
Naomi Ayala
Naomi Ayala assumed the position of 826DC’s Founding Executive Director in August 2009. Prior to that, she worked as a senior writer/editor for a media organization, where she steered the development of a municipal pandemic preparedness toolkit for the Latin American and Caribbean regions. As a veteran teacher, community organizer, and manager, Naomi has been responsible for the development, design, and administration of innovative education programs in the arts, sciences, and humanities that have earned her recognition from institutions as far-reaching as the United States Congress. An award winning poet, she is the author of This Side of Early (Curbstone, 2009) and Wild Animals on the Moon (Curbstone, 1997). Her third book of poetry is forthcoming from Bilingual Review Press next year.
Joe Callahan
Joe Callahan joined 826DC in June 2010 as Deputy Director. Prior to this, he worked as a writing professor at both American University and the George Washington University. In addition to teaching, he has worked and consulted for a wide range of non-profit organizations, including public policy institutions, museums, and a renowned literary magazine. Joe received his BA in International Affairs from the George Washington University, and in 2008 received his MA in Writing with a focus in nonfiction from Johns Hopkins University.

Mike Scalise
Mike Scalise's work with 826DC began in 2008 when the organization was known as the Capitol Letters Writing Center. As a volunteer then, Mike served as the school coordinator and managing editor of our first anthology, The Way We See It. Mike has taught at universities, worked at publishing houses, and written for magazines and websites. His writing has received scholarships, fellowships and awards from the Bread Loaf Writers' Conference, George Mason University, and the Southampton Writers' Conference. In 2009, Mike served as the Philip Roth Writer-in-Residence at Bucknell University.

Kira Wisniewski
Raised on Florida sunshine, Kira Wisniewski is a proud co-founder of the Capitol Letters Writing Center (the organization that helped give birth to 826DC). She currently serves as 826DC’s Volunteer Coordinator. Kira’s work has appeared in the Miami New Times, The Miami Herald, Alternative Press Magazine, Punk Planet Magazine, and various Web publications. She’s worked on a US/Canadian metal tour, curated art shows and has a pet bunny named Billie Jean. After working for the Presidential Inaugural Committee, she is now the Operations Manager at the National Women’s Studies Association.
INTERNS

Erin Jayes, Outreach & Operations Assistant
Erin started working with 826DC in her senior year at Woodrow Wilson High School. She taught workshops at Politics and Prose Bookstore in Northwest Washington, helped apply for the "Do Something" Grant, wrote an essay about 826DC for an essay contest to attend the Inauguration (and won!), and participated in fundraising activities in Columbia Heights. She is an incoming sophomore at New College of Florida as a (tentative) Literature major. Erin likes walking her dog and whistling on the way to the Metro.

Jennifer Kwon, Editorial & Programs Assistant
Jen is a rising senior majoring in creative writing, with a minor in film studies, at Bucknell University. She plans on moving to San Francisco or New York City to pursue her dream of becoming a fiction writer after graduation. She enjoys caramel macchiatos, reading under covers, rain when the sun is still shining, and car rides with the music turned up.

Jane Whalen, Development Assistant
Jane is a rising senior at Cornell University. She loves to travel and just returned from a semester abroad in Paris. This summer, much of Jane’s spare time will be spent training for the Philadelphia Half-Marathon.













