WHO WE ARE

Staff

Allie Fiske

Communications + Events Coordinator

ALLIE FISKE

Allie Fiske is responsible for developing and implementing CAPLAW’s outreach strategy, as well as designing and managing CAPLAW's website, publications, live and virtual trainings, and communications surrounding the annual national training conference. Allie's previous experience includes managing communications for municipalities and nonprofits, and implementing large-scale arts festivals and performances. Allie received her Masters in Community Arts from Lesley University.

Allison Ma'luf, Esq.

Executive Director + General Counsel

ALLISON MA'LUF, ESQ.

Allison Ma'luf is Executive Director and General Counsel of Community Action Program Legal Services, Inc. (CAPLAW). She advises community action agencies on a wide range of legal issues, including board responsibilities, Head Start, employment law, and tax-exempt organization law requirements. Prior to joining CAPLAW, Allison practiced law as a corporate associate at Goodwin Procter LLP in Boston, Massachusetts and Troutman Sanders LLP in Atlanta, Georgia where she represented public and private companies and nonprofit organizations in general corporate matters. She also completed a two-year appointment to the Staff Attorney’s Office at the United States Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit. Allison received her undergraduate and law degrees from Wake Forest University.

Jonathan Cohen, Esq.

Interim Program Lead + Staff Attorney

Jonathan Cohen, Esq.

Jonathan Cohen is a Staff Attorney at CAPLAW. He advises community action agencies on legal issues related to organizational governance, tax-exempt law, and federal government grant compliance. Prior to joining CAPLAW, Jon conducted research and wrote business case studies on organizational change management and strategy for Harvard Business School. He has also practiced business law in Boston, worked to promote international human rights with Human Rights Watch in Washington, D.C., and organized around environmental justice issues in Hartford, CT. Jon earned a bachelor’s degree from Trinity College, a master’s from the London School of Economics and Political Science, and a law degree from Northeastern University School of Law.

Dr. Valerie Phillips

Operations + Finance Coordinator

DR. VALERIE PHILLIPS

Valerie Phillips is Operations and Finance Coordinator at CAPLAW. She is responsible for managing the daily operations of CAPLAW and facilitating financial management. She has a background in education as well as nonprofit fundraising, management, and events. Prior to joining CAPLAW, Valerie was an assistant curator and a graduate student in history, whose dissertation addressed material culture, consumption, and gender in early modern France. Valerie received her Ph.D. from the University at Buffalo and is a graduate of the University of Miami.

Emily Center-Bregasi, Esq.

Staff Attorney

EMILY CENTER-BREGASI, ESQ.

Emily Center-Bregasi is a Staff Attorney at CAPLAW. She advises community action agencies nationwide on legal matters including corporate governance, federal government grant compliance, and tax-exempt law. Prior to joining CAPLAW, Emily was a corporate law associate at Cooley LLP, where she advised public and private companies as well as institutional and strategic investors on a range of general corporate matters and transactions. She also represented individuals seeking asylum and survivors of human trafficking. Emily previously worked as a legal intern with CAPLAW and is a graduate of Manhattan College and Boston University School of Law.

Allie Fiske

Communications + Events Coordinator

ALLIE FISKE

Allie Fiske is responsible for developing and implementing CAPLAW’s outreach strategy, as well as designing and managing CAPLAW's website, publications, live and virtual trainings, and communications surrounding the annual national training conference. Allie's previous experience includes managing communications for municipalities and nonprofits, and implementing large-scale arts festivals and performances. Allie received her Masters in Community Arts from Lesley University.

Jonathan Cohen, Esq.

Interim Program Lead + Staff Attorney

Jonathan Cohen, Esq.

Jonathan Cohen is a Staff Attorney at CAPLAW. He advises community action agencies on legal issues related to organizational governance, tax-exempt law, and federal government grant compliance. Prior to joining CAPLAW, Jon conducted research and wrote business case studies on organizational change management and strategy for Harvard Business School. He has also practiced business law in Boston, worked to promote international human rights with Human Rights Watch in Washington, D.C., and organized around environmental justice issues in Hartford, CT. Jon earned a bachelor’s degree from Trinity College, a master’s from the London School of Economics and Political Science, and a law degree from Northeastern University School of Law.

Allison Ma'luf, Esq.

Executive Director + General Counsel

ALLISON MA'LUF, ESQ.

Allison Ma'luf is Executive Director and General Counsel of Community Action Program Legal Services, Inc. (CAPLAW). She advises community action agencies on a wide range of legal issues, including board responsibilities, Head Start, employment law, and tax-exempt organization law requirements. Prior to joining CAPLAW, Allison practiced law as a corporate associate at Goodwin Procter LLP in Boston, Massachusetts and Troutman Sanders LLP in Atlanta, Georgia where she represented public and private companies and nonprofit organizations in general corporate matters. She also completed a two-year appointment to the Staff Attorney’s Office at the United States Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit. Allison received her undergraduate and law degrees from Wake Forest University.

Dr. Valerie Phillips

Operations + Finance Coordinator

DR. VALERIE PHILLIPS

Valerie Phillips is Operations and Finance Coordinator at CAPLAW. She is responsible for managing the daily operations of CAPLAW and facilitating financial management. She has a background in education as well as nonprofit fundraising, management, and events. Prior to joining CAPLAW, Valerie was an assistant curator and a graduate student in history, whose dissertation addressed material culture, consumption, and gender in early modern France. Valerie received her Ph.D. from the University at Buffalo and is a graduate of the University of Miami.

Emily Center-Bregasi, Esq.

Staff Attorney

EMILY CENTER-BREGASI, ESQ.

Emily Center-Bregasi is a Staff Attorney at CAPLAW. She advises community action agencies nationwide on legal matters including corporate governance, federal government grant compliance, and tax-exempt law. Prior to joining CAPLAW, Emily was a corporate law associate at Cooley LLP, where she advised public and private companies as well as institutional and strategic investors on a range of general corporate matters and transactions. She also represented individuals seeking asylum and survivors of human trafficking. Emily previously worked as a legal intern with CAPLAW and is a graduate of Manhattan College and Boston University School of Law.

Allie Fiske

Communications + Events Coordinator

ALLIE FISKE

Allie Fiske is responsible for developing and implementing CAPLAW’s outreach strategy, as well as designing and managing CAPLAW's website, publications, live and virtual trainings, and communications surrounding the annual national training conference. Allie's previous experience includes managing communications for municipalities and nonprofits, and implementing large-scale arts festivals and performances. Allie received her Masters in Community Arts from Lesley University.

Allison Ma'luf, Esq.

Executive Director + General Counsel

ALLISON MA'LUF, ESQ.

Allison Ma'luf is Executive Director and General Counsel of Community Action Program Legal Services, Inc. (CAPLAW). She advises community action agencies on a wide range of legal issues, including board responsibilities, Head Start, employment law, and tax-exempt organization law requirements. Prior to joining CAPLAW, Allison practiced law as a corporate associate at Goodwin Procter LLP in Boston, Massachusetts and Troutman Sanders LLP in Atlanta, Georgia where she represented public and private companies and nonprofit organizations in general corporate matters. She also completed a two-year appointment to the Staff Attorney’s Office at the United States Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit. Allison received her undergraduate and law degrees from Wake Forest University.

Emily Center-Bregasi, Esq.

Staff Attorney

EMILY CENTER-BREGASI, ESQ.

Emily Center-Bregasi is a Staff Attorney at CAPLAW. She advises community action agencies nationwide on legal matters including corporate governance, federal government grant compliance, and tax-exempt law. Prior to joining CAPLAW, Emily was a corporate law associate at Cooley LLP, where she advised public and private companies as well as institutional and strategic investors on a range of general corporate matters and transactions. She also represented individuals seeking asylum and survivors of human trafficking. Emily previously worked as a legal intern with CAPLAW and is a graduate of Manhattan College and Boston University School of Law.

Jonathan Cohen, Esq.

Interim Program Lead + Staff Attorney

JONATHAN COHEN, ESQ.

Jonathan Cohen is a Staff Attorney at CAPLAW. He advises community action agencies on legal issues related to organizational governance, tax-exempt law, and federal government grant compliance. Prior to joining CAPLAW, Jon conducted research and wrote business case studies on organizational change management and strategy for Harvard Business School. He has also practiced business law in Boston, worked to promote international human rights with Human Rights Watch in Washington, D.C., and organized around environmental justice issues in Hartford, CT. Jon earned a bachelor’s degree from Trinity College, a master’s from the London School of Economics and Political Science, and a law degree from Northeastern University School of Law.

Dr. Valerie Phillips

Operations + Finance Coordinator

DR. VALERIE PHILLIPS

Valerie Phillips is Operations and Finance Coordinator at CAPLAW. She is responsible for managing the daily operations of CAPLAW and facilitating financial management. She has a background in education as well as nonprofit fundraising, management, and events. Prior to joining CAPLAW, Valerie was an assistant curator and a graduate student in history, whose dissertation addressed material culture, consumption, and gender in early modern France. Valerie received her Ph.D. from the University at Buffalo and is a graduate of the University of Miami.

Board

Arlene Dobison

CAPLAW President

 The Agriculture & Labor Program, Inc.

WINTER HAVEN, FL

Ken Robinette

CAPLAW Vice President

South Central Community Action Partnership, Inc.

TWIN FALLS, ID

Kathy Di Nolfi

CAPLAW Secretary

A New Leaf

MESA, AZ

Joel Evans

CAPLAW Treasurer

Delta Area Economic Opportunity

PORTAGEVILLE, MO

Betsey Andrews Parker

Community Action Partnership of Strafford County

DOVER, NH

Sue Auman

Union-Snyder Community Action Agency

SELINSGROVE, PA

Aaron Bowen

Eastern Nebraska Community Action Partnership

OMAHA, NE

David Brightbill

Washington-Morgan Community Action Program

MARIETTA, OH

Tracy Diaz

Community Action Partnership of Northwest Montana

KALISPELL, MT

Diane Hewitt-Johnson

Chautauqua Opportunities, Inc.

DUNKIRK, NY

Dawn Hommer

Community Action Agency of Southern New Mexico, Inc.

LAS CRUCES, NM

Dr. Bertha Proctor

CAPLAW President

Pace Community Action Agency, Inc.

VINCENNES, IN

Dr. Ericka Whitaker

Southeastern Community Action Partnership

LUMBERTON, NC

Jerralynn Ness

Board Emeritus

Patricia Steiger

Board Emeritus

Arlene Dobison

CAPLAW President

 The Agriculture & Labor Program, Inc.

WINTER HAVEN, FL

Kathy Di Nolfi

CAPLAW Secretary

A New Leaf

MESA, AZ

Betsey Andrews Parker

Community Action Partnership of Strafford County

DOVER, NH

Aaron Bowen

Eastern Nebraska Community Action Partnership

OMAHA, NE

Tracy Diaz

Community Action Partnership of Northwest Montana

KALISPELL, MT

Dawn Hommer

Community Action Agency of Southern New Mexico, Inc.

LAS CRUCES, NM

Ken Robinette

CAPLAW Vice President

South Central Community Action Partnership, Inc.

TWIN FALLS, ID

Joel Evans

CAPLAW Treasurer

Delta Area Economic Opportunity

PORTAGEVILLE, MO

Sue Auman

Union-Snyder Community Action Agency

SELINSGROVE, PA

David Brightbill

Washington-Morgan Community Action Program

MARIETTA, OH

Diane Hewitt-Johnson

Chautauqua Opportunities, Inc.

DUNKIRK, NY

Dr. Bertha Proctor

Pace Community Action Agency, Inc.

VINCENNES, IN

Dr. Ericka Whitaker

Southeastern Community Action Partnership

LUMBERTON, NC

Jerralynn Ness

Board Emeritus

Patricia Steiger

Board Emeritus

Arlene Dobison

CAPLAW President

 The Agriculture & Labor Program, Inc.

WINTER HAVEN, FL

Ken Robinette

CAPLAW Vice President

South Central Community Action Partnership, Inc.

TWIN FALLS, ID

Kathy Di Nolfi

CAPLAW Secretary

A New Leaf

MESA, AZ

Joel Evans

CAPLAW Treasurer

Delta Area Economic Opportunity

PORTAGEVILLE, MO

Betsey Andrews Parker

Community Action Partnership of Strafford County

DOVER, NH

Sue Auman

Union-Snyder Community Action Agency

SELINSGROVE, PA

Aaron Bowen

Eastern Nebraska Community Action Partnership

OMAHA, NE

David Brightbill

Washington-Morgan Community Action Program

MARIETTA, OH

Tracy Diaz

Community Action Partnership of Northwest Montana

KALISPELL, MT

Diane Hewitt-Johnson

Chautauqua Opportunities, Inc.

DUNKIRK, NY

Dawn Hommer

Community Action Agency of Southern New Mexico, Inc.

LAS CRUCES, NM

Dr. Bertha Proctor

Pace Community Action Agency, Inc.

VINCENNES, IN

Dr. Ericka Whitaker

Southeastern Community Action Partnership

LUMBERTON, NC

Jerralynn Ness

Board Emeritus

Patricia Steiger

Board Emeritus