Staff

Donna Walker James is the Executive Director of Computer CORE, a 26-year-old nonprofit that empowers adults with the digital skills needed to succeed in today’s workforce. Since stepping into the role in 2019, James has led the organization through a period of dynamic transformation and growth. Under her leadership, CORE grew from serving 200 students to over 1,000 students annually, continuing to serve Northern Virginia, while expanding to DC and MD; eliminated client fees to remove access barriers; and transitioned to primarily online instruction.

With a career grounded in education, workforce development, and public service, James brings both policy insight and practical leadership to her work. She previously served at the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration and the American Youth Policy Forum, and held executive roles in several Alexandria-based nonprofits. She is a trusted voice in the region’s digital equity movement, known for building responsive programs, forming partnerships, and cultivating a large and diverse volunteer pool —including growing an internship-to-staff pipeline at CORE.

James is a graduate of Alexandria City High School and holds both a BA in Urban Studies and a Master’s in Education from the University of Pennsylvania. She is the third Executive Director in CORE’s history, following women who each served a decade—continuing their legacy while shaping CORE’s future.

As Computer CORE’s Project Manager, Nuria oversees the coordination, delivery, and daily operations of CORE’s digital literacy and Digital Navigator programs. She manages student enrollment and placement, ensures smooth classroom operations, and leads the systems that support attendance tracking, course administration, partner communications, and community outreach. Nuria also works closely with instructors, volunteers, and Digital Navigators to ensure participants receive timely support—from technical troubleshooting to accessing Northstar assessments, receiving devices, or connecting with CORE’s multilingual HelpDesk. Her strength in organization and problem-solving keeps complex program activities running efficiently across multiple sites. Nuria brings exceptional interpersonal skills, cultural fluency, and a natural ability to build trust with students, partners, and community leaders. A gifted communicator who speaks seven languages, she helps ensure CORE’s programs remain accessible, inclusive, and welcoming to the region’s diverse communities. Nuria first joined Computer CORE as a student and HelpDesk intern and advanced steadily into key operational roles—reflecting her commitment, leadership, and deep understanding of the communities CORE serves.

As Computer CORE’s Finance and Development Manager, Aasia oversees the systems that keep the organization financially strong and mission-aligned. She manages CORE’s financial operations—including budgeting support, financial recordkeeping, vendor payments, donor receipting, and grant tracking—while ensuring compliance with nonprofit financial standards. Aasia also leads key development functions such as maintaining donor databases, preparing grant documentation, coordinating fundraising campaigns, and producing high-quality visual materials and reports that communicate CORE’s impact. Her expertise with platforms such as QuickBooks Online, Bill.com, DonorPerfect, Constant Contact, and Canva enables her to streamline processes and support efficient, transparent operations across the organization. Aasia is known for her precision, reliability, and ability to connect financial systems with the day-to-day needs of staff, volunteers, and community partners. Her work strengthens CORE’s sustainability and supports the expansion of digital access programs across the region. She first joined Computer CORE in 2020 as an intern and quickly advanced into full-time roles in finance, development, and creative services—reflecting her dedication, adaptability, and commitment to CORE’s mission.

Killian Cousins serves as Computer CORE’s External Affairs Manager, where he leads partnerships, communications, and community engagement efforts that strengthen the organization’s mission. He works closely with employers, civic leaders, and community partners to expand opportunities for CORE’s adult learners, with a special focus on creating pathways for graduates to pursue higher-level employment and career advancement. As a Leadership Alexandria Class of 2023 graduate, Killian brings a strong understanding of local issues, cross-sector collaboration, and the importance of advancing equity through technology and workforce access. Killian’s career spans membership management roles in national associations and the founding of a business dedicated to helping older adults safely age in place. This long-standing commitment to service guides his work at CORE, where he is inspired daily by learners striving to build skills and transform their futures. A lifelong Alexandrian and graduate of the former T.C. Williams High School, Killian holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications from Virginia Commonwealth University.

The position of Social Media Manager is funded in full by Jay Hoffman. Wayne Hulehan manages Computer CORE’s social media strategy including Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram. He leads online fundraising initiatives including Giving Tuesday and Spring2ACTion. Wayne was also involved in fundraising for laptop donations to roll out our crucial Distance Learning Initiative which launched in 2020.

Wayne has a long and extensive background in Information Technology, strategic planning, marketing, customer service and communications. Wayne created and managed the first centralized Information Center for the American Red Cross Headquarters, providing hardware/software acquisition, installation, training and support for 1,600 Headquarters staff and 3,200 Red Cross chapters and blood centers across the nation.

As Director of Information and Systems Services at The American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA), Wayne developed strategic plans, transformed technology infrastructure and established international standards to enhance DMV operations and customer service across the United States and Canada.

As Director of Information Services, Wayne developed and implemented National 4-H Council’s Information Technology strategic plan as well as providing leading edge technology for staff to meet their business objectives.

As Marketing and Communications Chair at The Boy Scouts of America, Wayne created monthly newsletters, assisted in design of NCAC website and Colonial District content, provided scout leaders with resources to be effective and media contact information to promote scouting. In 2007, Wayne was presented Tommy Thompson Award for service to Scouting.

As Vice President and CIO of The Knowledge Management Professional Society (KM). Wayne co-founded the organization to provide strategic and tactical direction to 600 member professional society representing 30K knowledge management professionals in 28 countries. He served as business partner liaison to implement collaborative KM technologies on web site www.kmpro.org and addressed communication challenges within the organization. Wayne also managed Member Services Division, responded to questions and resolve problems, provided training on collaborative tools, and developed user groups and listservs.

Wayne created and manages a listserv for 2,700 residents of Beverley Hills neighborhood of Alexandria. He received the North Ridge Citizens Association “ Citizen of the Year” award in 2010 for his work on the listserv and his service as Cub Scout Leader, and Colonial District Boy Scout marketing and communications Chair.

Wayne is also a professional photographer and helps small businesses and non-profit organizations with their social media platforms as well as their marketing and communications tactics.

Computer CORE benefits from an active relationship with Alexandria Workforce Development Center (WDC) which sends work-based learning interns to help with CORE’s program, events, and projects. CORE typically employs several interns at a time, who are qualified and paid through Alexandria’s WDC program. These program interns are invaluable in extending the capabilitites of Computer CORE’s staff with their skills and dedication. Interns here are pictured with CORE staff Donna Walker James and Nagia Kurabi, center.

Computer CORE’s active relationship with Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) directly benefits classroom training and operations, as well as workshops, and initiatives. CORE typically engages several work-based learning interns at a time who are qualified and paid through the SCSEP program. Experienced interns through the program add expertise and extend CORE’s staff capabilities. Interns here are pictured with CORE staff and new student applicants.

Internship programs stretch Computer CORE’s funding to serve additional students as well as providing work experience to job-seeking interns. Studies show that over time paid internships are integral to increasing career advancement opportunities for underrepresented or disadvantaged populations, so that is CORE’s focus.

With the goal of expanding our intern pool, CORE began accepting interns paid through work-based learning programs with the Alexandria Workforce Development Center (WDC) and the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP). These arrangements provide Computer CORE with invaluable access to a pool of intern candidates from an even more diverse range of experience levels and backgrounds.