Staff

Seattle
Mark Smith, Executive Director
Joey Ashenbrenner, Program Director
Danielle Franks, Executive Assistant
Eli Steffen, Youth Leadership Coordinator / AmeriCorps Member
Aparna Rae, Youth Leadership Coordinator / AmeriCorps Member

Victoria, B.C.
Gita John-Iyam, Canada Director
Phoebe Friesen, Youth Program Coordinator
Sara Dent, Fundraising Coordinator
Adele Woodyard, Youth Program Coordinator

Power of Hope Co-Founders
Charlie Murphy
Peggy Taylor

Power of Hope Seattle Office: 

Mark Smith, Executive Director, Before coming to Power of Hope, Mark, worked as the Executive Director of Clothes For Kids for two years. Mark has served in non-profit management for more than ten years and prior to that, taught in inner-city schools for twelve years, from Kindergarten to High School. He has a Master's Degree in Education with a focus on diversity and equity issues, and has worked in adult education. Mark moved to the Seattle area from Los Angeles fifteen years ago, is married and has two children. 

 
Danielle Franks, Executive Assistant, joined Power of Hope in June 2009 as a recent graduate of Utah State University where she received her degree in Business Management. Danielle has a background in non-profit volunteering, specifically; serving victims of domestic violence so they can reach their dreams of higher education through self expression and appreciation. She is also passionate about supporting cancer patients and medical advancements in cancer research as well as an undying love for all animals. Danielle comes from Northern Utah where her family operates an Organic Farm.

Eli Steffen, Youth Programs Coordinator/ AmeriCorps Member, has been involved in theater since the age of 7. In 2007, he graduated from Sarah Lawrence College with a concentration in Drama and Community Studies. While at school, he developed an interest in community theater. Most recently, he co-produced and performed in the Public Circus, which brought clowning and acrobatics to children affected by Hurricane Katrina. Eli also has a background in youth organizing and non-profit administration, which he gained as the Assistant Coordinator of the Vashon Youth Council, a youth-run social justice organization. Eli is excited about the opportunity to learn and serve with all the great adults and youth at The Power of Hope.

Aparna Rae, Youth Programs Coordinator/ Americorps Member, has been involved with community arts education since 2004. In 2006, she graduated from Northern Illinois University in Art Education and an emphasis in Anthropology. While at school, she developed an interest in community arts education and following graduation, developed a program in West Chicago for youth in low-income housing. In 2007, she returned to graduate school at the University of British Columbia to pursue a M.A. in Curriculum and Pedagogy. Her interests range from teaching K-12, arts-integrated curriculum, social justice and decolonizing art education. During her spare time, Aparna has a studio practice in intaglio printmaking, and enjoys backpacking. She is excited to share her experiences with youth this coming year, and learn from theirs.

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Power of Hope Victoria B.C. Office:

Gita John-Iyam, Canada Director, comes to Power of Hope with twelve years experience with Community Development agencies in India and Canada. She is passionate about working with and for children and youth. She was raised in a Gandhian Christian center begun by her parents during India's freedom movement, and her life has been deeply influenced by this experience. Her work background and interests include food security, environmental protection, natural healing and simple living.

Phoebe Friesen, Youth Program Coordinator, is a huge fan of both youth and the arts and the combination of the two at Power of Hope is a dream come true. She is delighted to be a part of such an exciting and inspiring team of people with a worthwhile common goal. Phoebe is studying psychology and philosophy at the University of Victoria, while taking a break every year or so to travel the world. She is fascinated by other cultures and landscapes and has spent time traveling throughout Europe, South-east Asia, India, Australia and North America. For the time being, Phoebe is happy to be home on the beautiful West Coast and hopes to spend lots of her time with bicycles, books, crafts and picnics.

Adele Woodyard, Youth Program Coordinator, Raised within a theatre community, the weaving of art and life became meaningful from day one. Adele is passionate about using performance art as a means of sparking social change, and finds inspiration in working with artists of all mediums. Through her bicycle tours, sea kayak guiding, and year round vegetable gardening, the soulful connection between herself and our natural world, always remains a priority. Adele is passionate about the immense energy held in the minds of young people, and is looking forward to another year with POH!

Sara Dent, Fundraising Coordinator, is a photographer, farmer, facilitator and project manager. Over the past decade, she has worked in a number of different capacities in the not-for-profit and for-profit arts and social change sectors. Sara believes passionately in the power of arts-based facilitation as a tool for community growth, social and ecological reclamation. She has volunteered with the Power of Hope since 2007, and is passionate about holding space for growth through creative expression with youth and adults.
 

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Co-Founders of The Power of Hope:

Charlie Murphy is renowned for his group facilitation and program design work integrating the arts into youth development. He is an award-winning singer/songwriter with over 30 years experience in the field of experiential learning. In the '90’s Charlie served as national Director of Training for the YMCA Earth Service Corps, a youth environmental organization. In 1996 he co-founded Power of Hope and served as co-director for many years. In 2005 he received an Ashoka Fellowship in recognition of his life-long achievements as a change maker and for his work with the Power of Hope program. In 2007 he co-founded PYE Global (Partnership for Youth Empowerment), an international training organization dedicated to supporting communities globally in providing arts empowerment programs for their youth.

Peggy Taylor, M Ed, is a writer, musician and creative development specialist with a gift for designing and facilitating programs for diverse groups. She is co-founder of Power of Hope and for many years served as co-director. In 2007 she co-founded PYE Global (Partnership for Youth Empowerment), an international training organization dedicated to supporting communities globally in providing arts empowerment programs for their youth. Peggy is co-author of Chop Wood, Carry Water: A Guide to Finding Spiritual Fulfillment in Everyday Life, which has sold over a quarter of a million copies worldwide.

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