Roopal Mehta Saran, Executive Director of the Literacy Council of Northern Virginia, oversees strategic planning, management, and implementation of adult literacy and beginning-level ESOL programs. She previously served as the Director of Account Management at KaBOOM!, a non-profit dedicated to bringing balanced and active play to the daily lives of all kids and as Senior Director of Community Development at First Book, a non-profit focused on children’s literacy. Before her move to the nonprofit sector, she worked as an attorney representing school districts and state Departments of Education. Roopal received her BA in English and MA in Education from Stanford University and her JD from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Roopal served from 2014-2020 on the National Advisory Board of the Haas Center for Public Service, the hub for service at Stanford University that serves as a model for how universities prepare students to be of greater service to the public. She currently sits on the Board of Career Works – Northern and volunteers with the Girl Scouts Council of the Nation’s Capital. She lives in Falls Church, VA with her husband and three children.
Ruba Marshood Afzal, Director of Partnerships and Community Engagement, became involved with LCNV as a volunteer before joining the staff to foster strategic relationships with other nonprofit, civic, government and corporate entities. Ruba brings more than 15 years of international development and non-profit experience. She has worked with global and local agencies, ranging from the United Nations to small organizations in different parts of the world, cultivating collaborative partnerships among communities and stakeholders to organize and advocate for their interests. Ruba recently served on the Alexandria City Public School 2025 Strategic Planning Committee and serves as Vice President on the Board of Trustees of the non-profit Montessori School of Northern Virginia. An alumna of the Princeton AlumniCorps’ Emerging Leaders program, she received her BSc from University of Maryland and her MA from Duke University. Ruba is a first-generation American, fluent in Arabic, and a published photographer and photo-editor. She also enjoys adventures with her kids, dancing, and great meals with family and friends.
Jordan Alexander, Student Services Coordinator, was born in Frankfurt, Germany to a military family. He has held positions working for BMW of North America, Airrosti Rehab Centers, and the Public Allies program of Washington D.C, before coming to Literacy Council of Northern Virginia. Jordan has travelled extensively to over twenty countries throughout the world and a majority of the United States. The experience of interacting with peoples of diverse backgrounds opened his eyes to many issues during his childhood. In his free time, Jordan enjoys photography, writing, travelling, listening to music, and being around cars and motorcycles. Jordan earned his bachelor degrees in International Studies from Ohio Wesleyan University with a minor in Anthropology and Sociology. He received his Masters of Science in Conflict Analysis and Resolution from George Mason University.
Jeff DiMeglio, Finance and Operations Manager, is a graduate of Clemson University with a B.S. in Economics and Marketing, and also a graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary with a Master’s Degree in Theology and Biblical Studies. Before coming to LCNV, Jeff spent over twenty years as a Commercial Banker in the Northern VA and Washington DC markets providing financing for a wide array of projects and organizations, including many non-profit institutions. Jeff also spent fourteen years as a successful small business owner and manager in McLean, VA. In addition, Jeff established and served as the Managing Member of a Northern VA based financial analysis firm that specialized in small business budgeting, forecasting, accounting and indirect expense allocation. Jeff is passionate about serving an organization such as LCNV that has the primary mission of meeting the needs of others. In his free time, Jeff enjoys hiking, sailing and travelling with his wife. Their favorite destinations include National Parks and whichever new city that one of their three boys happens to be living in at the time. Jeff and his wife currently live in Fairfax, VA with their cat, Socks.
Ashley King, Admissions Manager and Registrar, brings extensive experience in Adult Education and teaching to her multi-faceted role at LCNV and holds an M.Ed.in TESOL from Regent University and BAs from Virginia Commonwealth University. She coordinates student intake, registration, and assessments for all LCNV programs. Ashley is recognized as an outstanding trainer. For the past seven years, she has conducted numerous trainings for staff and volunteers on the standardized BEST Plus tests, with over 100 volunteers throughout the state graduating from her classes ready to assess English Language Learners’ (ELL) speaking and listening skills. Ashley grew up in Herndon, Virginia. Now in her free time, Ashley enjoys spending time with friends and family, dancing, going to concerts, traveling, and art.
Michael Mahrer, Senior Director of Advancement, has over 25 years of experience in the fundraising and marketing field, managing fund development and strategy, donor relations, direct marketing, organizational communications, and administrative operations. He has spent the last 18 years working in the educational nonprofit sector. Michael has created and managed multi-million dollar fundraising campaigns that have won national awards and recognition. Michael currently serves on the Community Action Advisory Board (CAAB), which advises the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on the needs, concerns and aspirations of low-income persons; and recommends policies that promote meaningful change. Michael is a graduate of Virginia Tech and has lived in Northern Virginia for the majority of his life.
Xavier Muñoz, Associate Director of
Academic Affairs for Teaching and Learning, is passionate Teaching adults and supporting teacher development. He holds an MA in TESOL from SIT Graduate Institute, an SIT TESOL Certificate, and a BA from Stanford University. He served three years as an AmeriCorps member with LCNV teaching beginning-level, families learning and Destination Workforce classes. He taught ESOL in Nicaragua and tutor basic adult literacy in Tampa, Florida. In 2014, the White House recognized him as a César E. Chávez Champion of Change for his work with adult immigrants and refugees. He also received LCNV’s Mid Allen Ries award for exceptional contributions to advancing the organization. His professional interests are in teacher education, social responsibility, LESLLA, and NNEST issues. Outside of work, he enjoys traveling, theatre, and spending time with his family and dog.
Academic Affairs for Teaching and Learning, is passionate Teaching adults and supporting teacher development. He holds an MA in TESOL from SIT Graduate Institute, an SIT TESOL Certificate, and a BA from Stanford University. He served three years as an AmeriCorps member with LCNV teaching beginning-level, families learning and Destination Workforce classes. He taught ESOL in Nicaragua and tutor basic adult literacy in Tampa, Florida. In 2014, the White House recognized him as a César E. Chávez Champion of Change for his work with adult immigrants and refugees. He also received LCNV’s Mid Allen Ries award for exceptional contributions to advancing the organization. His professional interests are in teacher education, social responsibility, LESLLA, and NNEST issues. Outside of work, he enjoys traveling, theatre, and spending time with his family and dog.
Soo H. Park, Instructional Design Manager, holds a Master of Education degree in Instructional Design, a certificate in Teaching English as a Second Language, and a Bachelors of Science in Commerce. She brings a decade of professional experience as an instructional designer and business consultant in the corporate world, as well as a wealth of English language teaching experience, including as a Lead Teacher for LCNV. Prior to assuming her current role, Soo served as a highly valued member of the AmeriCorps teaching team.
Nada Raja, Academic Program Assistant, is a Fulbright Alumna with an MA in TESOL from Saint Michael College, Colchester, VT.
She worked as a Teaching Assistant at Taiz University, Yemen, where she taught English Language and Literature courses to undergraduate students.
Prior to joining LCNV, she worked as an Online VESL Program Assistant at Columbia College VA. She has experience in TESOL, student management, Online learning via LMS, and ESL curricula and program development. Nada enjoys reading, walking, listening to music and dancing! She also enjoys spending time with family and friends.
Melissa Rea, Associate Director of
Academic Affairs for Operations and Student Support, has 24 years of experience in the field of Adult Education as a teacher, coordinator and director. In the past, she has worked in homeless shelters, family reunification programs, recovery programs, a jail, nonprofits and the Arlington County school system. This work included a year of volunteer service through the Medical Mission Sisters with Project HOME in North Philadelphia working with some of Philadelphia’s most chronically homeless men and women. While there she helped to start a job training program and a GED program; thus beginning her life-long passion for all things adult learning. The work with her adult learners has been a great inspiration to Melissa, and she feels called to serve the most vulnerable in our society. Melissa has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Concentration in Peace & Justice Education from Villanova University. She earned her Masters of Science degree in Adult Learning and Human Resource Development from Virginia Tech. She received the "Local Heroes" award from Arlington County for her work at the Arlington County Detention Facility. Melissa once backpacked through Africa for six months on her own. She enjoys traveling, swimming, meditation, and spending time with her friends. She has also been active in social justice issues over the years.
Academic Affairs for Operations and Student Support, has 24 years of experience in the field of Adult Education as a teacher, coordinator and director. In the past, she has worked in homeless shelters, family reunification programs, recovery programs, a jail, nonprofits and the Arlington County school system. This work included a year of volunteer service through the Medical Mission Sisters with Project HOME in North Philadelphia working with some of Philadelphia’s most chronically homeless men and women. While there she helped to start a job training program and a GED program; thus beginning her life-long passion for all things adult learning. The work with her adult learners has been a great inspiration to Melissa, and she feels called to serve the most vulnerable in our society. Melissa has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Concentration in Peace & Justice Education from Villanova University. She earned her Masters of Science degree in Adult Learning and Human Resource Development from Virginia Tech. She received the "Local Heroes" award from Arlington County for her work at the Arlington County Detention Facility. Melissa once backpacked through Africa for six months on her own. She enjoys traveling, swimming, meditation, and spending time with her friends. She has also been active in social justice issues over the years.
George Reyes, IT Database Administrator, is the first generation American born from both sides of his family. A Certified Salesforce Administrator, George earned his Bachelor’s Degree from George Mason University. Before coming to LCNV, he worked at the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development for 3 years as an IT Consultant. When he’s not in the office as Salesforce Admin for LCNV you might catch him at the gym, rock climbing, finishing up a home interior restoration project for families around the Northern Virginia area, or working on cars.
Marizol Rojas, Office Administrator & Student Liaison , joins LCNV after graduating from Training Futures. She’s very excited to be part of the team and to work for an organization that provides educational advancement to the community. Marizol likes gardening, crafting, scary movies, and spending time with her husband and 3 children.
Amy Tristan, Volunteer and Outreach Coordinator, is a graduate of Colgate University with a degree in Social Psychology. Before coming to LCNV, she worked as a Preschool Ministry Director which involved recruiting, training, and leading a large team of volunteers. Prior to that, she was the Pro Bono Coordinator at a corporate law firm in DC that donated thousands of hours annually in the representation of nonprofit organizations and indigent individuals. Altogether she has over a decade of experience working with volunteers and serving communities in the DC area. She loves seeking out people who have particular interests, skills, and abilities and empowering them to use those abilities to meet the needs of others. In her free time, Amy enjoys running, playing volleyball, baking cupcakes, drinking good coffee and spending time with her husband and two young children.
Lisa Vaughn, Development Coordinator, manages incoming donations, maintains the donor database, and coordinates special events for LCNV. Prior to her work here, Lisa helped to found a nonprofit in a rural California town, empowering seniors to age in place. In addition, Lisa spent several years as an advisor at Utah State University, training and supervising student leaders as they conducted student-led volunteer programs, and soliciting and managing the funding to support them. Her experience in nonprofit management also includes work at an afterschool program for low-income children and volunteering with an international nonprofit supporting youth aging out of orphanages. She holds a degree in Social Work from Abilene Christian University and a master’s degree in Public Administration from University of North Texas. Lisa enjoys reading, traveling and going on adventures with her husband and two children.
Caroline Walsh, Communications Coordinator, is responsible for internal and external communications and publications, as well as media relations for LCNV. She received her BA degree in Visual Art & Design from The University of Hawaii (Manoa, HI) in 2015, relocating to Virginia shortly after.
From 2017-21, she worked as a Gallery Assistant, Volunteer Coordinator and Development Assistant for The Art League in Old Town, Alexandria, a local nonprofit and visual arts organization dedicated to educating artists of all skill-levels and backgrounds, exhibiting their artwork, and sharing it with the community. While at TAL, she helped with various events, fundraisers and art outreach programs including SOHO (Space of Her Own), a one-on-one mentoring program for “at-risk” girls in Alexandria and The Annual IMPART (Injured Military Personnel ART) exhibit. Before COVID-19 hit, she spent her extra time as an after-school teacher with Upcycle Creative Reuse Center, working with younger children – teaching them about art and design projects using recycled materials donated from the community. She also served as the Administrative Assistant for the TFAA (Torpedo Factory Artists’ Association) in early 2021, producing their weekly newsletter, creating event posts for social media, website editing and coordinating artist exhibits at Tysons’ Corner Center. Her hobbies include drawing and painting, spending time with friends and family, reading and watching movies. She has two cats.
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