Staff & Board
Get to know the team behind the magic at CU.
The CU staff approaches our work with spirit, joy, and a deep responsibility to each other and to the civic health of our nation. We bring enthusiasm and ingenuity to our work. We ask each other, why does democracy matter? We work with incredible people and each strive to live like citizens the best we can each and every day.
Eric Liu
Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder
Pronouns: he/him
Eric Liu is the co-founder and CEO of Citizen University. He is also the founding director of the Aspen Institute’s Citizenship & American Identity Program. Liu is the author of numerous acclaimed books, including most recently You’re More Powerful Than You Think: A Citizen’s Guide to Making Change Happen and Become America: Civic Sermons on Love, Responsibility, and Democracy — a New York Times New & Notable Book. He is featured in the PBS documentary American Creed and is a contributing writer at The Atlantic.
Liu served as a White House speechwriter for President Bill Clinton and as the President’s deputy domestic policy adviser. He was later appointed by President Barack Obama to serve on the board of the Corporation for National and Community Service. In 2020, Liu was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, where he serves on its Trust and is co-chair of its Our Common Purpose commission on democratic citizenship. He is a graduate of Yale College and Harvard Law School, and a member of the Yale University Council. Liu and his family live in Seattle, where he has served on the boards of the Seattle Public Library and the Washington State Board of Education, and co-founded the Alliance for Gun Responsibility. His work as a civic innovator was recognized in 2020 with an Ashoka Fellowship.
To reach Eric, please email [email protected].
View Eric’s official headshot & bio →
Meet the Team
Brooke Prieskorn
Program & Events Manager
[email protected]
Pronouns: she/her
In 2020, Brooke was a researcher at Seattle Children’s Research Institute. After dedicating years to the details and minutiae, she decided it was time to zoom out. Armed with a Master’s degree from the UW Communication Leadership program and experience from several odd jobs, she joined Citizen University part-time as Eric’s executive assistant. This role grew into a full-time position as Special Projects Manager, and eventually into her current role as Program and Events Manager for the Civic Saturday Fellowship and Local Civic Collaboratory programs. In this role, she focuses on supporting civic catalysts, bringing her attention back to people—exactly where she wants it. In short, she loves her job (no, really, she does). If you’re in Seattle, she recommends adding Molly Moon’s (ice cream), Frankie & Jo’s (more ice cream), and BeanFish (not ice cream—Taiyaki) to your must-try foods list.
Charisma C. Thomas
Communications and Marketing Manager
[email protected]
Pronouns: she/her
As a creative with a passion for storytelling and desire to make an impact, Charisma C. Thomas contributes to the CU team as the Communications and Marketing Manager. She’s contributed to organizations fueled by purpose, including AmeriCorps VISTA, the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, Emory University, United Way of Greater Atlanta, and more. With a resourceful and brand-driven mindset, she’s developed strategies to promote events, managed multiple social media accounts, enhanced programs and overseen statewide partnerships. Charisma earned her B.A. in Media Studies and a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Nonprofit Management from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She is based in Atlanta, GA and lives with her Standard Poodle, Legend.
Chris Hayashida-Knight
Chief Administration Officer
[email protected]
Pronouns: he/him
Chris Hayashida-Knight directs administrative operations at Citizen University. He has worked in nonprofit administration for 20 years and taught US history at California State University, Chico. He lives in Portland, Oregon, with his wife, daughter, and Chihuahuas. Chris has always looked for ways to put idealism into practice and is proud to be a part of the CU team. He holds a PhD in US History and Women’s, Gender & Sexuality Studies from Penn State and an MA in American Studies from the George Washington University.
Davis Endava
Program Manager
[email protected]
Pronouns: she/her
Davis Endava leads our Youth Collaboratory and Citizen Redefined programs. Growing up in the Pacific Northwest with her indigenous roots instilled in her a love for place and a dedication to supporting local communities, leading her to study Environmental Science at the University of San Diego. Since then, she’s developed nature-based programs, founded Barefoot, an outdoor preschool, and served as Director of Equity and Belonging for a local rites of passage organization. At Citizen University, Davis helps people explore their identities, define citizenship in their own way, and build strong community connections. Outside of work, she enjoys dancing, cuddling with her cat, soaking up the sun, and volunteering locally.
Kayla DeMonte
Chief Program Officer
[email protected]
Pronouns: she/her
Kayla DeMonte leads the Citizen University team, and oversees the development, strategy, and operations for our national slate of programs. Previously, she worked on community programs and partnerships at the Seattle Metro Chamber of Commerce and managed sponsorships for Bumbershoot Music & Arts Festival at One Reel. Kayla currently serves as a member of the Seattle Arts Commission and has served in volunteer leadership and board roles for a variety of arts and civic organizations including The Vera Project, 4Culture, ArtsFund. She is a proud graduate of the Orfalea College of Business at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo.
Natalie Gage
Events and Hospitality Coordinator
[email protected]
Pronouns: she/her, they/them
All events have behind the scenes magic that participants have no idea exists – Natalie Gage is the CU wizard that helps orchestrate that magic and keep our events running smoothly. Natalie started her work career as a professionally trained Chef and a Culinary Experience Educator. Seeking a slower pace and organizations with purpose, she moved in to working with nonprofits in education and nature connection. She enjoys creating experiences for others, be it high-end, cool and casual, social or educational. Natalie strives to bring heart-based communication to all aspects of her work with the hope of spreading the practice to others. An intuitive person with high attention to detail. In her off time, she loves puzzles, reading, crafting and art, cooking and giving back to her community.
Natalie J. Valentine
Communications Director
[email protected]
Pronouns: she/her
Natalie J. Valentine brings a passion for storytelling, strategy, and community connection to her work of directing Citizen University’s communications team. She cares deeply about amplifying the voices of changemakers and sharing the ideas of organizations, which she’s done with other nonprofits. Natalie holds a Master’s degree from the Communication Leadership program at the University of Washington and is a graduate of Whitman College. In her spare time, she serves on the board of AGE UP — a youth leadership and social justice organization — and spends lots of time working in her garden.
Olivia Leming
Accounting Manager
[email protected]
Pronouns: she/her
Olivia Leming, the Accounting Manager at Citizen University, was born and raised in China. She holds a bachelor’s degree in advertising from her studies in China. Pursuing her academic ambitions, she immigrated to the US for graduate studies, obtaining both an MBA and an MS in Finance from the University of St. Thomas, Houston, TX. Olivia’s passion lies in finance and accounting management within non-profit organizations. Residing in Wichita, Kansas, with her husband and daughter, she finds solace in creating digital artworks, exploring museums, enjoying music, and indulging in family movie nights during her leisure time.
Rob Pabon
Senior Program Relationship Manager
[email protected]
Pronouns: he/him
Rob Pabon serves as the Senior Program Relationship Manager, where he brings his gifts and experience as a coach, facilitator, and organizer to support civic catalysts all across the country. Rob has a deep commitment to healing democracy by holding space for folks to come together across lines of difference to discover a common cause, build tethered relationships, and take collective action. As a Civic Saturday Fellow and an elected official in his own community, he understands the value of building relationships, a stronger sense of belonging and opportunities for participatory engagement.
Sadé C. Sparks
Senior Human Resources Manager
[email protected]
Pronouns: she/her
Proud native of Cleveland, Ohio, Sadé brings over a decade of HR experience spanning the non-profit, retail, hospitality, and entertainment sectors. She earned her MBA in Human Resources Management from Ashford University and a Bachelor’s in Human Ecology from The Ohio State University in addition to a number of professional certifications. Her diverse background allows her to offer innovative approaches to strategic planning, talent management, DEIB initiatives, and the employee experience. Outside of work, she’s an avid reader, super fan of the arts & sciences, enjoys gaming & chess as well as finding unique community service opportunities to pay it forward.
Talya Gillman
Program Director
[email protected]
Pronouns: she/her
Talya Gillman develops resources and experiences that spark and support powerful citizenship, rooted in the CU tenet that “we’re all better off when we’re all better off.” Many experiences and relationships have fueled her commitment to building eco-systems of dignity, equity and belonging: designing and leading experiential learning initiatives with organizations including Jewish Family Service, University of Washington, and Repair the World; receiving a Covenant Foundation Pomegranate Prize for emerging Jewish educators; completing an M.A. in Transformational Leadership through Seattle University; organizing with anti-racist and immigrant justice community networks in Seattle; and serving as an AJWS World Partners Fellow doing harm reduction work with Sankalp Rehabilitation Trust in Mumbai.
Vicki Rubio
Senior Program Manager
[email protected]
Pronouns: she/her
Vicki Rubio manages our National and Local Civic Collaboratory programs. She brings experience in leadership development, partnership building, and process creation to this role. Vicki is committed to supporting community impact and has demonstrated her passion to contribute to positive social change through her past experiences as program director of Public Allies Indianapolis at the Indianapolis Neighborhood Resource Center and development and communications manager at College Mentors for Kids. She currently serves as a board member for the Peace Learning Center.
Zoey Cane Belyea
Program Director
[email protected]
Pronouns: she/her
Zoey Cane Belyea develops curriculum and guides experiences that support young people and educators to step into their role as powerful, responsible citizens. She is a theatre artist and has spent many years as an educator integrating the arts with STEM curriculums. Zoey brings the same sense of playful imagination and creativity to her work at Citizen University. Zoey has worked as a program manager and curriculum development specialist for several organizations in Seattle, Austin, and her current home of Ashland, OR including Seattle Children’s Theatre, Arts Corps, The Paramount Theatre School, and ScienceWorks Hands On Museum.
Board of Directors
Diane Douglas | Diane Douglas Consulting
Kristen Cambell | PACE Philanthropy for Active Civic Engagement
Eric Liu | Citizen University
Katie Hong | Principal, KH Consulting
Martin A. Rodgers | Accenture
Rich Tafel | Pepperdine School of Public Policy
James Williams | Perkins Coie
Stephanie Ybarra | Mellon Foundation