Our dedicated Board of Directors and professional staff manages our operations all year.
Board of Directors
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Ms. Laura Fitzsimmons Peters is a native New Yorker who worked for the Internal Revenue Service for 35 years and served in many positions, working her way up to Senior Manager. During her years of service she won several awards including Manager of the year and the Criminal Investigation Outstanding Trial Witness. In her collateral position as Combined Federal Campaign Chairperson, she won the Long Island United Way Chairman’s Award for raising the most money during the 1998 campaign. She was also nominated twice for the prestigious New York State Federal Executive Board’s Outstanding Executive award.
Ms. Peters retired in 2009. She is no stranger to volunteer work, giving of her services over the years in many capacities. She has been a volunteer at ST. Charles hospital, where she was presented with the Volunteer of the Year award; worked with mentally challenged toddlers at the ST Paul and James preschool; was a Den mother, Class Mother and President of the local PTA. Ms. Peters was active with the local shelter for many years, collecting thousands of personal hygiene products to be dispersed to the homeless. She has recently been selected to sit on the board of the Home Owner’s Association for her complex. Ms. Peters lives in Florida with her husband Gary.
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Mr. Ron Fitzsimmons was raised in West Islip, New York just 50 miles from downtown Manhattan. He and his two younger siblings had a less than ideal childhood after their father abandoned the family. They were forced to rely on welfare payments which barely paid for food and rent but the experience gave him a unique perspective on the challenges faced by children living in poverty. Those experiences ultimately led to the formation of Alice’s Kids. Mr. Fitzsimmons spent most of his working years in the national political arena. Beginning in 1977, he worked for three Members of Congress, was the Director of Government Relations for a Portland-based law firm and in 1991 he formed a national organization that for 15 years lobbied to preserve reproductive rights for women. In recognition of that work, in 1994 the “Washingtonian Magazine” named him one of the “Top 50 Lobbyists” in Washington, D.C.
Upon leaving the national scene, Mr. Fitzsimmons served as a staff person for Mount Vernon Supervisor Gerry Hyland for 5 years and as a substitute teacher at Mount Vernon High School. A strong believer in public service, Mr. Fitzsimmons has served on numerous boards and commissions, including the Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority, the Landlord-Tenant Board, the Consumer Affairs Commission, United Community Ministries, the Wessynton Homeowner’s Association and the Fairfax Partnership for Youth. He was the President of the Mount Vernon High School Academic Boosters Corp and served on the Advisory Board for “Students Under Suspension.” In 2017 he was named “Mount Vernon Citizen of the Year” by Supervisor Dan Storck. A published author (“Chicken Soup for the Soul: Golf Edition”), Mr. Fitzsimmons received his B.A. in Political Science in 1977 from the State University of New York at Stonybrook. He is married and has two children.
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Ms. Candice Fondren is a Lead Student Support Specialist (S3) at Communities In Schools of Memphis (CISM), an affiliate of the national CIS network, which has proven to be one of the most effective drop-out prevention organizations for over 40 years. As an S3 for the last 7 years, Ms. Fondren has had the pleasure of serving underprivileged children and their families by providing daily school-based interventions to students that address chronic absenteeism, academic failure, behavioral issues, social service needs, and more. During her time with CISM, she has received several awards such as the "Attendance Works" Award, the "Ripple Effect" Award, "All in for Kids" Award, and most recently, the "Veteran of the Year" Award. She won all of these accolades due to her dedication to achieving CIS's mission "to surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life."
Ms. Fondren has always had a passion to make a difference in the lives of children. Before working for CISM, she was a Center Director at Girls Incorporated of Memphis, inspiring girls to be "strong, smart, and bold," for 10 years. In 2003, Ms. Fondren received a Bachelor of Arts and Science from the University of Memphis, graduating Summa Cum Laude, and in 2015, she received a Masters in Education from Cambridge College, Boston, MA. Upon joining the Communities In Schools' team, Ms. Fondren discovered that she could fulfill her long time desire and passion even more by helping children on numerous levels, removing barriers that cause them to be unsuccessful in life. Ms. Fondren feels that she has found her calling and will continue to do all that she can to make a difference in children's lives. Additionally, she has two beautiful daughters that she strives to be an excellent role model for daily.
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Ms. Kay Casstevens' public service career in Washington D.C. spanned several decades. Before retiring, she spent ten years as the deputy chief development officer at the National Gallery of Art. Prior to that, she worked in both the legislative and executive branches of the federal government. During the Clinton Administration, Ms. Casstevens was appointed assistant secretary of education. She later served as deputy director of White House legislative affairs and deputy assistant to the President, and as Vice President Al Gore's Director of Legislative Affairs. On Capitol Hill, she served as chief of staff to Congressman (now Senator) Chris Van Hollen and also to Senator Tom Harkin. Earlier, she worked on the policy staffs of Congressman John Seiberling and Senator George McGovern.
Ms. Casstevens as a law degree from the George Washington University Law School, and she received a bachelor of journalism degree from the University of Texas at Austin. She has been active in the DC area community theater as a choreographer and performer in local productions, and serves on the Advisory Board of the Dana Tai Soon Burgess Dance Company. She also teaches tap dance classes.
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Mr. Patrick Fitzsimmons is an educator and freelance photographer living in the Washington, DC area. Patrick spent the past decade as a high school teacher and instructional coach in San Antonio, Chicago, and DC before pursuing a career in photography. The past three years, he's run a successful freelance photography business focusing on documentary and people-centered projects. Patrick also works as a High Impact Math Tutor at a middle school in Fairfax County, Virginia. Patrick is a graduate of The University of Virginia where he earned a Bachelors in American Government and a Masters of Public Policy.
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Ms. Maria Lewan is a long time resident of Alexandria, Virginia where she remains active in a wide variety of social service, health care and educational endeavors. Ms. Lewan is a Registered Nurse who worked primarily in the psychiatric field at Mt. Vernon Hospital Emergency Room and the Mt. Vernon Community Mental Health Center. She earned her Nursing Degree at Creedmoor State Hospital in New York, a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology Degree from American University, and a Master of Social Work Degree from Smith College. While raising two children, she took a full time position at St. Aidan’s Day School teaching pre-school children for over twenty years. At St. Aidan’s, Ms. Lewan also served as the school nurse.
Ms. Lewan is currently employed as an independent field nurse assisting the aging population who are facing difficult intellectual and physical challenges. Ms. Lewan continues as an active volunteer in both community and school based organizations. She was one of the founding members of the Friends of United Community. She currently serves on the “Tuck-In Call Team” at the Capital Caring Hospice, calling caretakers of Hospice patients on a weekly basis to assess their needs A long-time supporter of Alice’s Kids, Ms. Lewan had the opportunity to give further support when she became a volunteer with Alice’s Kids’ gift card buyers in August 2019. She currently supervises all 16 gift card volunteers.
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Television writer-producer Katrina Cabrera Ortega, known for her work on a wide range of drama shows, earned her B.A. in English from UCLA, followed by an MFA in screenwriting from the UCLA School of Theater, Film, and Television. Ortega's first industry role began as a writer's production assistant on Fox's iconic show "The X-Files," and she has since written for a diverse range of projects, including Hulu's quirky drama Shut Eye, Amazon Prime's gripping thriller Absentia, as well as network hits such as The CW's soapy Dynasty and NBC's compelling procedural Law & Order.
In her personal life, Ortega enjoys giving back to her community and is especially dedicated to organizations that promote literacy, support less-fortunate children, and provide scholarships for deserving high school seniors. She currently resides in Pasadena with her loved ones.
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Mr. John Knemeyer was raised in California's Mojave Desert, living on the China Lake Naval Weapons Center, where his father was an aeronautical engineer. In 1975, Mr. Knemeyer left the area to attend Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, CA. After three semesters, he transferred to the California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, CA. In 1979 Mr. Knemeyer graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biochemistry. In early 1980, he started his career working for Pacific Gas & Electric, at the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant, located near Avila Beach, CA. Mr. Knemeyer progressed from technician, to chemistry engineer, and finally to supervising chemistry engineer.
After approximately 36 years, Mr. Knemeyer retired at the end of 2015. During this time, Mr. Knemeyer volunteered for the American Red Cross, primarily as part of a Disaster Action Team, responding to local disasters to ensure clients had the appropriate shelter, food and clothing to help them start their recovery. He has served in several capacities in Alice's Kids and is currently the Director of Outreach. Mr. Knemeyer and his wife raised two children on the central coast of California.
Staff
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Mr. Ron Fitzsimmons was raised in West Islip, New York just 50 miles from downtown Manhattan. He and his two younger siblings had a less than ideal childhood after their father abandoned the family. They were forced to rely on welfare payments which barely paid for food and rent but the experience gave him a unique perspective on the challenges faced by children living in poverty. Those experiences ultimately led to the formation of Alice’s Kids. Mr. Fitzsimmons spent most of his working years in the national political arena. Beginning in 1977, he worked for three Members of Congress, was the Director of Government Relations for a Portland-based law firm and in 1991 he formed a national organization that for 15 years lobbied to preserve reproductive rights for women. In recognition of that work, in 1994 the “Washingtonian Magazine” named him one of the “Top 50 Lobbyists” in Washington, D.C.
Upon leaving the national scene, Mr. Fitzsimmons served as a staff person for Mount Vernon Supervisor Gerry Hyland for 5 years and as a substitute teacher at Mount Vernon High School. A strong believer in public service, Mr. Fitzsimmons has served on numerous boards and commissions, including the Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority, the Landlord-Tenant Board, the Consumer Affairs Commission, United Community Ministries, the Wessynton Homeowner’s Association and the Fairfax Partnership for Youth. He was the President of the Mount Vernon High School Academic Boosters Corp and served on the Advisory Board for “Students Under Suspension.” In 2017 he was named “Mount Vernon Citizen of the Year” by Supervisor Dan Storck. A published author (“Chicken Soup for the Soul: Golf Edition”), Mr. Fitzsimmons received his B.A. in Political Science in 1977 from the State University of New York at Stonybrook. He is married and has two children.
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Ms. Laura Basse grew up in Fairfax County and graduated from Lake Braddock Secondary. She continued her education at Randolph-Macon College, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. She worked for several years as a writer, editor, and proposal manager in the defense industry before retiring to raise her four children. After many years of the glamour of stay-home life, she went to school and earned her Real Estate license. Shortly thereafter, she discovered Alice’s Kids and knew she had to get involved. She first signed on as a volunteer, and then joined the staff in December 2019. Ms. Basse and her husband flip houses together and catch as many Caps and Nats games as possible. They also enjoy traveling to watch their college kids play baseball and soccer, and cheer locally for their son and South County Football.
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Ms. Meg Knemeyer, a native of the Mojave Desert in California, has established herself as a dedicated professional with a wealth of experience in financial management. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Arizona, and furthered her education by obtaining a Master of Arts in Education (MAEd) from The George Washington University in Washington, DC. This educational background equipped her with a well-rounded perspective that she integrated into her professional journey. For 40 years, Ms. Knemeyer served as a senior financial manager at the National Academy of Sciences. In this role, she oversaw a $15 million portfolio, managing both government and private contracts in the domains of space science, space engineering, computer science, mathematics, government laboratory assessment, and health sciences.
Ms. Knemeyer contributions extended across the entire lifecycle of contracts, from proposal development and contract management to reporting and contract close-out. Her duties included staff management and supervision, showcasing her leadership skills in a dynamic and challenging environment. Beyond her professional endeavors, Ms. Knemeyer actively engaged with her local community. She dedicated her time and energy as a volunteer at her children’s public schools, where she worked with organizations such as the Mount Vernon High School Academic Boosters and the Marching Band. Her commitment to community service also extended to her involvement with Alices Kids from its inception. As a volunteer, she contributed to the establishment of financial practices and procedures for Alice’s Kids, demonstrating her passion for making a positive impact on the lives of others. Ms. Knemeyer is married and has two adult sons. She currently resides in Alexandria, Virginia.
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Hilary is a seasoned communications professional with more than 20 years in social media, public relations and corporate communications. She works with clients across a broad range of spectrums including non-profits, associations, Fortune 500 companies, consumer packaged goods, government, and others. Hilary specializes in melding online and offline campaigns into effective and successful programs. These plans are often national in scope, focused on bringing attention to the business, product or issue. Tactics used regularly include earned and paid media placements, digital platform executions, solicitations and multi-pronged approaches to reach the objective.
She holds a Bachelor of Art degree in public relations from Susquehanna University, and a Master’s of public relations from Georgetown University.
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Supporting Strategies has been serving businesses across the United States for 15 years, providing outsourced bookkeeping and controller services. The dedicated team behind Support Strategies works multiple aspects of business financing and has signed on to assist Alice’s Kids with the many facets of its accounting structure. Businesses big and small have turned to the dedicated team of bookkeepers and controllers at Supporting Strategies for streamlined accounting using the latest in remote bookkeeping software.
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Ms. Alison Ruth is an artist and designer based in Chicago. She has developed several key elements of the Alice's Kids visual brand, originating the Alice's Kids logo and designing Alice's Kids marketing and communications materials. She also formerly managed the organization's Instagram page. Outside of her professional work, Ms. Ruth is a muralist and creates charcoal landscapes and portraits. She hails from the central coast of California and has previously lived in Seattle, WA, and Ketchikan, AK
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Mr. Mark LoProto is a Long Island native who made the trek west to Las Vegas. There, he established a freelance writing service and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communications with an emphasis on professional writing. Mr. LoProto as been providing content writing, social media management, copywriting, event planning, and public relations spanning multiple industries since 2009. Along with Alice’s Kids, he has worked with high-profile clients and small businesses to develop brands and communities for improved outreach. Mr. LoProto has managed several private campaigns to raise money for the Children’s Miracle Network and the Nevada Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and has worked alongside Las Vegas' Opportunity Village for several of its Halloween and Christmas events. He lives with his supportive wife, Toni, and two boys, Jack and Ichabod.