Volunteer Team
GDPC proudly engages a diverse team of volunteers who bring unique skills and experience to strengthen our work. Our volunteer roles include:
- Graphic Design: creating infographics, illustrations, photographs, flyers, and other visual elements for the website and GDPC program support.
- Storytelling: identifying, researching, interviewing, writing and communicating stories of real preparedness practices across the globe to share on our website and social media.
- Applied Research: providing short-term in-depth analysis based on interviews, focus groups, and desk research to support evidence base and program management.
- Website Design and Support: optimizing the website using technical skills in WordPress, SEO, desk research, and marketing.
- Volunteer Technical Partner: providing support for technical projects, supporting areas in need of specialized subject matter expertise.
Meet Our Volunteers
Alexis Ramos
Website Support
Alexis Ramos is a digital experience and content strategy professional bringing more than 6 years experience supporting mission-driven work in the non-profit and government space. Alexis holds a B.S. in Communications Arts from St. John’s University. She is passionate about making digital tools intuitive and easy to use for everyone by translating and organizing complex topics into simple and meaningful digital experiences.
Heather Link
Storytelling
Heather is a retired Army public affairs professional and strategic communicator who enjoys using the power of storytelling to support disaster preparedness and community resilience. As a volunteer with the Global Disaster Preparedness Center, she contributes research and written content focused on helping people better prepare for and recover from disasters. Heather lives in Kentucky with her family and spends her free time writing, continuing her education, and exploring new ways to serve her community.
Isryel Cruz
Graphic Design
Isryel is a creative designer with a strong passion for visual communication and experience across a range of organizations and industries. He is a Spartan Alumni from Norfolk State University, where he received a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing. His work focuses on crafting thoughtful, impactful design solutions that support both message and mission. He is honored to contribute to GDPC in the area of Graphic Design, collaborating with a dedicated team to support meaningful initiatives and create work that makes a lasting impact.
Kris Rocky
Storytelling
Kris is a GDPC blogger/writer bringing her storyteller voice and perspective from decades of service experiences in for-profit and nonprofit organizations. She is semi-retired from her leadership roles in product design, development and marketing in support of business operations on five continents. Her passion for writing and storytelling can be found in every aspect of her personal and professional life. Kris is a van-life enthusiast, frequent global traveler, and occasional adjunct professor.
Lindsey Tyler
Graphic Design
Lindsey is a visual communications and information designer who brings over 20 years of experience in design and strategic storytelling to the GDPC team. She works in executive and enterprise communications for the cloud and technology organization of a Fortune 20 healthcare company. Outside of work, she loves nature, animals, house plants, and key lime pie.
Megan Terry
Storytelling
Megan Terry is an Army veteran, radio personality, and communications professional who volunteers with the American Red Cross by using her skills in graphic design, audio production, and storytelling to support the organization's mission. Drawing from her six years of service in the U.S. Army and her career in broadcasting, Megan helps create engaging content that informs, inspires, and connects communities with important Red Cross programs and services. She is passionate about continuing her commitment to service through creative work that makes a meaningful impact.
Mira Adam
Storytelling
Mira Adam is a native bilingual (English-Arabic) communications expert with over a decade of experience in strategic media relations, content creation, and digital communications. Mira holds two master’s degrees—one in Communications & Public Relations from Georgetown University and another in Translation and Political Studies from Alexandria University, where she also earned a B.A. in English Literature and completed postgraduate studies in Linguistics. Additionally, she holds an English for Journalism certificate from the University of Pennsylvania. She has been a content creator volunteer at the Global Disaster Preparedness Center for two years.
Patricia Leyden
Volunteer Technical Partner
Patricia is an emergency manager focused on community partnerships and communication systems. She worked as both a Safety and Logistics Analyst for FEMA and continues that work as a Reunification Specialist, Government Operations Liaison, and Disaster Action Team leader.
Saameri Anderson
Web Design
Saameri is a UX/ UI designer and researcher with three years of experience designing digital products, seven years of experience in graphic design, and a masters degree in interaction design. She is passionate about helping nonprofit and for-benefit organizations solve systemic challenges. She is also passionate about building products and experiences that improve the world’s economic, social and environmental sustainability needs.
Tanzeel Ahmed Shaikh
Website Design
Tanzeel is a UX/Product Designer with a background in Human-Computer Interaction, product design, and front-end implementation. As a GDPC volunteer, he’s contributed to PrepareCenter by supporting public-facing web experiences, including reviewing toolkits, improving page flows, checking accessibility issues, and helping disaster preparedness resources feel clearer and easier to use across devices. He enjoys working on mission-driven projects where design, research, and technology come together to make important information more accessible and useful for communities.
Tanzeena Karim
Website Support
Tanzeena (she/her) is a software engineer and lifelong learner with experience in enterprise technology, software development, and digital accessibility. She has supported clients and organizations through SAP development, web and mobile applications, research, and knowledge management, and has previously worked with academic institutions and nonprofit organizations. In addition to her professional experience, she contributes to humanitarian and community initiatives through volunteer roles focused on digital platforms, translation, and event support. She believes in leveraging technology to create accessible, user-centered solutions and is excited to apply her skills to projects that strengthen communities and drive positive impact. Outside of her professional work, she enjoys exploring new places and cultures through travel and has a passion for discovering and experiencing diverse cuisines.
Tara Marie Eskander
Research
Tara supports GDPC in aspects of applied research having focused on reviewing research and grant submissions. She is a capacity building specialist with over 15 years of experience in the public sector and holds an MPH in International Health and Development. She previously worked on disaster response and anti-hunger issues as well as supported start-ups, academic institutions, advocacy groups, and non-profits with aspects of program planning and evaluation. She believes firmly in participatory centered approaches and community action to solve systemic challenges, and is excited to continue supporting GDPC in their applied research endeavors.
Veronica Mandoly de Araujo
Storytelling
Stemming from lengthy experiential learning in the empirics of journalism and research communications, Veronica has developed a versatile career in media, international development, and humanitarian affairs. As a young humanitarian and published writer, her passion and professionalism draw from investigative journalism and writing for publications within the global conversation of sustainability and climate action.