Staff

Donna Walker James, M.Ed. Executive Director

Donna Walker James, Executive Director of Computer CORE since 2019, has guided the organization through significant change brought on by the pandemic, including moving to all online instruction, which tripled enrollment rates. She removed barriers to entry for clients, including dropping all client fees. James spent most of her career working in the education and workforce development space including at the US Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA) and the American Youth Policy Forum. She also served in management positions as Executive Director of Agenda Alexandria, Deputy Director of Senior Services of Alexandria, and Acting Executive Director of Volunteer Alexandria. Donna is a graduate of Alexandria City High School in Alexandria, VA, and earned both her BA in Urban Studies and Masters in Education at the University of Pennsylvania. Donna follows Computer CORE founder Deb Roepke and Lynn O’Connell who each served as Executive Director for ten years.

Nagia Khaldi Kurabi Community Outreach Manager

Nagia Khaldi Kurabi is the Community Outreach and Student Success Manager at Computer CORE. She is a dedicated professional with a strong educational background and a passion for empowering individuals through education. Nagia holds a Bachelor’s degree in Women and Human Rights from George Mason University, and she is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Conflict Resolution in the Middle East, with an expected completion date in Spring 2025. Nagia’s journey at Computer CORE began in 2018 when she graduated from the program. Since joining the team in 2019 as CORE’s Student Recruiter and Classroom Associate, she has played a pivotal role in the program’s growth, particularly during the challenges posed by the pandemic. In recognition of her contributions, Nagia was promoted to her current role in 2021. Prior to her time at Computer CORE, Nagia gained valuable experience as an Assistant Business Banker at BB&T Bank. Nagia Khaldi Kurabi’s outstanding achievements and unwavering commitment to helping immigrants and women sets her apart as a trailblazer in her field, inspiring all those around her to strive for greatness.

A graduate of Computer CORE, Nuria began as a CORE helpdesk intern while still a student. Previously a department store cosmetic counter manager and lead salesperson, Nuria rapidly transitioned into her administrative internship role at CORE, then advanced to a staff position as Operations Associate, working with QuickBooks Online, Donor Perfect, Office 365, and Google Suite to support CORE operations and student needs.

With the promotion to staff, Nuria proved herself a valuable asset to CORE’s day-to-day functions. A motivated learner, she takes on responsibility and welcomes challenge—and an especially helpful skill to Computer CORE’s multi-cultural population is her ability to speak comfortably in five languages! Nuria has been a driving force behind many technical advancements as CORE moved into the Cloud and onto the virtual classroom platform. During the pandemic she was a key part of the team that ensured classes continued online after the shutdown, and has helped orchestrate office moves, inventories, distributions, and computer donation drives.

Aasia Haider Finance and Development Associate

In her development role, Aasia works closely with Computer CORE’s Executive Director to promote, organize, and provide support for fundraising efforts and donor relations. She also works on graphic design. Aasia began at CORE in an office administration internship role developing skills as an executive assistant while continuing to work towards an Office Assistant Certification. The internship provided valuable hands-on experience in an office environment, where she participated in administrative duties and took on CORE’s 2020 computer inventory, but also learned agility in troubleshooting, customer service, and business logistics, showing a talent for development skills – and earning herself a promotion from intern to employee.

Aasia brings an enthusiasm for learning new skills, an enviable ability to remember names, quickly grasps new concepts, and is dedicated to helping CORE fulfill its mission of delivering computer skills to an under-served population in order to improve and expand their job options.

Killian Cousins External Affairs Manager

Killian serves as External Affairs Manager at Computer CORE. He addresses business needs on a day to day basis helping fulfill Computer CORE’s mission to provide our adult learners in need with training in foundational computer skills. Killian takes a special interest in helping develop a program where CORE graduates can realize their higher employment goals by building employer relationships and job connections. Killian has been accepted into the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Alexandria Class of 2022-2023. This nine-month program provides leadership development and an opportunity to meet with and learn from Alexandria’s public and private sector leaders. Killian started his career working as the membership director of many national organizations. He also owned his own business which worked to ensure seniors could stay safely in their homes. This career of service has led him to Computer CORE, where he is inspired by the organization’s mission to provide technology education as a means of improving lives. A resident of the City of Alexandria, Killian attended the former TC Williams High School (now Alexandria City High School). He has a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications from Virginia Commonwealth University.

Wayne Hulehan The Jay Hoffman Fellowship Social Media Manager

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.

Hannah began with CORE in 2023. After completing all her high school courses at Alexandria City High School she participated in the Senior Experience Program (SEP) which places students in area businesses. CORE was pleased to have Hannah as an intern before she began college at James Madison University in Fall 2023. Since then, Hannah has continued with CORE in a part-time staff position as Digital Content Specialist.

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.