MEYER FOUNDATION - Key Persons
I am optimistic about philanthropy's potential to grow toward a more inclusive sector. I believe that those working in philanthropy can adopt collaborative approaches to create access to systems that are often restricted to specific groups and difficult to navigate.
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- Ambassador
- BUSINESS CONSULTANT
- EXECUTIVE
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- MANAGING PRINCIPAL & CEO, LANG STRATEGIES, LLC
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- SENIOR FELLOW, GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY WOMEN's LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE
I believe that each of us has a responsibility and power to help create the type of world we wish to live in; one that we are proud to hand down to future generations. In pursuit of that goal, I have worked in the nonprofit sector for nearly 20 years. Most of my prior work was in public health, but that work always intersected with equity and justice.
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- FOUNDER & CEO, the MENKITI GROUP
I am inspired by the Meyer Foundation's commitment to advance racial equity and social justice in the Greater Washington region. Having spent my formative years in the DC area, I have experienced firsthand how racial inequity exists here. I believe that working to dismantle inequity within every system it appears is critically important to ensuring the long-term future of the region for all who call it home.
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- DIRECTOR, STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS
I believe that the broad field of communications is critical in strengthening and transforming individuals and society. Done well, social sector communications can influence, inform, and improve lives. Whether through the written word, design, or other creative mediums, I value the opportunity I have to help affect change through my work at the Meyer Foundation.
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- PARTNER, UPLANDS REAL ESTATE PARTNERS
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- CO - FOUNDER & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, IDENTITY, INC
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- CHAIRMAN of the BOARD, GRAHAM HOLDINGS COMPANY
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- PRESIDENT EMERITA, PRINCE GEORGE's COMMUNITY COLLEGE
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- SENIOR FELLOW, ASPEN INSTITUTE
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- RETIRED, PRESIDENT & CEO, the HSC FOUNDATION
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- DIRECTOR, VIRGINIA PARTNERSHIPS & STRATEGY
My passion for social justice work is rooted in a deep respect for and commitment to those impacted by injustice and helping to open avenues for them to become their own advocates for change.
I contribute to the Meyer Foundation as the Director for Virginia Partnerships and Strategy where I seek collaborative opportunities that further the Foundation's goals of promoting social justice and racial equity. As an immigrant from Peru, I am aware of the cultural and structural barriers that often divide communities as well as policies and practices that criminalize lives. I feel fortunate to support work in Virginia that addresses the root causes of those barriers, including work that empowers communities to advocate for their rights and push for a new social contract with policy makers.
Prior to my position with the Foundation, I worked as an immigrant rights advocate, organizer, and educator with the Legal Aid Justice Center where I developed successful campaigns in support of immigrant rights and built coalitions of advocates and allies to push for communities that welcome and respect the rights of all of their residents. With the Meyer Foundation, I will continue to seek partnerships to promote collective action that values cooperation, collaboration, and inclusiveness, always seeking to open new forums for others to have their voices heard.
Job Titles:
- FINANCE
- OPERATIONS ASSOCIATE
I believe that philanthropy can produce effective change by investing in and operating in consultation with communities and individuals who have systematically been disempowered.
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- DEPUTY MAYOR for EQUITY, HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
Previously while serving as Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Health, Human Services, and Education in Prince George's County, Maryland, I became frustrated with the widespread denial of issues of racial inequity and social injustice that were playing out nationally during the earliest stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. And while the County was able to elevate the injustices and make progress toward equity, I also knew from experience that when it comes to issues of racial equity and social justice, our country tends to have a very short memory and not much of a plan for much-needed long-term solutions. The short-term fixes that litter the landscape of social change and transformative policy far outnumber the successful long-lasting shifts in socio-political and power dynamics requisite of long-lasting change. The direction the Meyer Foundation has taken to seek racial equity and justice through building movements within and amplifying the power of communities gives me hope in our ability to bring about lasting change that will be resilient to historical and structural impediments and intersects perfectly with where my career experience and mission have led me. It also speaks to my soul.
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- MANAGING DIRECTOR, CUBE HYDRO PARTNERS
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- PARTNER, COVINGTON & BURLING LLP
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- PRESIDENT EMERITUS, LEGAL SERVICES CORPORATION
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- SENIOR ADVISOR, STATE GOVERNMENT RELATIONS, MCGUIRE WOODS CONSULTING
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- SENIOR FELLOW, CENTER for the STUDY of the LEGAL PROFESSION GEORGETOWN LAW CENTER
I am inspired by the Meyer Foundation's long-term commitment to racial equity, which - as a woman of color in the Greater Washington region - is also a commitment to me. I'm encouraged by efforts to move beyond addressing symptoms of inequity and focusing more intently on root causes that create inequity in our communities.
As the Foundation's Chief Operating Officer, I am responsible for operationalizing our vision and ensuring collaboration to achieve the Foundation's goals. I work to establish and cultivate our internal policies and procedures, organizational development, and culture. Additionally, I work alongside the Foundation's senior leaders to set the strategic direction of the Foundation.
Outside of this role, I am moved by a sense of service to the community -whether through my church, public service organizations to which I belong, or other places I've worked. In my previous role as the Director of Finance at the Consumer Health Foundation, I learned that philanthropy can propel catalytic change in communities. As the former Chief Financial Officer at the Freddie Mac Foundation, I learned that as strong as the philanthropic sector can be, problems in our community cannot be solved by philanthropy alone; instead, they require all of us working together beyond our silos. I am deeply motivated by the people that I have the opportunity to work with who bring such passion to this work. I am energized by the deep commitment of my colleagues to help create a more equitable region.
I joined the Foundation in 2013.
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- FOUNDER & PRESIDENT, the POLICY EQUITY GROUP
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- PRESIDENT & CEO, BERNSTEIN MANAGEMENT CORPORATION
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- ADVISOR, PHILANTHROPIC & NONPROFIT LEADERSHIP / President & CEO, 1986 - 2014
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- VICE PRESIDENT, COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS & LEARNING
I am inspired by visions for a just world and motivated by the Meyer Foundation's commitment to help create a racially just region. With long and deep roots in the DC area, Meyer has a responsibility to shed light on the ways racism has shaped and harmed our region and spur to action the people and institutions that may be unaware of this history or never realized they, too, have a role to play in making the Greater Washington region more equitable. We can also bring resources to the communities that are leading the way in creating a DMV where all can thrive. I feel lucky to be a part of advancing this mission.
As the Vice President for Community Partnerships and Learning, I co-lead implementation of the Foundation's plan to promote and support systems change to advance racial equity and supervise the Foundation's grantmaking and capacity-building work. I am also a connector, linking people and organizations to each other and to resources that can help them make their visions a reality.
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- REGIONAL PRESIDENT, BNY MELLON WEALTH MANAGEMENT / TREASURER
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- PRESIDENT & CEO, CORNERSTONES
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- SOCIAL IMPACT ADVISOR, CONSULTANT, & STRATEGIST
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- RETIRED, CHAIRMAN & CEO, WALKER & DUNLOP, LLC
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- RETIRED, PRESIDENT & CEO, MARY's CENTER
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- DIRECTOR, GOULSTON & STORRS PC
I am motivated by a sense of service to the region I call home and the communities and people in it that inspire me every day. I believe that the role of a foundation is to be in solidarity with and in service to those working directly in communities to make real change in our region. And when a foundation's board and CEO are operating effectively, they are better able to focus their attention on both strategy and service.
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- RETIRED, REGIONAL PRESIDENT, PNC BANK
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- SENIOR EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT to the PRESIDENT & CEO
I believe that recognizing and shedding light on injustice, while ensuring equitable access to resources, is one of the first steps to building strong, resilient communities. I am so inspired by the tireless work of our grantee partners who are the boots on the ground, breaking down oppressive systems to uplift the people they serve, and in doing so, helping to create a new framework for lasting change.
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- RETIRED PARTNER, COVINGTON & BURLING LLP
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- CHIEF OPERATING & FINANCIAL OFFICER, COMMUNITY CHANGE / SECRETARY
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- DIRECTOR, FUND for BLACK - LED CHANGE
I am driven by a deep love and commitment to Black people and Black communities. I believe that anti-Blackness is the fulcrum of white supremacy and by addressing anti-Blackness, we too, are then able to better address classism, xenophobia, misogyny, ableism, and other forms of institutionalized oppression. The Meyer Foundation's commitment to center Black communities and Black organizations in their equity work aligns with my beliefs and ultimately drew me to this role.
As the Director for the Fund for Black-led Change, I am able to bring this racial equity analysis to support Black communities in the Greater Washington area. My role at the Meyer Foundation is a commitment to deep investments into Black leadership and Black movement building.
Prior to my work at the Meyer Foundation, I served as Executive Director for the Fair Budget Coalition. In my tenure, we were able to create spaces to uplift Black-led advocacy and center the demands of Black Washingtonians directly impacted by poverty. I was able to gain experience leading an organization as a Black woman with an entirely Black staff, which enabled me to better understand the power we wielded and the challenges we faced both programmatically and securing funding. I bring this lens to my work with the Meyer Foundation and specifically to the Fund for Black-led Change, where I am able to support Black-led organizations secure multi-year funding, resources, and institutional support.
I joined the Foundation in 2021.
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- CO - FOUNDER & MANAGING DIRECTOR, CORE CAPITAL PARTNERS
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- & PARTNER, COHNREZNICK / VICE CHAIR