Travis enjoys running (and has completed 18 marathons), traveling, visiting national parks, and finding bison wherever he goes. Travis lives in Chicago, Illinois.

Dante joined the Kesem National team as a Regional Program Coordinator for the Southeast Region in 2020. In this role he is responsible for oversight of the Southeast chapter programs, including providing ongoing support to existing chapters and development of newer chapters. Dante graduated with a B.S from Stony Brook University, where he studied Applied Mathematics and Statistics with a minor in Theater Arts in 2020. They are a proud Alumni of the Educational Opportunity Program at their alma mater. From 2016, he served as a counselor, Volunteer Coordinator, Community Outreach Coordinator, Co-Director, and a Camp Advisor for multiple chapters. Dante enjoys working with his staff and is passionate to empower the student leaders in his region to put on great programs for our organizational mission. In his spare time, Dante loves playwriting, going to plays and movies, and volunteering at different Theater companies. They currently reside in Atlanta, Georgia.

Gabe is a Regional Program Coordinator for Kesem. In this role he supports 10 Kesem Chapters in the Midwest region. Gabe has been with Kesem for 7 years starting in undergrad at the University of Michigan. Gabe graduated from U of M with a Bachelor of General Studies which allowed him to focus on Psychology, Entrepreneurship, Environmental Science, and Computer Science. In his free time, Gabe loves cooking for friends and family, spending time outdoors hiking, camping and playing sports, and playing with his dog, Zoe. He also has experience as a line cook in an award winning vegan restaurant and as a production bread baker. Gabe hopes to use his broad Kesem experience to empower student leaders to build strong, resilient, and welcoming Kesem chapters.

Andrew joined the Kesem National team as a Regional Program Coordinator in August of 2022. He graduated from Michigan State University in December of 2020 with degrees in both Spanish and Religious Studies with a Nonprofit Leadership concentration. As an undergraduate student, Andrew volunteered for Kesem as a Make the Magic Coordinator, a Teen Leadership Program Coordinator, and a chapter co-director. Andrew's previous experiences include working as a Social Media Manager for his alma mater, a Volunteer Coordinator for a Lansing based hospice company, and serving as a long time camp counselor. Andrew aims to motivate Kesem's passionate student leaders and support them in their personal and professional development. He currently lives in his hometown of New Buffalo, Michigan with his dog Ozzy and enjoys going to the beach, reading, and supporting his favorite sports teams.

Kalie joined the Kesem National team in 2022 as a Regional Program Coordinator for the New England region. A former “camp kid”, Kalie is excited to renew her passion for the transformational nature of camp within this position. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Indiana University Bloomington where she studied Sociology, African American Studies, and History. An advocate for public service, Kalie served a term with AmeriCorps as VISTA (Volunteer in Service to America) on the near eastside of Indianapolis where she gained valuable project management, volunteer coordination, and community development experience. She currently resides in her hometown of Indianapolis, Indiana where she enjoys buying more books then she could ever read, drinking copious amounts of iced coffee, and exploring the city.

Shelby joined the Kesem National team in June 2022 as a Regional Program Coordinator for the Northern California Region. Shelby served as a counselor with Camp Kesem at Augustana College for four years, spending a year as Volunteer Coordinator and a year as Operations Coordinator. Being actively involved in campus activities at "Augie" led Shelby to pursue her M.S.Ed. in Higher Education and Student Affairs from Indiana University Bloomington. At IU, Shelby grew her passion for creating inclusive spaces on college campuses for students to build meaningful relationships and develop their leadership skills. Shelby excitedly brings that same passion to Kesem where she will guide Kesem leaders to create intentional, long-lasting memories. Shelby is an avid crocheter, runner, and Swifty. Currently residing in Houston, TX, Shelby is currently on a mission to find the city's best hot chicken. If you meet Shelby in the wild, ask her to demonstrate her unbelievable whistling skills!

Ciara joined the Kesem National staff in 2015 and currently serves as the Director of Operations, overseeing the design, development, and evaluation of chapter curriculum and related training programs to support each of our Kesem chapters. She first got involved with Camp Kesem in 2012 as a camp counselor at the University of Florida. A lifelong camp enthusiast, Ciara was drawn to Camp Kesem because of the organization’s emphasis on community support and the transformative power of play. She graduated from the University of Florida in 2015 with a Bachelor of the Arts in English and a minor in Women’s Studies. She currently resides in Brunswick, Maine and is a big fan of snow days.

Tyler joined the Kesem National Staff full time in January 2022 as the Operations Data Coordinator. His Kesem journey began as a Camper in 2012, continued into college as the Founding Director of Kesem at San Diego State University where he held that position for three years spreading Kesem into the community where he was born and raised before graduating in 2021 with a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies (Economics, Computer Science, Management Information Systems). He continued his involvement as a Camp Advisor, Intern, and Part-Time Employee before joining the team Full-Time. He hopes to use his passions for efficiency, technology, and of course Kesem, to help improve and maintain the systems and processes for Kesem's Operations Team. In his free time you can find him listening to music, playing games with friends, or traveling wherever is next on the list.

Chandler joined the Kesem National team in 2021 as Operations Coordinator. Prior to coming onboard, Chandler got involved with Camp Kesem in 2016 as a counselor for Camp Kesem at George Washington University. Chandler has held many different roles within her local chapter of the organization, including Unit Leader, Development Coordinator, and Family Outreach Coordinator. A long time believer in the transformative power of community, Chandler was drawn to Kesem by the organization's ability to build spaces that emphasize growth, connection, and authenticity. Chandler graduated from George Washington University with a dual degree in Public Health and Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies in 2019, and lives in Washington, D.C. Prior to working for Kesem National, Chandler worked as a full-time Domestic Violence Advocate, providing case management and advocacy for high-risk domestic violence survivors.

Gabbi joined the Kesem National Staff as a Regional Program Coordinator in 2022. She first became involved with Camp Kesem while attending Michigan State University, and served as an Outreach/ TLP Coordinator during her time as a student. She graduated in 2018 with a degree in Biomedical Laboratory Science. Since graduating, she has served as a Camp Advisor, TLP Advisor,  Advisory Board Member, and other various volunteer positions within the organization. She has served as the Chapter Resource Document Intern, Summit Event Experience Intern, Development Intern, Kesem at Home Intern, and Chapter Expansion Intern for Kesem National. Gabbi previously served as the Partnership Coordinator at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Washtenaw County, helping to recruit mentors and plan events through community partnerships. She currently resides in Livonia, Michigan and enjoys spending time with her family, working on projects on her house, and serving as Head Coach for the Michigan State University Pompon Team. She is so excited to continue to further Kesem's mission by supporting and motivating the amazing student leaders of Kesem!

Brady joined the Kesem National staff in 2022 as a Regional Program Coordinator. He first became involved with Kesem at the West Virginia University chapter, where he served as an Outreach Coordinator for one year and Co-Director for two years. Brady also served as a Camp Advisor, Camp Prep Volunteer, Kesem Ambassador, and as a member of the National Student Panel. He graduated from West Virginia University in 2020 with a B.S. in Psychology and a minor in biology. After graduation, he worked as a behavior specialist, where he supported children through behavioral and social/emotional challenges in the Appalachian Region. In his free time, Brady enjoys running, playing volleyball, and listening to Taylor Swift.

Megan joined the Kesem Nationals staff in 2022 as a Regional Program Coordinator. She first became involved with Kesem at the Central Pennsylvania chapter, serving as a counselor and general body member. Megan has also served as a Camp Advisor and National Leadership Summit Intern. She looks forward to creating a space of encouragement and growth for student leaders. Megan graduated from Penn State University in 2021 with a B.S. in Athletic Training. After graduation, she worked as a Medical Assistant serving children and families in the central Pennsylvania area. In her free time, Megan enjoys exercising, traveling, watching sports, and is on a mission to find the greatest sunset in the world.

Chelsea joined the Kesem National staff in 2018 and currently serves as a Manager, Programs.  A Sacramento, CA native, she made the jump to SoCal to attend UCLA, where she was involved with Kesem all four years. She graduated with a degree in Sociology and Education, and a passion for working with children. She currently lives in Chicago, Illinois with her partner and dog. In her free time, you can find Chelsea eating ice cream, talking about the enneagram, catching up on the latest in pop culture, or exploring the city.

Bee joined Kesem in 2021 as a Regional Program Coordinator. Prior to this role, Bee worked in Program/Volunteer Management for 10+ years, primarily with orgs improving family/community health & wellness and cultural exchange. Bee is also an active volunteer & non-profit consultant who enjoys giving her time & talent to orgs. focused on emergency management, the Arts, D.E.J.I. & Womxn’s Empowerment. As a 13-year summer camper (camper/counselor/staff), she is thrilled to be a part of the Kesem magic. Bee resides in Boise, ID with her partner and two dogs. Her kiddo is a freshman at the University of Tasmania and Bee is also (finally) completing the last year of her degree in Sociology & Non-Profit Management.

Molly joined the Kesem National team in 2021 as a Regional Program Coordinator. Molly first got her start in summer camp and non-profit work in 2015 with YMCA Camp Abe Lincoln. Over the years, Molly has had extensive experience in youth development and social work within the YMCA and Scouts BSA, as well as corporate and social event planning with Marriott International. She received her degree in Recreation, Parks, and Tourism and Child Psychology from Western Illinois University and is so excited to be on a team of passionate and selfless individuals! Molly currently resides with her partner and 2 dogs in Rock Island, Illinois, local to where she grew up. In her free time she can be found outside, spending time with her pups, Smitty and Deandra or listening to live, local music!

Hope joined the Kesem National team in 2021 as a Regional Program Coordinator for the Pacific Northwest and Great Plains Region. Although Hope never went to camp as a kid, they found a true passion for camp working as a cabin counselor deep in the woods of Maine. Hope holds a B.S. in Psychology from Texas A&M University and a M.Ed. in Higher Education and Student Affairs from the University of South Carolina. Her extensive experience in youth development and college student leadership development has framed her dedication to supporting students and staff in being positive, impactful role models for their campers. Prior to joining Kesem, Hope was a director for a residential camp in Vermont, and also has experience in inpatient psychiatry and academic advising. Originally from Kansas City, Hope has lived in many different places and currently resides in Richmond, VA along with their partner and two dogs.

is a Managing Director of Customer Experience within Digital Marketing at Nuveen. She led the initiative to redesign their retail website in addition to ensuring everything done across digital marketing is hyper focused on addressing customer needs. Neha has over 20 years of experience building teams and collaborating to build world class customer experiences with a deep expertise in consumer research, competitive analysis, and digital strategy. Prior to joining Nuveen, Neha has had leadership roles at Discover Financial Services, TripAdvisor and spent 12 years managing the customer research group at Fidelity Investments. Neha has a B.S. from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute with a double major in Finance and Information Systems. She currently lives in Wilmette with her two children who are both enthusiastic campers at Camp Kesem Northwestern.

is a Managing Director of Technology Innovation Marketing at Accenture, where she has built her career over 20+ years. In this role, she oversees Accenture Labs, Accenture Ventures and Tech for Good programs. Elise was responsible for developing and managing Accenture’s Tech Vision, the organization’s most successful global thought leadership program. Elise has a B.A. in International Relations and French from Rhodes College. She and her husband currently live in San Francisco, where Elise also serves on Kesem’s San Francisco Board.

is a partner and co-founder at Paperclip Ltd., the Los Angeles based boutique development firm focused on projects in film, television, and the digital space. Prior to founding Paperclip Ltd. he was the COO of Marchez Vous, a luxury women’s footwear brand, which was originally launched as part of the brand development division at ROAR, the Beverly Hills based talent management company, where Ben was a manager from 2008 through 2012. Before joining ROAR, he was Managing Director at JS Apparel, a multinational clothing manufacturer, with factories in Indonesia, Guatemala, and Los Angeles. Ben received a BA in History from Franklin and Marshall College, and lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Lisa, and their two children.

is a retired senior executive with over 25 years of experience in the financial services industry - most notably with the American Express Co where he worked for over 20 years in New York, Hong Kong and Singapore. He currently is the treasurer of a small investment and property development company based in British Columbia, Canada. He is honoured to sit on the board of several non-profit organizations in the U.S. and Canada. He holds a Masters of Management from Northwestern University, and specializes in Transformational Growth and building high performance teams. David is a dual Canada/US citizen living in Whistler, BC, enjoying the many activities that a mountain lifestyle affords including skiing, mountain biking, golfing, hiking and travel.

Betina Evancha loves working with hardware, software and product teams and how they can impact the everyday lives of real people. She is currently the VP of Product Strategy at Peloton, focused on Product Strategy across Peloton’s hardware and software product lines. Betina is responsible for scaling and coaching the Product Management, Analytics, and Research teams, driving the overall product strategy, and advocating for member-focused decision-making at all levels of the organization. Before Peloton, Betina worked in Product at Noom and received Honors in Mechanical Engineering from Princeton University. When not thinking about product, Betina loves running, cooking with her husband Dan and building elaborate block structures for her son Adam to knock down.

is currently the Senior Business Director for Bristol Myers Squibb, a leading worldwide oncology company based out of Princeton, NJ, bringing novel, therapeutic Immuno-Oncology products to cancer patients. Matt started his 25-year career in pharmaceuticals with Abbott Laboratories, a leading pharmaceutical company based in Abbott Park, IL, holding various roles in Sales, Marketing, and Pricing. After nine years at Abbott, Matt moved west to join Amgen, a leading biotech company based in Thousand Oaks, CA, in 2001 and held many commercial senior roles in Sales, Marketing, Pricing, Operations, and Learning and Development. After 13 years at Amgen, he left Amgen to join Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, a small, rare-disease hematology company to become the Vice President of Sales, Marketing, and Training. Matt graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a BBA in Finance and hails from Chagrin Falls, OH. He currently resides in Thousand Oaks, CA with his wife, Sharon, and three children, Brookelyn, Braden, and Brittan. He enjoys many hobbies, including playing and coaching basketball and soccer, avidly cheering for Notre Dame and Cleveland Teams.

has been dean of the University of Texas at Austin School of Undergraduate Studies since 2013, after serving on the Task Force on Curricular Reform that led to the creation of the school. He previously chaired UT's Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and served as the director for the Texas Institute for Drug and Diagnostic Development. Brent is best known for developing a cure for late-stage anthrax infection. He holds the Warren J. and Viola Mae Raymer Professorship and teaches an immensely popular two-semester sequence of organic chemistry while also running an active research program. He has won numerous teaching awards and is currently president of the UT System Academy of Distinguished Teachers. Iverson received his bachelor's degree in chemistry from Stanford University in 1982 and a PhD in chemistry from the California Institute of Technology in 1987.

combines his extensive legal background with a unique blend of top-level business experience, with over 30 years of executive work in business, law, private equity, venture capital, and technology. Currently, Jerry is working with several Israeli companies developing novel treatments for cancer, insomnia, and other conditions, and is Of Counsel at the law firm of Glaser Weil. Jerry rejoined Glaser Weil after working at Marlin Equity Partners, a global investment firm with over $7.6 Billion of capital under management. Jerry served as the Chief Operating Officer, Chief Compliance Officer, and General Counsel, where his primary responsibilities included overseeing all operations, finances, legal and administrative matters for the Marlin funds. Prior to leaving Glaser Weil, Jerry was a Partner and one of the lead attorneys representing MGM in all aspects of the development of Project City Center, a $9 billion, 18 million square-foot development on the Las Vegas Strip, one of the largest privately funded developments in the history of the United States. Jerry received his bachelor of science degree from the University of California, Berkeley, Haas Undergraduate School of Business, and his law degree, cum laude, from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law.

is a nationally sought-after Health & Wellness Lifestyle Entrepreneur, a Certified Health & Wellness Coach, and an Author. Her three books, A Year of (ME) Mindful Eating to Improve Wellbeing, The 10 Days: A Wellness Retreat for Personal Transformation, and A Wellness Journey, are all dedicated to health and wellness through mindful living. She writes a weekly blog, Mindfulness Matters, raising awareness for living a holistically healthy life. Before her success as a Wellness Entrepreneur, Tonya worked for over 25 years in Corporate America and launched the UGottaEat app, creating a virtual marketplace for independent chefs to cook fresh and healthy meals for local communities. As a serial entrepreneur and health coach, TK continues to dedicate herself to her higher mission, improving the overall health and wellbeing of society.

is an oncologist and research scientist at Kaiser Permanente in Los Angeles, CA. He is the principal investigator and lead for the thoracic oncology clinical trials program in Southern California. He also serves as the lead for integrated therapeutics and is an Associate Professor of Medicine at the Bernard Tyson Kaiser Permanente School of Medicine. During his 16 years at Kaiser, he has served as the Chief for the Division of Hematology & Medical Oncology and worked to build out the medical oncology subspecialty program for Kaiser’s 4.5 million members in Southern California. He also serves on the Board of Trustees for Covenant Youth Home, an NGO in Kampala Uganda as well as serving on the Board of Trustees for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. He received his B.A. from The University of California, Berkeley, and his M.D., Ph.D., and M.P.H.degrees from Tulane University. He is an exercise enthusiast participating in national and international marathons and triathlons. He lives with his husband and two children.

has been a Chief Human Resources Officer for over 15 years in global consumer products, manufacturing, and retail organizations including the Chamberlain Group, Inc and Jockey International. She is known for making a positive impact on the business in which she works by integrating effective and innovative human capital and business strategies. Betsy has her BS from University of Wisconsin, Madison and her M.Ed from Loyola University where she majored in Adult and Corporate Education minored in Organizational Development. Betsy lives in the Chicagoland area with her family who are all involved in Camp Kesem. Betsy’s husband, Bryan Libbin, is an advisor to Camp Kesem’s Northwestern Chapter and her two daughters, “Skittles” and “Jelly Belly” are both Camp Kesem Campers.

s Chief Executive Officer of RecoveryOne, the leading digital Musculoskeletal solution for payers.  A noted speaker and market-oriented innovator, Mark’s career in healthcare has focused on unleashing market growth while improving the cost and quality of care.

Prior to RecoveryOne, Mark served as President of Global Services and Payer/Provider Solutions for Decision Resources Group.  Mark co-founded ChapterHouse (CH), which became the leading boutique strategy consultancy serving the U.S. health services sector. CH was sold to Marsh McLennan in 2008, at which point Mark became a Partner in Oliver Wyman’s Healthcare practice. Prior to CH, Mark spent eight years at Baxter Healthcare, a leading global medical device and technology company, first working on national strategy assignments in Europe and the Far East, later as CIO for Baxter’s $2 billion global biotech business. Mark is an alumnus of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology where he earned his undergraduate degree and MBA.  Mark resides in suburban Chicago with his wife and four children.

has been a commercial real estate lawyer for over 30 years and has been involved in large and sophisticated real estate projects in Southern California and throughout the United States. He represents real estate investors, developers, lenders and developers, and entertainment media companies for whom he has negotiated high-profile facility and venue agreements, and major corporations relocating their headquarters or developing new facilities from the ground up. Rob has a law degree from the University of California Berkeley and an undergraduate degree from UCLA. He is the managing partner of Advisors, LLP, a corporate and real estate transactional law firm which he co-founded in 2000 and was previously a partner at the law firm of Hill Wynne Troop & Meisinger. Rob lives in Brentwood, California with his two children.

is an executive coach, attorney, and CPA. Chris' executive legal and business experience includes multiple senior-level roles and participation on numerous senior leadership teams in health care. Her experience includes serving as Vice President and Division General Counsel to Bausch & Lomb's Surgical Division; Senior Counsel and senior leadership team member to Baxter International's BioScience Division; Assistant Corporate Secretary and Senior Counsel to Brunswick Corporation and Assistant Regional Director of the SEC's Enforcement Division. Chris is a former member of Camp Kesem's UC Irvine Board of Advisors and an 18-year breast cancer survivor.

is the Director of Marketing and Innovation at The Clorox Company in Oakland, California. Jay is responsible for identifying, developing, and scaling transformational innovation initiatives for the company. In his 20+ year career as a marketing leader, Jay has created growth strategies and marketing campaigns for leading consumer brands, such as Clorox, Glad, Fresh Step and Brita. A native of Charleston, South Carolina, Jay holds a Bachelor’s degree in English from Davidson College and an MBA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Jay lives in San Francisco with wife and daughter, a current camper at Camp Kesem UC Berkeley.

has been a leader in the biopharmaceutical space for over 30 years. Most recently she was the Vice President of Marketing and Sales for Amgen, the #1 biotech company in the world. Katie has held many positions at Amgen including marketing, sales, and global development. In addition to her commercial experience, she led Amgen’s Global Compliance and Business Ethics organization, expanding their footprint to over 130 countries and successfully completing a 5-year corporate integrity agreement. As the Global Marketing Lead, Katie developed an innovative delivery system for their neutropenia drug that allowed patients to stay home the day after chemotherapy, saving the patient time and money. This new delivery system became the new standard of care. She has received numerous awards for performance in sales, marketing, and forecasting. And although she has broad commercial experience, her deep passion for serving patients, dedication to staff development, unwavering commitment to social architecture, and leading with integrity is what she is most passionate about. Katie has a double major in Marketing and International Business from OSU and currently resides in Newbury Park California with her husband Scott and daughter Sydney.

developed the vision for the first Camp Kesem Chapter at Stanford University in 2000 and pursued national expansion of the program in 2002 after recognizing a nationwide need for Camp Kesem. She served as CEO of Kesem from 2000-2006 and has served on the National Board of Directors since that time. Iris holds a BA from Tufts University and an MBA from the UC Berkeley Haas School of Business. Following her MBA, Iris worked in marketing research at The Clorox Company for eight years. She is currently the CEO and Co-Founder of iDENTICAL, a company that is revolutionizing tooth replacement worldwide through developing a drill-free dental implant. Iris lives in Walnut Creek, California, with her husband and three children.

is a founding partner of Williams Simons & Landis, a boutique trial firm that prepares and tries commercial disputes for clients around the world. He previously led the worldwide IP litigation practices at the Akin Gump and Vinson & Elkins law firms. Fred’s practice focuses on complex litigation and counseling, with emphasis on intellectual property, antitrust, class action and white-collar disputes. He also maintains an active pro bono practice focused on civil rights and consumer-protection litigation. Fred received a B.A. in Economics from BYU and a JD in Law, also from BYU. Fred resides in Austin, Texas, and his three adult children all attended Camp Kesem Texas A&M as campers and have served as Kesem student leaders in the years since.