What LeaderBridge Alumni are up to!
October 30, 2023

Flordelisa Perez Dolan and John Holmes Step into New Roles at LAYC
Two LeaderBridge alumni, Flordelisa Perez Dolan and John Holmes, were recently promoted at Latin American Youth Center. Flordelisa is now the Chief Development & Communications Officer, and John is the Director of Community Wellness. Flordelisa participated in the Public Narrative program in 2021 and John participated in Leadership Greater Washington’s Rising Leaders program in 2021. Congratulations on these new roles, Flordelisa and John!

Flordelisa Perez Dolan and John Holmes
October 19, 2023

Bryan Jackson Featured Keynote Speaker for Nonprofit Leadership Conference
Bryan Jackson was this year’s featured keynote speaker for the Nonprofit Leadership Conference in Atlanta. His presentation “Turbulence in the Talent Pool” provided strategies and solutions for nonprofit leaders to cultivate a diverse, multi-generational work environment. Bryan is a Senior Consultant for Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Justice at Nonprofit HR. He formerly oversaw diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts for Offender Aid and Restoration (OAR) of Arlington and Falls Church, and the American Montessori Society. Bryan completed the Georgetown CPNL Nonprofit Management Executive Certificate Program in 2020.

Bryan Jackson
October 5, 2023

Joseph Hooks featured as panelist at Regional Workforce Mentoring Summit
Joseph Hooks, Founder & CEO of the 480 Club, spoke at the Workforce Mentoring Summit hosted by MENTOR Maryland-DC and the Universities at Shady Grove. The Summit brought together universities, public schools, private sector employers, and nonprofit youth programs to explore the intersection of mentorship and workforce development. Joseph leveraged his expertise as a nonprofit founder and shared comments on "What is Working in Montgomery County's Workforce Development Landscape." Joseph completed the 2022-23 Leadership Montgomery Emerging Leaders program with LeaderBridge.

Joseph Hooks
August 23, 2023

Maria Fernanda Borja Selected as a 2023 Woman Who Means Business
Congratulations to Maria Fernanda Borja, President and CEO of Latino Student Fund, for being selected as one of 25 Women who Mean Business by the Washington Business Journal. Honorees were chosen from hundreds of nominations in the Greater Washington region. Maria Fernanda completed Georgetown CPNL’s Nonprofit Management Executive Certificate program in 2017.

Maria Fernanda Borja
July 26, 2023

Laura Bacon Featured by WMAR Baltimore
Laura Bacon, Founder and CEO of The 3rd, was celebrated in the local news for creating a growing community for women of color entrepreneurs. The 3rd is a mixed-use community hub that provides a gathering place for the entire community while showcasing and incubating WOC-owned businesses. Launched in 2019, The 3rd now has 200 members. Laura completed the Public Narrative program in 2022 and Spur Local’s Executive Director cohort in 2023.

Laura Bacon
June 15, 2023

Bang Co Represents Kappa Kappa Psi at the 2023 Hazing Prevention Institute
Recent LeaderBridge alum Bang Co represented Kappa Kappa Psi, the National Honorary Band Fraternity, at the national Hazing Prevention Institute. As a volunteer leader for Kappa Kappa Psi, Bang participated in the Institute, which has the goal of helping programs around the country create a positive learning environment for all collegiate band members. Bang, who serves as the DC and VA Programs Manager of Asian American LEAD, completed Georgetown CPNL’s Nonprofit Management Executive Certificate program this spring.

Bang Co
June 13, 2023

Patricia Funegra Completes Sustainable Investing Harvard Certificate Program
LeaderBridge alum and Global Development Advisors Founder and CEO Patricia Funegra successfully completed the Sustainable Investing certificate program with the Harvard Business School Online. The program equips professionals with the insights, frameworks, and skills to evaluate environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors and measure and manage impact investments. As the founder and former CEO of Kitchen of Purpose (formerly La Cocina VA), Patricia participated in the 2016 cohort of Georgetown’s CPNL Nonprofit Management Executive Certificate program. Congratulations, Patricia! To learn more, connect with Patricia on LinkedIn.

Patricia Funegra
June 5, 2023

Flordelisa Perez Dolan Featured as Panelist
Floredelisa Perez Dolan, Major Gifts Director at the Latin American Youth Center, will serve on a panel discussing the 2023 Giving USA Report and highlighting specific trends in the Greater Washington region. The Giving USA event will be hosted by a LeaderBridge partner, the Center for Nonprofit Advancement. Floredelisa participated in the LeaderBridge Public Narrative cohort in 2021.

Flordelisa Perez Dolan
May 15, 2023

CNN Heroes: Yasmine Arrington
Congratulations to LeaderBridge alum Yasmine Arrington who was honored by CNN Heroes, featuring her story and the story of the nonprofit organization she founded – ScholarCHIPS – which provides funding and a network of support to make college accessible for students with incarcerated parents.

Yasmine Arrington
April 18, 2023

Dani Faulkner Promoted and Honored With Champion Award
LeaderBridge alum Dani Faulkner was honored with the Champion Award at the 2023 Nonprofit Technology Conference for continually investing in helping other people in the community learn and improve. Dani was also recently promoted to Chief Development Officer at Baltimore Corps. Congratulations, Dani! She completed the Georgetown CPNL Nonprofit Management Executive Certificate Program in 2022.
Learn more at https://www.nten.org/connect/awards.

Dani Faulkner
October 26, 2023

Spur Local Honors Patrice Sulton with a Changemaker Award
LeaderBridge partner Spur Local has selected Patrice Sulton, Founder and Executive Director of DC Justice Lab, as a 2023 Changemaker. Every year, Spur Local recognizes three individuals and organizations working to make a difference in the Greater Washington region, and celebrates their commitment, passion, and focus on relationships at an annual Community Changemakers event. Patrice is an attorney, professor, and criminal justice reform advocate who founded DC Justice Lab to advance community-rooted public safety reforms. Patrice participated in the LeaderBridge Positive Intelligence cohort in 2022. Congratulations on this award, Patrice!

Patrice Sulton
October 18, 2023

Dr. Tiffini Andorful Joins Relay Graduate School of Education in New Role
Dr. Tiffini Andorful has accepted the Vice President of Partnerships & Enrollment role at the Relay Graduate School of Education. Tiffini has previously served as the Senior Director of Network Engagement with CityBridge Education and as the Interim Executive Director of RaiseDC. Tiffini completed the Georgetown CPNL Nonprofit Management Executive Certificate Program in 2020. Congratulations Tiffini!

Tiffini Andorful
October 1, 2023

Aracelly Watts Serves as Panelist for Digital Equity and Inclusion Program
Aracelly Watts will serve as a panelist for the Leadership Greater Washington panel discussion on Digital Equity & Inclusion, on October 12, 2023. Aracelly is the Vice-Principal and Technology Program Director for the Carlos Rosario International Public Charter School, serving adults in Washington D.C. Aracelly completed Georgetown CPNL’s Nonprofit Management Executive Certificate program in 2020.

Aracelly Watts
August 14, 2023

Tommy Amal Steps into New Role and Serves as Conference Panelist
Tommy Amal has accepted the role of Director of Philanthropy and Enterprise Development for the National Association for College Admission Counseling in Arlington, Virginia. Tommy previously spent two years with Capital Youth Empowerment Program and recently completed the Leadership Greater Washington Rising Leaders program. Tommy also recently led a panel discussion supporting Black Male Development Professionals at the Bridge to Integrated Marketing & Fundraising Conference. Join us in congratulating Tommy on his new role!
Learn more about the Bridge Conference panel: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7095036365175717888/

Tommy Amal
July 12, 2023

Chrissey Nguyen Klockner Promoted to Chief of Staff at Carlos Rosario International Public Charter School
Recent LeaderBridge alum Chrissey Nguyen Klockner was promoted from Director of Development and Communications to Chief of Staff at Carlos Rosario International Public Charter School, the country’s first adult education charter school. Chrissey completed Georgetown CPNL’s Nonprofit Management Executive Certificate program through LeaderBridge this summer. Congratulations on your new leadership role, Chrissey!

Chrissey Nguyen Klockner
June 15, 2023

Alana Brown Featured as Speaker at DC Women’s Bar Association Event
LeaderBridge alum Alana Brown spoke to attendees of the Women’s Bar Association of the District of Columbia Annual Dinner in a segment entitled “Courage Ignited: Stories from Women Attorneys Leading Authentically.” As Founder and Executive Director of the Safe Sisters Circle, Alana shared her story about creating and leading the organization. Alana participated in the Public Narrative program in 2021, and Spur Local’s BIPOC Executive Director Cohort in 2023.

Alana Brown
June 7, 2023

Lavontte Chatmon Serves as Panelist for Advancing Pay Equity
Recent LeaderBridge alum, Lavontte Chatmon participated in a virtual conversation with the Washington Area Women’s Foundation, centering on building pay equity across early care and education systems. As Executive Director of Nonprofit Montgomery, Lavontte recently completed the Positive Intelligence program with Bob Wittig.

Lavontte Chatmon
June 1, 2023

Frankie Rubio Completes Master’s Program at Georgetown University
Francine “Frankie” Rubio recently earned her Master of Arts in Learning, Design, and Technology degree at Georgetown University! Frankie completed her studies while she serving as the Assistant Director of the Georgetown Scholars Program. Frankie participated in the Leadership Greater Washington Rising Leaders program in 2018. Congratulations, Frankie!

Frankie Rubio
May 1, 2023

Melissa Martin Appointed to Serve as a New Champions Judge for Educating All Learners Alliance
Melissa Martin, Deputy Director at Kindred, will serve on a panel of expert judges for the Educating All Learners New Champions Fund presented by Educating All Learners Alliance (EALA). The New Champions Fund awards grant to support leaders of color, or allies of the equity in education movement, who are actively working to support students with disabilities, including students who are also marginalized, come from underserved communities, or experience poverty. Melissa completed the 2022 Equity through Action JEDI* program.

Melissa Martin
March 21, 2023

Arleen Ramirez Borysiewicz Elected To Board Position
Arleen Ramirez Borysiewicz, who has been serving as executive director of NVMS Conflict Resolution Center since July 2020, was elected on March 17 to serve as Vice President of the Board of Directors of Resolution Virginia. Arleen completed the CPNL Nonprofit Management Executive Certificate Program in 2016 and the Positive Intelligence cohort program in 2021. Congratulations, Arleen!

Arleen Ramirez
October 21, 2023

Chrissey Nguyen Klockner Presents at AFP LEAD Conference
Chrissey Nguyen Klockner, Chief of Staff at Carlos Rosario International Public Charter School, presented at the 2023 Association of Fundraising Professionals LEAD Conference in Philadelphia. AFP LEAD typically gathers 400-500 attendees for education and networking, with the goal of preparing current and future fundraising leaders to take the next step in their careers. Her presentation “Becoming Catalysts for Change: Increasing IDEA skills for Fundraisers” helped attendees strengthen their change management skills with a focus on inclusion, diversity, equity, and access. Chrissey completed the Georgetown CPNL Nonprofit Management Executive Certificate program earlier this year and is participating in Spur Local’s BIPOC Emerging Leaders cohort this fall.

Chrissey Nguyen Klockner
October 13, 2023

Dani Faulkner Accepts New Role and is Featured at National and Statewide Conferences
Dani Faulker accepted a new role as the Director of Development for Parity, an equitable development organization in West Baltimore creating affordable home ownership opportunities. Dani recently spoke about Community-Centric Fundraising at the Maryland Nonprofits Annual Conference and will lead a discussion on Equitable Development Practices at the Bloomberg CityLab conference in mid-October. Congratulations, Dani! She completed the Georgetown CPNL Nonprofit Management Executive Certificate Program in 2022.

Dani Faulkner
September 21, 2023

Manique Buckmon Selected to Serve on University Alumni Board
Manique Buckmon, Senior Director of Programs at Art Works Now, was selected to serve on the University of Maryland Arts and Humanities Alumni Association Board. The board seeks to design, develop and implement alumni programs and services that foster lifelong connections among graduates and students. Manique participated in Leadership Greater Washington’s Rising Leaders Program in 2022.

Manique Buckmon
August 8, 2023

Javier Rivas Pens Article for Nonprofit Quarterly
LeaderBridge alum Javier Rivas is the author of “Containing Gentrification: A Story from the Nation’s Capital,” part three of a six-part series coproduced with the National Association for Latino Community Asset Builders and published by the Nonprofit Quarterly. As Senior Small Business Development Manager for Maryland at the Latino Economic Development Center, Javier used his expertise to share the story of a Black and Latinx community overcoming adversity and the realities for businesses in gentrifying areas. Javier completed Leadership Montgomery’s Emerging Leaders program in 2021.

Javier Rivas
July 11, 2023

Yesenia Regalado Steps Into New Role with Leadership Montgomery
Yesenia accepted the role of Director of Training & Community Impact at Leadership Montgomery, a LeaderBridge program partner. Yesenia previously spent three years with IMPACT Silver Spring and recently completed the Leadership Montgomery Emerging Leaders program. Congratulations on the new role, Yesenia!

Yesenia Regalado
June 13, 2023

Amalia Lopez and Joseph Hooks Elected To Montgomery County Sports Advisory Committee
Amalia Lopez of Girls on the Run of Montgomery County and Joseph Hooks of 480 Club were both elected to participate in the 2023 inaugural Montgomery County Sports Advisory Committee to help address discrepancies found in youth sports and focus on equity in programming and recreational offerings. Amy participated in the Leadership Greater Washington Rising Leaders program in 2018, and Joe participated in the same program in 2022. Congratulations, Amy and Joe!

Amalia Lopez and Joseph Hooks
June 6, 2023

Patrice Sulton’s DC Justice Lab Selected as Finalist in World Justice Challenge
LeaderBridge alum Patrice Sulton shared about her experience as a finalist in the 2022 World Justice Challenge at the Forum in the Hague. She is the Founder and Executive Director of DC Justice Lab, an organization that was honored in the Access to Justice category. Patrice completed the LeaderBridge Positive Intelligence program in 2022.

Patrice Sulton
May 20, 2023

Ricardo Loaiza Receives Awards from MCPS Board of Education and Montgomery County Glen Echo Park
Congratulations to LeaderBridge Alum Ricardo Loaiza, who recently received the MCPS Board of Education’s Community Individual Distinguished Service to Education Award as well as the Dancing into the Future Innovation Award from Montgomery County Glen Echo Park. These awards honor Ricardo’s work as Executive Director of the After School Dance Fund, which he founded in 1999 to provide culturally inclusive dance classes to students in Montgomery County. Ricardo has completed three LeaderBridge programs since 2019: Georgetown CPNL’s Nonprofit Management Executive Certificate program and Spur Local’s BIPOC Leadership Development program and BIPOC Executive Director Cohort.

Ricardo Loaiza
April 30, 2023

Ama Mills-Robertson Earns Certificate in Organizational Leadership from Harvard University
Ama Mills-Robertson, Chief Program Officer of Glen Echo Park Partnership for Arts and Culture, completed a certificate program in organizational leadership at Harvard Business School. She was also promoted from Program Director to Chief Program Officer this spring. Ama participated in the 2022 Equity through Action JEDI* program. Congratulations on these achievements, Ama!

Ama Mills-Robertson
March 13, 2023

Patrice Sulton Featured in the Washingtonian
The Washingtonian recently interviewed Patrice Sulton, Executive Director of DC Justice Lab, about her efforts and contributions to reform DC’s criminal code. Patrice joined the Criminal Code Reform Commission in 2018 to lend her expertise as a criminal and civil defense attorney and criminal law scholar. Patrice completed the LeaderBridge Positive Intelligence program in 2022.

Patrice Sulton