Our People

The Jack Kent Cooke team comprises a diverse group of professionals dedicated to achieving the organization’s mission.  Please click on the links below to view short biographies of the Foundation’s executives and staff.

Dr. Lawrence Kutner

Executive Director

Lawrence Kutner, Ph.D. is an internationally known psychologist and journalist who brings a broad array of professional and personal experiences to his work at the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation.

Dr. Matthew Quinn

Founding Executive Director Emeritus

Dr. Quinn became the founding Executive Director of the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation in August 2000. Prior to working for the Foundation, Dr. Quinn served as President of Carroll College, Helena, Montana, for eleven years.

Mark Birmingham

Chief Financial Officer, Chief Investment Officer and Treasurer

Mark Birmingham is responsible for managing the $625 million investment portfolio and the financial and administrative functions of the Foundation.

Louis Caldera

Vice President of Programs

Louis Caldera brings a background in higher education issues as well as immigration and other public policy matters to the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation, and is responsible for overseeing the Foundation’s current programs as well as the development of new ones. 


Bob Bancroft
Financial Analyst

Arlene Bergner
Executive/Operations Administrator

Jennifer Bockman
Educational Adviser

Berkeley Burgess
Events Associate

Jennifer Carney
Director of Program Evaluation

Tammy Cincala
Payroll and Accounting Manager

Beth Conrad
Outreach and Selection Associate

Elizabeth Davidson
Communications Associate

Loretta Devery
Program Coordinator

June Folliard
Lead Educational Adviser

Patty Fraizer
Receptionist

Emily Froimson
Senior Director of Scholar Programs

Lauren Grossman
Program Associate

Jamie Hak
Program Coordinator

Nara Han
Educational Adviser

Kristin Harper
Educational Adviser

Sarah Hersh
Educational Adviser

Natalie Rodriguez Jansorn
Program Manager for Grants

Adrianne Lally
Program Coordinator

Marissa Lifshen
Lead Educational Adviser

Gianina Lockley
Educational Adviser

Briana Marbury
Grants Accountant

Marion McCoubrey
Accounts Payable Accountant

Stacy Morris
Program Coordinator

Mojeje Omuta
Educational Adviser

Dana O'Neill
Program Manager

Matthew Ozea
Educational Adviser

Kelly Palmer
Senior Accounting Manager

Cristina Ramos
Educational Adviser

Evan Read
Educational Adviser

Colleen Rogan
Director of Human Resources and Operations

Richard Rowley
Grants Manager

Alan Royal
Educational Adviser

Barbara Schmertz
Program Manager

Cheryl Scott-Mouzon
Selection and Outreach Manager

Carmen Soto
Educational Adviser

Wes Spence
Manager, Scholar Events Programming

Marianne Stanley
Controller

Rebecca Stover
Program Manager, Young Scholars Program

Astrik Tenney
Program Coordinator

Maryann Thomas
Grants Coordinator

Patricia Thomas
Lead Educational Adviser

Catherine Thompson
Program Coordinator

Demetrius Washington
Chief of Information Services

Steven Weakley
Systems Administrator

Beth Zielinski
Program Associate

Careers at JKCF

Interested in working at the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation?

View our current career opportunities

Our Scholars

Learn about JKCF through the stories and profiles of our Scholars

Foundation in the News

The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation’s programs are recognized for assisting students striving for excellence.

Read the Headlines