Staff

Donna Walker James Executive Director

Donna brings over 30 years experience in nonprofits and management to the Executive Director position. She has deep Alexandria and Arlington roots and long-standing Fairfax County residency, coupled with a love of building connections and networking with volunteers, staff, board members, students, alumni, sponsors and donors. She provides leadership to the organization and works to strategically position CORE for future growth while ensuring that CORE clients receive the highest quality of services through effective and efficient program management. She is eager to increase enrollment, honor and increase volunteer participation, and expand business partnerships.

Previously, she served concurrent roles as Programs Coordinator with the Goodwin House Foundation, Executive Director, Agenda:Alexandria, and Program Manager, First Night Alexandria. Prior to that, Donna was Deputy Director of Senior Services of Alexandria and Acting Executive Director of Volunteer Alexandria.

Early in her career, Donna ran an after-school work experience and community service program in West Philadelphia, worked on School-to-Work at the U.S. Department of Labor, and wrote about effective workforce program evaluations at the American Youth Policy Forum. Donna is a graduate of T.C. Williams 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.

Rhonda Green-Smith joined Computer CORE as Deputy Director in September 2020. Her duties are focused on fundraising and volunteers. Before joining the organization, Rhonda provided grant writing, and strategic development services as a consultant for CORE.

As a non-profit professional, Rhonda is particularly dedicated to non-profit organizations focused on eliminating barriers to access, opportunity, and racial equity that further disadvantage minority groups and other marginalized communities of color. For a variety of organizations and clients, Rhonda has offered consulting services and supports in the areas of program and project development, community partnership, strategic funding development, volunteer management, and fundraising.

Prior to joining CORE, Rhonda worked with Covenant House Washington as a member of the External Affairs Department where she wrote numerous grant applications and was a key planner for major annual fundraising events. Rhonda also coordinated and helped streamline CHW’s volunteer service program where she managed the onboarding process, developed mission-oriented volunteer projects for corporate, community, and student volunteers and organized and led tours of the organization’s departments, programs, and facilities. Her proudest accomplishments include working with CHW leadership, staff, and youth in successful planning, execution, and evaluation of the organization’s annual “Sleep-Out” movement to end youth homelessness.

Other accomplishments include supporting Washington DC’s emergency “warming bus” weather initiative aimed at protecting homeless individuals and families from frigid hypothermic temperatures. The experience offered an opportunity to work collaboratively with other local non-profits and government offices, and other stakeholders to save the lives of the city’s most vulnerable populations. She also managed the organization’s most successful “Share the Holiday CHeer” annual donations initiative which coordinated and connected large and small donors to over 300 CHW youth and families. Every single CHW youth and any children they had, received holiday gift items sending a clear message that people care.

Rhonda’s earlier career background extends to the education sector where, as assistant teacher and eventually lead teacher, she was responsible for creating and implementing engaging and rigorous lesson plans that ensure educational inclusion for all students.

Rhonda’s life’s work is rooted in a commitment to showing up and doing the necessary work to address issues related to education, workforce development, and socioeconomic equity. Rhonda graduated from The George Washington University, where she completed a double major in English and Creative Writing.

Nagia Kurabi Community Outreach and Student Success Manager

A graduate of Computer CORE’s Flagship program, Nagia joined the Computer CORE staff as Student Recruiter and Classroom Associate in 2018 and advanced to Community Outreach and Student Success Manager in 2021.

In this crucial role at CORE, Nagia is able to fulfill her long term commitment to help others by assisting new immigrants and refugees improve their lives in the United States. She serves as liaison to the greater Northern Virginia community, working along with CORE staff and volunteers to engage, enroll, and place applicants in classes that meet their needs, ensuring students receive the skills they need to learn computer technology, increase career development skills—and ultimately improve their lives. With her drive, background experience, and skills, Nagia is ideally suited to her role and exceeds beyond the job description with her unflappable, upbeat demeanor.

Nagia previously worked at BB&T Bank as an Assistant of Business Banker, and assisted the City Executive in Springfield. Nagia holds an associate degree in General Studies from the Northern Virginia Community College, and a degree in Physical Therapy from Syria.

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 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. 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.

Nora Heffernan External Affairs Associate

Promoted to a full staff position in Communications & Marketing after successfully completing an internship as Special Assistant to the Deputy Director, Nora provides grant writing assistance and creates dynamic content for the organization as well as continuing to strengthen the organization’s volunteer onboarding processes and support CORE’s Student Internship program. Leveraging her creative strengths in problem-solving, advocacy, and her background experience in education and educational engagement, Nora is dedicated to helping prepare underserved adults in Virginia realize career aspirations by developing their foundational computer and professional skills.

Nora received her bachelor of arts degree with honors from Trinity College Dublin, Ireland, in English Literature & Drama Studies and holds a certificate in Administrative Support Management. She has built and performed educational puppet shows in Wolf Trap National Park, VA, Glen Echo Park, MD, the Kennedy Center, the Smithsonian Institution as well as for schools and libraries in the DMV area. Previous positions include medical records administrative support for Fairfax Obstetrics and Gynecology, and involvement with Training Futures and Volunteer Fairfax.

Killian acts as a marketing associate for Computer CORE. He ensures computers are delivered to students who need them in order to participate in virtual classes, and helps collect donated computers that CORE refurbishes. 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 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 pursue meaningful employment with 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 Social Media Manager (Contract)

Wayne Hulehan manages Computer CORE’s social media strategy including Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram. He also leads online fundraising initiatives such as Giving Tuesday and Spring2ACTion. Wayne also helped in fundraising for laptop donations to roll out our Distance Learning Initiative.

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 centralized 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 to 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, service as Cub Scout Leader and Colonial District Boy Scout marketing and communications Chair.

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

Susan Townsend Impact Manager | Web and digital content specialist (Contract)

Susan’s tenure with Computer CORE dates back to 2003 when, searching for a volunteer opportunity that combined her passion for education with her digital skills, she embarked on what became a seventeen-year stint as a volunteer. She began as Volunteer Intake Coordinator, then extended her involvement to creating web and promotional materials, joined a web task team, and even helped one term in the classroom as a “Success Strategies” career development coach. As CORE’s web and digital content specialist she remains inspired by the organization’s mission to provide technology education as a means of improving lives. Susan is responsible for CORE’s online presence, digital and print materials, and contributes to grant proposals. Taking projects from conceptual planning through implementation and outcomes, gives her a 360-degree view of the organization, and allows a greater appreciation of CORE’s impact.

Previously Susan has held positions at nonprofit associations and community outreach organizations in web content and communications. At each, she worked to convey the organization’s message with visual clarity, collaborating across departments to provide creative solutions. Susan holds a bachelor of science degree from University of Arizona in interior design, with continued education in marketing, visual presentation, digital art production, and web technology.

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 the Alexandria Workforce Development Center and Virginia Career Works’ Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) program. 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.

Debasis Nandy Technical Writer Intern

Debasis is a retired telecom engineering professional who is applying his extensive analytical, project management, and report writing skills to assist CORE as a technical writer for a number of new and ongoing programs. Debasis also researches and advises on training materials, program standards, and best practices.

Anisa Niazi Skill Standards Intern

Anisa is a curriculum development professional with 12+ years’ experience in training of trainers ( ToT) occupational standards development, monitoring and evaluation, and interpreter with international donors, public and non-profit organizations. Anisa’s recent work experience was as Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Consultant with The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Prior to that she worked for a decade with the Ministry of Labor and Social Affair (MoLSA), in Kabul, Afghanistan, developing curriculum and occupational skills standards, including large scale project planning, implementation, training and capacity building. Anisa received her diploma in Business Administration from the Kardan Institute, is certified as a Professional TOT trainer in Competency Based Trainings, is CBTS certified, and speaks four languages.

Patience Kaijuka Community Relations Intern

Patience is a British-trained Hospitality Manager, who is not only a graduate of Computer CORE, but is also currently a CORE Intern. Her purpose for joining CORE was to update her computer skills and bring herself up to speed with the ongoing changes in the computer field in order to enhance existing computer skills and gain more marketable job skills.

Before joining Computer CORE, Patience had extensive international hotel and customer service experience in the hospitality industry and in telecom call centers. As a customer service specialist, Patience has brought onboard excellent customer service skills, attention to detail, and a talent for follow-through. Her diligent, pleasant and patient demeanor is evidenced day-to-day in her internship duties, where she endeavors to go over and above what is expected of her.

Patience was one of CORE’s first student interns. She now works virtually making phone calls to students regarding class preferences and availability, answers questions, and helps student access and navigate the Zoom classroom. Her skills in customer service translate well in her role as a community navigator.

Adeel Awan is student from Thomas A. Edison High School, who has been with Computer CORE since his freshman year. He also has taken a number of courses in computer science and appreciates the opportunity at Computer CORE to work with a lot of hardware. In addition, Adeel has been asked to stretch himself by working with the staff and many students, alumni and volunteers of the organization. It is a powerful learning and workforce community, that is rich to experience in a lot of different ways and at a lot of different levels.

Waleed Ahmad 2019-2020 IT Intern

Waleed Ahmad is a student from Thomas A. Edison High School as well as the Edison Academy. Waleed has been with Computer Core since the start of his senior year in high school. He has undertaken many cyber related courses at his school, of which include Cyber: A+, Cyber: Net Admin, Oracle I, and Oracle II. These various courses have developed his understanding of both the infrastructure and data concepts of Information Technology. Once Waleed graduates from high school, he will embark on advancing himself academically by attending George Mason University and laying a focus on Computer Science. By joining Computer Core, Waleed made the decision to expand his skill set by collaborating with fellow staff as well as a wide range of volunteers and students, and he hopes to make many memories along the way.