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!

Sara Knotts
Director of Finance & Administration

Hello! My name is Sara Knotts and I am the Director of Finance & Administration at Generation Hope. Prior to joining Generation Hope, I worked as the Director of Finance & Operations from 2016 through 2021 at HIPS in Washington, DC. HIPS is an organization that advances the health rights and dignity of people and communities impacted by underground economies by providing non-judgmental harm reduction services, advocacy, and community engagement. Before that post, I served as the Operations Manager at HIPS beginning in 2013. During my time at HIPS, the agency became one of the most well funded harm reduction agencies in the United States.

I was honored by Tagg magazine in 2019 as an “Enterprising Woman of the Year” for my work expanding the organization and bringing in two large federal grants focused on substance use treatment and housing support. That same year, I went on to graduate from The Anderson School of Management at The University of California, Los Angeles’ Healthcare Executive Program. I received my Bachelor of Science in Business Management with a concentration in Operations Management from East Carolina University in Greenville, NC.

Jess Myers
Senior Higher Ed Impact Manager

I’m Jess Myers (she/her) and I’m joining Generation Hope’s National Impact Team as one of our Senior Higher Ed Impact Managers. 

Professionally I identify as a social worker at heart and student affairs professional by practice. I spent my earliest years learning and practicing social work before working the last 15 years working in higher education at both the ground level and leadership tables working in the functional areas of residential life, campus life, and diversity, equity, and inclusion. Over the past decade I led the Women’s Center at University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC) where I developed a deep passion for working with student parents and adult learners (guided by my own experience of being a kiddo to a student parent - my mom - who graduated with her A.A. when I was in 2nd grade). I also have extensive experience supporting survivors of gender-based harm and LGBTQ+ students and advocating for inclusive institutional change. 

I earned my B.A. in social work from The Catholic University of America and my M.S. in student affairs in higher education from Colorado State University. I’m a proud third generation Baltimorian, feminist, aspiring anti-racist advocate, and a part of the LGBTQ+ community. Having recently encountered a significant loss, I am interested in grief work + healing and how our communities can more effectively support its people experiencing grief, loss, and personal and systemic trauma. My very favorite things include traveling, reading books, listening to podcasts, my cat (Remi!), and cycling both outdoors and on my Peloton.

Angie Sanchez
Program Assistant

Hi there! My name is Angie Sanchez and I am so excited to be the new Program Assistant at Generation Hope. I’m originally from the Chicagoland area but have called Virginia home for almost ten years now. I have a B.A. in Communication and Digital Studies and a Master in Library and Information Science, and have worked at a marketing firm, bookstore, and library over the last few years. I’m passionate about information access and love connecting people, especially students, to important resources that can improve their lives. I’ve been a long-time fan of the work that Generation Hope does for student parents and their families, and am so happy to be part of the Program Team. Outside of work you’ll probably find me at a book event, concert, hiking trail, or relaxing with my cat.

Bianca Villatoro
Next Generation Program Coordinator

Hello! My name is Bianca Villatoro, and I am thrilled to join the Generation Hope team! Throughout various non-profit work and personal hobbies, I have enjoyed using my time, talents, and skills to give back to underserved communities in the greater DC area.  Growing up, I witnessed my sister navigate life as a single teen parent while going to college, and to this day, she continues to be one of my biggest role models for her resilience, grit, and perseverance. My hope at Generation Hope is to also inspire Scholars to push through barriers, dream big with their kiddos, and encourage them to make it to the finish line. 

Nonetheless, during my free time, I enjoy dancing, going to art shows and concerts, working out, and spending time with my family and friends. I am extremely passionate about the arts and creativity, and co-founded a small organization in DC called, “Called to Create.” At Called to Create, we focus on creating a space for artists and creatives to collaborate, learn new crafts, perfect old ones, and grow in friendship with one another. With the same intention, at Generation Hope, I aspire to develop and strengthen one another’s strengths, talents, and skills to continue to dream and reach their highest potential.

Trasi M. Watson
Senior Higher Ed Impact Manager

Hello everyone!  My name is Trasi (“Tray-Cee”) Watson,  (She/hers), and I am so excited to be one of the new Senior Higher Ed Impact Managers on the Innovation and Learning Team.  Prior to joining the team, I worked in higher education for many years, at quite a few universities, colleges and community colleges (state-side and overseas). My work in higher ed was focused on college access (helping folx who have not traditionally had access to college, get to and through college) and career services (helping college students achieve their career aspirations and sustainable careers/ wages for them and their families).  

A little about me, I grew up in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, complete with dirt roads and where the mountains, literally, extend down into our backyards. When I became a single mom at 14 years old and, again at 17 years old, my family and I navigated many of the same challenges that Generation Hope scholars experience today.  By 26 years old, I graduated with my undergrad (History) and graduate (Student Personnel) degrees from Slippery Rock University in Pennsylvania.  

After finishing graduate school, I worked at The College of William and Mary (W&M) where I developed some great friendships.  Years later in 2012, one of those friends reached out to me to share Nicole’s story that was highlighted in a MSNBC social media article/video.  This was the first time I learned about Generation Hope. Later, my friend shared with me the W&M alumni magazine article about GH, solidifying my curiosity in this unique organization.  GH’s goals and values aligned with my own experience and beliefs, and by mid-2012, after returning to Virginia from living and working overseas in Japan, I sent GH an email asking to volunteer/mentor and I’ve been involved ever since.  I’m so appreciative to be able to make positive changes in the lives of teen parents, parenting students and their families by being a part of the #GHFamily. 

Outside of my passion for GH’s work, I enjoy visiting my family and hometown friends back in the ‘country,’ as well as traveling to new places in and outside of the U.S.  

And, I love reading!  Find me on GoodReads, I’ll take all the book recommendations!