Co-President – Ivanka Canzius
Pronouns: She/her/hers.
Ivanka is a 2L from Madrid, Spain. She received an Associate of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies degree from Central Texas College. She also has three degrees from Texas A&M University: a Master of Business Administration, a Bachelor of Science in Criminology, and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. Prior to law school Ivanka worked with the Department of the Air Force’s Office of the General Counsel as a senior level corporate and real estate paralegal for its Installations, Energy and Environmental Division. Prior to that, she was in the Army for almost ten years serving as a JAG Paralegal, with experience in the legal areas of Criminal Law, Military Administrative Law, Claims and Legal Assistance. In the future, Ivanka hopes to practice international corporate law.
As a survivor of child abuse, and a single mother of two girls, this organization and its purpose are extremely dear to Ivanka’s heart. She is very excited to be a part of CYA, and to have the opportunity to use her education, personal experiences, and interests to make a difference for today’s youth.
Co-President – Sophie d’Orchimont
Pronouns: She/her/hers.
Sophie is a 2L from the Hudson Valley region of New York. She is a 2018 graduate of Dartmouth College, where she studied Economics, Education, and French. She joined CYA and its leadership team because she is passionate about working to combat human trafficking and child abuse, as well as expanding access to high-quality early education.
Before law school, Sophie worked as an English teacher in Hungary, where she taught children ranging in age from one to sixteen years old. While in college, she served as a research assistant in Dartmouth’s Cognition and Education Lab. Sophie spent her 1L summer in the Major Crimes Unit of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts, and she looks forward to her clinical placement at the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office in the spring of 2021.
Event Coordinator – Drake Reed
Pronouns: He/him/his.
Drake is a 2L from Indianapolis, Indiana. After graduating from Indiana University in 2014, Drake moved to Copenhagen, Denmark, where he lived and worked in study abroad administration for two years. After returning to the United States, Drake joined Teach for America. As a corps member, he lived and taught at Little Wound High School, a tribal grant school in the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. During his 1L summer, he worked for the California Department of Justice in the Civil Rights Enforcement Section and Bureau of Children’s Justice. After graduation, Drake is interested in working at the intersection of indigenous sovereignty, community development, educational opportunity, and juvenile criminal justice reform. Outside of class, he enjoys baking pastries, running along the Charles, and reading dystopian novels.
Co-Coordinator for Community Service – Elizabeth Clerke
Pronouns: She/her/hers.
Elizabeth is a 2L from Lawrenceville, Georgia. She began law school immediately after graduating from the University of Georgia, where she received a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, and a Minor in Criminal Justice. While at the University of Georgia, Elizabeth conducted research in developmental psychology and acted as the volunteer coordinator for a local after school program. Additionally, she interned with the juvenile department of the public defenders’ office in Athens. Elizabeth spent her 1L summer interning with the Mental Health Legal Advisors Committee in Boston, an organization that provides legal assistance to those with mental health challenges in Massachusetts through individual advocacy, class-based litigation, and legislative advocacy.
Elizabeth is incredibly passionate about working with and for this generation’s youth. She is excited to use this passion coupled with her background and knowledge to be a part of a driven team with a great vision in CYA.
Co-Coordinator for Community Service – Katie Schuff
Pronouns: She/her/hers.
Katie is a 3L from Albany, New York. She is a 2012 graduate of Union College, where she received a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, and a 2015 graduate of the Relay Graduate School of Education, where she received a Master of Arts in Teaching.
Prior to law school, Katie was an educator. She taught mathematics in a variety of settings; she taught in a public school in the South Bronx, in an all-male correctional facility in Upstate NY, and as an adjunct professor at her alma mater. This summer, Katie interned at the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and Ropes & Gray LLP. In the future, Katie hopes to find a position where she can advocate for education reform and work towards a solution that guarantees a quality education for all students.
As a first-generation college student and law student, and teacher at heart, Katie found her place within the HLS community as a member of CYA and the Child Advocacy Program (CAP). She is looking forward to what this year brings and the exciting work that we can accomplish as a group, together, passionate about advocating for today’s youth.
Treasurer – Jessie Dawe
Pronouns: She/her/hers.
Jessie is a 2L from Chesapeake, Virginia. She is a 2008 graduate of Virginia Wesleyan University, where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science.
Prior to law school, Jessie taught eighth grade English in Title I schools throughout the Hampton Roads community. Jessie spent her 1L summer interning with the Norfolk Commonwealth’s Attorney and the law firm of Willcox & Savage.
Outside of class time, Jessie enjoys spending time with her partner and two young children, Adelynn and Michael.