Community Action Partnership Staff Members

Johnny Eudaly is the Communications & Branding Assistant at the Partnership. In this role, Johnny is responsible for developing and implementing social media strategy, managing email newsletter production, graphic design, photography and video production. Johnny holds a Bachelor’s of Arts in English Literature, Literary and Cultural Studies from the University of Cincinnati.

As the Program Associate for the Learning Communities Resource Center with the Practice Transformation team, Laura Griffin supports the planning and implementation of the national Community Action innovations hub for addressing the causes and conditions of poverty. Previously, she worked as a Program Manager at Lutheran Immigration and Refugee service where she oversaw training, peer learning, and grants management to support a national network of nonprofits.  For over seven years, she supported a wide range of social programs for migrants and refugees, including job development, case management, foster care, and legal programs. As a former business owner and non-profit consultant, Laura’s worked on a range of other topics, including homelessness and housing, public health, sustainable food education, international development, and program evaluation.  She holds a Master of Public Management degree with a focus in nonprofit management and social policy from the University of Maryland School of Public Policy and a Bachelor’s degree from Mount Holyoke College.

Courtney Kohler serves as a Senior Associate for T/TA with the National Community Action Partnership, working under the Human Capacity and Community Transformation Center of Excellence and Learning Communities Resource Center.  Previously, she worked as Program Director for the Missouri Community Action Network (CAN) where she did curriculum design, trainings, grant management, and program development.  As a Nationally Certified ROMA Trainer, CCAP, and FDC Instructor, areas of training expertise include community needs assessment, strategic planning, family development, board roles and responsibilities, organizational standards, customer satisfaction, ROMA, and leadership development.  Courtney also leads efforts for Community Action Academy, the Partnership’s online learning management system.  She holds a Bachelor’s in Psychology from the University of Louisville and Master’s in Public Affairs from the University of Missouri.  Prior to Community Action, she worked in the mental health field, hospice research, and coached gymnastics and dance.  Courtney lives in mid-Missouri with her husband, Matthew, and 3 children, Emma, Addilyn, and Clarke.

Lindsay Marsh comes to the Partnership from the Office of Community Service at the US Department of Health and Human Services. Her previous work has taken her across the country working issue and political campaigns, organizing, doing data research, and fundraising. Lindsay is a former small business owner; she co-founded a social media company specializing in online fundraising and social justice work and a liquor distribution company. Long an advocate of civic and social engagement, she is thrilled to work on a project that combines her extensive organizing skills with the real world effects that the census brings to the population the Network serves most.  Lindsay holds a bachelor’s degree in International Affairs and a master’s degree in Political Management, both from the George Washington University. In her spare time, Lindsay is an avid cyclist, runner, and triathlete. She is based out of Denver, Colorado.

Aimee Roberge is an experienced social services professional, most recently having managed operations and development for an advocacy nonprofit in Washington D.C. and served as an advisor for young pregnant and parenting mothers in a New York City homeless shelter.  She has research and data analysis skills and has studied the intersection between policy, practice, and organizational systems supporting low-income youth and families.  As the LCRC Program Associate, Aimee is responsible for resource curation, development and dissemination as well as communications and grants management support. She holds a Human Development and Family Studies/Human Rights degree from the University of Connecticut and a Master of Public Administration degree from Baruch College with a focus in nonprofit management and social policy. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, concerts, reading, meeting new people, and exploring.

Lana Shope began her career in the community action network at Mid-Iowa Community Action, Inc. (MICA) in Marshalltown Iowa.  Over a period of ten years, Lana created a variety of new programs that improved the lives of people experiencing poverty.  Lana departed MICA to serve as the lobbyist for the Iowa Conference of the United Methodist Church where she was immersed in the day to day efforts of advocating and lobbying for social justice issues, including addressing the causes and conditions of poverty.   After five years in this role, Lana returned to the network as the executive director of the Iowa Community Action Association (ICAA) and served in that role for sixteen years.  With a commitment to increase her skills and knowledge, in 2010 Lana successfully completed the curriculum and became a Certified Community Action Professional (CCAP). 

In addition to her work addressing the causes and conditions of poverty, Lana enjoys spoiling her grandchildren, reading, exercising and operating a small business, Pies and Pastries by Lana, which she has been doing for six years. 

With a passion for increasing the economic mobility of America’s most vulnerable citizens, Jovita A. Tolbert joined the Community Action Network, working with the National Association for State Community Services Programs (NASCSP), shortly after graduating college. During her ten year tenure at NASCSP, Ms. Tolbert gained a wealth of experience providing management support and technical assistance to all levels of the Community Action Network. More specifically, she provided policy guidance and advocated for the preservation and advancement of the Community Services Block Grant. Ms. Tolbert coordinated and provided local, state, and national trainings with the goal of increasing the Network’s capacity and effectiveness. She also worked with Community Action to document and disseminate best practices from within Network and the anti-poverty field as a whole.

During her four year tenure as Deputy Director with the national Community Action Partnership, Ms. Tolbert has assisted in managing agency operations and human resources. She also oversees member services, benefits, recruitment and retention. Another key responsibility is the coordination of annual conferences and other training events. Ms. Tolbert also oversees agency and member communications.

Ms. Tolbert holds a Bachelors of Science degree in Public Policy, Management, and Planning from the School of Policy, Planning, and Development at the University of Southern California (USC) in Los Angeles, CA.  

Madison Wicks is a Program Assistant at the Partnership. In this role, she takes an active part on the Events and Membership teams and provides support the Leadership Team and Board of Directors. She holds a Bachelor’s of Arts in International Affairs and Anthropology from the George Washington University.