Advisory Board
Brian Hartman
Business Consultant
Brian Hartman is an independent organizational consultant, with emphasis on manager-led problem solving and corporate strategic planning to improve revenue and cost performance. He has worked extensively with senior organizational leaders as a research director with the Corporate Executive Board Company, helping them identify and implement advantaged solutions to strategy, operations, sales and human resources management challenges.
Brian has also held business planning and development roles with The Washington Post Company, Fannie Mae and an early-stage social media venture. Brian has a M.B.A. from the University of Virginia and a B.A. in philosophy from the College of William & Mary. He currently resides in Alexandria, Virginia with his wife and daughter, with whom he enjoys the outdoors, cooking and the arts.
Deborah Blank Ph.D.
Design, Development and Entrepreneurship Consultant
Deborah Blank, Ph.D. has expertise in both training design/development, and entrepreneurship. For 20 years she was a partner in a Bethesda-based company that developed technology-based learning materials for both private corporations, non-profits, and the Federal Government. The company had 75 employees when sold in 2000. She continues to work as a part-time contractor designing and developing courses, many of which are delivered over the Internet.
In other entrepreneurial pursuits, Deborah assisted in developing and implementing a marketing program for her husband’s dental practice and inventing a senior fitness product which she manufactured overseas and sold to assisted living businesses. Deborah’s professional history also includes working with disadvantaged youth in a GED completion program, and teaching ESOL classes.
Diana Katz
Founder, the Reston Giving Circle of HOPE
Diana Katz is a co-founder of the Giving Circle of HOPE, a philanthropic-service organization that provides funds and assistance to people in need in Northern Virginia. Her work on behalf of the circle is her passion.
Ms. Katz was born and raised in Mayaguez, PR. In 1975, at the age of 21, she moved to the United States to pursue a Master’s degree in Computer Science at the University of Maryland. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from the University of PR. After graduation, she pursued a career in computers working at Computer Sciences Corporation and at Performance Engineering Corporation until 1993.
During the last 25 years, she has served her community volunteering for a variety of organizations: several public schools, libraries, PTAs, local poverty-relief organizations, the American Association of University Women, Newcomer’s Club, and the Clara Barton Forum of the Red Cross. She has been a youth group advisor, an Odyssey of the Mind coach, and a theater producer for the children’s play “Miracle in Philadelphia” in Johnstown, PA.
She is a lifelong yoga student and currently teaches yoga in Reston. Ms. Katz has been happily married for over 30 years and is the proud mother of two grown sons. She has been a resident of Reston, Virginia since 1978.
Ed Dougherty
SPHR, CLU, ChFC
President, Effective HR, LLC
Ed has an extensive management and human resources background, with a focus on organizational alignment, process analysis and compensation issues. Early in 2003, he formed Effective HR, LLC, whose mission is to improve the strategic perspective, operational effectiveness and profitability of corporations, and to help non-profit organizations achieve maximum operational effectiveness and focus. This is accomplished through objective, insightful consulting services in the areas of operational effectiveness assessment, organizational alignment analysis, compensation structure and market analysis, and strategic planning facilitation.
Ed began his career at Prudential Financial in employee benefit roles at various levels and locations. After a regional assignment covering the Mid-Atlantic States, he returned to Prudential’s corporate office, where he held HR leadership positions in employee relations, compensation and HR systems & technology. Ed also served on or led a variety of project teams involving new business formation, acquisitions and reorganization. During this time, Ed participated on the Grace Commission, reviewing military compensation programs at the Office of the Secretary of Defense. He was an officer of Prudential for over 10 years.
Following his Prudential career of more than 30 years, Ed spent several years in HR systems consulting roles before joining the Chubb Institute. At Chubb, he held executive positions leading Human Resources and serving on the management committee overseeing company operations and setting strategic direction.
Additionally, Ed served as a mentor to rising businesswomen through the national Women-Unlimited, Inc. management developmental program.
Ed holds an MS, Management from American College as well as the Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) and Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) professional designations. He has completed executive education programs at Columbia University and the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. Ed is a member of the Society for Human Resources Management, holding the Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) designation. He served as Chair for the 2006 Garden State Council – SHRM Annual Conference & Exposition and as the Executive Director of the Garden State Council – SHRM (2009 – 2010). He is also active in the Morris County, NJ Chamber of Commerce, serving by invitation on the Council for Human Capital Management for three years, and currently on the Education & Professional Development Committee.
Eileen Kessler
President, OmniStudio, Inc.
For more than 30 years, Eileen Kessler has led an expert team of specialists to produce publications, brand identities, marketing communications and informational materials that build constituencies, educate, and inspire advocacy for positive change in our society.
Located in Washington DC, OmniStudio has been instrumental in the communications activities of local, national and international institutions. Omni shares the goals and passions of our clients, especially in the areas of education, health care, the environment, and human rights. OmniStudio provides strategy, content, design, and development for online and print media such as Websites, newsletters, advertising, annual reports, and conference promotion.
Ms. Kessler, who founded her business in 1977, has served in leadership roles for several volunteer organizations. Currently she is a founding member of Companies for Causes, a regional initiative that will bring businesses together to work to improve local communities.
Jeannie Shaughnessy Hodges
President of Fortunach Consulting
Prior to re-entering the consulting world, she held the distinct honor of being the Executive Director responsible for transforming The Carl M. Freeman Foundation (a 50 year grant makingorganization) and launching the Joshua M. Freeman Foundation (a public charity). Before serving these Foundations she was the President and co-owner of Pathwise Partners, LLC.
Jeannie has more than 20 years of management and consulting experience with a focus on business operations, organizational development and communications. She is a trained ExecutiveCoach and a certified facilitator, who also serves on the Alexandria Commission for the Arts and is a regular volunteer at The Kennedy Center.
She is a graduate of Leadership Fairfax, Inc., The FBI Citizens’ Academy, and the Harvard Business School Social Enterprise Program. She is married and has two young daughters. Jeannie is a frequent public speaker and is currently writing a book.
Ken Moore, President & CEO, Edmond Area Chamber of Commerce Chamber of Commerce, is a certified chamber executive with more than 30 years of experience and has served chambers of commerce in Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, California and Virginia. Moore is a former member of the board of directors of the American Chamber of Commerce Executives and the Western Association of Chamber Executives. Moore was recently appointed by the U. S. Chamber of Commerce to serve on the prestigious Chamber of Commerce Committee of 100.In 1999, Moore was recognized as the “Professional of the Year” by the Oklahoma Society of Associations Executives. He was named as “Executive of the Year” by the Oklahoma Chamber of Commerce and was the second person selected for the Oklahoma Chamber of Commerce Executives Hall of Fame. The Western Association of Chamber Executives presented him with its Pettit Award for “Excellence in Leadership” in 1996. Moore began his service with the Edmond Area Chamber of Commerce Chamber of Commerce in December 2006.
Meera Wolfe
Writer and Dance Producer
Meera Wolfe’s interest in dance began even before she started classes with Irving Burton, a founder of the Paperbag Players, in New York City. Since that time she has served on the boards and as officers of a modern dance company and a ballet company. She also served as the community representative of the Arizona State University Dance Department’s community outreach committee as well as on a dance selection panel for one of the modern dance schools in Phoenix, Arizona. A former member of the Alexandria Commission on the Arts, she served as the chair of the dance panel. She has also served on the selection committee of the Metro DC Dance Awards.and presents and co-produces an annual dance performance in Washingon, D.C. entitled “Washington’s Three Dancers.”
Meera is the author of a book entitled “Sutras: Weaving the Threads of a Life.” Published in 2004, it is the story of her search for Mirabai, a renowned Indian saint and poet.
In addition to her to her various arts interests, she was responsible for the introduction and implementation of an arts program in the pre-school she ran in Phoenix, Arizona, reaching nearly 100 children, aged five to 12 in a summer outreach program. She has always felt that the arts should be an integral and fundamental part of every child’s education.
Her professional activities include many years in public relations, marketing and fundraising in the non-profit sector, including the League of Women Voters of the US and the Congressional Bicentennial Committee for which she planned and implemented congressional special events during that year.
Ms. Wolfe has also directed the establishment of a national holistic health foundation, and imported jewelry from India and Nepal.
Michelle Somerday
Independent Consultant
Michelle is an independent consultant providing expertise in business development and outreach, marketing and communications, strategy planning and implementation, research and analysis, and program management. She is passionate about helping women and girls be empowered and providing them with the knowledge, support, and means to be a force for positive change in their own lives. While she currently resides in Northern Virginia, she has spent over 10 years living and working overseas – in Europe, the Middle East, and the Caribbean – and appreciates the cultural diversity of the Washington, DC, metropolitan area. Michelle holds a Ph.D. from the University of Virginia.
Mistra Moazami
Instructor at Johns Hopkins University
Assistant Group Supervisor at Johns Hopkins University’s Applied Physics Laboratory
Not many people can claim the broad background M. Moazami brings to her job as a manager and supervisor in Johns Hopkins University – Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) Information Technology Services Department. Born and raised in Tehran, Iran, Moazami lived there until she graduated from high school. She spent 3 months in Austria, then came to the U.S., settled in North Carolina (where she had family), and began college.
After meeting a fellow Iranian, who lived in Alaska, she got married and moved there for 2 years. She earned her bachelor’s degree (in computer science and applied mathematics) from the University of Alaska in Fairbanks.
The couple moved to Maryland in 1990 where Moazami worked at Booz Allen Hamilton for 4 years, and then for a consulting firm, until coming to APL in 1999. As an IT manager, Moazami provides business application support to APL staff.
Moazami earned her M.S. in technical/organizational management through JHU’s part-time graduate engineering program (Engineering for Professionals) located here on the APL campus. She’s also been able to pursue another part-time career, teaching in the Technical Management program and serving as an advisor to graduate students in that program. Read Moazami’s full bio.
Rita Hummel Crowe
President and Principal of LEAP Leadership Advantage
Executive Coach and Leadership Consultant
Rita is the president and principal of LEAP Leadership Advantage, and is an Executive Coach and Leadership Consultant who believes in building relationships people can count on through enhanced leadership skills and richer communication. Whether working with teams or individuals, Rita effectively transforms challenges into opportunities.
She uses her 15 years of corporate line management, plus 14 years of leadership experience in nonprofit organizations, to partner with leaders from both arenas in achieving their goals. She knows the unique realities of both corporate and nonprofit environments and designs powerful customized programs to meet organizations’ issues using the best approaches from both worlds.
Rita’s career includes management positions with Hewlett-Packard Company, AT&T Communications, Food Marketing Institute, University of Maryland, Center for Creative Leadership and the American Symphony Orchestra League.
Rita’s functional roles have included those in financial, asset and education management, information technology, management of international projects, and change leadership. She has held leadership roles dealing with most of the prevailing issues faced by organizations including centralization of functions, increased competition, downsizing, acquisitions, globalization, startups, corporate splits, partnerships and alliances, customer loyalty, call management, performance development and account management.
After nearly ten years in field education management at HP, Rita joined the faculty at the Center for Creative Leadership, where she continues as adjunct faculty and coach. She also serves as adjunct faculty and coach at the National Leadership Institute at the University of Maryland, University College. She collaborates with Dr. Roger Pearman at Leadership Performance Systems, Inc. on
leadership program design and delivery, and conducts assessment certifications with Qualifying.org.
She holds a Master of Business Administration in Finance and Accounting and a Bachelor of Arts in English Education, both from the University of Maryland, College Park.
Rita has an extensive history of volunteerism. She has coordinated a women’s crisis hotline, served as a docent for the Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington, D.C. and served as tour guide, Executive Director and Chairman of the Board of Directors at the Spruce Forest Artisan Village. Active in local nonprofit organizations, Rita has spearheaded fundraising, coordinated and trained volunteers, and written successful grant proposals.
Shirah Cohen
Co-owner EPSScentral
Shirah Cohen has 20 years experience in entrepreneurial leadership, training, program development and delivery, business development, sales, marketing, and consulting. Shirah has worked in several start-up IT companies and is co-owner of EPSScentral, where she has been instrumental in growing the company from a consultancy to an enterprise-class organization that provides process and knowledge solutions across government and corporate clients. As an entrepreneur, she has been responsible for all aspects of running a company from strategy and communications to implementation and company infrastructure. She has designed and presented national educational webinars and served as a guest speaker at entrepreneurship forums. Shirah also has worked as a consultant at large established companies including PricewaterhouseCoopers and Thomson NETg. Shirah is an active leader in her community and has volunteered as a Neighborhood Association Representative, Odyssey of the Mind Coach, Recreational Youth Sports Coach, and Foreign Language in the Elementary Chair. Shirah holds a B.A. in Psychology from Case Western University, and a M.P.A. from Syracuse University, Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs.
Sunanda K. Holmes, Esq.
Assistant Director, International Business Operations Compliance in the Controller’s Office at Johns Hopkins University
Sunanda K. Holmes is the Assistant Director for International Business Operations Compliance in the Controller’s Office at Johns Hopkins University. Sunanda has a Juris Doctorate from Howard University School of Law, a Masters of Law from Georgetown University Law Center, a Masters of Business Administration from Johns Hopkins University, and a Bachelors of Science from University of Maryland.
She has over 20 years of experience as an attorney practicing corporate and business law, and working on policy-related issues in international law, education, health care, and governance. Her experience includes counseling U.S. businesses who conduct business overseas as well as negotiating agreements and preparing legal documents related to international transactions, joint ventures, business formation, and agency and distribution arrangements. Sunanda was a fellow and an Adjunct Faculty member at Georgetown University Law Center. In 2008, she went to the West Bank as a Fulbright Scholar and taught human rights law at Birzeit University and Al Quds University.
Synthia Woodcock-Dang, Member
Sales Associate with ReMax Realty Centre
For Synthia Woodcock-Dang it’s been a grand adventure through many countries, cultures and languages since graduating from HFCS in 1962!
While still in college she went on her first foreign experience as an exchange student to Poland and The USSR; then with a BA in English and drama from the Univ. of Idaho and two years teaching experience in New York she went off to the first of many years living and teaching in South East Asia. First at the International School of Bangkok, Thailand, and after getting an MS in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) from SUNY Albany had the great honor to receive a Fulbright Lecturer/Consultant to a new university in southern Thailand. Then after two more years teaching in the Albany area, it was off to the American School of Vientiane, Laos.
After being evacuated from Laos in May of 1975, she went to teach English to the Shah’s helicopter pilots in Iran, but not wanting to be evacuated again, she left Iran early and returned to the USA. She came back to the Washington, DC area where she has lived since 1976. There she has taught English to adult refugees, been co-director of the Language and Orientation Program at the Center of Applied Linguistics, taught ESL K-12 in Montgomery Co., MD Public Schools, and trained teachers to teach ESL at Montgomery College and as an adjunct professor at the Univ. of MD, Baltimore County.
Along the way she met and married her husband George Phuoc Dang and their daughter Amy was born in 1983. They are active in their communities promoting mutual understanding among diverse ethnic groups.
Currently in “retirement” Synthia continues to supervise teachers working on ESL certification in Maryland, and serves as board member of Empowered Women International to advance the organization’s mission and expand its outreach to Montgomery County, Maryland. It has been a rewarding journey all based on the excellent foundation she received as a student at HFCS.
Tanya Edwards
Marketing and Client Relations Manager for E. Cohen and Company, CPAs in Rockville, MD
Tanya has been performing marketing, business development and client coordination services for ten years with five years specifically devoted to serving the accounting industry. Tanya has extensive experience working with accounting firms in the areas of: client coordination, marketing initiatives, contact database management, website maintenance, trade shows, networking and newsletter development. She also has experience performing electronic filing for individual, corporate, partnership, and other tax returns.Tanya has a B.A. in Dramatic Arts from the University of California at Santa Barbara. She spends her spare time staying active with her husband and son and also teaches Yoga and Pilates classes.