Meet the Summer 2023 Leading EDGE Interns!

Kayla Tingley
Internship Host | Capital Area Food Bank

Kayla Tingley is a senior at Catholic University studying Sociology with a minor in Politics. She is heavily involved in the Black Student Alliance at Catholic, serving as president her sophomore and junior year. Kayla works in the Office of Campus Activities as an assistance coordinator for student engagement and team captain for Orientation for first-year students. This summer, she is interning at the Capital Area Food Bank as a Site Monitor for the After School and Summer Meals program. Outside of school, Kayla loves going to farmers’ markets, stopping to pet dogs, and volunteering.

Gracemary Allen
Internship Host | Capital Area Food Bank

Gracemary is a rising third-year student at American University, where she studies political science. Her internship at Capital Area Food Bank centers on outreach. She is deeply grateful to be part of the drive to eliminate food insecurity in her community, as well as the opportunity to expand her knowledge of the nonprofit sector. Also, Gracemary is passionate about expanding access to housing, healthcare, education, and public transportation. In her free time, she enjoys thrifting, writing poetry, and reading science fiction- especially the work of Ursula K. Le Guin and Octavia Butler.

Michelle Castro
Internship Host | Impact Communications

Michelle Castro is studying Business Management at the University of Maryland College Park, expecting to graduate in Spring 2024. She has developed her consulting skills as a part of the QUEST Honors program Cohort 37. This year, she is working with The Nonprofit Alliance through the Impact Communications Agency to lead the writing of a fundraising-focused white paper and assist with internal project management development. Michelle is eager to explore the nonprofit space through the TNPA Leading Edge internship program and learn new skills to add to her tool set.

Helina Mesfin
Internship Host | Fuse Fundraising

Helina Mesfin is a rising senior at American University, studying international relations with a focus on environmental sustainability and global health. Helina has always had a passion for helping others and is excited to begin nonprofit work to learn more about how to provide to communities and understand the work of the industry. She looks forward to this opportunity and making a positive impact.

Zainat Abubakar
Internship Host | Moore Digital

Zainat Abubakar is a junior Communications student in the Public Relations and Tech Entrepreneurship minor at the University of Maryland, College Park. She is originally from Prince George’s County, Maryland, and currently resides in the area. Zainat is very excited to put her educational coursework to practice at Moore Digital as a digital media intern, learn more about non-profits, and build lifelong professional connections.

Timothy Azucena
Internship Host | Moore Digital

Timothy Azucena is a recent graduate of the University of Maryland, Robert H Smith Business school with a bachelors in Business Management. He is seeking to further his marketing knowledge by working in the marketing industry with Moore Digital. Timothy is passionate about working with non profits, specifically those serving the Latinx community. He is looking forward to applying his knowledge and skills towards nonprofit organizations and making a direct impact in the world through his work.

Amelia Jansen
Internship Host | Trinity Missions

Amelia Jansen is a second-year undergraduate student at American University majoring in Political Science and minoring in Criminal Justice in the School of Public Affairs. Amelia is passionate about politics, service, and faith, as seen through her activities and work experience. She leads a life group at American University through Chi Alpha Campus Ministry. She also interned for the United States Department of Treasury, Bureau of Fiscal Service, Office of the Chief Counsel, and as a Congressional Aide for Congressman David Trone.

Afraah Goshu
Internship Host | PMG

Afraah is studying Information Science at the University of Maryland, hoping to focus on data analytics and creative application within technology. At Production Management Group (PMG), she hopes to support the team’s marketing needs with her background in photography and studies in psychology and design.

Leah Woldemariam
Internship Host | Further Digital

Leah is currently a senior at George Mason University and is expected to graduate in December of 2023. She is a Psychology major with a concentration in Industrial/Organizational Psychology and a minor in Data Analysis. Her initial experience in marketing grew her interest in the subject, particularly working with nonprofits to increase their donations and further their message. Partnered with her statistics and data analytics studies, Leah found that the relationship between marketing and data provided insight into human behavior that also fulfilled her interest in Psychology. She hopes to grow her knowledge and experience in these fields while interning at Further Digital this summer.