OUR TEAM
The Executive Team is the core of the organization helping to support members of the American Art Therapy Association and the important work of hundreds of volunteers serving on its Board and Committees.
CYNTHIA YOUNG, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Cynthia Young, Executive Director, brought 20 years of experience in the corporate world to the Association. In 2007, she made a values-driven move into the nonprofit arena, where she held leadership positions in Rebuilding Together, Inc. and SOS Children’s Villages-USA. Cynthia is an active member of the Association Leadership community and has earned Certified Association Executive (CAE) status through the American Society of Association Executives. On a personal note, Cynthia’s family has personally benefited from art therapy, which adds to her passion for AATA’s mission to expand access to art therapy. A single mom, she lives in Northern Virginia with her son and “six-is-enough” rescued four-legged family members.
TERRI COCHRAN, SENIOR MANAGER, MEMBER SERVICES
Terri Cochran, Senior Manager, Member Services. An accomplished association management professional with 8 years of experience in member operations. Internally motivated with a strong attention to detail, she has a passion for enhancing the member experience and engagement within an association. Terri manages membership retention and recruitment while serving as the internal expert on AATA’s association management system. She leads the team in using data and industry best practices to position the organization as a must-have membership. Terri is currently studying to earn the Certified Association Executive (CAE) status through the American Society of Association Executives. She is a strong library advocate and in her spare time serves on the Board for the Friends of the Cascades Library. She is also active in the National Association of Parliamentarians. Terri graduated with a B.S. degree in Psychology from Virginia Tech.
TYLER KIRBY, ADVOCACY & PUBLIC AFFAIRS MANAGER
Tyler Kirby, Advocacy & Public Affairs Manager, supports state chapters in their advocacy efforts by offering expertise in drafting legislation and advocacy strategy. Tyler is a graduate of Georgetown’s McCourt School of Public Policy with a Master’s of Public Policy with a particular focus on state level healthcare advocacy and submitted a thesis concerning systemic inequities throughout the Veterans Health Administration system.
VICKIE KATLIC, ACATE ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT
Vickie Katlic, ACATE Administrative Support supports ACATE-related business. Vickie has spent 30 years in roles such as customer service, administration, and association membership support.
MARICEL LAQUINDANUM, OPERATIONS & PROJECT COORDINATOR
Maricel Laquindanum, Operations & Project Coordinator supports the operations for AATA. Previously, Maricel was the Operations & Development Coordinator for the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance, where she performed office operations, fundraising, development, and adminstrative duties. Also, as a Grace City Leadership Institute Intern, she worked with local and international organizations that tackled issues of poverty, homelessness, and low-income challenges. She is passionate about mental health, especially within the AANHPI communities.
ALLYSON DAMANTE, PROGRAM COORDINATOR, MEMBERSHIP SERVICES
Allyson Damante, Program Coordinator, Membership Services supports membership services and operations for AATA. Allyson graduated from Franklin & Marshall College in 2020 with a B.A. in Arts for Social Change. She is passionate about using creative storytelling as a tool for education, empathy, and empowerment. Allyson is also a founding member of Pride and Less Prejudice, a non-profit organization that fosters inclusive classrooms by donating LGBTQ-inclusive children’s books to elementary school classrooms.
LAUREN HALL
Lauren Hall, Intern, is currently pursuing a Master’s in Art Therapy from The George Washington University (GWU). Born and raised in central New Jersey, she graduated from Towson University with majors in fine arts and psychology. Lauren’s favorite things are landscape paintings, cats, and pasta.
RACHNA CHOUDHRY
Rachna Choudhry, Support Partner
TERRI KNAPP
Terri Knapp, Support Partner