Our Dedicated Team
Our passionate and talented Staff, Board of Directors and Advisory Council work tirelessly to provide programming to the communities and people that need it most.
Meet the Team
Rise Headquarters Staff
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Rise Executive Director
Mara Lee Durrell joined Rise in 2024 as its Executive Director, whose mission is to educate, heal, and empower children by embedding trauma-informed, play-based programs in vulnerable communities around the world. For nearly a decade she was the CEO of the PeaceWorks Foundation and the OneVoice Movement, which received the prestigious Skoll Award in 2008. Mara previously served as a political appointee in the Obama Administration as the Deputy Director of Public Affairs at the U.S. Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration. Before that she was Congresswoman Doris Matsui’s Deputy Chief of Staff & Communications Director. A campaign veteran, Mara has served in leadership positions on behalf of Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and Jeanne Shaheen. While in DC, she had the honor of being an adjunct professor in politics at George Washington University for six years. Mara lives in New York with her husband, Jack Durrell, and two daughters.
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M.S., CCC-SLP/TSSLD
Speech & Language Pathologist and Rise Program Consultant
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Rise Chief Operating Officer
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Development & Administrative Coordinator
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Rise Chief Program Officer
Melissa Middaugh serves as Rise’s Chief Program Officer. With more than 20 years of experience in International Development, she has designed and implemented projects in early childhood education, family strengthening, and community development globally. Her journey began with the Peace Corps in West Africa (2002-2004). After joining Worldwide Orphans (WWO) following the 2010 Haiti earthquake, Melissa spent four years in Haiti developing programs and became the Chief Program Officer in 2014. Currently residing in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, she is passionate about strengthening education and protection systems for children, both through her work with Rise and as Chairman of the Delta Regional Child Advocacy Center Board. Melissa holds a Master's in Business Administration and is a PhD candidate in International Psychology.
Rise Bulgaria Staff
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Rise Bulgaria Country Director
Rossi joined Rise in 2015, starting as a Program Manager before becoming Country Director. With a career in child protection and welfare spanning since 1999, she has worked with organizations such as the European Children's Trust, EveryChild, Lumos, the Municipality of Plovdiv, and the Ombudsman of Bulgaria. Rossi was a key figure in pioneering the deinstitutionalization of children in Bulgaria, advocating for legislative changes that will lead to the closure of all children's institutions by 2025. She has held leadership roles in numerous organizations, driven by her mission to provide every child with the opportunity to thrive. Rossi lives in Sofia with her family and cat and is an avid reader and traveler.
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Program Coordinator
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Early Childhood Development Coordinator
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Early Learning Manager
Rise Ethiopia Staff
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Rise Ethiopia Country Director
Hannah serves as the Rise Ethiopia Country Director. She has a strong background in Public Health and Clinical Nursing, bringing extensive experience in healthcare, project planning, budgeting, coordination, supervision, monitoring, and staff management. Since joining WWO in 2012, she has made significant contributions, leading to her promotion to Country Director in 2022.
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Element of Play Teacher
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Element of Play Teacher
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WWO Ethiopia Early Childhood Development Director
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Element of Play Teacher
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Accountant
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Driver
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Element of Play Teacher
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Psychologist & Element of Play Trainer
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Cleaner
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Secretary, Cashier & Logistics
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Driver
Rise Haiti Staff
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Rise Haiti Country Director
Jacqueline Cadeau is the Country Director of Rise Haiti, having joined the organization in May 2012. She began as a bookkeeper and logistician for the Camp program, later advancing to program manager, camp director, and ultimately, country director. Before Rise, Jacqueline worked at Food for the Hungry, managing financial tasks such as verifying accounting records and managing petty cash. She also served as the Sales and Administration Manager at Big Mango Caribbean Trade, where she handled sales, staff management, and payroll. Jacqueline holds a degree in Accounting Science from the University of Port-au-Prince and has studied Administrative Management at BIWI. She lives in Haiti with her husband and daughter.
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Preschool Supervisor
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Learning Space Supervisor
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Program Administrator
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Program Manager
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Program Support Officer
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Learning Space Supervisor
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Data Officer & Camp Coordinator
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Camp Supervisor
Rise Ukraine Staff
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Rise Ukraine Country Director
Khrystyna serves as the Country Director of Rise Ukraine since 2022. With nearly 25 years of experience as a child psychologist, she has been instrumental in launching and expanding Rise’s programs for children in Ukraine. In addition to her role at Rise, Khrystyna consults with the Juvenile Police on child abuse cases and provides family relationship counseling at Lviv’s Hospital of Children’s Medicine. She holds a degree in musical pedagogy and a master’s degree in clinical psychology, bringing over two decades of expertise in working with children and families.
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Finance Manager
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Program Manager
Rise Vietnam Staff
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Rise Vietnam Country Director & Internal Consultant
Thuy joined Worldwide Orphans (WWO) in 2011 as the Country Director in Vietnam. With nearly three decades of experience in the non-profit sector, Thuy has held leadership roles at Swisscontact VN, Handicap International VN, and WWO. Her work spans various programming areas, including Positive Youth Development, Inclusion and Early Childhood care for children with different abilities, and camps for children with serious illnesses. In addition to her leadership role, Thuy oversees Networking and Fundraising, Communications and Social Media Management, CSR project design and implementation, Internal Talent Management, and Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) systems.
Thuy holds an M.A. in Applied Linguistics from LaTrobe University in Australia, a postgraduate degree in International Management Consulting from Ludwigshafen, Germany, and a B.A. in Vietnamese Literature Pedagogy from HCMC University of Pedagogy. She has also received training in NGO Strategic Management from AIT in Bangkok, Thailand, as well as internal training from Swisscontact, Handicap International, and Rise.
A mother of two, Thuy is also a proud grandmother and enjoys reading, listening to music, and baking in her spare time.
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Medical Director, Element of Play Trainer, Camp Leadership
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Senior Accountant, Camp & Life Skills
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Program Coordinator, Element of Play Coordinator, Camp Leadership
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Program Officer, Case Management, MiM, Camp Leadership
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Operations Director & Trainer
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Program Officer, Camp Leadership
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Medical Advisor, Speech Language Therapist, Camp Leadership
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Finance Director, Training
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Community-based Manager, Camp Director
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Project Site Manager
Our Board of Directors
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Co-Chair Campbell & Company, Former President & CEO Board Member since 2020
Terri Becks joined the Board of Rise in 2021, after being involved with the organization (through service work and participation on the Leadership Council) since 2008 and currently serves as Co-Chair of the Board. She worked for 20 years with Campbell & Company before retiring in 2011. Campbell & Company is an alternative asset management firm based in Baltimore, Maryland, where Terri served as Chief Financial Officer for 15 years and as the President and CEO for her final five years. Terri graduated from the University of Delaware with an Accounting degree and was a CPA. She worked for Ernst & Whinney and Bank Maryland Corp before finalizing her financial career at Campbell.
She currently also serves on the Board of Loyola Blakefield School and chairs its Finance and Investment Committees. She serves on the Board of Catholic Charities of Baltimore, formerly as President of the Board and chaired its Investment Committee. Terri has served on the boards of the Managed Funds Association and Family & Children's Services of Central Maryland, was a Court-appointed Special Advocate (“CASA”) in the Baltimore County foster care system and a former substitute teacher.
As part of her involvement with Rise, Terri and daughter Erin traveled to Bulgaria in 2008 as part of a Service Ranger project. Terri and her three boys created a week of “camp” at Des’ Village in Ethiopia in July 2012, and then took that same crew and theme to Rise in Haiti in 2014 and Vietnam in 2016. Terri and her children reside in Towson, Maryland.
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Chair of Development Committee Talking Hedge Events, Founder & President Board Member since 2022
Meg Bode D’Ariano creates and produces conferences for the hedge fund industry through Talking Hedge Inc., a company she founded in 2016. For 20 years, Meg was a consultant to Managed Funds Association providing media relations, member communications, and conference production. As President of the PR agency Bode & Associates, she worked with numerous firms to plan and execute their marketing campaigns, media relations, communications materials, website development, and advertising. Meg is a member and former “Angel” of 100 Women in Finance and serves as a Director on the Board of Worldwide Orphans Foundation. Most importantly, she built her family through adoption and is proud mom of two daughters who were born in China and are now young ladies in their 20s.
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www.aforceforgood.biz Founder & CEO
Coco Sellman is a dedicated supporter of Rise because she believes that every child should have the opportunity to learn and grow. She is especially passionate about helping children in vulnerable communities—places impacted by poverty, illness, conflict, genocide, and refugee displacement—by providing them with safe spaces to play, connect, and continue their natural development. Coco understands that restoring moments of childhood in these difficult circumstances gives children the hope of a brighter future, and she is committed to advancing Rise's mission to transform young lives through play-based learning.
Coco brings a wealth of experience to Rise as a five-time founder, impact investor, and creator of the Force for Good System, which helps companies and organizations scale impact with prosperity. Her recent notable success includes founding a healthcare company that achieved eight-figure revenues and four-figure profits in under four years, followed by a strategic merger in 2021. She now serves as a board director, strategically steering the company and leading healthcare advocacy at the state and federal level. Additionally, Coco has extensive non-profit board experience, making her an asset to Rise. As a Trustee, Coco's leadership and vision help guide Rise's efforts to create lasting change for children in underserved communities worldwide.
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Co-Chair, Chair of Nominating Committee Big Bite, Inc., Founder & CEO Board Member since 2014
Susan’s expertise spans the media, corporate, and public relations arenas including reporter, producer, anchor, and bureau chief at major market TV stations, e.g., CBS in Orlando, WPIX in New York; senior executive at Golin/Harris and Fleishman-Hillard, two respected global public relations firms; and, international spokesperson, media/crisis manager, and video producer at pharmaceutical giant, Syntex, now Roche.
Susan also was communications director for the CBS flagship TV station in Los Angeles where she served as media spokesperson and head of public relations. Her Los Angeles communications firm, Big Bite Films, produces corporate and non-profit marketing videos for website and social media platforms. In addition, Susan specializes in customized media/presentation trainings, crisis communications programs, and Moving Memoirs© - customized videos that capture a person’s life and legacy.
Clients include: • Novavax - produced a legacy documentary about the biotech firm’s journey to produce its unique COVID vaccine and first ever product • Kaiser Permanente - produced website and marketing video for Santa Monica community medical center involving interviews with patients and physicians • Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce - produced videos honoring local COVID heroes, e.g., medical staffs, teachers, firefighters • Stanford University - produced more than a dozen legacy and tribute videos, e.g., former president Donald Kennedy, respected alumni, professors • Montage Laguna Beach - media trained 20 senior executives to prepare for resort opening; crafted messaging and served as spokesperson following guest shooting • Families of September 11th - media trained founders for 10th anniversary event and moderated international press conference at Ground Zero • Dreamworks Animation - media trained director for international press tour of major film • Pfizer - media trained senior ophthalmic researchers for introduction of new eye product
Susan earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Stanford University and graduated from Columbia Journalism School’s Sulzberger Executive Leadership Program.
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SwingSearch, Co-Founder & COO Board Member since 2017
Mandy Edmund is known among the VCs in the Bay Area as having an uncanny ability to define the go-to-market leadership needs of an early stage company. She loves working with early hiring teams, providing clarity on what is needed in a role, and helping Founders with their pitch to top talent.
At SwingSearch, Mandy serves as exec stakeholder in a wide range of high-profile searches. She is focused on continually raising the bar, for Swing and for our clients.
Mandy is a Board Member of Worldwide Orphans Foundation, an active mentor at Techstars, and a Mom to three amazing daughters.
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Cargill, Associate VP, Compliance Board Member Emeritus
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Secretary The Career Leap, CEO Board Member since 2014
Misha Rubin is CEO of The Career Leap. His mission is to facilitate meaningful intentional changes in people's lives.
He was a Partner at Ernst & Young, where he spent 15 fruitful years of his career. He sold and managed hundreds millions worth of projects and guided careers of hundreds professionals. His 20-year corporate experience, personal quest for meaning and work with hundreds, birthed the The Career Leap method, a guided actionable inquiry that is structured for you to discover and pursue your next career move. Misha has worked with hundreds to reinvent their careers, start new businesses and reenergize their lives.
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Community Volunteer & Former Rise Executive Director Board Member since 2024
Claudia Fleming, Rise board member, and former Executive Director of Rise, began her career in nonprofit over 25 years ago as the Executive Director of of New Yorkers for Children, an organization that works alongside child welfare agencies and community partners to improve the well-being of youth and families in the child welfare system with an emphasis on older youth aging out of the system. In 2001, Claudia, accepted the position as the first Executive Director of Good+ Foundation (formerly known as Baby Buggy) a non-profit that works to dismantle multi-generational poverty by pairing tangible goods with innovative services for under-resourced fathers, mothers, and caregivers. She held this position for six years and rolled onto their Board of Directors for an additional six years. She joined the Rise team in 2019 months before the pandemic.
Claudia lives in NYC with her husband George Bitar and has four children and a granddaughter.
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Lyapa Nakazwe-Masiya is Founder and CEO of LNM Leadership Advisory, an organisation that works with global executives and organizations to address talent and leadership needs.Her most recent corporate career was spent in the US providing advisory services to multinational clients across various industries. This included coaching, recruitment, assessment, talent management and development. Her clientele ranged from start-ups, Fortune 500 companies, NGOs and PE firms. She spent her earlier career in executive search placing C-suite executives and Board Members, partnering with African and European clients across a number of industry sectors.
Lyapa is a published author on Imposter Phenomenon and lectures on the Importance of Personal Branding and the Art of StoryTelling to African MBA and Doctorate candidates.
Passionate about equality and empowerment, particularly when it comes to children & women, she also sits on the Board of the National Women's History Alliance.
A global citizen and mother to two girls, Lyapa knows first hand the benefits and importance of education and community."
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The Career Leap, CEO Board Member since 2023
Sally Bauer has served on the Rise board since 2023. She is also active on several other boards including My Sister’s Place, a day shelter in Baltimore for women and children, the Advisory Board of Johns Hopkins Hospital’s Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and also for The Family Tree of Maryland, recently serving as Board President and co-chair of the development committee. Sally also contributes to Roanoke College’s, her alma mater’s, Advisory Board, where she has helped implement strategic initiatives to grow the student population. Her dedication to Maryland’s families is evident in the many programs and services she has supported over the years.
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Chair of Program Committee International Rescue Committee, Sr. Director of Talent Management Board Member since 2021
Our Advisory Council
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Ph.D.
Professor of Anthropology
Rutgers University-Camden
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Ph.D. Professor of Applied Psychology New York University
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M.A., CCC-SLP Speech & Language Pathologist and WWO Program Consultant
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Ph.D. Unidel H. Rodney Sharp Professor of Education at the University of Delaware
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M.P.H., M.S.
Director, Medical Student Global Health Programs
Albert Einstein College of Medicine