Get to know our team
Learn more about the Comunidad staff and read their stories below.
Maralee Gutierrez
FOUNDER & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
For over 20 years, Maralee Gutierrez Cruz has been a noteworthy leader in the nonprofit and advocacy space. Through her commitment to serving others, she has worked to ensure that communities both here and abroad, have access to the vital resources they need to thrive.
Prior to founding Comunidad in 2018, she worked as the Director of a faith-based non-profit serving a Latino community in Alexandria, VA; she liaised with the Cameroonian government to advocate for vulnerable communities; and, later consulted the U.S. government on efforts to combat human trafficking.
Influenced by career experiences and world travels, having lived in four different countries across three continents, she developed a unique perspective when it comes to serving alongside communities with limited or no access to resources. She prioritizes community empowerment by locking arms with local leaders; she believes that when provided with a platform, local leaders can transform their neighborhoods. These experiences influenced Maralee’s founding of Comunidad.
Maralee holds a B.S. in Business Management from the University of Central Florida and completed a Nonprofit Management Executive Certificate from Georgetown University. She is fluent in three languages and currently resides in Falls Church, Virginia.
STRONG READERS STRONG LEADERS SITE COORDINATOR
Stephanie Norquist
Stephanie has lived in the D.C. area for thirty years. She developed a love for teaching phonics after working with the Washington Literacy Council and then teaching each of her children how to read. As the current SRSL Coordinator, Stephanie aims to provide excellent literacy instruction to the children Comunidad serves. Stephanie studied Art, French, and English, and brings 14 years of classroom experience to Comunidad. She lives with her husband David and their three children in Falls Church, VA.
Director of Operations
Alysia Fullen
For more than 25 years, Alysia has helped organizations grow with clarity, strength, and purpose. Her passion for leadership development began while advising government agencies and NGOs in more than 20 countries, where she saw firsthand how strong systems and thoughtful strategy can transform communities. With deep expertise in strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, and professional development, Alysia is devoted to building teams that are effective, collaborative, and sustainable. She earned her B.S. in Finance and Marketing from the University of Virginia and later completed her master’s in Local Economic Development at the London School of Economics and Political Science. She and her family—her husband and three children—make their home in Arlington, VA.
HR and People Management Consultant
Mikel Koon
Mikel is a senior certified human resources professional with deep experience in business operations, organizational leadership, and talent development. She brings a dynamic and entrepreneurial approach to building scalable systems, strengthening workplace culture, and guiding teams through transition and growth. Throughout her career, she has led complex organizational change and served as a trusted strategic partner to executive leaders and boards. By aligning people, processes, and performance, Mikel helps organizations achieve long-term success and sustainable impact. Mikel and her husband live in Arlington, VA where they raised their three children.
Communications Associate
Gelila Kidanu
Gelila is a senior in high school in Arlington, Virginia. She began volunteering at the age of seven at her neighborhood church and continued through her secondary education. In high school, Gelila joined Arlington’s Teen Network Board, where she gained a deeper understanding of the importance of quality education and strengthened her passion for advocacy, especially for marginalized communities. At Arlington’s teen job fair, she discovered Comunidad and volunteered to become a reading coach at SRSL. This past summer, she interned with our communications team, where her gift for writing and storytelling brought our community’s stories to life. She now contributes part-time to our work. When she’s not in school, you’ll find her playing soccer, reading, or spending time with her family.