Rebecca Howland, M.P.A. has worked with the Civic Initiative since 2010. In that time she has been a program leader for the study of the U.S. Institute on American Politics and Political Thought in 2011 and was also the business group's finance assistant in the summer of 2012. Before becoming director she was involved in a variety of aspects of the programs including financial reporting, budgeting, and personnel management as well as program support and planning.

Ms. Howland received her master's of public administration and her bachelor's of science in business administration in international management and marketing, both from Shippensburg University.

Kelsey Derouen has worked with the Civic Initiative in several capacities since 2017. Currently, Ms. Derouen is dedicated to fostering global collaboration and implementing robust projects for global citizens. She calls upon her strong organizational skills and passion for cross-cultural understanding in her work to support the team and our participants.

Kelsey earned her bachelor's in political science from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. 

Kelley Smith supports the finance and administrative functions for the Connected Beginnings, Civic Initiative, and Nonprofit Funding & Fiscal Solutions business groups. She also works closely with the central administrative services unit. She brings a wealth of accounting and business administration knowledge from her many years of experience in both the public and private sectors. Her areas of expertise include budgeting, contracts, financial reporting, payroll and human resources.

She received her bachelor’s in accounting from the Isenberg School of Management at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Theresa Wodecki supports the fiscal and administrative functions of the Civic Initiative, including personnel effort allocation, travel administration, and speakers’ contracts. Prior to joining the Civic Initiative, Ms. Wodecki previously owned and operated a family day care business for 21 years. In that role, she maintained financial and administrative records and oversaw the educational needs of the children she served. Ms. Wodecki also works with the Parks and Recreation Department of the City of Holyoke, managing the summer curriculum and supervising personnel.

Ms. Wodecki holds an associate’s degree and is currently attending the UMass University Without Walls to obtain her bachelor’s degree in business.

Michael Hannahan, Ph.D. has managed over 50 different exchange programs over the past 20 years and has spoken extensively in Pakistan, Iraq, Indonesia, and Argentina. He has also managed programs in Croatia, Russia, Chile, the Czech Republic, Turkey and Bulgaria. Dr. Hannahan's research examines the effects of political campaign activity, especially direct mail and phone banks. Dr. Hannahan has worked for political parties; managed campaigns and political consulting firms; and served as senior advisor to former Massachusetts Governor Jane Swift. He teaches American Political Thought, American Government, Campaign Finance and Reform, and Modern Political Campaigns.

Dr. Hannahan received his master's degree and Ph.D. from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and his bachelor's degree from Miami University.