Learning First Alliance Staff

Claus von Zastrow, Executive Director

vonzastrowc@learningfirst.org
202-296-5220 x115

Claus von Zastrow is the Executive Director of the Learning First Alliance, where he works with the CEOs and elected leaders of the Alliance member organizations to implement Alliance goals and strategies.

Prior to joining the Alliance, Claus served as Director of Institutional Advancement for the Council for Basic Education in Washington, DC. While directing communications and development at CBE, he undertook and published research on the impact of state and federal policy on school practice.

Before working at CBE, Claus was a policy director at the National Alliance of Business (NAB), where he developed and managed policy initiatives to improve student achievement at all levels, promote universal access to higher education, and formulate sound workforce development strategies focused on lifelong learning. At NAB, he conducted the opening phase of the American Diploma Project’s “Workplace Study,” a national initiative to identify what the business community expects high school graduates to know and be able to do.

Claus received his Ph.D. from Yale University and undergraduate degrees from both Oxford University and Dartmouth College.

Susan Eagle, Finance Director

eagles@learningfirst.org
202-296-5220 x140

Susan Eagle joined the Learning First Alliance as the Finance Director in March 2002. She began her career as an audit associate in the Washington, D.C. office of Deloitte & Touche, focusing on the non-profit industry. Upon graduating from business school, Susan worked as a senior management consultant for McKinsey & Company where she worked on Board-level strategic issues for companies in various industries. Susan received an M.B.A. in finance from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. She received a Bachelor of Science in Commerce, with distinction, from the McIntire School of the University of Virginia. Susan is also a licensed CPA.

Christine Dolan, Administrative Director

dolanc@learningfirst.org
202-296-5220 x153

Christine Dolan joined the Learning First Alliance as the Administrative Director in April 2008. Prior to joining the Alliance, Christine worked at Deloitte & Touche in Washington D.C. as a Content Manager for an international business unit. She was responsible for defining and executing the content lifecycle, maintenance and acquisition program for Tax Knowledge Solutions.

She has years of experience working with non-profit and profit organizations' internal and external clients. She specializes in Training and Development, Instructional Design, corporate education initiatives, and project management. Her experience includes managing organizations partnerships, developing new client relationships, and determining areas for strategic improvement and growth.

Mrs. Dolan is certified in Instructional Design and has an M.B.A. from Marymount University.

Anne O'Brien, Project Manager

obriena@learningfirst.org
202-296-5220 x140

Anne O’Brien joined the Learning First Alliance in September 2007.  Formerly, she taught high school biology, physical science, and remedial math as a Teach For America corps member at East St. John High School in Reserve, LA.  She has also worked for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southeast Louisiana, where she managed first the school-based mentoring program and then enrollment and matching for the agency.  Anne received her undergraduate degree from Grinnell College.  Anne received a Masters in Education Policy from George Washington University’s Graduate School of Education and Human Development in May 2009.