Headquarters

1875 K Street NW, Suite 700
Washington, DC 20006
United States

Tel: +1 202 496-1740                                                                                                         Fax: +1 202 496-1748
Email: general@riecken.org 

Mary Alice McCarthy
Executive Director
Mary Alice began working with the Riecken Foundation in 2001 as a consultant to develop the foundations training program for librarians and library committees. In 2003 Mary Alice joined the Riecken Foundation team as the Director of Training and Programming and directed the development of the foundation's youth, reading and library committee programs. In 2006, Mary Alice was named Director of the Riecken Foundation. Prior to her work with the foundation, Mary Alice taught courses in political science at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill (UNC-CH). While at UNC-CH, Mary Alice conducted graduate research on the state-society relations in post-authoritarian Chile and was awarded a PhD in the summer of 2001. Mary Alice also holds a Master's degree in Latin American Studies from UNC-CH and a Bachelor's degree from the University of Colorado at Boulder.

Ariela Rosenstein
Director of Programming
Ariela Rosenstein began working with the Riecken Foundation in August 2005.  Ariela focuses on program development for organizing local committees (Juntas Directivas) to administer and promote the community library; on designing and delivering ‘Training of Trainers’ for staff development; and on training community youth leaders to manage local chapters of the Riecken youth program (Zona X).  Previously, Ariela worked as a Health Educator with Care for the Homeless in New York City, as a Youth and Family at-Risk Volunteer with the Peace Corps in Ecuador, and as a Trainer with the Peace Corps in Costa Rica.  Most recently, Ariela worked as an intern with the Association for Development and Health Action in Rural Areas (ADHAR) in Orissa, India, where she developed and facilitated trainings in organizational development and popular education.  Also in India, Ariela explored the advantages and limitations of using a rights-based approach to development, focusing specifically on the role of the ‘right to information’ in ensuring good governance in rural Orissa.  Ariela graduated in 1997 from Rutgers University with degrees in History, Political Science, and Spanish; and with one year of studies in Anthropology and Archaeology at the Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mexico.  She also holds a Masters degree in Sustainable International Development.  

Erin Kliewer
Program Coordinator                                                                                                       Erin Kliewer began working with the Riecken Foundation as Program Coordinator in August 2007.  She will be working with the Director of Programming on program development, and the design and delivery of staff development trainings.  Prior to joining Riecken, Erin was the Executive Director of the Greenbrier Learning Center, an organization that provides after-school programs and adult workshops in immigrant communities in Arlington, Virginia.  Erin’s background in program development is augmented by her experience with AHC Inc., where she planned and implemented programs for all ages at a community center in a low-income housing development.  Erin graduated from Colorado College with Bachelor’s degrees in History and Spanish, which included a semester of study in Mexico.  She also holds a Master’s degree from Georgetown University in Latin American Studies, with a focus on Social Development.

Paola J. Canales
Program Assistant
Paola Canales began working with the Riecken Foundation in August 2007. She was born and raised in Honduras until she moved to the U.S. at the age of nine. She put herself through college and is now a recent graduate of the University of Maryland where she earned a degree in Communications Studies. Paola was a recepient of an internship through the Hispanic Association of Colleges & Universitites (HACU) National Internship Program and completed an internship at the U.S. Department of Education. She's also worked in media relations at Hispanic Communications Network. Paola will be working directly with the Executive Director and other Riecken staff in administrative and logistical matters. She plans on pursuing a graduate’s degree in Latin American Studies and International Development in the near future.