Maggie Riden

As the Executive Director of DCAYA, Ms. Riden's work focuses on directing the DCAYA coalition of over 120 youth-serving organizations, in its work to improve the quality of life for young people in the District of Columbia through policy advocacy, networking, and youth empowerment.

Ms.Riden has served DCAYA since 2010, first as the policy analyst focused on youth homelessness and out-of-school-time programs. In that position she co-chaired the Interagency Council on Homelessness Youth Committee which is charged with developing a citywide framework to prevent and end youth homelessness, managed the development and promotion of a Youth Friendly City strategy, represented DCAYA at DC Council committee hearings, budget advocacy hearings and at various meetings with DC government staff and agencies, and led the development, execution and analysis of a study published in November 2011examining the needs and opportunities unique to homeless youth in DC.She was named to the Executive Director position in early 2012.

Before joining DCAYA Riden had more than 10 years experience including direct services to disadvantaged populations, designing and presenting trainings and conferences on state and federal education policy, and participating in a statewide action committee convened to provide data driven, prescriptive recommendations on education policy.

Ms. Riden holds a Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy from the Fletcher School at Tufts University, a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, and a certificate in International Relations from Mt. Holyoke College. Ms. Riden is originally from Huntington, Vermont.