Sonya Fultz has dedicated her professional career to creating academic opportunities for marginalized communities to access an affordable and effective education. She taught for ten years in P-12 public school settings. She then transitioned to teaching and administrative roles in higher education working with first generation students, adult learners, and students seeking non-traditional pathways to a degree. Sonya has spent the last twenty years as a national and international trainer in school-based conflict management systems. Her interest in sustainable development practices in Guatemala is rooted in the adoption of her Guatemalan-born son, Marty, and she has led adoptive families on Return to Guatemala trips for the last fifteen years aiding them in connecting with their children’s birth country. Sonya and her husband, Walt, have two adult daughters, Cassi and Elizabeth, and enjoy time with all three children traveling.
Email: [email protected]
Katie Andress – Director of Operations
Katie joined in 2022 as the Director of Operations to help maintain and improve operational systems, processes and policies in support of AAC’s mission. An educator by trade with a degree from the University of Cincinnati in Middle Childhood Education, Katie has more than a decade of experience in programming and small business development. Following graduation, Katie went on to work for a local women’s accessories start-up followed by a role managing community engagement and development for one of the nation’s fastest growing craft beer companies—Rhinegeist Brewery. There, Katie was tasked with developing a strategic and innovative community relations program with a primary focus on helping level inequities in Cincinnati communities. Prior to joining the AAC team, Katie spent some time as a professional watercolor artist, pursuing her passion for painting. Katie is a Cincinnati native currently based in North Avondale. She and her husband, Bryan, along with their dog Chesney, enjoy traveling and have a goal of visiting all of the National Parks in their lifetime.
Email: [email protected]
Sarah Wallis – Director of Programs
Sarah joined Adopt A Class in Spring 2023. Prior to becoming the Director of Programs and overseeing grants for AAC she worked in higher education and youth serving agencies throughout Ohio. Former positions include Director of Education Programs for the Ohio Commission on Dispute Resolution and Conflict Management where she developed resources for PK-16 educators and partnered with the Ohio Department of Education on a statewide anti-bullying and harassment initiative. Sarah holds a PhD from Fielding Graduate University and most recently worked as a Special Assistant to the Provost at both Antioch University Midwest and Union Institute & University. Additionally, she oversaw the Grants and Certification initiatives for The Institute for Social Justice at Union Institute & University. Sarah enjoys playing soccer, coaching her local high school girl’s soccer team and serving her community as a volunteer mediator.
Email: [email protected]
Megan Marshall – Director of Corporate Relations & Strategic Partnerships
Megan Marshall joined our team in the summer of 2023 as the Director of Corporate Relations and Strategic Partnerships. She oversees the recruitment, retention, and growth of our program partnerships to ensure the fulfillment of AAC’s mission. Megan brings expertise from her unique combination of experiences in private business, community-based youth advocacy and care, and career development. Most recently, Megan worked as the Director of Sales in the custom apparel and promotions industry for a small locally owned business. Prior to her sales experience, she served marginalized youth as a team leader and foster parent within Hamilton County. As a trained career counselor who has worked in career development, college admissions and corporate training at the University of Cincinnati, Megan has a knowledge base and passion for career exploration and workforce development. She understands the importance of collaborative partnerships and community investment to create long-term career paths for the next generation of workers. Megan earned a MA in Community Counseling from the University of Cincinnati and a BA in Psychology from the University of Dayton. In her free time, Megan loves to spend time with family. Her most prized moments are with her husband, Aaron, and their six children.
Email: [email protected]
Erin Mullen – Director of Development
Erin is the Director of Development. She is responsible for fundraising management to meet the organization’s financial goals. Erin joined Adopt A Class in 2022 as Corporate Relationship Manager where she cultivated relationships and increased the number of mentor teams to provide life skills and career mentorship for students across Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. Previously she served as Public Programs Fellow at Cincinnati Nature Center where she developed and led programs for all ages to provide guests with positive experiences in nature and inspire conservation. Erin has over 10 years of experience managing corporate sustainability programs. Erin earned a BS in Mathematics and BA in Spanish from Ohio University, and a MA in Biology from Miami University. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, hiking in nature, and going to concerts.
Email: [email protected]
Sarah Frey – Corporate Relationship Manager
Sarah Frey joined Adopt A Class in August 2023 as the Corporate Relationship Manager. Sarah’s focus is on growing the program through building on current partnerships and cultivating new corporate partnerships. Her most recent role was as a School Account Manager at a photography company where she nurtured partnerships with schools and ensured successful picture day coordination. Prior to that position, she was a Home Care Consultant for over 10 years at Home Instead Senior Care, meeting with families to help determine their Caregiving needs and match them accordingly. Sarah is originally from Springfield, Ohio. She came to Cincinnati to attend Xavier University where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Communications. She resides in Anderson with her husband Dan and their 2 kids. Sarah enjoys Pilates classes, being outdoors and volunteering at her children’s school and going to their sporting events.
Email: [email protected]
Polly King – Corporate Relationship Manager
Polly joined Adopt a Class in 2024 as a Corporate Relationship Manager. Her role focuses on the recruitment, retention, and growth of current and future corporate partnerships in the area. She has a background in teaching and higher education and has worked in public schools in the Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky areas. During her time as a teacher, she developed a passion for education and helping students recognize and tap into their full potential. She is a Cincinnati native and attended the University of Kentucky for a BA in Middle School Education and the University of Cincinnati for a MA in Literacy and Second Language Studies. She currently lives in the Columbia Tusculum area with her husband, Jon, and enjoys traveling, spending time with family, and cooking in her free time.
Email: [email protected]
Courtney Burgtorf – Program Manager
Courtney joined Adopt A Class in 2022 as Program Manager. She is responsible for designing meaningful and impactful curriculum and programming supporting college & career exploration and essential employability skills as well as developing strategic partnerships for our students here in Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. Originally from Columbus, Ohio, Courtney moved to Cincinnati after graduating from Miami University with a Bachelor’s in Fine Arts degree in Music Performance and Arts Management. Prior to Adopt A Class, Courtney worked for various for-profit and nonprofit organizations across Cincinnati, all with a focus in providing children’s education and resources to all communities. Courtney enjoys traveling, reading thriller novels, singing with the Cincinnati Camerata choir, being out in nature, and spending time with her husband, Adam, and their two cats, Penelope and Persephone!
Email: [email protected]
Miranda Sadler – Program Manager
Miranda joined Adopt A Class in Spring of 2023 as a Program Manager. Her role is focuses on STE(A)M curriculum in grades 3-5. Born and raised in Cincinnati, Miranda received her bachelor’s degrees from Miami University and her Masters from Kent State. Prior to Adopt A Class, she worked for the Great Parks of Hamilton County, the Public Library of Cincinnati & Hamilton County, Riverbanks Zoo & Garden Center, and the Cincinnati Museum Center, among other institutions. Miranda loves to travel and has been to five of the seven continents. She has a dream of visiting all the United States National Parks in her life.
Email: [email protected]
Megan Moore – Program Manager
Megan joined Adopt A Class as a Program Manager in the Summer of 2023. Her role focuses on a Literacy-based curriculum in grades K-2. Megan is a Cincinnati native who received her Bachelor of Science in Education degree from Miami University. Prior to Adopt A Class, she worked in Cincinnati Public Schools; first as a paraprofessional at Frederick Douglass, and then as a 3rd Grade teacher at Winton Hills Academy. She also spent time working with younger children as an assistant teacher at Mini University on Oxford’s Miami Campus. Megan loves to spend time with her husband and daughter, as well as cook and explore new places in the Cincinnati area. She is thrilled to join the Adopt A Class team and looks forward to supporting teachers and students in this new role!
Email: [email protected]
Kristen Tierney – Marketing & Communications Manager
Kristen is a Northern Kentucky resident, along with her husband, Tim, and two daughters, Brooklyn & Nora. She graduated from the University of Kentucky with a Bachelor’s degree in Communications, minoring in Spanish Language Studies. After college, Kristen spent several years working for the David J. Joseph Company, beginning as an account manager and working her way up into the role of a commodities trader. Before joining Adopt A Class, Kristen spent time raising her children, while also pursuing her passions for baking and working as a freelance editor for local businesses.
Email: [email protected]
Hannah Rizzi – Events & Special Projects Manager
Hannah joined Adopt A Class in 2019 as the Marketing and Communications Intern. As of 2022, she is the Events & Special Projects Manager where she is responsible for all website, social media, and video creation. With this, Hannah contributes to event planning and team management. Originally from Columbus, Ohio, Hannah moved to Cincinnati to attend the University of Cincinnati where she received a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies in Film and Bachelor of Arts in Communications. Prior to Adopt A Class, she worked for Allied Global Marketing in Cleveland, Ohio and Washington, DC where she was responsible for marketing, promotions, and publicity for upcoming Paramount Pictures, Apple TV+, and Sony Pictures films and series. Over the past few years, Hannah has developed her skills in Digital Marketing, Communications, Video Creation, and Graphic Design and has a passion for non-profit work. In her free time, she enjoys binge-watching TV, traveling, fitness, and spending time with her cats, Thiccy and Neo.
Email: [email protected]