Senior Management Team

President & CEO – Karen R. Hughes

Karen Hughes serves as Campagna Center President and CEO. Karen came to The Campagna Center after serving for six years as the Associate Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). Remarkably credentialed with a career dedicated to quality education for children, Karen possesses a strong background in early childhood and quality early childhood programming, an entrepreneurial spirit, and strong business-related skills.

Prior to her position at NAEYC, Karen owned and directed an NAEYC Accredited early childhood program for children age birth through five. She is a well-known, nationally recognized speaker specializing in leadership, membership, strategic thinking and planning, change management, and customer service. Karen holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Baylor University and a Master of Arts degree in Educational Management from the University of Houston-Clear Lake. Karen and her husband are members of First Baptist Church in Alexandria, Virginia, and reside in Accokeek, Maryland.

Director of Operations – Holly Graves Mahla

With more than 20 years of experience, Holly serves a variety of roles in her position of Director of Operations. She oversees facilities at the main office and coordinates logistics for Campagna Center meetings and events. Additionally,  Holly produces a range of written materials, generates and edits reports, and serves as a liaison to the Board of Directors, Alexandria City officials, Campagna Center business partners, and Campagna Center senior staff. She also provides executive-level support to the President/CEO. Holly holds an Associate of Science degree in Business Administration from Northern Virginia Community College and a Bachelor of Individualized Studies from George Mason University.

Facilities Manager – James Lender

James has been with The Campagna Center for more than 21 years. As the Facilities Manager, he manages the physical integrity and general maintenance of The Campagna Center’s property, grounds, and vehicles. He analyzes project maintenance needs and coordinates service and repair contracts for the various systems and pieces of equipment. James also works closely with volunteers, and Campagna Center staff, advising them on special event-related logistics.                     

September brings more than 15 years of early childhood experience—including nine years of management in single and multi-side infant/toddler and preschool settings—to her role as the Senior Director of Early Childhood Programs. In her role, September is responsible for the oversight and pedagogical leadership of all Head Start and Early Head Start operations. In addition to being a Castle Colleagues (Chaminade University) graduate, September served on the President Hawaii Association for Education of Young Children in 2007 – 2008. She was also an Early Care and Education Board Representative for the Good Beginnings Alliance in 2006 – 2007. September holds a BA in Early Childhood Education from Frostburg State College.  

Cluster 1 Director – Chrystal-Starr Brown

Chrystal brings more than 22 years of early childhood experience to her role as Director of Cluster 1. In her role, Chrystal oversees the day-to-day operations of the Patrick Henry, John Adams, NOVA, and Samuel Tucker Head Start sites. Chrystal joined The Campagna Center in March 2007. She holds a BA from Southeastern University.

Cluster 2 Director – Kevin McGowan

An experienced professional with nearly 15 years of experience, Kevin serves as the Cluster Director for Cluster 2. In this role, he supervises administrative teachers and instructional staff; plans, coordinates, and implements staff development; and manages daily operations. Kevin has been with the Campagna Center since 2007. He holds a BS from Howard University and a M.Ed from Cambridge College.

Senior Director of Family Support Services –
Joy Vithespongse Trejo, MA, MFT

Joy brings 15 years experience providing child and family focused psychotherapy and involvement in non-profit organizations serving at-risk children and families to her role as Senior Director of Family Support Services. Within those 15 years, she has ten years of experience as clinical supervisor or director of child-focused therapy and case management-based programs. Joy supervises the planning, development, and implementation of all family support and community services for the families enrolled in the Head Start and Early Head Start programs. Joy supervises and monitors all family support services staff and works with them to ensure quality services to all children and families in the Head Start and Early Head Start programs. Joy holds a BS in Psychology from Tulane University and an MA in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from Pepperdine University. She is a licensed California Marriage and Family Therapist.                     

Director of Marketing & Communications
- Bethany Nguyen

With more than five years of experience in marketing, writing, and media relations, Bethany is responsible for implementing The Center’s unified marketing and branding strategy, overseeing content development of all marketing collateral, and representing the organization with the media. She also manages direct mail and publications production and schedules and works with program partners to coordinate marketing and communications strategies. Bethany holds a BA and an MA in Professional Writing with a minor in Business Administration from Carnegie Mellon University.

Director of Membership and Outreach –
June Geoffray

A seasoned professional with years of writing, editing, and event management experience, June serves as The Campagna Center’s Director of Membership and Outreach. She provides support and oversight for the volunteer work of the Junior Friends and Supporting Friends, oversees membership recruitment, and manages a variety of events and special projects. Before joining The Campagna Center June served as a section editor and writer for a local newspaper and as a public relations and event management specialist for a non-profit organization.

    
Senior Director of Out-of-School-Time Programs
– Karla Kelley