We share a goal of helping children become successful in every aspect of their lives
As volunteers, each board member brings special focus in an area of expertise to help VU meet the needs of our children and their families. We welcome new board members who are interested in making a further impact on the community. Contact us if you are interested in joining the board.
Julie Harner
President and Chair of the Board
Based in Ashburn, Virginia, Julie served as the Vice President of VU for four years before taking on the role of President. Since 2015, Julie has actively volunteered with VU’s academic assistance program and now plays a key role in managing VU operations. Professionally, Julie is a UX designer for a software development team. Outside of work and volunteering, Julie enjoys biking, running, and spending quality time with her husband and pet birds.
Chelsey Stebbins
Vice President
Chelsey Stebbins, residing in Clifton, Virginia, served as the Instructional Materials Manager at VU for more than a year before being elected as Vice President. Involved with VU since Fall 2022, she joined the board in Spring 2024 and actively volunteers in the homework assistance program, assisting with daily operations. She holds a Master of Science in Social Work from University of Tennessee and works as a local community organizer. Outside of VU, Chelsey enjoys playing computer games and reading.
Scott Newman
Treasurer
Scott Newman has been a dedicated board member of Vecinos Unidos since 2010, serving as Treasurer. In this role, Scott is responsible for managing the organization’s financial affairs, ensuring fiscal responsibility, and supporting the organization’s mission to foster educational success within the community. With his extensive background as a CPA, Scott brings valuable financial expertise to Vecinos Unidos, contributing to its growth and sustainability. His passion for education drives his commitment to the organization, as he firmly believes in empowering young minds through academic support and mentorship. Outside of his professional and volunteer work, Scott enjoys maintaining an active lifestyle through fitness, spending quality time with his wife and dogs, and unwinding at the beach.
Maddie Culwell
Secretary
Maddie joined VU as a volunteer in the fall of 2023 and joined the board shortly after. She serves as the Secretary and supports a variety of program operations tasks. In her day job, she works as a product manager in the home automation space. In her free time, she loves reading, writing novels, learning Spanish, and spending time with her boyfriend and two pet cats, Yuffy and Little Man.
Morris Mendoza
Parent Coordinator
Morris Mendoza has been with VU since spring 2016 and currently serves as the Parent Coordinator. His responsibilities include parent communication, tutoring VU students, and operations management. As a first generation American, he believes all children can achieve great things with a little guidance and inspiration. Outside of volunteering, he is a business analyst, entrepreneur, and enjoys playing tennis, kickboxing, and dancing.
Bretny Khamphavong
Volunteer Coordinator
Bretny Khamphavong is the Volunteer Coordinator at VU, where she has been a dedicated member since 2018. She actively supports VU’s academic assistance program by onboarding, scheduling, and communicating with volunteers. Outside of volunteering, she works in Cybersecurity as a Director specializing in Technical Project Management. She has a pet rabbit named Turbo and enjoys playing Pokémon in her spare time.
Jean Togher
Community Liaison
John Porter
At-Large Board Member