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!

Alana Brown’s The Safe Sisters Circle Receives Humanitarian Award

Under the leadership of its Founder and Executive Director, Alana Brown, The Safe Sisters Circle has recently received the Nannie Helen Burroughs Humanitarian Award. In recognition for their commitment to Black women and families in the District of Columbia, the District of Columbia Courts awarded this distinction at their Black History Month’s Fourth Annual African American Impact Awards Ceremony. Alana participated in Catalogue for Philanthropy’s BIPOC Executive Director Cohort.

Alana Brown Named a Washingtonian of the Year

Alana Brown, Founder and Executive Director of Safe Sisters Circle, has been selected as one of eleven locals honored as a Washingtonian of the Year who is making our region an even better place. In the announcement, she is described as “a drum major for gender justice.” Alana participated in the Catalogue for Philanthropy’s BIPOC Executive Director Cohort. Congratulations on this great honor, Alana!

Georgetown University Alumni GSPotlight Series features Danny Rico

LeaderBridge alum Danny Rico was recently featured by the Georgetown Scholars Program (GSP) at Georgetown University. An member of the inaugural class of the GSP program, Danny earned a Bachelor’s of Science from the Walsh School of Foreign Service and a Master’s of Arts in Latin American Studies from Georgetown. The article highlights his journey and student experience, as well as his career path in the nonprofit sector. Danny currently serves as the Director of Development and External Affairs at Sasha Bruce Youthwork and completed the Rising Leaders Program in 2022. Read the full article here.

Daniela Hurtado Completes University of Pennsylvania Certificate Program

Daniela Hurtado recently earned a Certificate for Social Impact Strategy from the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Social Policy & Practice! Daniela Hurtado, Director of Operations and Programs at La Cocina VA, has participated in several LeaderBridge programs: Leadership Greater Washington’s Rising Leaders program, Georgetown’s CPNL Nonprofit Management Executive Certificate Program, Inspire Leadership School’s Public Narrative training, and the Catalogue for Philanthropy’s BIPOC Leadership Development program.

Rebecca Lemos Otero Honored as Community Changemaker

LeaderBridge partner the Catalogue for Philanthropy is honoring Rebecca Lemos Otero as a local Changemaker at their Community Changemakers 2022 event. The Changemaker awards recognize individuals and organizations working to make a difference in their community through commitment, passion, and a focus on networks and relationships. Rebecca, Executive Director of HumanitiesDC, participated in the 2016 cohort of Georgetown’s CPNL Nonprofit Management Executive Certificate Program. Congratulations, Rebecca!

Rebecca Lemos and Yasmine Arrington Selected for LGW Signature Program

Two LeaderBridge alumni, Yasmine Arrington, Founder and Executive Director of ScholarCHIPS and Rebecca Lemos Otero, Founder of CityBlossoms and Executive Director of HumanitiesDC were selected to participate in Leadership Greater Washington’s 2023 Signature Programs. Congratulations to Yasmine and Rebecca – two long-time nonprofit champions of the Washington, DC community!

Amalia Lopez Promoted to Deputy Director of Girls on the Run Montgomery County

Amalia Lopez was promoted to Deputy Director of Girls on the Run of Montgomery County after working as their Director of Operations for three years. She has been with Girls on the Run for eight years.
LeaderBridge alum Amalia completed Leadership Greater Washington’s Rising Leaders program in 2018. Congratulations on your promotion, Amalia!

Alycia Chuney Starts at Montgomery County Collaboration Council for Children, Youth, and Families

Since completing the Emerging Leaders program in 2020, LeaderBridge alumna Alycia Chuney has accepted a new position as the Project Director at Montgomery County Collaboration Council for Children, Youth and Families. Congratulations on the new role, Alycia! Learn more and connect with Alycia on LinkedIn here.

Dani Faulkner Steps Into Senior Role

LeaderBridge alum, Dani Faulkner was promoted to Senior Director of Development at Baltimore Corps recently! Dani completed the CPNL spring cohort program in April 2022.

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.

Dr. Michelle Edwards Launches the Idari Collective

Dr. Michelle Edwards, former Executive Director of Live It Learn It, founded the Idari Collective to offer coaching, nonprofit and education consulting, mentoring, and curated experiences for black women. Idari means leadership in the Yoruba language, and Michelle brings nearly 20 years of experience in leading schools, nonprofits, and leadership development to her clients. Michelle has been an active member of the LeaderBridge network since 2018, participating in the CPNL’s Nonprofit Management Certificate Program, the Catalogue for Philanthropy’s BIPOC Executive Director cohort, and the Positive Intelligence program. To learn more, connect with the Idari Collective on LinkedIn.

Ari Pak Accepts New Role at National Nonprofit

Ari Pak joins the Forum for Youth Investment as their Senior Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) Specialist. Previously, Ari served as a Program Director for AALEAD. They participated in Leadership Greater Washington’s Rising Leaders program and Georgetown CPNL’s Nonprofit Management Certificate Program. Congratulations on the new role, Ari!

Isabel Argoti Becomes Deputy Director

LeaderBridge alum Isabel Argoti steps into the Deputy Director role at Community Bridges in Maryland. Previously, Isabel managed the career mentoring program at Collegiate Directions. She completed the Georgetown Nonprofit Management Executive Certificate Program in 2021. To connect with Isabel, visit LinkedIn.

Yasmine Arrington Honored by the Junior League of Washington

LeaderBridge alum and ScholarCHIPS founder and Executive Director Yasmine Arrington received the Rising Community Leader Award from the Junior League of Washington at their annual Women’s Leadership Breakfast. Yasmine participated in the 2021 cohort of Georgetown’s CPNL Nonprofit Management Executive Certificate program. Congratulations on this recognition of your leadership, Yasmine!

Marisa Stubbs Joins New Initiative

LeaderBridge alum Marisa Stubbs joined Wayfinding Partners this September as their new Initiative Director. Previously, Marisa served as the Development and Communications Director for Critical Exposure, and the Founder and Executive Director for Food For Life. She participated in the 2021 cohort of Georgetown’s CPNL Nonprofit Management Executive Certificate Program. To connect with Marisa, visit Linkedin.

Janaiha Bennett featured in The Washington Post

Congratulations to LeaderBridge alum Janaiha Bennett, Executive Director of the Youth Leadership Foundation (YLF), which was featured in the Washington Post article “Summer programs help area students, educators with learning loss” (8/7/22). YLF’s summer program teaches core curriculums and offers one-on-one mentoring. “The mentorship is the bread and butter of YLF,” said Janaiha Bennett, the foundation’s executive director. “We realize the importance of the individual — that everyone’s story is different, everyone’s needs are different.” Janaiha has worked at YLF for ten years and was promoted to Executive Director in 2018, after completing Georgetown University’s Nonprofit Management Executive Certificate program.

Nora Morales Appointed to Montgomery County’s Early Care and Education Coordinating Entity

Nora Morales, Program Director at Identity, Inc., was recently appointed by the Montgomery County Council and County Executive Marc Elrich to serve on the Coordinating Board for the new Early Care and Education Coordinating Entity. The ECECE will work to ensure that high-quality, affordable early childcare programs are available in Montgomery County. LeaderBridge alum Nora completed the Inspire Leadership School’s Public Narrative Training in Spring 2022. Learn more about Nora’s experience in Public Narrative at https://youtu.be/GW5RHT8a3Xw.

Daniela Hurtado Presents at National Main Street Conference

Daniela Hurtado, Director of Operations and Programs at La Cocina VA, presented a session on powerful cross-sector partnerships at the National Main Street Conference in Richmond, Virginia. The theme of the conference was celebrating community resilience. LeaderBridge alum Daniela completed the LGW Rising Leaders Program in 2018 and the CPNL certificate program in 2019.

#AskHer Interview Featured Diana Ortiz

LeaderBridge alum Diana Ortiz shared many insightful tips for nonprofit leaders and teams in conversation with C. Marie Taylor of Equity Through Action and Jackie Lendsey, Interim Executive Director of the Washington Area Women’s Foundation on April 20th. Watch a recording of the webinar here. Diana completed the CPNL summer 2020 cohort, the Catalogue for Philanthropy ED Cohort program, and the Positive Intelligence Program.

Nicole Schenkman Joins HumanitiesDC in New Role

Nicole recently accepted the role of Administrative Coordinator at HumanitiesDC, which is led by fellow LeaderBridge alum Rebecca Lemos Otero. Nicole previously spent six years at City Blossoms, and completed the Rising Leaders program through LeaderBridge in 2018.

Denise Hyater-Lindenmuth Steps Into New Executive Director Role

Denise Hyater-Lindenmuth has accepted a new role with the National Women’s Health Network, a women’s health advocacy organization based in Washington, DC. Denise brings over 30 years of experience in managing top health care organizations, most recently serving as the Executive Director of Brain Injury Services. Denise participated in the Positive Intelligence program in 2022.

CPNL Alumni Leadership Spotlight on Diana Ortiz

LeaderBridge alum Diana Ortiz was recently featured in an Alumni Spotlight by Georgetown University’s Center for Public and Nonprofit Leadership. The article highlights her experience leading a nonprofit and her life-changing time in the Nonprofit Management Executive Certificate program which she completed in 2021. Diana currently serves as the Executive Director and CEO of Doorways, and has also participated in the Catalogue for Philanthropy Executive Director Cohort and the Positive Intelligence program. Learn more at https://cpnl.georgetown.edu/spotlight/alumni-spotlight-diana-ortiz-doorways/.

Paula Fitzgerald Receives Legacy of a Dream Award

Ayuda Executive Director Paula Fitzgerald was selected by the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and Georgetown University to receive the 2023 Legacy of a Dream Award. Each year, this award is given by Georgetown University to a local individual who demonstrates outstanding service in the community and exemplifies the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Paula participated in Georgetown’s CPNL Nonprofit Management Executive Certificate Program, the Positive Intelligence program, and Equity Through Action’s JEDI* Leadership Series. Congratulations to Paula on this prestigious honor!

Alana C. Brown Publishes Article

LeaderBridge alum Alana C. Brown published an article on survivors of interpersonal violence for Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Alana is the Founder and Executive Director of The Safe Sisters Circle. She participated in the 2021-2022 Executive Director Cohort program hosted by Catalogue for Philanthropy. To read the full article and connect with Alana, visit LinkedIn.

Jo Ellyn Walker Steps Into New Role

This fall, LeaderBridge alum Dr. Jo Ellyn Walker moved into the Associate Director for Diversity Initiatives role at Georgetown’s Counseling and Psychiatric Service (CAPS). Previously, Dr. Walker served as the Interim Clinical Director and Co-Director for CAPS and the Wellness Director/Staff Psychologist for the Georgetown Scholars Program. She participated in the 2019 Class of the LGW Rising Leaders Program. To connect with Dr. Walker, visit Linkedin.

Patrice Sulton Honored by the National Bar Association

The National Bar Association awarded Patrice Sulton with the Nation’s Best Advocates award at this year’s annual convention in Memphis. Patrice is the Executive Director of DC Justice Lab, an organization she founded to fully transform the District’s approach to public safety. New LeaderBridge alum Patrice completed the Positive Intelligence program with the summer 2022 cohort. Congratulations on this honor, Patrice!

Joseph Hooks accepts a position at LAYC of Montgomery County!

This summer, LeaderBridge alum, Joseph Hooks has accepted a new position at Latin American Youth Center as the Managing Director of Montgomery County. Congratulations on the new role, Joe!.
Joe completed the Leadership Greater Washington Rising Leaders Program in July 2022. Connect with Joe on LinkedIn at: linkedin.com/in/joseph-hooks-265b4757/

Daon McClarin Johnson Presents At Mentoring Summit

LeaderBridge alum, Daon McClarin Johnson (CPNL, 2017) presented at the Mentoring Matters Summit of Tennessee in May. Learn more about his organization, MENTOR Maryland here.

Jhae Thompson Launches The Coaching Annex

LeaderBridge alumna Jhae Thompson launched her own company, The Coaching Annex, a boutique coaching agency which works with individuals to help them align their reality with their goals. The Coaching Annex provides individuals with personalized, targeted, and integrative coaching services to establish balance and find solutions.