Welcome, New Generation Hope Team Members!

We’re so excited to be growing our team. Get to know the newest members of our staff, below!

Catherine Johnson
Senior Higher Ed Impact Manager

Hi everyone! My name is Catherine Johnson, and I’m joining the Generation Hope team as a Senior Higher Ed Impact Manager within our National Impact Team. I was drawn to Generation Hope because of the comprehensive multi-generational commitment to advancing equity and access for student parents and their families, and am excited to push that mission forward for long-lasting, systemic change. 

I grew up in Western Maryland, but have lived all over, including long stints living in France, as well as living and working with refugee and child poverty advocacy organizations both overseas in Egypt and Brazil, as well as in New Mexico and New York. I graduated from Syracuse University with a degree in Anthropology and Middle Eastern Studies, and later received my Master’s of Education in Counseling from Frostburg State University. For the past 12 years, I’ve held progressively responsible roles within higher education in the DC area, first at University of Maryland and then at Georgetown University. More than anything, my time in higher education has underscored for me the substantial institutional work that needs to be performed to dismantle systematic barriers to socio-economic change, and I am so excited to join the Generation Hope team to further the long-term economic and academic mobility of student parents nationwide. 

Outside of work, I’m usually busy keeping up with my three (soon to be four!) human kids, and playing with our two pups, Frida and Diego. I love traveling and exploring new places – especially if it includes trying new foods!-- but also find a lot of peace reading and writing in my spare time, in particular devouring poetry and any good, thought-provoking history books. I’m also an avid baker, and love trying out new recipes with my daughter.

Jamie Williams
Senior Higher Ed Impact Manager

Hi folx! I’m Jamie Williams, and I’m so excited to be one of the new Sr. Higher Ed Impact Managers with Generation Hope. My main role is to provide support to colleges and universities interested in taking action to further elevate student parent success at their institutions. Most recently, I completed a Doctorate in Public Administration at West Chester University of Pennsylvania and have over 15 years of experience with nonprofits, social services, and higher education.

As a child of teen parents, I have felt the direct impact that postsecondary education can have on economic mobility across generations and have dedicated my career to promoting basic needs security and more equitable access points and pathways to quality education and economic mobility.

Outside of work, I can usually be found galivanting around with my partner, two children, and mom. I especially enjoy being outside and near/on bodies of water as well as reading, movie-going/streaming, and hanging out with friends, food, and music.

Jessica Wisser
Director of Development & Communications

Hi, everyone. My name is Jessica Wisser, and I am the new Director of Development and Communications for Generation Hope. I have worn many different hats at nonprofits all over the east coast including arts, education, and social justice organizations. I’m from South Carolina originally, but my family has been living in the DC area for a decade and it is truly home now. After years of participating in programming as a volunteer and attending fundraisers and community events, I’m thrilled to be joining the team at Generation Hope. I can’t wait to use my skills to serve our Scholars and their families, and I’m looking forward to meeting you all soon!

Joana Vargas
Administrative Coordinator

Hello! My name is Joana Vargas and I’m excited to join Generation Hope as the Administrative Coordinator. My background is in school operations and I have worked in various charter schools in New York and D.C. What drew me to Generation Hope was how invested and dedicated the staff is in supporting student parents succeed. The services, support and resources Generation Hope provides to students and their children is incredibly important and creates a space where those being aided will continue to thrive and impact their own communities.

I love traveling, exploring different cultures through food, taking care of my plants and visiting museums. I’m looking forward to supporting everyone on my team and fostering genuine relationships that will be mutually beneficial to the cause and mission of Generation Hope.

J’Reisz Garcia
Volunteer Coordinator

Hello! My name is J’Reisz Garcia, and I am the new Volunteer Coordinator at Generation Hope! I’m a native-Texan and proud graduate of St. Edward’s University (Go Hilltoppers!) with a B.A. in Criminology. I’m passionate about education and working with social justice organizations, which is what brought me to Generation Hope! I was drawn to the work of GH through learning about their two-generation approach to tackle systemic issues in our education system and how these issues disproportionately affect teen-parents. I believe that everyone has a right to a quality education, equal opportunity and resources in order to succeed, so I’m really excited to be a part of this amazing organization! 

In my spare time, you can often find me at the movie theater or at a concert! I also really enjoy cooking and finding new recipes, spending time outside, or hanging out with my newly adopted cat, Luna! I look forward to meeting all of our amazing volunteers and scholars!

Ruya Norton
Communications Manager

Hi everyone! My name is Ruya Norton, and I am Generation Hope's new Communications Manager. I grew up around the world (Micronesia, Alaska...) and eventually landed in western Massachusetts, where I earned my Bachelor's in Religion and Gender Studies at Mount Holyoke College. After that, I started my nonprofit career in D.C., fell in love with communications, and went to American University for my Master's in Strategic Communication. Following graduation, I lived in Colorado for several years before returning to D.C. and making my home here. 

I believe education causes a ripple effect, and that educating even one person has transformational power. The opportunity to share stories of transformation is what inspired me to join Generation Hope, and I am eager to meet our scholars and their children and learn from their lived experience. 

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with friends and family, exploring my neighborhood on foot, and traveling.