Foundation Beyond Belief announces our spring interns

By Noelle George

It’s a new year, and we’re ringing it in with five new interns here at Foundation Beyond Belief! For the next five months, these wonderful people will be supervising programs, writing for the blog, and working with our volunteers. Competition was stiff, and the candidates were outstanding. Take a moment to get to know our new interns! No need to say farewell to our winter interns just yet—they will still be with us until January 31.

Ashley Kirsner has been passionate about atheist giving ever since she mentioned to her high school teacher that she was an atheist and her teacher responded, “But you’re so nice!” She graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Cornell University with a BA in psychology. After conducting research at various Harvard psychology labs after college, Ashley began a website called PsychUpYourLife.com, where she shares life-improvement tips based in psychological research. She lives in Cambridge, MA, where she is an active member of the Harvard Humanist Community. In her spare time, she enjoys watching dystopian movies, walking her dog, editing other people’s essays, discovering local vegetarian-friendly restaurants, and watching way too much Doctor Who. Ashley’s focus area will be membership and marketing, and you can reach her at members@foundationbeyondbelief.org.

Kelley Freeman is a senior at the University of South Carolina pursuing a degree in Russian language and literature, which she has no plans to use, but at least it’s cool. She has been active in the freethought movement for several years and in numerous roles, including as a member and officer of the Secular Student Alliance at the University of South Carolina, a board member for Camp Quest South Carolina, a former intern for the Secular Student Alliance, and as a contributor for Friendly Atheist. While not doing productive atheist things, Kelley crochets (often blasphemously), reads, pets cats, and is active in her campus service sorority. She is also the founder of the Forward Progressive Alliance at USC and a volunteer network coordinator for the Southeastern Region of the Secular Student Alliance. Kelley will be focusing on our Volunteers Beyond Belief program. You can reach her at volunteers@foundationbeyondbelief.org.

Stephanie Jackson Ali will finish her masters of social work this May with an emphasis in community empowerment and policy development and a certificate in nonprofit management. Stephanie has experience as a consumer rights advocate and lobbyist, and currently works as a public and policy advocate for a coalition of refugee agencies and as a retention specialist at an Atlanta-area HIV clinic. Steph spent the past summer in two Camp Quest locations, teaching the campers about respectful dialogue and acceptance of others. When she is not working, Steph is fueling her growing obsession with all things pop culture, lounging with her two dogs, and spending a bit of quality time with her husband. Stephanie will be working with the humanist giving program, and you can reach her at humanistgiving@foundationbeyondbelief.org.

Phyllis Stolc has a master’s degree in political science from Florida Atlantic University and in social work from Florida State University. Her interests include genocide and atrocity prevention, social and economic development, effective programming, and trauma informed care. She hopes to build her career around inspiring others to believe in humanity’s capacity to solve even the most intractable problems. Phyllis lives in Florida with her husband, dog, and four cats. Phyllis will be our general administration and special projects intern. You can reach her at technology@foundationbeyondbelief.org.

Dan Michels was born and raised in Los Angeles but escaped quickly to the mountains of Colorado. He did his undergrad at Naropa University in religion and psychology and got his MA from Denver University in international human rights. Dan’s passion is rock climbing, and he has traveled the world in pursuit of this endeavor. He currently lives in Alexandria, VA, and misses the Colorado mountains very much. Dan’s focus area will be communications, and you can reach him at communications@foundationbeyondbelief.org.