TFAS Staff

Leadership

Shane Mazzella

VICE PRESIDENT, Collegiate Programs + Alumni Engagement

Shane Mazzella has more than twenty-five years of program management experience in the nonprofit sector. As Vice President of Collegiate Programs + Alumni Engagement for The Fund for American Studies, her responsibilities include overseeing all of the TFAS academic internship programs and alumni engagement activities. Prior to that, she directed the organization’s programs in philanthropy including the Institute on Philanthropy and Voluntary Service and programs for professional leaders in the philanthropic sector.

Previously, Shane served as vice president of legal affairs & administration for the Center for Individual Freedom, where she managed the organization’s legal programs. She also worked as a program manager for a Michigan volunteer center where her primary responsibility was promoting volunteerism and charitable activities on college campuses. Shane currently volunteers with a number of community nonprofit organizations including the Junior League, parent teacher organizations and The Brighten Up Project. Originally from Michigan, she graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Western Michigan University.

Anne Bradley

Vice President, Academics Affairs

Dr. Anne Rathbone Bradley is the George and Sally Mayer Fellow for Economic Education and the academic director at The Fund for American Studies. Through this position, Dr. Bradley works to enhance the impact and reach of TFAS economic education programs through courses, seminars, videos and social media. She also delivers lectures around the country and oversees curriculum development and evaluation for economics courses.

Previously, Dr. Bradley served as the vice president of economic initiatives at the Institute for Faith, Work & Economics, where she continues research toward a systematic biblical theology of economic freedom. In addition to her work with TFAS, she is a professor of economics at The Institute for World Politics and Grove City College. She is a visiting professor at George Mason University and has previously taught at Georgetown University and Charles University in Prague. She is currently an Acton Affiliate scholar and a visiting scholar at the Bernard Center for Women, Politics & Public Policy. She is a lecturer for the Institute for Humane Studies and the Foundation for Economic Education.


Program Staff

Joe Starrs

Joe Starrs

Senior Director, Journalism + Communications Program Track and D.C. Programs

For the past 17 years, Joe Starrs has served as the senior director of collegiate programs for TFAS D.C. Programs. During this time, he worked with hundreds of students to help facilitate a meaningful TFAS experience for them. Joe came to TFAS after several years of working in radio, television and public relations. He appreciates that his current position allows him to work with college students and many of the journalists from his previous career simultaneously. Joe formerly served as vice president of communications for Veritas Media Group, where he produced documentaries, radio programs and television commercials, as well as provided on-camera media training for government officials and business executives.

Additionally, Joe worked as a senior correspondent for FCF News, where he interviewed members of Congress, White House officials, political candidates and policymakers. He has fond memories of surprising Members of Congress by jumping into their taxis to land exclusive interviews with them.

Joe has appeared on Fox News, CNN, “Good Morning America,” the BCC and numerous other print and broadcast media outlets while working on a campaign to mobilize Catholic voters. He is the proud father of six daughters and four grandchildren. His dog Captain is the unofficial canine recruiter for students applying to TFAS.

Email: jstarrs@TFAS.org
Tel: 202.986.0384

Colin Parks

Colin Parks

PROGRAM DIRECTOR, INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

Colin Parks is the director of the International Affairs and the Law Fellowship programs. Prior to joining TFAS, he served as the director of student recruitment and intern coordinator at The Institute of World Politics in Washington, D.C. Colin brings to TFAS a love of organization building, student mentorship, and connecting with people.

He received his bachelor’s degree with a double major in political science and history, and a minor in philosophy, from Franciscan University of Steubenville, and pursued graduate studies in national security affairs at The Institute of World Politics.

Colin grew up in an Air Force family, living abroad and in multiple locations across the country. In his free time, Colin enjoys traveling, grilling for family and friends, antiquing, and discussing political and philosophical matters with anyone who will listen. He has recently acquired a cat whom he named after his favorite author, Walker Percy. Colin is married to his high school sweetheart and together they have three beautiful children, to whom he has passed on his love of sea shanties and, less successfully, classical music.

Email: cparks@TFAS.org
Tel: 202.986.0384

Laura Cusack

PROGRAM DIRECTOR, PUBLIC POLICY + ECONOMICS

Laura Cusack serves as the director of the Public Policy + Economics program track of TFAS D.C. Summer Programs. In this role, Laura has seen the life-changing impact TFAS makes in the lives of college students each year. She enjoys working with students to ensure their internships, coursework, professional development and all other opportunities they experience are successful and rewarding.

Prior to joining TFAS, Laura served as program director of JUF’s Israel Education Center in Chicago and development associate at Wheaton Academy in West Chicago. Originally from the Chicago area, Laura received her bachelor’s degree in political science from North Park University.

Email: lcusack@TFAS.org
Tel: 202.986.0384

Stephen Ridley

Program Manager, Public Policy + Economics

Stephen Ridley is the manager for the Public Policy + Economics program track of TFAS D.C. Summer Programs. He has prior experience in nonprofit development and administration at Common Sense Society and the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation. He received a bachelor’s degree in international affairs from Wofford College in 2019 and is an alumnus of the 2017 TFAS Public Policy + Economics program. Originally from South Carolina, Stephen lives in Washington, D.C. with his wife and enjoys playing golf in his free time.

Email: sridley@TFAS.org
Tel: 202.986.0384

Abby McGovern

PROGRAM MANAGER, BUSINESS + GOVERNMENT RELATIONS AND SEMESTER

Abby is the program manager for the spring TFAS Washington Fellowship and the Business + Government Relations summer program track. Before joining TFAS, Abby spent several summers interning with Generation Joshua, which sparked her interest in working with students and helping them develop leadership skills and experience. She is also an alumna of The Heritage Foundation’s Young Leaders Program where she interned with Heritage Action for America.

Abby graduated from Regent University in 2021 where she received a bachelor’s degree in government with a minor in history. Originally from Frederick, MD, she now enjoys living in D.C. and exploring all the city has to offer.

Email: amcgovern@TFAS.org
Tel: 202.986.0384

Sam Fuelleman

PROGRAM COORDINATOR, INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

Samuel Fuelleman is the program coordinator for the International Affairs program track. He is a graduate of Eastern Carolina University, where he double majored in security studies and political science along with a minor in leadership studies.

Sam is a TFAS alumnus from the 2022 International Affairs program where he interned for The Charles Group. He also brings his experience as the director of local and state affairs in Eastern Carolina University’s Student Government and as a field organizer campaigning in Virginia’s 2023 state elections.

As a Program Coordinator, Sam hopes to use his passion for TFAS and his knowledge of history and geopolitics to provide future students with the same amazing opportunity he had.

Email: sfuelleman@TFAS.org
Tel: 202.986.0384


Recruitment, Admissions, Operations + Alumni Engagement Staff

Mary Stankus

Mary Stankus

SENIOR DIRECTOR, RECRUITMENT, ADMISSIONS + OPERATIONS

Mary C. Stankus came to The Fund for American Studies in 2004 as the admissions assistant and later served as the U.S. programs coordinator. She is now the senior director of recruitment, admissions + operations where she organizes the recruitment efforts and admissions process for the Washington, D.C. programs. She is also responsible for planning program events and working with the program’s academic partner, George Mason University.

Mary graduated magna cum laude in 2004 from James Madison University. She has a bachelor’s degree in history and a minor in art history. She studied at University College London in England for a semester during her junior year.

Originally from Manchester, New Hampshire, Mary is an avid Boston Red Sox fan. She now lives in Fairfax, Virginia with her husband and two children. Mary serves on the board of the Parent Teacher Association at her children’s school.

Email: mstankus@TFAS.org
Tel: 202.986.0384

Melissa Grannetino

Director, Program Operations + Outreach Design

Melissa Grannetino is the director of program operations and outreach design. In this role, she combines her creativity and technical skills to produce multimedia marketing and informational materials.

Before joining TFAS, she led training programs, developed speaker series/special events and assisted with fundraising at Foundation Center (now Candid). Melissa has served as a member of the selection committee for the Advancement in Management Award Competition, a reviewer for the Catalogue for Philanthropy and is a volunteer faculty member at the Leadership Institute. Additionally, she also developed and implemented donor cultivation and stewardship programs at The Cleveland Museum of Art.

She holds a dual Bachelor of Arts degree in art history and sociology/anthropology from Denison University.

Email: mgrannetino@TFAS.org
Tel: 202.986.0384

Elisabeth Merrifield Corcoran

Manager, Recruitment Partnership + Admissions

Elisabeth Corcoran (née Merrifield) serves as the manager of recruitment partnerships + admissions for TFAS D.C. Programs.

Prior to working at TFAS, Elisabeth worked as the event and office coordinator for the William & Mary Washington Center, managing the event space and system, alumni events, supporting undergraduate academic programs and oversaw the budget. She also worked as the stack maintenance and building assistant at William & Mary Libraries within the circulation department.

As a military child, Elisabeth moved around a bit. She graduated from William & Mary in 2018 with a bachelor’s degree with a double major in government and history. In her free time, she enjoys reading and continuously having to reorganize her bookshelves. She and her husband also enjoy exploring new wineries, traveling and snuggles with their dog and cat.

Email: emerrifield@TFAS.org
Tel: 202.986.0384

Susannah Tombes

Manager, Alumni Engagement + Housing

Susannah Tombes serves as the manager of alumni engagement and student housing. In this role she is excited to connect and build strong relationships with the incredible alumni of TFAS! She graduated from The University of Mary Washington in 2019 with a double major in English and communications.

Prior to joining TFAS she worked in several different roles at faith-based nonprofits and the Catholic school system in development, marketing and administrative roles. She had the pleasure of working with many different people across the United States and served hundreds of students. In addition, she was also a high school field hockey coach.

As a true Virginia native, she enjoys hiking in Shenandoah, visiting vineyards and exploring the city. She serves as the secretary of a local Catholic nonprofit and in her free time trains for half-marathons.

Email: stombes@TFAS.org
Tel: 202.986.0384

Mohamed Hassan

COORDINATOR, OUTREACH + ENGAGEMENT

In the summer of 2022, Mohamed discovered his passion for public service through the TFAS Leadership and the American Presidency program track.

Inspired by his transformative experience, he returned the following year as an operations and media program advisor, aiming to inspire students and bolster the TFAS community. Now, as an Outreach and Engagement Coordinator, Mohamed plays a vital role for TFAS, focusing on recruitment and nurturing alumni relations.

With a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and communication from Denison University, he combines narrative journalism with cinema studies, making him a master at storytelling. Mohamed is driven by the desire to make a difference, lead with enthusiasm and forge meaningful connections. His journey reflects his dedication, creativity and the compelling impact of a well-told story.

Email: mhassan@TFAS.org
Tel: 202.986.0384