Secretariat Staff

Dr. Lorlene Hoyt is a Research Professor in the Department of Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning, a Research Professor at the Tisch College of Civic Life and the Executive Director of the Talloires Network of Engaged Universities. From 2002-2011, she served as Assistant then Associate Professor of Urban Planning at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (M.I.T.) where she founded MIT@Lawrence, an award-winning city-campus partnership with the City of Lawrence, Massachusetts. She holds a Ph.D. in City and Regional Planning from the University of Pennsylvania.

Christina Kaltcheva is a Senior Program Administrator at the Talloires Network of Engaged Universities. Christina coordinates and administers Network programs, serving as the primary point of contact for 400+ member universities and providing resources and support for students around the world. Her role includes managing the MacJannet Prize for Global Citizenship, overseeing the Network's Engaged Membership, and supporting all of the Network's programs, events, activities. Prior to joining the Talloires Network, Christina worked as Administrative Coordinator at the Tufts Institute of the Environment. She holds a double Bachelor of Arts in International & Global Studies and Environmental Studies from Brandeis University and is interested in community engagement from an international lens, as well as social and environmental justice.

Velina Batchvarov is the Program Manager at the Talloires Network of Engaged Universities. She has a background in university program and grant management, student success initiatives, marketing, and public-private partnerships. Prior to joining the Talloires Network, she worked at the University of Massachusetts Boston as a grants and program manager and student success program coordinator. Velina has served on the governing boards of Baldwin Early Learning Academy and Mission Hill K-8 School and currently volunteers on the Board of Meridian Academy in Jamaica Plain. She holds bachelor's and master's degrees in economics and an architecture diploma from Bulgaria. She also earned a Master of Business Administration from the University of Massachusetts Boston, where she is pursuing a PhD in Higher Education. Her research focuses on spatial justice and the public mission of urban universities.

Caitlin O'Donnell is a Senior Program Administrator at the Talloires Network of Engaged Universities. She is committed to sustainability, building networks, and entrepreneurial problem-solving. Before joining the Talloires Network, Caitlin served as Program Manager for the Open Society University Network’s Global Academic and Civic Engagement Initiatives. Her role included oversight of OSUN’s Global Virtual Courses Program and co-teaching the Global Leading Change for Sustainability practicum. Prior to this position, she served as Graduate Admissions Counselor/Recruiter at Bard College. Caitlin is the Founder of the Bard Master of Business Administration (MBA) Program in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, and served as Co-Chair of the Bard College Mentorship and Staff Advocacy Committee. She holds a MBA in Sustainable Business from Bard College, and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from State University of New York.

Muram Bacare is a Strategic Communications and Civic Engagement Specialist at the Talloires Network of Engaged Universities. She is currently pursuing her Master's in Urban Environmental Policy and Planning and holds a Bachelor of Architecture from the Rhode Island School of Design. Her interests lie in the areas of social justice and implementing the role that collaborative civic engagement plays in positively impacting communities and policymaking, as well as the opportunities that effective community and stakeholder engagement can create for people of all income levels across the globe. She has experience developing innovative DEIJ programming and is passionate about conducting educational, cultural, social, and personal enrichment programs that promote dialogue, the ideals of social justice, and cultural awareness.

Jen McAndrew is the Senior Director, Communications & Planning at Tisch College. Jen is a proud Jumbo, receiving her undergraduate degree from Tufts. She also received a master’s degree from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government. Jen then began a federal career in Washington, DC at the US Commerce Department, followed by service at the US Treasury and the US Department of Energy. Most recently, Jen was senior advisor to Congresswoman Katherine Clark (MA-5), working in the district on outreach to local media, universities, businesses, and school districts. In her civic life, Jen is currently serving as a member of the Melrose School Committee.

Patricia (Tricia) DiGiovanni is Associate Director of Research Administration at Tisch College. In this role she supports Tisch investigators in submitting proposals for sponsored funding and managing sponsored awards. She also partners with the budget center to provide sponsored activity projections for use in the overall University’s financial planning. Prior to her role at Tisch, Tricia worked in Accounting and Management at Merrimack College. She holds an MBA with an accounting concentration from Suffolk University.

David Augustine (“Dee-1”) is an award-winning hip hop artist, educator, and activist from New Orleans, Louisiana, who is globally renowned for his conscious rap. His lyrics bring awareness to problems such as senseless violence and the glorification of selling drugs. He is a relentless advocate for hope and faith, encouraging young people to tap into their passion and purpose to improve their lives and the lives of others. Dee-1 is a driving force behind the Talloires Network’s For Youth, By Youth initiative, teaching a self-designed masterclass entitled “Your Story is Your Glory” to university students around the world.

Amy Eldredge has been working as a nurse practitioner in the US for 20+ years in the fields of cardiology, gastroenterology, hepatology, pain management, and family medicine. Becoming frustrated with the current model of health care she was drawn to study alternative science. Since 2022, she has been offering ayurveda consultations treating the root cause of disease and imbalance and seeing amazing results in her practice integrating conventional and holistic medicine. She emphasizes the importance of attuning to the rhythms of nature for optimal health and healing. Additionally, her expertise comes from her deep meditation practice and years of study with Paul Muller-Ortega, PhD. Amy enthusiastically offers teachings from the heart with sweetness, authenticity, and humor. She is passionate about diversity and inclusion, cultivating intuition, and restoring indigenous wisdom to the collective culture. Together with young leaders of the Tallories Network’s For Youth By Youth Initiative, Amy is co-creating curriculum in ayurveda and wellness to bring a culture shift that prioritizes, self-promotes, and delights in self-care.

Ms. Nolita Thina  Mvunelo is a Program Manager at the Club of Rome, a global think tank that advocates for a sustainable and equitable future for humanity and the planet. She leads initiatives that aim to transform economic, financial, innovation, cultural, and intergenerational systems, working with diverse stakeholders and partners across sectors and regions. She also co-leads The 50 Percent, a global youth engagement program that empowers young people to co-create solutions for the climate crisis and social justice. She holds a degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Cape Town, where she was a Fellow at WomEng, a network of female engineers who are making strides in innovation and transformation in the industry. She has a strong background in social entrepreneurship, having led a social enterprise incubator, co-created and contributed to local and global youth entrepreneurial programs, and worked at an Ed-Tech start-up. She has demonstrated skills in complex project management, organizational strategy design and execution, community development, for-profit and non-profit management. She is passionate about building a better future that is inclusive, resilient, and regenerative.