Staff

Eshauna Smith, Director – Eshauna Smith has worked in various capacities over the past seven years to promote the healthy development of low-income women, women of color, youth, and their families through research and messaging, leadership development, responsible philanthropy, and sustainable organizational development.

Ms. Smith joined the DC Alliance of Youth Advocates (DCAYA) as the founding Executive Director in September 2006. Prior to joining DCAYA, Ms. Smith served as Program Manager for the Pro-Choice Public Education Project (PEP), an organization focused on developing a new generation of young women leaders around reproductive justice. Prior to joining PEP, Ms. Smith was Program Associate for the Reducing Poverty and Women’s Rights Programs of the Moriah Fund.

Ms. Smith is a founding member of the National Women’s Law Center’s Progressive Leadership Advocacy Network For Women and a current board member of the YWCA of the National Capital Area. In 2005, Ms. Smith was selected as one of the National Women’s Health Network’s “Honor 30 for the 30th” recipients in recognition of activists who have created and inspired work to improve women’s health. In 2003, Ms. Smith co-founded the DC Black Philanthropic Alliance, an organization dedicated to providing professional development opportunities to African-Americans in philanthropy.

Ms. Smith holds a Master of Public Affairs degree from the University of Texas-Austin and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California - Berkeley.

Victoria Cunningham, Policy Director

With six years of experience working in the District, Victoria Cunningham comes to DCAYA with a background in youth development and community organizing.

Prior to joining DCAYA, Ms. Cunningham spent three years at the Posse Foundation, an organization that provides leadership development training and other key supports to ensure a path to college for public high school students. Ms. Cunningham helped launch the Washington, DC Posse office and held several positions in the organization including senior trainer and most recently program director.

In addition, Ms. Cunningham has had the opportunity to hone her advocacy and organizing skills as the national coordinator for CODEPINK: Women for Peace. In this role, Ms. Cunningham was charged with opening the DC office of CODEPINK, traveling to Iraq to witness the war firsthand and testifying to Congress on the organization's behalf.

Ms. Cunningham’s passion for social justice and positive youth development is also visible through her work as an advisory board member with the Young Women's Drumming Empowerment Program and mentor for the Point Foundation.

Ms. Cunningham holds a BA in Spanish and Sociology from Coker College in Hartsville, SC. Additionally she was a Fulbright Fellow to Spain in 2001.

Ife Goodson, Policy Assistant

As a Policy Assistant for DCAYA she serves as general administrative support to the organization, as well as support for the policy and advocacy work around DCAYA's three priorities - youth employment, youth homelessness, and strengthening the out-of-school-time sector.

Prior to joining DCAYA, Ife worked in both Federal and District government. The invaluable experience gained in the Executive Office of Mayor Adrian M. Fenty and her existing passion for children motivated her to seek employment that would allow for obtained knowledge and growth in the area of youth advocacy and policy. Ife's previous research experience and volunteerism with several youth programs and organizations within DC has sealed her belief in contributing to causes larger than herself. She is a current member of The EnVest Fund and holds a BA in Psychology from Howard University, where she learned many valuable lessons on community involvement and the importance of youth development and empowerment within the Washington, DC area.

Board of Directors

Lindsey Buss
Martha's Table

Sheryl Brissett-Chapman
National Center for Children and Families

Judith Dobbins
Covenant House

Kim Y. Jones (Board Vice President)
Advocates for Justice and Education

Lori Kaplan (Board President)
Latin American Youth Center

Gerry Kittner
Beacon House

Robin Minter
Heads Up

Amy Nakamoto
DC Scores

Veronica Nolan
Urban Alliance Foundation

Daniel Okonkwo
DC Lawyers for Youth

Debby Shore
Sasha Bruce Youthwork

Max Skolnik
Kid Power-DC, Inc.

Adam Tenner (Board Treasurer)
Metro TeenAIDS

Charise Van Liew (Board Secretary)
Facilitating Leadership in Youth

Curtis Watkins
LifeSTARTS