Staff

Amanda Hurwitt is the Educational Programs Coordinator at the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities (VCIC), an organization that works with schools, businesses, and communities to achieve success through inclusion. In her role, Amanda designs, coordinates, delivers, and evaluates diversity and inclusion programs conducted for students and educators across Virginia.

In the community, Amanda is involved with yoga and mindfulness programs. She has a particular passion for supporting youth health and wellness in the community through the promotion of mindfulness practices in educational and community spaces.

Prior to joining VCIC, Amanda worked in public education as an English as a Second Language teacher and Exceptional Education assistant. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Modern Foreign Languages from James Madison University and attended Old Dominion University to receive her Virginia teaching license.

Alejandro Prince is Director of Educational Programs at the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities (VCIC), an organization that works with schools, businesses, and communities to achieve success through inclusion. In his role, Alejandro designs, coordinates, and facilitates programs, events, and conferences on diversity, equity, and inclusion primarily for educators and students across the Commonwealth.

Prior to joining VCIC, Alejandro worked with a Community Action Agency delivering programs centered on violence prevention, trauma-informed education, healthy relationships, and college and career readiness for youth. His research and experience with curricula development center on the connections of moral philosophy, racial justice, gender & sexuality, history, and psychology. He is especially interested in the role that educators play in positive human development for peaceful communities and just societies.

In the community, Alejandro serves on the Governing Body of the Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Action Alliance. Before moving to Virginia, he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Biblical Studies from Azusa Pacific University and his Master’s in Theological Studies with a Certificate in African American and Diaspora Studies from Vanderbilt University.

Meagan Starks is the Director of Hampton Roads Programs at the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities (VCIC), an organization that works with schools, businesses, and communities to achieve success through inclusion. In her role, Meagan designs, coordinates, and facilitates programs and events on diversity, equity, and inclusion in Hampton Roads (to include the Virginia Peninsula and Tidewater regions).

Prior to joining VCIC, Meagan spent over 17 years teaching K-12 Spanish in both public and private institutions. She worked closely with school administrators to promote a culture of belonging and understanding amongst faculty and students. She also has a deep-rooted connection to the special needs community; with a passion for promoting Autism acceptance and connecting families with community resources. Outside of her professional role, she is an active member of a local roller derby league. Meagan holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish from Old Dominion University, as well as a Master of Arts in Human Services Counseling and a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction.

Haley Taylor is the Administrative Programs Coordinator at the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities (VCIC), an organization that works with schools, businesses, and communities to achieve success through inclusion. In her role, Haley supports the planning and implementation of VCIC’s programs, retreats, and one-day forums through logistics management, program registration, external communications, and coordination with vendors.

Prior to joining VCIC, Haley worked in public education, teaching multiple history courses including World History, U.S. History, Government, and African American Studies. Along with creating innovative curriculum for her courses, her greatest passion as an educator was developing positive relationships with students. Outside of her professional role, Haley is passionate about current affairs and social justice efforts within her community. She also loves soccer and has been coaching youth players for over a decade. She attended the University of Mary Washington where she earned her Master’s in Education and her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science.

Katie Hathaway is Director of Events & Marketing for the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities (VCIC), an organization that works with schools, business, and communities to achieve success through inclusion. In her role, she is responsible for planning and executing the organization’s Humanitarian Awards Dinner events and conferences across the Commonwealth. She also supports VCIC’s marketing efforts through graphic design and online media management.

Prior to joining VCIC, Katie was Operations Manager at Initiatives of Change/Hope in the Cities, where she planned and organized events, supported the organization’s communications efforts, and oversaw office operations. During her tenure, Katie managed the “Unpacking the 2010 Census” program, “The Trust Factor” Conference in Washington DC, and served as head of the Conference Operations department at the organization’s conference center near Montreux, Switzerland.

Katie holds an M.A. in Intercultural Relations from Lesley University, with a focus on intercultural/diversity training and consulting. She earned her B.A. in International Relations from Franklin University Switzerland in Lugano, Switzerland.

LaTina Pitts is Events & Operations Coordinator with the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities (VCIC), an organization that works with schools, businesses, and communities to achieve success through inclusion. In her role, LaTina supports the planning and execution of organizational events and ensures the smooth and efficient operation of the VCIC State Office.

Prior to joining the VCIC staff, LaTina provided 10 years of administrative support to Virginia Commonwealth University. While at VCU, she became a certified facilitator through the Building Inclusive Communities Train-the-Trainer Initiative, and also served on the VCU Task Force for Individual, Institutional & Systemic Bias, the VCU Leveraging Diversity Task Force, and the VCU School of Nursing Committee for Cultural Action.

Angelica Yankauskas is Executive Vice President at the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities (VCIC), an organization that works with schools, business, and communities to achieve success through inclusion. In her role, Angelica particularly focuses on the organization’s administration, human resources, financial management, and fund development.

With a background in nonprofit leadership and advocacy, Angelica has spent most of her career in the field of geriatrics, with a specialization in direct care for people with advanced-stage dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Before coming to VCIC, Angelica was the Executive Director of Meals on Wheels of Suffolk & Isle of Wight, located in Suffolk, Virginia. Previously, she was the Wellness Department Supervisor for Hampton Roads’ and Western Tidewater’s Area Agency on Aging (AAA), Senior Services of Southeastern Virginia.

Angelica is a proud graduate of Old Dominion University, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Therapeutic Recreation. Angelica was recently inducted into the ODU Alumni Association’s 40 under 40 Class of 2024 for spearheading an in-home, COVID-19 mobile vaccination program for over two dozen Meals on Wheels clients in Suffolk & Isle of Wight. She received a Master of Science in Leadership from Norwich University, specializing in Organizational Leadership and Strategic Organizational Behavior. Angelica, a transracial, indigenous Colombian adoptee, currently serves as Board President of Healing Puentes, a Colombian American nonprofit that helps guide and support adoptees in the search and reunion process with their biological families.