Join us in celebrating National Mentoring Month! Throughout January, we honor the power of mentoring by encouraging community members to be a mentor, thank a mentor, and celebrate the impact of mentoring relationships. Together, we can uplift youth voices, build connections, and inspire the next generation of leaders.
Brittany Dyer
Instructional Coach
“It isn’t where you came from. It’s where you’re going that counts.” ― Ella Fitzgerald
Born in Jacksonville, North Carolina, and raised in Northern Virginia, Brittany’s passion for education and community service has guided her professional journey. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with a focus on Education and History from Radford University. Returning to the DMV area, she was eager to continue her work in education and nonprofits, leading her to embark on her Kid Power adventure in 2018 as an After-School Instructor.
Since then, Brittany has taken on various roles within the organization, showcasing her dedication and versatility. She has served as a Camp Director, Site Coordinator through AmeriCorps, Instructional Coach and currently holds the position of Kid Power’s Senior Youth and Family Engagement Lead.
In her spare time, Brittany loves to watch television and spend quality time with her husband and her beloved cat, Athena.
Christa Smith
High Impact Tutoring Coordinator
Christa, a native of the Washington DC area, has dedicated her life to education and community empowerment. In 2022, she joined Kid Power as a HIT Coordinator, bringing her extensive experience as an educator spanning over two decades. With a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education, specializing in literacy instruction and intervention, Christa is deeply committed to nurturing her students academically, socially, and emotionally.
Passionate about youth development, Christa actively gives back to her community, inspiring her students to embrace their unique identities and unleash their creativity. She believes in making learning meaningful and enjoyable, constantly seeking innovative ways to engage her students and create an enriching educational environment. Beyond her professional endeavors, Christa cherishes quality time with her loved ones and finds joy in exploring new destinations.
Sarah Pasqualini
Director, High Impact Tutoring
“Teaching is the greatest act of optimism” – Colleen Wilcox
Sarah Pasqualini grew up in Connecticut and graduated from The University of Alabama with a dual certification in Elementary and Special Education. She began her teaching career as a Teach for America corps member in Atlanta, GA, and has been an educator for 8 years, with a focus on literacy instruction and serving students with disabilities. Sarah is passionate about building authentic relationships with students and families and supporting the whole child. She has honed her educational leadership skills by serving as a team lead, mentor teacher, and supervising Americorps members and student teachers.
Sarah joined Kid Power in 2022, where she focuses on improving academic and social-emotional outcomes for students in the district through the High Impact Tutoring program.
Aiden Teplitzky Dobens
Mentor and Partner Development
“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good people to do nothing.” – Unknown
Aiden Teplitzky Dobens was born and raised in New York City. He attended college in Boston at Emerson College, where he received a B.A. in Journalism. After graduating, Aiden spent three years teaching at a charter school in Boston where he taught Spanish, Math, and worked in Special Education. He spent the past few years coaching soccer in Boston and Northern Virginia, working with kids aged 5-18.
Aiden joined Kid Power in 2022 and will use his vast experience working with children to help support and develop mentors and protégés on their journeys.
Kaitlin Putnam
Senior Program Director – Older Youth Programs
“The future is not a gift, it is an achievement” – Robert F. Kennedy
Kaitlin joined Mentors, Inc. in 2017 and joined the Kid Power family in 2019 when the organizations joined forces. Kaitlin has always had a passion for service and education, leading her to pursue a career in social work. After receiving her Bachelor of Social Work degree from James Madison University, she served as an AmeriCorps VISTA in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. There she managed a tutor and mentor program serving Pittsburgh Public School students. She went on to earn her Master of Social Work degree at the University of Pittsburgh before spending two years working in the classroom as an assistant. Kaitlin has experience working with K-12 students in case management, group facilitation, social skills development, and academic and behavioral interventions. Through working in a variety of educational settings, Kaitlin has a broad understanding of educational law and how it impacts students, including the development and implementation of Individualized Education Plans (IEPs). To support positive outcomes for youth, Kaitlin is committed to developing social-emotional health among youth and their communities.
Felicity Poussaint-Bekong
Program Coordinator, High Impact Tutoring
“The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any.”
– Alice Walker
Felicity is a native Washingtonian who joined Kid Power in 2004 as a student. She stayed involved in Kid Power through elementary and middle school, and gained an interest in acting after being in several plays with Kid Power. She attended Duke Ellington School of the Arts and went on to earn a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting from Emerson College. As a student in Kid Power, Felicity learned that we all have the power to make a difference in our community. She has a drive to give back to the community and support the local youth and she hopes to create long lasting relationships between Kid Power and our students, just like the one she has.
Martina J. Arnold
Director of Development
“Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.”
— Maya Angelou.
Martina Arnold is a native Washingtonian who joined Kid Power in June of 2018 with more than 20 years of experience fundraising and building business development programs for nonprofit organizations and educational institutions. Prior to her current position at Kid Power, Martina facilitated and advanced the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute support among corporate, foundation, and individual donors. In addition, she previously executed fundraising plans and cultivated relationships in support of the College of Southern Maryland and the CSM Foundation. Martina is a graduate of Bowie State University and received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Broadcast Journalism. A community advocate, she is a member of Leadership Southern Maryland and supports several youth-focused organizations in the Washington Metropolitan Area.
Mark James
Operations & Compliance Manager
Mark James serves as the Operations & Compliance Manager for Kid Power’s After-School and Summer Leadership Academy programs. A proud Kid Power alumnus, Mark first joined the organization as a 10-year-old student in the After-School program. Their journey continued after high school when they returned as an After-School and Summer Instructor, eventually advancing to Lead Instructor and Summer Coordinator.
With years of hands-on experience and a deep understanding of Kid Power’s mission, Mark is passionate about creating positive, enriching experiences for students. They often share that one of the most rewarding aspects of their work has been “the connections I’ve been able to build with students.” In their current role, Mark ensures program operations run smoothly while maintaining high standards for student engagement and success.
Curtis Leitch
Finance Coordinator
“When I was young, my ambition was to be one of the people who made a difference in this world. My hope is to leave the world a little better for having been there.” – Jim Henson
Curtis Leitch was born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska. He went to Washington State University and later transferred to the University of Alaska Anchorage, earning his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology and Political Science. Curtis joined Kid Power as an AmeriCorps Academic Consultant in the fall of 2014. In this role, Curtis created the English Language Arts and Math curriculum for Academic Power Hour aligned to Common Core Standards but featuring innovative, hands-on activities and creative review activities with benchmark assessments. In his second year, based on the success of piloted hands-on math and science activities, Curtis significantly increased Kid Power’s STEM curriculum. After two years of AmeriCorps service, Curtis transitioned to the role of Assistant Program Director in the fall of 2016. He oversaw Kid Power programs at J.O. Wilson Elementary, Stanton Elementary School, Jefferson Middle School, and LaSalle-Backus Education Campus during his first year as Assistant Program Director. He later supervised Cluster Coordinators and curriculum development, as well as working with senior leadership on evaluation and grant compliance. Curtis transitioned to Program Director in 2018 and then Senior Program Director in 2020, where he focuses on data analysis and bolstering Kid Power’s curriculum.
Charles M. Thomas
Operations Contractor
“In all our deeds, the proper value and respect for time determines success or failure” – Malcolm X
Charles joined the Kid Power team in 2023, with a rich background in various organizations, where he held pivotal roles as a Facilities and Operations Manager, Operations Manager, and Freelance Technical Writer. Charles remains actively involved with the Trade Press Media Group, where he contributes as a Facilities and Operations Influencer, Freelance Writer, and Editorial Advisory Board Member. Over the course of 12 years, Charles has amassed invaluable experience in education, research, financial planning, legal, and public relations. His expertise spans across general operations, strategic planning, project management, human resources management, and organizational community relations.
With a passion for helping others, Charles founded LACE Management, a consulting business with a mission to help organizations establish and elevate their programs. Charles actively engages as a mentor, advocate for young professionals, and presenter at industry conferences. One of his achievements includes writing a comprehensive Guidebook tailored for aspiring facilities & operations managers, equipping them with the knowledge needed to excel in their roles.
At Kid Power, Charles dedicates himself to learning and contributing in the best possible way. His mission is to be of service and make a lasting difference in the lives of others while embracing every opportunity for growth and development.
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Erin White
Assistant Program Director, Elementary Programs
A DMV native, Erin’s interest in educational equity began when she returned to the area after receiving her undergraduate degree in Political Science from Temple University, and she began volunteering with a local organization focused on closing the achievement gap. This experience ignited her passion for the work, and she began working as an After-School Instructor, then quickly moved into site management positions. After years of working with DC’s youth, she decided to pursue her Master’s degree in Education Policy and Leadership at American University in hopes this would better prepare her to make larger, more lasting change. Since receiving her degree, Erin has held numerous roles in program management and operations for youth-serving organizations throughout the District. Erin’s extensive experience in youth development and operations helps her support the execution and delivery of high-quality programs for our elementary-aged students.
Torree Theodore
Mentor Program Coordinator
Originally from Macon, Georgia, Torree relocated to Maryland upon completion of her Master’s Program. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University and her Master’s of Social Work with a concentration in Community, Management, and Policy Practice from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Torree has an extensive background in youth development and programming. She launched a mentoring program at an elementary school in Greensboro, North Carolina, which has been running since 2022. She also served as a Project Manager for a critical mentoring program for middle school students. Before joining Kid Power, Torree served as a Research Coordinator for the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she assisted in the development of Children, Youth, and Families at Risk funded programs.
Abby Hutzel
Mentor Engagement Coordinator
Abby is originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, and joined Kid Power in September 2025. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Global Studies and Political Science from Ohio University. After graduating, she was awarded a Fulbright grant to Taiwan, where she served for a year as an English Teaching Assistant, teaching English and cultural studies to elementary and junior high students. This experience deepened her passion for education, cultural exchange, and community building.
After completing her Fulbright year, Abby moved to Washington, DC, to pursue a Master’s degree in Engaged and Applied Humanities at Georgetown University. While completing her graduate studies, she also worked with several nonprofits, including the National Organization for Women and the National Coalition for the Homeless, where she focused on social justice and public engagement.
Israel Olu
Youth Engagement Coordinator
Born and raised in the DMV area, Israel currently resides in Prince George's County, Maryland. He attended Howard University, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, minoring in Political Science. In undergrad, Israel served as a Legislative Analyst in a student-led HBCU coalition strategizing paths toward enhancing DCPS curriculum and prioritizing President Biden’s American Families Plan. It was here that Israel developed his passion for educational equity, acknowledging its role as a key element towards community development.
Since then, Israel worked as a Program Associate with a USAID contractor to bolster small African businesses and conducted research analyzing the impact on HIV programming in Tanzania following USAID’s dissolution. Israel is currently completing his master’s program with a focus on post-conflict recovery.
Kimberly Jackson
Mentoring Program Coordinator
A native of the Washington, DC area, Kim brings over eight years of experience working with youth across Maryland and DC. She is passionate about supporting the whole student and believes in building a legacy of kindness each day. Kim's journey began with AmeriCorps Project Change at Community Bridges, where she focused on SEL, goal setting, and college and career planning. She later served as a Literacy Interventionist with Reading Partners DC and now tutors privately in Spanish, math, literacy, and handwriting. Kimberly has also supported students in special education and dual immersion programs within Montgomery County Public Schools and worked with SmART Summer and Carpe Diem Arts on youth leadership and arts initiatives.
Kim joined Kid Power in 2025, leading the expansion into Montgomery County. She is especially committed to guiding older youth through transitions and preparing them for a bright future.
Abby Hutzel
Mentor Engagement Coordinator
Abby is originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, and joined Kid Power in September 2025. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Global Studies and Political Science from Ohio University. After graduating, she was awarded a Fulbright grant to Taiwan, where she served for a year as an English Teaching Assistant, teaching English and cultural studies to elementary and junior high students. This experience deepened her passion for education, cultural exchange, and community building.
After completing her Fulbright year, Abby moved to Washington, DC, to pursue a Master’s degree in Engaged and Applied Humanities at Georgetown University. While completing her graduate studies, she also worked with several nonprofits, including the National Organization for Women and the National Coalition for the Homeless, where she focused on social justice and public engagement.
Israel Olu
Youth Engagement Coordinator
Born and raised in the DMV area, Israel currently resides in Prince George's County, Maryland. He attended Howard University, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, minoring in Political Science. In undergrad, Israel served as a Legislative Analyst in a student-led HBCU coalition strategizing paths toward enhancing DCPS curriculum and prioritizing President Biden’s American Families Plan. It was here that Israel developed his passion for educational equity, acknowledging its role as a key element towards community development.
Since then, Israel worked as a Program Associate with a USAID contractor to bolster small African businesses and conducted research analyzing the impact on HIV programming in Tanzania following USAID’s dissolution. Israel is currently completing his master’s program with a focus on post-conflict recovery.
Denali Douglas
Development and Communication Associate
A graduate of Union College, Denali earned her bachelor's degree in Political Science and Anthropology. During her time in college, she worked cross-culturally in the U.S. and abroad, in Cambodia and Argentina, to increase resources for underserved communities. Denali began her journey with Kid Power, Inc. as a summer intern, where she helped innovate new ways to engage with stakeholders and increase the organization's visibility. Now serving as an Associate, she is dedicated to continuously expanding the reach of Kid Power's impactful work. She looks forward to connecting the DC community with our essential programs by highlighting the authentic voices of the staff and the students we support.
