Yasmeen Shaheen-McConnell serves in the Biden-Harris administration as AmeriCorps’ senior advisor for strategic partnerships. Shaheen-McConnell’s focus is on key administration priorities, including the American Climate Corps, announced by President Biden in September 2023. She leads the partnerships team in the CEO’s office department at the agency, which develops interagency and public-private partnerships, and she also served for two years as AmeriCorps’ acting strategic advisor for Native American affairs.

Laguarda joins AmeriCorps with a wealth of experience in administrative law, federal oversight and accountability, and regulatory policy. Most recently, he served as the faculty director of the Program on Law and Government at American University Washington College of Law.

Dr. Mary Hyde is the AmeriCorps Director of Research and Evaluation, the organization’s hub for the creation of agency-wide strategies and insights based on the analysis of raw data. The department provides essential evidence-based metrics that directly influence agency decision-making.

Tess Mason-Elder is the AmeriCorps Government Relations director. She has supported AmeriCorps efforts in political advocacy, coalition building, partnership development and national service awareness to address a diverse range of domestic policy priorities since 2015.

Benjamin is AmeriCorps' first chief diversity and inclusion officer. He joins AmeriCorps from the Department of Education, where he was deputy chief human capital officer and worked as a change strategist and executive leader for the agency's operational functions. Benjamin was also the managing executive for the department’s diversity, equity, and inclusion program and led the agency’s Diversity and Inclusion Council.

Mauk most recently served as chief of staff at Women for Women International. During her tenure, she was responsible for the global strategic planning process. Working in partnership with global leadership, Jenny led the organization through periods of transition to deliver consistent programing in support of the mission.

Michael D. Smith is the Chief Executive Officer of AmeriCorps—the federal agency for service and volunteering. CEO Smith has dedicated his career to social justice by reducing barriers and expanding opportunity for children and families in underserved communities, like those where he grew up.

During his tenure at AmeriCorps, CEO Smith has sharpened the agency’s focus on equity, investing in what works and uniting communities through the power of service.