2019 National Civic Leadership Training Summit

Nicole Costa is one of Andrew Goodman Foundation’s Vote Everywhere Program Managers. She graduated from the College of the Holy Cross where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a Peace and Conflict Studies interdisciplinary concentration. As a highly active student leader, Nicole developed a passion for higher education and the power of student engagement on social justice issues. During her senior year, she focused her academics on the intersection of her studies and student leadership work, studying the impact of politico-economic norms on public higher education. Nicole previously worked in Student Services at Seton Hall University where she advised student leaders on campus community development.

Karena Cronin is the Program Director of Vote Everywhere, The Andrew Goodman Foundation’s flagship youth and democracy initiative. In her role, she works closely with a national network of colleges and universities to amplify young voices in our democracy. Karena has extensive civic engagement experience, having worked domestically and internationally to enable diverse forms of engagement through research, convening, and program development. She spent the last 10 years in South Africa, working with local and international non-profit organizations such as CIVICUS and Charities Aid Foundation Southern Africa to strengthen youth civic service, corporate employee volunteering, and international volunteering in support of development and social change. Prior to her work in South Africa, Karena was a Council of Women World Leaders Fellow and the Associate Director of the Saguaro Seminar: Civic Engagement in America at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government. She holds a B.A. cum laude (Political Science and Sociology) from Union College and a Master of International Affairs (Economic and Political Development) from Columbia University.

Emily Curran is the Communications and Development Manager of The Andrew Goodman Foundation. Emily holds a Ph.D. in History and Culture from Drew University, where she focused on twentieth-century American cultural history, culminating in a dissertation entitled, “Natural and Technological Wonders: Embracing Modernity at Carlsbad Caverns National Park.” She received her Bachelor’s degree in History and American Studies from Ramapo College, where she now teaches as an adjunct professor. Prior to joining AGF, she worked as the Visitor Services Coordinator at the Stickley Museum at Craftsman Farms, and she remains an active volunteer with the museum.

Taryn Dwyer is a Vote Everywhere Program Manager at The Andrew Goodman Foundation. She graduated with her Bachelor of Arts in Social Work from Siena College, in the Capital Region of New York. With multiple organizing, lobbying and advocacy opportunities in Albany, Taryn’s professional interest for student leadership and social justice flourished. She went on to complete her Master of Science in Social Work at Columbia University, where she currently co-lectures on topics of power, race, oppression, and privilege. Taryn has additional experience in clinical therapeutic practice, student leadership, and academic research, and has a strong passion for civic engagement and activism, particularly among students.

Kevin Hurtado is the Communications and Development Associate at Andrew Goodman Foundation. He graduated from Ramapo College of New Jersey with a Bachelor's in International Studies and a minor in Human Rights and Genocide. During his time at Ramapo, Kevin worked at the college's Women's Center as a Program Coordinator, where he grew a passion for social justice. He was also selected to participate in the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Summer Program, where he was placed in the Office of Congressman Charles Rangel. Previously, Kevin worked as an Executive Assistant and Officer Manager at Newark Charter School Fund, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting educational equity in the city of Newark.

Justyna Krygowska is the Communications Director of The Andrew Goodman Foundation. In her role, she manages a variety of projects to ensure the Foundation’s brand and programs are reinforced with quality communications. Prior to joining AGF, Justyna worked at Rising Tide Capital where she helped revitalize underserved communities in New Jersey through microenterprise development. In her spare time, Justyna runs her own business, Ladybug Design Studios, serves on the board of directors for the Passaic County SPCA, and is a mentor for The Pesce Family Mentoring Institute at William Paterson University. Justyna holds a Bachelor’s degree in Integrated Design with a concentration in Communication Design and Design & Management from Parsons the New School for Design. She is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Arts and Letters from Drew University.

Margaret Sasser is Vote Everywhere's Program Development and Evaluation Manager. Prior to joining The Andrew Goodman Foundation, she worked at Teaching Tolerance, a project of the Southern Poverty Law Center that supports equitable school experiences for all students. As a Research Associate, she developed social justice professional development and curricular resources for K-12 educators. She is a two-time graduate of the University of Alabama, where she obtained a Master's degree in American Studies, focusing on American popular music, and a Bachelor's degree in Interdisciplinary Studies, concentrating on gender and race theory. Margaret is passionate about civil rights issues and helping students to become active and engaged members of their communities.