Marcos Lucio PopovichDIRECTOR OF GRANTMAKING Marcos Lucio Popovich joined the Foundation in 2015. He currently serves as the Director of Grantmaking where he leads the overall design and implementation of the Foundation’s grant funds, grantmaking processes, and grantee engagement approaches. Prior to entering philanthropy, Marcos served as Director of Operations at the U.S. Hispanic…
Kathiana AmazanPROGRAM ASSOCIATE Kathiana Amazan, a first-generation and former Boston Public Schools student, serves as Nellie Mae’s Program Associate where she supports various grants management efforts and manages special projects. She also partners with different Foundation staff members to operationalize systems and practices. Prior to joining Nellie Mae, Kathiana was the Operations Coordinator for the…
Julita Bailey-VascoACTING CHIEF COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER Julita Bailey-Vasco is Nellie Mae’s Acting Chief Communications Officer. She is a storyteller and strategizer leading and implementing efforts around communications as it relates to public relations, board engagement, digital communications, grantee amplification, executive positioning, advocacy efforts, events, reputation management, and the Foundation’s Speakers Bureau. Previously, Julita worked at…
Jessica SpohnVice President, Strategy and Programs “I have worked to dismantle policies and practices in our education system that produce, reinforce, and perpetuate racially disparate outcomes for the better part of 30 years, and things have not necessarily improved for the students who need change the most. Today, more than ever, a radical departure from the…
Ellen WangSENIOR PROGRAM AND EQUITY OFFICER Ellen Wang is Nellie Mae’s Senior Program and Equity Officer. She leads the Foundation’s internal racial equity learning agenda in close collaboration with the Nellie Mae staff. She also manages the Supporting Organizations Led by People of Color grant fund, a portfolio of 44 youth, parent, and educator-serving organizations…
Doreen Bergstrom ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT “I have kids and grandkids, so I know that every little bit we can do for our schools and for the education system helps. Sometimes, school is too regimented. We need to make learning work for everyone.” Doreen Bergstrom joined the Nellie Mae Education Foundation in 2009. Doreen serves as the…
Delia Arellano-WeddletonDIRECTOR OF ENGAGEMENT & PARTNERSHIPS “I’m personally driven by our mission because I’m part of a traditionally underrepresented group. For me, it’s a moral obligation to make education work better for low-income learners in our region. It’s exciting to be behind an organization that actually has the resources to make a difference. Let’s give…
Alexis HarewoodSENIOR PROGRAM OFFICER “As a child growing up in Brooklyn, New York, my family instilled in me two valuable lessons: 1. Access to quality education would offer the greatest opportunities. 2. Everyone is not educated similarly. I would not come to understand the second lesson and the factors contributing (race, class, citizenship status) to…