Meet the Words Alive Team
Katherine (Katie) Harroff, MFA
Interim Executive Director
Katie Harroff is the Interim Executive Director of Words Alive. She is a creative producer and arts administrator with more than a decade of experience developing education programs, public programming, and community partnerships centered on literature and storytelling. Prior to joining Words Alive, Katie held senior producing and engagement roles at organizations including the Folger Shakespeare Library and The Old Globe. Her work has included overseeing large scale public programs, managing cross departmental initiatives, and building partnerships with artists, educators, and community organizations.
In addition to her institutional leadership experience, Katie is the creator of several community-based storytelling projects presented in partnership with theaters, libraries, and civic organizations across the country.
Melinda Casey, PMP
Director, Learning & Engagement
Melinda Casey is the Director of Learning and Engagement at Words Alive. She holds a certification in project management from the internationally recognized Project Management Institute.
With more than 15 years of experience in nonprofit leadership, Melinda brings a background in arts, education, and justice organizing to their work, and she is passionate about building lifelong learning and creating equitable access across communities.
In addition to involvement with the social impact sector, Melinda is also a community doula who is passionate about reproductive rights and poverty alleviation.
Vichittra Chaleune, M.A.
Associate Program Director
Vichittra Chaleune is responsible for developing, implementing and coordinating the Words Alive Read Aloud Program. Prior to Words Alive, Vichittra was an AmeriCorps VIP Fellow at Voices for Children where she supported the volunteer management office. She is a San Diego State University alumna and continued her education in Vermont at the School for International Training where she earned her master’s degree in Service, Leadership and Management with an emphasis in Conflict Resolution. Her interest in cultural diversity inspired her to work with refugees in City Heights and complete her practicum with the International Rescue Committee. As a result, she wrote her capstone paper titled, Conflict Resolution Through the Study of Food where she identified food as a commonality shared among individuals and a potential bridge towards peacebuilding. Vichittra is a San Diego native and continues to be passionate about making positive impacts in her community.
Faryl Kander, Ph.D.
Family Program Manager
Faryl’s professional interest in education began when she learned about the inequities that exist in our education system and wanted to work to find a solution. She became a Teach for America teacher working in multicultural urban environments with linguistically and culturally diverse children and families. Faryl’s love for teaching developed into roles as a literacy coach, teacher educator, and most recently a Title 1 Reading Specialist. Faryl believes that all children deserve a quality education and is committed to authentic and meaningful practices that develop readers and writers. She firmly believes an education that enthuses a love of reading supports students in becoming deep and critical thinkers who will change our world. Faryl received her Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from Arizona State University, a M.Ed. with a concentration in Educational Leadership from the University of San Diego and holds a B.A. degree in English from San Diego State University.
Oli Loeffler
Development Coordinator
Oli Loeffler is a graduate of California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, holding a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Communication from San Diego State University. Oli brings years of experience in political campaigns, fundraising, and communication as well as private communications and social media experience to the development team.
In their free time, Oli enjoys spending time in nature, practicing yoga, trying out new restaurants with their partner and friends, or watching or reading anything and everything horror!
Maria Mariscal
Program Coordinator
Maria began her journey with Words Alive as a volunteer and brings that same passion for service into her work today. As a first-generation Latina, she is deeply committed to advancing equity and advocating for underserved communities, with a focus on creating inclusive and welcoming spaces for all participants.
She finds the greatest joy in helping families access books while building confidence in young readers and their caregivers making learning engaging and fun. Being part of a passionate community of volunteers who come together to serve and uplift others continues to inspire her and drive her commitment to the mission.
With a background in Communications from the University of California, San Diego, a minor in Entrepreneurship, and certifications in Project Management, Maria applies her skills every day to strengthen programs and expand the organization’s impact.
Outside of Words Alive, Maria enjoys volunteering with children and animals, hiking and walking her dogs, and visiting the zoo.
Julie Ramos Oser
Program Coordinator
Dedicated to empowering and inspiring the youth, Julie brings four years of youth programming experience to Words Alive. Her previous roles at the San Diego Youth Symphony, Fleet Science Center, and Kesem have instilled a deep understanding of the importance of providing enriching experiences and resources to young people. An enthusiastic book lover and life-long learner, Julie believes deeply in the power of reading, and in the profound magic that comes from shared reading experiences.
Julie is Mexican-American and was born and raised in Chula Vista, California. Her upbringing in culturally-diverse community has sown in her a strong commitment to social justice and change-making. Julie is a community organizer, advancing human rights and peoples’ struggles locally and internationally. In her free time, Julie loves to make art, read, spend time with loved ones, and learn about evolutionary biology.
Soroya Rowley
Community Engagement Manager
Soroya has joined the team of Words Alive to serve as our Community Engagement Manager. They come to us with a wealth of experience in community engagement and education centered around literature and storytelling. Prior to joining Words Alive, Soroya worked with community engagement and outreach with the Old Globe Theatre in Balboa Park. They also teach in the undergraduate theatre department at the University of San Diego.
In their free time, Soroya loves reading and finding new science fiction books or picking one up to read by their favorite author, Octavia Butler. While Soroya is planning to pursue an MFA in Playwriting, they will be helping Words Alive maintain community relations and prepare the role for its next inhabitant.