This fall, ImpactED onboarded four new Fellows: Catie Laxner, Amanda Heerwig, Anna West, and Sean Murray. We're excited to introduce the newest additions to our team!
Catie Laxner
Where are you from and what led you to your role at ImpactED?
I'm originally from Northern Virginia but have been living in Philadelphia for two years now. I'm in my second year in the Executive Master of Public Administration program at Penn and was drawn to the ImpactED fellowship and the various programs and projects they support across the nonprofit and public sectors. My background is in the nonprofit and education space and I believe creativity and continuous improvement are central to success, so I'm grateful for the opportunity to be a fellow and work for an organization aligned in that.
What are you most excited about as it pertains to your role as a Fellow at ImpactED? What do you hope to achieve?
I'm excited to be serving as ImpactED's internal evaluation fellow this year and working on evaluation across ImpactED's programs like the Evaluation Capacity Building Initiative and DiverseForce on Boards. I'm looking forward to developing my own evaluation skills, while serving ImpactED's efforts.
How do you like to spend your free time?
If you catch me in a free moment between work and school, I'm probably on some sort of outdoor adventure with my husband and our dog (a six year old lab/spaniel mix), camping backpacking, kayaking, hiking etc. And if the weather isn't good for any of those things, then I'm curled up somewhere cozy with a good book.
What's your favorite quote or saying at the moment?
"Fight for the things you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you." - Ruth Bader Ginsburg
If you could have dinner with anyone (living or not), who would it be and why?
Former Prime Minister of New Zealand, Jacinda Ardern. I've been following her career since writing a profile on her back in undergrad when she first became Prime Minister. I would love to hear her perspective on leadership that embraces humanity.
Anna West
Where are you from and what led you to your role at ImpactED?
I was born in Philadelphia but grew up in London (UK), the Bay Area (CA), and San Diego (CA) before returning to the Philadelphia area to attend Bryn Mawr College. I was drawn to ImpactED because of my deep desire to give back to this city, which has shaped so much of who I am. I believe Philadelphia is a truly special community, and I’m proud to contribute to its growth and resilience!
What are you most excited about as it pertains to your role as a Fellow at ImpactED? What do you hope to achieve?
At ImpactED, I am most excited for building my expertise in data analysis, learning from the city’s leading nonprofits and government organizations, and growing as a confident professional.
How do you like to spend your free time?
In my free time, I love discovering new restaurants and cafés, trying out recipes in the kitchen, and sharing good food and conversation with loved ones.
What's your favorite quote or saying at the moment?
“The hardest choices in life aren't between what's right and what's wrong but between what's right and what's best.” - Jamie Ford
If you could have dinner with anyone (living or not), who would it be and why?
I would love to have dinner with Josephine Baker to learn how she balanced her groundbreaking career as a dancer with her tireless fight for civil rights and justice in both the United States and France.
Amanda Heerwig
Where are you from and what led you to your role at ImpactED?
I’m originally from Ocean Township, NJ, but I spent most of my adult life—16 years—in Washington, DC (go Nationals!). I set my sights on this fellowship after first learning about it at Fels because I deeply admire the team at ImpactED and the expertise they bring. I’m excited for the chance to learn from and contribute alongside them.
What are you most excited about as it pertains to your role as a Fellow at ImpactED? What do you hope to achieve?
I’m most excited about the opportunity to learn directly from the talented team at ImpactED and to apply their approaches to real-world projects. Through the fellowship, I hope to sharpen my evaluation and analytical skills while contributing meaningfully to an organization’s mission. Ultimately, I want to leave better equipped to help organizations measure, understand, and communicate their impact.
How do you like to spend your free time?
I love spending time with friends, family, and my two long-haired dachshunds. I also lead the Philadelphia Dachshund Group, which brings together local dachshunds and their owners for fun social events. Beyond that, I enjoy staying active, exploring new cities, and attending lectures/crafting events/wine tastings throughout Philadelphia.
What's your favorite quote or saying at the moment?
“The least I can do is speak out for those who cannot speak for themselves.” - Jane Goodall
If you could have dinner with anyone (living or not), who would it be and why?
If I could have dinner with anyone, it would be my grandparents. I miss them every day, and I know their wisdom and perspective would mean even more to me now as I navigate my career and life path. Sharing a meal with them would be a chance to feel their love, guidance, and presence again.
Sean Murray
Where are you from and what led you to your role at ImpactED?
I am from the San Francisco Bay Area and moved to Philadelphia a couple months ago after living in New York City for two years. I have worked at local public health and financial empowerment nonprofits for the last five years. I knew that I wanted to continue doing work that furthers equity in my community while getting my MPA, and this desire led me to ImpactED.
What are you most excited about as it pertains to your role as a Fellow at ImpactED? What do you hope to achieve?
I am excited about the opportunity to strengthen my program evaluation skills while doing work that has a tangible impact on organizations, driving social change in Philadelphia. I hope to develop a program evaluation skillset that I can bring with me to future positions.
How do you like to spend your free time?
I enjoy playing basketball, reading, cooking, and taking public transportation in my free time.
What's your favorite quote or saying at the moment?
I often come back to this quote by Mahatma Gandhi: "you must be the change you wish to see in the world," as it's both empowering and motivating.
If you could have dinner with anyone (living or not), who would it be and why?
Willie Mays. I would love to learn firsthand more about his life, both on and off the field.
