Join +MPU and AmeriCorps Alumni who live in the DMV as we talk together about the future of national service and how a service ethos shows up as part of our civic identity.
Hear how service members, AmeriCorps alumni, and community volunteers - with a bridging mindset - help build lasting and trust-based connections - when trust and connection are so sorely needed.
+MPU / AmeriCorps Alums Panel Bios:
Jeff Brady: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jabrady05
Jeff is a purpose-driven leader with more than two decades of experience strengthening nonprofits, corporate social responsibility initiatives, and international development programs. He serves on the board of AmeriCorps Alums DC and regularly volunteers with organizations across the DMV to build community through service. He holds a B.A. in International Relations from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and lives in Arlington, Virginia. For fun, he likes cycling, hiking, hearing stories, and spending quality time with his teenagers.
Micah Cohen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/micah-eilers-cohen/
Micah is a DC native, born and raised in Tenleytown. After graduating from college in 2017, he proudly served in AmeriCorps in western North Carolina. Living in the mountains of Swain County, he worked as a teacher's assistant at Swain County Middle School and a receptionist at a free medical clinic at the Methodist church. After his service he returned to DC for graduate school and now works in government consulting, as so many in Washington, DC do. In his free time, he plays chess, reads, bikes, and likes to travel.
Jennifer O. Leshnower (Moderator): https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferleshnower
As the first Bridging & Democracy Advisor at AmeriCorps, Jen provided strategic advising and direction to agency leadership on program design, partnership development, funding and research. Jen is a proud Returned Peace Corps Volunteer (Saint Lucia, Eastern Caribbean) and AmeriCorps VISTA Alum (Newark, DE). Jen sits on the Board of Directors of Repair the World. She holds a BA in Political Science from William Smith College and a dual Master of Social Work and Public Administration from Columbia University. For fun, Jen enjoys hiking, camping, and international travel with her partner and rescue pup.
Libby McClayton: https://www.linkedin.com/in/libby-mcclayton
Libby McClayton is dedicated to working with communities to affect change and is a strong advocate for national service. Libby began her career serving as an AmeriCorps VISTA with the Office of the Mayor in Baltimore. With a desire to do more direct service, Libby served a second term with Children’s Hunger Alliance in Dayton (OH), teaching nutrition and physical education to elementary and middle school students. Libby has taken on numerous roles in non-profits; she’s currently the Service-Learning Coordinator at Montgomery College. Libby serves on the AmeriCorps Alums DC Board and is part of Service Year Alliance's new AmeriCorps Alums Amplified Initiative sharing her story to help protect and expand AmeriCorps so future generations can partake and benefit from national service.
Carolyn Trager Kliman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolyn-trager-kliman
As an AmeriCorps alum and military spouse, Carolyn holds a deep belief in the power of service and the role service plays in bridging divides and providing participants with critical skills for the workforce and life. Carolyn currently serves as a Professor of Practice at Arizona State University and a Senior Advisor at America Achieves. She began her career as an AmeriCorps VISTA, working with hundreds of NYC public schools to build and implement service-learning programs. Carolyn served as an education policy fellow with the Senate HELP Committee and held leadership roles at both America Achieves and City Year. Carolyn holds a BA from Tufts University and a MPP from Georgetown University. During her free time, Carolyn enjoys spending time outdoors and going on adventures with her partner and two children.
Jordan Sandman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordan-sandman
Jordan leads research grantmaking at Co-Develop, a global philanthropic fund, where he supports academics and civil society organizations to help countries around the world develop and deploy safe, inclusive digital public infrastructure. He is also an Honorary Research Fellow at University College London. He previously helped start up the Digital Impact and Governance Initiative at New America and served as a Team Leader in AmeriCorps NCCC's 25th class. Jordan is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of Michigan’s Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy. Outside of work, he enjoys playing in and attending sporting events, reading, writing, and hiking.
We have an outstanding panel and we look forward to seeing you!
