A few of TFAS’s finest say goodbye, while others take on new roles. Here’s what’s been going on at TFAS Headquarters.

After 12 years of service, Kristy Khachigian bid farewell to TFAS to pursue a new opportunity with TechAmerica, the technology industry’s leading trade association. She joined TFAS in 1999 as director of the Engalitcheff Institute on Comparative Political and Economic Systems and the Institute on Business and Government Affairs. She later served as director of U.S. Programs where she helped launch the Capital Semester program and fostered a merger between TFAS and the Eben Tisdale Fellowship program.

For the past dozen years, Khachigian has overseen corporate fundraising, cultivating TFAS’s relationships with corporate sponsors. In addition, she has overseen alumni fundraising efforts and was responsible for 10 successful Congressional Scholarship Award Dinners.

Also departing is Alumni Affairs Manager Maura Bennardo. After serving TFAS for more than four years, Bennardo has left to join the events department of the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center.

As the alumni affairs manager, Bennardo served as the primary contact with more than 11,000 alumni worldwide. She produced over 50 monthly alumni e-newsletters and coordinated alumni events for chapters across the United States. She also served as the Alumni Council liaison, planning their annual meetings in the spring and fall.

We thank Kristy and Maura for their many years of service and countless contributions to TFAS. Best wishes in your new positions!

Taking on a different role at TFAS is Kristen Wright, who returns to her philanthropic roots as TFAS’s new coordinator of the Institute on Philanthropy and Voluntary Service. Wright is a 2008 IPVS graduate and a former IPVS program advisor. She takes over the Institute from Emily Hill, who recently moved to Alumni Affairs.

Wright previously served as special programs assistant for U.S. Programs. She is a 2009 graduate of Baldwin-Wallace College in Berea, Ohio where she received her bachelor’s degree in sociology with a minor in psychology. During her collegiate career, Wright served as student director for special projects in the Office of Community Outreach as well as an alternative break trip leader. Before moving to D.C., Wright served as an AmeriCorps VISTA coordinating the Bonner Leader Program at the College of Charleston.

In the communications department, IPJ Alumna Kerri DiNarda was welcomed back after a short two-month leave from TFAS. She returns as communications manager. DiNarda is a summa cum laude graduate of Mount Union College where she earned her bachelor’s degree in media studies and web design.

Thank you to all of our staff for their tremendous commitment and contributions. We are so happy to have you!