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!

Maddie Hren
Scholar Recruitment Coordinator

Hello! My name is Madeline Hren, but you can call me Maddie. I’m so excited to be joining Generation Hope as the Scholar Recruitment Coordinator. I’m a graduate of Boston University with degrees in Sociology and International Relations and a minor in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Students. Back in college, I read a book for my Sociology of Education class that explored the systemic barriers facing young people across the United States, which ignited my passion for youth development and for working in historically marginalized communities. Through my work experience, I began using the asset-based community development approach, which I continue to believe is the most effective and sustainable method of providing resources and dismantling systems of oppression. 

After graduating, I served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Guatemala, teaching classes on life skills, reproductive health, and substance abuse prevention to middle school students in San Bartolo Aguas Calientes. I also worked as a Field Organizer in the 2020 election, a Youth Engagement Officer with the United Nations Association, and as a Program Coordinator at Spark the Journey, a mentorship program for low-income, first-generation students in the academic middle. Beyond my passion for education and youth development, I am also deeply passionate about dismantling diet culture and preventing eating disorders and low self-esteem in young people in the United States. 

As a major extrovert, when I’m not working you can almost always find me spending time with friends at Zumba classes, book club, or on the tennis courts at the local community center.

Kristi Johns
Director of Policy & Research

Hi everyone! 

I'm Kristi Johns (she/her), and I’m so excited to be joining Generation Hope as the Director of Policy and Research. 

As a researcher, my goal has been to help reimagine our social systems and explore how policy can be redesigned to lift society's caregivers, especially student parents. Being the child of a first generation college student and a student parent myself, I feel both a personal and professional connection to Generation Hope’s mission.

Prior to joining Generation Hope, I was a postdoctoral fellow in the Communications Media & Marginalization Lab (CoMM lab) at Northeastern University and a visiting scholar at Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University in Chicago while completing my doctorate of education with Arizona State University. And before that (in what feels like another lifetime at this point), I earned master's and bachelor's degrees in molecular biology and genetics and biotechnology, respectively, and taught and designed STEAM courses for high school, community college, and university students.

In my free time, you can find me attempting to complete the daily New York Times crossword puzzle, chasing around our two young children, and (unsuccessfully) trying to keep my plants alive.

Anne Owl
Senior People & Culture Manager

I'm so excited and proud to be joining the GH team. After reading Nicole's book, and all these staff bios, I am so impressed and inspired by everyone's passion, purpose and drive. I started my career in a literacy nonprofit that provides at-risk elementary students with mentors, as well as new diverse books to add to their home libraries. I currently serve on their Associate Board and volunteer as a Reading Mentor. Most recently I was at George Mason's international student department, providing leadership and guidance on HR and People policies and procedures. This Fall, I started my Masters in Organizational Development & Knowledge Management, to understand the theories and concepts in organizational change and workforce planning and ensure people are represented and valued in a strategic and inclusive way. Looking forward to getting to know each of you, and how we can collectively grow, fulfilling our purpose and GH's mission.

Jocelyn Paquette
Fall 2022 Intern

Hello! My name is Jocelyn Paquette and I am the Fall Program Intern for Generation Hope. I recently graduated from James Madison University with a B.A. in Psychology and a minor in Art. My goal is to pursue a higher education in Social Psychology and a career in the nonprofit sector. In high school and college, I was involved in many service organizations and planned events at schools and community centers for those who may be financially disadvantaged, as well as informing the youth in my community about topics such as bullying, dangers of social media, and drugs/alcohol awareness. I have also personally witnessed a friend go through the trials and tribulations of being a teen parent. Thus, I am excited to be working with Generation Hope to help drive systemic change and support Scholars in achieving a higher education. Outside of work, I enjoy exercising, spending time with family and friends, going to concerts, and traveling.