In the 2018-2019 year, the Dream Project established an Advisory Board to help expand its vital mission of helping immigrant youth in Virginia achieve their highest academic potential.
Unlike our Board of Directors, the Advisory Board is not responsible for financial or hiring decisions or for the day-to-day operations of the Dream Project. Rather, the Advisory Board is an important component of our advocacy efforts as well as our desire to expand our community partnerships and enhance our resources.
In 2018, the Dream Project granted a record 95 scholarships to immigrant and refugee students in Virginia and provided mentoring to another 40 high school students. However, the demand for these services is much greater. We are determined to help as many youth as possible in the most significant way, and the Advisory Board is invaluable to our mission.
Advisory Board members are selected based on their leadership and commitment to our students. We look to each member to assist the Dream Project in three important areas: advocacy on behalf of the Dream Project and immigrant and refugee rights at the local, state and national levels, support to the Dream Project, including counsel to the Board of Directors, and networking on behalf of the Dream Project with others who share the commitment to our mission and students.
Responsibilities of Advisory Board members include attending one annual meeting each year, attending and supporting at least one of the Dream Project’s two annual fundraising events (the Holiday Dinner Party in December or the Voices of Solidarity Concert in the spring), and providing periodic counsel and advice when called upon.
John Andelin
Community Leader
Gaston Araoz
Regional Director, Office of Senator Tim Kaine
Dr. Irma Becerra
President, Marymount University
Dr. Angel Cabrera
President, George Mason University
David Culver
Reporter and Anchor, NBC News4
Senator Adam Ebbin
Virginia Senator, 30th District
Senator Barbara Favola
Virginia Senator, 31st District
Denise Ferguson
Community Leader
Greg Fields
President and Senior Advisor, Philanthropy Directions International
Anita Friedman
Director, Arlington County Department of Human Services
Rebecca Herman
Chair, Herman Family Foundation
Angela Kelley
Senior Strategic Advisor for Immigration, Open Society Policy Center
Dr. Karen Kennedy-Schultz
Director, Center for Public Service and Scholarship, Shenandoah University
Ginger Geoffrey
Community Leader
Delegate Elizabeth Guzman
31st District Representative, Virginia House of Delegates
Michelle LaRue
Virginia State Director, Casa De Virginia
Nathan Monnell
Executive Director, National PTA
Dr. Pat Murphy
Superintendent, Arlington Public Schools
Tara Palacios
Director, Biz Launch
Dalia Palchik
School Board Member, Fairfax County Public Schools
Alma Powell
Chair, America’s Promise Alliance
Dr. Scott Ralls
President, Northern Virginia Community College
Dr. Matthew Shank
President Emeritus, Marymount University
Honorable Noah Simon
District Director, Congressman Don Beyer (VA-8)
Justine Springberg
Community Leader
Dr. Drew Stelljes
Assistant Vice President, Student Engagement and Leadership, College of William & Mary
Honorable Tannia Talento
School Board Member, Arlington Public Schools
Honorable Walter Tejada
President, Virginia Latino Leaders Council
Kathy Tenhula
Vice President, Frechette Family Foundation
