Valarie Ashley is recognized as a collaborative nonprofit executive who has served youth, adults, and families. Prior to coming to Fair Chance, she was the Executive Director of Southeast Ministry for ten and half years. She was named one of “10 Local Heroes” by Washingtonian Magazine in 2012 and was an honorable mention for the Gelman, Rosenberg & Freedman 2014 EXCEL Award. Through her work at Southeast Ministry, she helped found the DC Adult and Family Literacy Coalition, the Skyland Workforce Center in Ward 8 and the HIRE DC database to help small and mid-size nonprofits have access to a high-quality affordable database. Valarie is a proud member of Leadership Greater Washington’s Class of 2014. A Long Island, NY native, Valarie received her B.A. from Boston University and attended George Washington University for graduate school. She loves to read and is a member of two book clubs.

What does a child need to succeed?
Caring adults who make them feel safe and secure to explore their world and develop their gifts and talents.

Kristen’s career has been marked by a passion for social change. She has served in a variety of nonprofit roles, including Vice President for Operations with the Millennium Institute, an international capacity building organization focused on holistic, participatory, systems focused national planning to enhance equity between the Global South and North. After fifteen years in the nonprofit sector, Kristen became a consultant and coach, working with a dozen nonprofits focused on youth, environment, and sustainability. Kristen served as a Capacity Building Specialist with Fair Chance from 2014-2020, managed the Impact Academy program for one year, and in 2021 began supporting projects within Fair Chance as a Program Development Specialist. She also serves on Fair Chance’s Racial Equity Task Force. Kristen holds a MA in Spanish from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, an MS in organization development with American University/NTL Institute, and an Executive Certificate in Nonprofit Management with Georgetown University. Kristen serves as a pro bono consultant with the Dance Institute of Washington, and lives in Arlington, Virginia, and loves gardening and yoga.

What does a child need to succeed?
Love, from family, teachers, mentors, and friends.

Linzee has held a leadership position on Fair Chance’s fundraising team since 2013. Prior to working with Fair Chance, she served as Director of Development for the Dumbarton Oaks Park Conservancy, raising funds and community support to restore an historic, 27-acre park in Georgetown. Linzee received her B.A. in Political Science from Haverford College.

What does a child need to succeed?
Love — and room to play, learn, imagine, make mistakes and grow.

Sawida Kamara is a Capacity Building Specialist working with our Pathways Partners. She brings over 15 years of experience working with small, mid-sized and large organizations in the nonprofit, government and quasi-public arenas in the areas of organizational development, change management, systems and process improvements, and leadership development. Sawida uses her diverse expertise to support organizations in the development of impactful programs and infrastructure that enable them to deliver greater service and sustainably fulfill their missions. Sawida is a resident of Prince George’s County and is among the 2017 recipients of the Prince George’s County Social Innovation Forty Under 40 Award. She holds a Master’s in Public Health degree from the Medical College of Virginia at Virginia Commonwealth University.

What does a child need to succeed?
Affirming emotional connection, autonomy, supportive and safe spaces.

Andrew is a Consultant Capacity Building Specialist for the Venture Philanthropy Partners’ Ready for Work Nonprofit Capacity Building Initiative. He is an experienced national operations, programs, development leader who possesses extensive infrastructure building, strong leadership skills and superb relationship management abilities. Andrew is also prolific trouble shooter; comfortable with tackling problems right through from detection to resolution. Andrew has held many executive positions with national and international organizations and brings over 15 years of experience serving in roles such as Chief Operating Officer, Executive Director, & Senior Adviser of various non-profit organizations focused on youth, health, education, and social justice. Andrew uses his communications degree to deepen his impact in human resources, fund development, marketing & communications, and change management.

What does a child need to succeed?
Every child needs a champion! Someone who will encourage their dreams, inspire them to hope and who will create opportunities for those dreams to be achieved!

TL is a Capacity Building Specialist working with our Pathways Partners. She brings a wealth of experience developing and implementing national and local programs and initiatives on behalf of nonprofit organizations. Her previous work and areas of expertise focused on change management, systems building, leadership development, program evaluation and developing mutually beneficial relationships. TL is a problem solver and strives to increase clarity and provide tailored solutions to any challenge she encounters. TL obtained her undergraduate and graduate degrees from a local DC university and takes great pride in being able to help local nonprofits develop, expand and sustain their programming so that they may fulfill their missions more effectively.

What does a child need to succeed?
A cross-sector system of support that is functional, equitable and family and community centered.

J McCray is Chief Operating Officer at Fair Chance. He has dedicated more than 20 years to building resilient and adaptive nonprofits from the inside out. J was COO at Grantmakers for Effective Organizations, where he helped GEO grow to a community of more than 600 grantmaking organizations committed to helping nonprofits achieve success. Early in his career, J worked with education and health advocacy nonprofits, including the Title I Dissemination Project, where he supported educators in Massachusetts. J has served on several boards of organizations committed to building strong nonprofits and is currently on the board of Innovation Network, an organization dedicated to building evaluation capacity for the social sector. J believes in the power of storytelling. He was trained in nonfiction writing at the Salt Institute for Documentary Studies in Maine, where he worked with residents of a former manufacturing town to describe how an eight-lane bowling alley became a hub of support for their community.

What does a child need to succeed?
A community that values difference and helps each child discover how they want to make a difference in the world.

Ann Birnbaum Miles is the Chief Program Officer at Fair Chance. Ann is a seasoned professional with 20+ years’ experience leading youth-serving nonprofits in communities of poverty and working with community leaders and school systems to create partnerships leading to better outcomes for young people. After graduating from the University of Wisconsin she worked in several youth-serving nonprofits in San Francisco and then became the founder and Executive Director of Community Bridges Beacon, the first school-based community center launched by the San Francisco Beacon Initiative – a collaboration of public and private funders, community-based organizations, schools, and communities. She then received her Masters from Princeton’s Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs and came to DC to lead the DC chapter of Experience Corps where she placed senior volunteers in DC Public Schools to improve reading outcomes for young people.

What does a child need to succeed?
Positive relationships with peers and adults, meaningful and engaging activities, and safe environments.

Melissa Millar is a licensed attorney with experience in the legislative and executive branches of DC government, where she worked on healthcare, technology, elections and campaign finance, real estate, and capital construction issues. She served as the legislative and government affairs representative for DC’s Department of General Services, as Legislative Counsel and Analyst for three DC Council Committees.

Formerly Director of Policy and Advocacy at Community of Hope, Melissa developed and advocated for changes in healthcare and homelessness. There, she worked with the Coalition for Nonprofit Equity to ensure that nonprofits are paid their true indirect costs on their government grants and contracts.

Melissa briefly joined CHNED in 2022 as their Housing Policy Manager, where she collaborated with advocates, officials, and experts to develop and advance affordable housing-related policy.

Melissa moved to DC in 2005, earned a Juris Doctorate, and became a member of the Maryland Bar in 2008.

What does a child need to succeed?
A child need attention, safety, and support, and the freedom to be their full and true selves.

Salome Odera is the Communications and External Relations Manager at Fair Chance. In this role, Salome manages Fair Chance’s website, social media platforms, and collateral creation. Additionally, she provides promotional and logistical support for events that engage various Fair Chance stakeholders. Prior to assuming her role, Salome served as a Public Allies AmeriCorps member at Fair Chance.

Outside of Fair Chance, Salome serves as a member of the Young Women’s Leadership Council of the YWCA of the National Capital Area. She holds a B.A. in Sociology from Cornell University and has a background in youth engagement, volunteer engagement, and community outreach.

What does a child need to succeed?
A caring community that supports their voice and allows them to dream big.

Bemene is our Interim Development and Organizational Learning Manager. In this role, Bemene ensures timely management of Fair Chance's grant's program and internal organizational learning, including racial equity learning opportunities. Bemene joins Fair Chance from the University of Georgia, where she managed the implementation of a research project across five counties which taught families healthy relationship and communication skills. She has her Master’s in Public Health from Georgia State University and has formerly worked as an Epidemiologist and Health Educator. Bemene is a mindfulness practitioner and yoga teacher trainee and believes wholeheartedly in spaces that enable people to thrive and be fully themselves.

What does a child need to succeed?
Every child needs parents and a community of committed individuals dedicated to supporting the child.

Erica is a Consultant Capacity Building Specialist for the Venture Philanthropy Partners’ Ready for Work Nonprofit Capacity Building Initiative.. In this role, she draws on 20 years of public service and leadership experience driving positive outcomes for diverse communities.

A decorated federal executive, nonprofit leader, and business owner, Erica is heralded for transforming the organizational culture and practices of government agencies and nonprofit entities. She is widely recognized for her work in designing and developing comprehensive career development programs to benefit youth, women, and low-wage workers. Additionally, Erica’s professional experience in customer-centric programming, organizational development, process reengineering, and executive coaching, has resulted in career and business growth among diverse populations.
Erica earned a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Management from Florida A & M University. Erica is also active in several professional and community organizations, including the National Black MBA Association, where she previously served as Chapter President and inaugural member of the National Advisory Council.

What does a child need to succeed?
Success begins with mindset. When young people recognize their value, and reject self-imposed limitations, the sky is the limit.

Dr. Nisha Sachdev serves as a Capacity Building Specialist at Fair Chance. Nisha is a public health consultant, strategist and senior clinical psychologist with over 15 years of experience leading multi-million programs within governmental agencies, organizations and foundations to address social issues in underrepresented communities. With a focus on at cross-collaboration with public and private partners, Nisha developed capacity building and high-impact, system-level interventions locally, nationally and globally to reduce the social and health disparities experienced by children, youth and families. She began her career working as a special education teacher. Nisha continues to serve as an Adjunct Professor at George Washington University. Nisha earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and Criminal Justice from the University of Michigan and a Master of Public Health in Global Health Promotion, a Master of Psychology, and a Doctorate of Public Health in Health Behavior, and a Doctorate of Psychology in Clinical Psychology from the George Washington University.

What does a child need to succeed?
Children need consistent, caring, supportive adults and environments that provide positive opportunities that foster growth, development, and empowerment to help them realize their potential.

Amy Scheuer joined Fair Chance as the Events and FundraisingManager in January 2022. Prior to joining the Fair Chance team, Amy worked asa federal meeting planner for a consulting firm. Before then,sheheld a position at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as astate partnership support associate. Shehas supported and planned large scale conferences, workshops,and meetings for public and private sector clients and has coordinated logistics including venue and vendor selection, A/V equipment setup, invitations and registration, agenda and material preparation, and participant travel arrangements. Her previous professional roles and her volunteer experiencescultivated her skills and interests coordinating events. Throughout Amy's career and personal pursuits,her commitment to careful planning and prioritizing customer services ensures events are a success forthe clients, speakers, attendees,and those impacted byany desiredevent outcomes.

Amy earned both a B.A. in Biology as well as a B.A. in Secondary Education from Clemson University in South Carolina. She earned her teaching license and has used her educator experience volunteeringwith organizations focused on youth development including Sitar Arts Academy, Girl Scouts of America, and Young Life.

What does a child need to succeed?
Emotional and physical stability, sustained belief in one's self, and loving guidance from dependable adults.

Patricia Skeete is the Administrative Coordinator for Fair Chance. Before moving to Washington, DC Patricia lived and worked in New York City and Atlanta, Georgia. She was an Event and Meeting Planner for McKinsey & Co., Inc. and Executive Assistant to the Vice-Presidents of IT at Deloitte Consulting and Coca-Cola Enterprises. A former owner of a dining and catering company, Intimate Caterings, she has now switched to the non-profit sector.

She holds a BSc. Degree in Management and Psychology from New York University, New York and is a Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) with Meeting Planners International.

What does a child need to succeed?
A child needs love, affection, and the ability to express him or herself.

Victor is a Consultant Capacity Building Specialist for the Venture Philanthropy Partners’ Ready for Work Nonprofit Capacity Building Initiative. As a former nonprofit executive director and philanthropic advisor, Victor Valentine brings a quarter-century of experience in multiple disciplines of capacity-building. Operating through the lense of racial-equity, diversity and inclusion (REDI), he brings expertise in the areas of board & executive leadership development, strategic & operational planning, financial management and advocacy to his work. Victor is also a proud graduate of the University of Maryland at College Park with a Bachelor’s in Political Science and holds a Masters in Public Administration from Wilmington University.

What does a child need to succeed?
A child needs a nurturing and safe environment conducive of learning, personal growth and that points to becoming a well-rounded and productive member of society.

Benita joined the Fair Chance team as the Development Associate in September 2021 after serving as the Development and Database Coordinator with Rock Creek Conservancy. Prior to returning to the DC area, she lived in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains and the rainy climes of the Pacific Northwest where she worked in capacity building, community service, event planning, and fundraising roles for the Humane Society of Boulder Valley, the Nature Conservancy of Colorado and Washington, Cascade Bicycle Club, in the hospitality sector, and as a small business owner. Through it all, Benita’s strives to connect her community, organize people, data, and processes, and make a positive impact on those around her.

She holds a B.S. in Biology from St. Mary’s College of Maryland, a Certificate in Fundraising Management from the University of Washington, is a certified Maryland Master Naturalist, and the keeper of a sometimes active real estate license.

In her free time, Benita enjoys exploring ways to connect with nature, people, and animals, protect pollinators, reduce, reuse, and recycle, and become a better citizen of the world.

What does a child need to succeed?
People and places that serve has “home” providing a safe, open, and encouraging environment where they can learn, explore and imagine who they are and what that means for their future.

Gretchen Van der Veer has been Chief Executive Officer at Fair Chance since 2013 and has served in the higher education, government, and nonprofit sectors for over 25 years. Early in her career, she served in Student Affairs at the University of Maryland while pursuing a PhD in Education, Policy, Planning and Administration with a specialization in leadership studies. She was then tapped to help launch AmeriCorps during the Clinton Administration and eventually became the Director of Leadership Development and Training for the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) responsible for capacity building for thousands of CNCS nonprofit grantees. Having served on many nonprofit boards, she is a current appointee to the Federal Reserve Bank’s Community Investment Council (5^th District), the Board of Visitor’s for the University of Maryland’s College of Education, an adjunct faculty for George Washington University’s Human Service and Social Justice program teaching Nonprofit Management and Organizing for Social Justice, and a Facilitator for Georgetown University’s Business for Impact New Strategies program.

What does a child need to succeed?
A caring adult and a chance to bring their whole selves into any situation and be embraced.