Paedia is a recognized leader in the refugee service community. She led the successful merger of RRISA and RFS from initial concept through the creation of New American Pathways on October 1, 2014. Her vision for a comprehensive service model that guides a refugee’s journey—from arrival in the U.S. through swear-in as a U.S. citizen—captured the attention of the local and national philanthropic community and resulted in a merger fundraising campaign that exceeded its $1.5M goal.
Under Paedia’s leadership, New American Pathways’ resettlement program has been recognized nationally as one of the most successful in the country, placing more than 90% of refugees in jobs within their first six months of resettling in the U.S. Among her many accolades, Paedia was selected for Leadership Atlanta (2016), is a graduate of Leadership DeKalb (2012) and of the Fanning Institute’s Executive Leadership Program in Non-profit Organizations (2010), and she received a prestigious scholarship to attend the Harvard Business School’s Executive Nonprofit Leadership Program for “Strategic Perspectives in Nonprofit Management” (2013). Earlier in her career, Paedia served in fundraising and program roles at Junior Achievement Worldwide, the Carter Center, and Catholic Social Services. She has a Master’s degree in International Affairs and Development from Clarke Atlanta University, and a BA in International Relations from Georgia State University.
Paula has 20 years of experience in non-profit financial management and human resources. Her career began in New York where she worked as a contract accountant with KPMG, conducting nonprofit and government audits. She later worked as the Senior Director of Finance and Systems for Church World Service’s Immigration and Refugee Program.
Most recently Paula worked as the Associate Director of Finance at Emory University’s Campus Life Finance Service Center. There she managed a budget of $47M and was responsible for the daily finance and human resource operations for Campus Life Residence Life & Housing. In 2013 she received a Humanitarian Award from Emory University for her work with various non-profit organizations.
She is the co-founder of Eagle’s Wings Academy, Inc., a non-profit organization that works with families and students who have behavioral and academic challenges that affect their academic success. She is currently an active volunteer with Georgia Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) and other community nonprofit organizations. Paula received her Bachelors in Accounting from Herbert Lehman College and a Masters in Nonprofit Management from New School University.
Amy Crownover, Interim Chief Advancement Officer, brings over 20 years of experience in communications, marketing and fundraising to her role. Before New American Pathways, Amy served as the Development Director for RRISA and as a freelance writer and editor, including grant, training, and communications development for a variety of for-profit and non-profit organizations. She was a founding board member for The Museum School of Avondale Estates, a start-up DeKalb County charter school that opened in August 2009, and serves today on its Foundation board. She has secured major grants up to and over $1 million from government entities, public and private foundations. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Florida State University.