E pluribus unum
- 2437 15th Street NW
- info@mcsdc.org
BOARD MEMBERS
Board of Directors
Left to Right (March 2015): Rosemary Fennell, Anne Henderson, Dawn Barton, Bonnie Cain, Ned Epps, Barbara Hopkins, James Preston
Board Alumni
MCS owes its success to the tireless commitment and dedication of its Board of Directors. We are proud to count our Board Alumni as some of our strongest advocates and biggest supporters.
Biographies
Rosemary Fennell
Rosemary Fennell is the convening Board Chair and co-founder of Multicultural Community Service (MCS), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization incorporated in Washington, D.C. in 1997. Her first term as Board Chair was from the mid-1990s – early 2000s. Her second term of activities is 2023 – present.
MCS’ services facilitate civic engagement and help to improve the quality of life of community members by addressing their issues and priorities of public concern. Programs and activities are determined in consultation with stakeholders in neighborhoods throughout the Washington Metropolitan area. MCS aspires to be a source of social good, assisting community stakeholders to build the capacity and progress on their own for common good. The board is comprised of diverse cultures and faith traditions. We work together to advance understanding and cooperation to help build a better society for everyone. Our motto is, “E Pluribus Unum” (Out of many, one.)
Rosemary is a member of the Interfaith Council of Metropolitan Washington (IFC) and vice president on the IFC committee for outreach and coordination. Before she retired in 2015, among other responsibilities, her career included service in two offices within the U.S. Department of Education (USED) – the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) and the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education. She also represented USED as advisor to the Secretariat for Orphans and Other Vulnerable Children and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
Al Fritz
Longtime research scientist, project manager, and special assistant to senior US government leaders, now seeking to pivot career to help leverage whole-of-government resources and capabilities in the fight against climate change. Over 20 years of experience directly supporting US Navy (USN) and US Marine Corps (USMC) flag officers and senior staff and managing multiple research projects across wide variety of operational topics. Accomplished team leader and mentor to diverse analysts. Solely responsible for deriving analytical methodologies and problem-solving approaches, communicating strategic priorities, building consensus across organizations, and briefing results to senior leaders. International Relations Doctorate, Georgetown University; Research: US-Japan alliance, Politics & Economics of China and Japan, Masters Degree George Washington University; Political Science & Japanese language, University of Arizona joint degree.
Rebekah Tosado
Attorney and policy advisor with 25 years of experience in government, civil and human rights, policy and law. Skilled in Legal and Policy Analysis, Government, Homeland Security, Federal Government, and National Security. Graduate of Boston College Law School. Admitted to practice law in Massachusetts and the District of Columbia. Past Board VP The Arc of Prince George’s County serving persons with developmental and intellectual disabilities. Finance Council Secretary, Nuestra Señora Reina de las Americas. Awarded US Department of Homeland Security, Secretary’s Meritorious Service Silver Medal in 2015 for exemplary service, commitment, and outstanding performance in establishing a Limited English Proficiency Program for diverse communities across the Nation.
Shahram Ahmadzadegan
Seasoned operations executive with a proven track record of delivering operations and program excellence with overall budgets up to $1.3 billion. 20+ years of operations leadership, including 15 years dedicated to international development managing the effective execution of complex programs across the world. In-field leadership in countries like Kenya, Tunisia, Liberia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Macedonia, and Afghanistan in advancing their economic, social, and environmental well-being. Currently open to both public and private sectors where my operations expertise can contribute to value creation for the organization.
Core Competencies: Business Operations & Turnaround, Program & Project Management, Divestitures & Company Stand-up, Quality Assurance & Quality Control, Financial Management & Budgeting, Performance & KPI Management, Business Insights & Data Analysis, Audits, Risk and Compliance, Change Management, Training & Communications, Cross-Function Team Management, Client / Stakeholder Relations
Reza Soraya
Reza Soraya earned his Master of Finance degree from the Judge Business School, University of Cambridge. His career journey began at KPMG Advisory Indonesia as an Advisory Associate, where he provided independent commercial valuations for multiple transactions within Southeast Asia. He then moved to PwC’s Capital Project and Infrastructure team, taking on the role of a Senior Associate. Here, he advised on infrastructure investment and development issues. Currently, Reza is at the International Finance Corporation, Washington, D.C. office, where he is involved in developing comprehensive solutions for sustainable environmental and municipal infrastructure in emerging markets worldwide. Examples if his community-focused roles outside his professional commitments are: Vice President of the Rotary Club Simatupang; and Volunteering with the United Nations High Commission Refugee Agency (UNHCR) He also actively engages in community-building activities in impoverished neighborhoods, aiming to promote both spiritual and material progress.
Ellswer Barham
English as a Second Language Teacher (ESOL) – High Point High School, Prince George’s County, Maryland, Montgomery College, Takoma Park, Md. English Chair person of Adult Ed. NIH, University of the District of Columbia, English Professor. Exchange Teacher to Japan Representing Prince George’s County Public School in Kanagawa Prefecture, Tokyo Japan. English, Reading, & English as a Second Language Teacher. High School, Middle and Elementary Schools, Washington, D.C. Public School. English and Reading Adjunct Professor Full & Part time Department of English and Foreign Languages. Montgomery College, Takoma Park Campus, MD. Assistant and Full time Professor University of the District of Columbia / Bowie State University / George Washington University. Maryland State Board of Education Certification. Trinity College – Graduate and Professional Classes 2001-1990. George Washington University MA English As A Second Language 1982. University of the District of Columbia MA Reading 1982. Bowie State College Graduate Credit in West African Studies c/o University of Ouagadougou, Bukina Faso and Forabay College Sierra Leone, West Africa 1978-79. District of Columbia Teacher’s College – BS English & French 1978
Lilian Dorka
In the fall of 2024, Lilian Sotolongo Dorka retired from federal service after 37 years. As a member of the Senior Executive Service at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from 2014-2024, she served in various capacities, most recently, as Senior Advisor for Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights in EPA’s Office of Land and Emergency Management (OLEM), where she advanced EPA’s language access services nationwide and spearheaded systems to integrate environmental justice and external civil rights considerations in OLEM’s to advance environmental justice, civil rights, and equity for all communities served through OLEM programs, including disaster and emergency recovery for historically underserved, overburdened, and marginalized communities.
Of particular note, in September 2022 Lilian worked to establish a historic new program office at EPA, the Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights (OEJECR), charged with advancing EJ and civil rights throughout EPA. As the first ever Deputy Assistant Administrator for External Civil Rights, she worked tirelessly to improve and enhance the agency’s ability to infuse equity, civil rights, and environmental justice into all EPA practices, policies, and programs; enforce federal civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin (including limited-English proficiency), sex, disability, or age by recipients of EPA financial assistance; and provide services and expertise in alternative dispute resolution, environmental conflict resolution, consensus-building, and collaborative problem solving.
Between 2017 and 2022, Lilian served as the Director of EPA’s External Civil Rights Compliance Office, within the Office of General Counsel, responsible for
enforcing the federal civil rights laws. Before then, Lilian served at the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) for 27 years, in various legal and management capacities, including Senior Counsel to the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights. At ED’s OCR, she worked to advance enforcement of federal civil rights laws and ensure equal educational opportunities for all students, including a considerable emphasis on students and parents with limited-English proficiency.
Lilian is committed to advancing civil rights enforcement, justice, and equity. She received her BA degree in political science and English literature from the University of Miami, Miami FL, and her JD from the Catholic University School of Law, Washington, DC. Lilian was born in Cuba and came to the U.S. with her family at the age of six. She began her American education as an English language learner.
Alice Wender
Ms. Wender worked for over 42 years in the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR). OCR enforces the several Federal civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, and age in program or activities that receive funds from the Department of Education. She served in OCR’s Headquarters Office for 17 years developing policy guidance and resources on an array of issues and designed and implemented a comprehensive technical assistance program to inform individuals of their rights under the civil rights laws and to help school communities fulfill federal civil rights obligations. For over 25 years, Ms. Wender served as Director of the District of Columbia Enforcement Office enforcing the civil rights laws in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and the District of Columbia. Under her leadership, the office carried out OCR’s core work — preventing, identifying, ending, and remedying discrimination against students. Her office rose to the challenges faced and successfully resolved civil rights harms experienced by students as part of their education. Ms. Wender also was a successful educator. She was a Title I Reading and Math teacher in the New York City school system followed by five years as a special education teacher in Arlington County Public Schools.
Wayman McCoy
Wayman McCoy possesses 20+ years of experience as an HR Specialist – Staffing & Recruitment, managing personnel, and developing business in healthcare, finance, information technology, and other industries. He earned an MBA in Health Services Administration from Howard University. He distinguished himself by placing skilled healthcare providers in hospitals, nursing homes, and other medical systems across the US in response to the COVID-19 crisis. As a business development specialist, he generated qualified leads and developed sales pipelines for multiple software, HR, and consulting providers including Master Card Public Payment Solutions, AMEX Accounts Payable Recovery Services, K&R Negotiators. Wayman Chaired the Partnership for Family Preservation Rites of Passage Planning Committee at Koba Center for Drug Treatment & Research under the auspices of Dr. Jeff Hoffman who co-developed the Living in Balance drug treatment program. Wayman is an accomplished violinist and arts advocate. He has appeared as session violinist and soloist for numerous recordings including Donnie McClurkin, Herb Fame, Julia Nixon, Richard Smallwood. He is Concertmaster of the DC Strings Workshop’s Accord Symphony, a member of “Strings for Christ,” Ars Nova Chamber Orchestra; Soulful Symphony, Premier String Quartet; and private violin instructor.
Felegebirhan B. Mihret
Felegebirhan Belesti Mihret is a migration expert, researcher, and consultant with over a decade of experience in international migration, refugee studies, peace and conflict resolution, human rights, and development. He has collaborated with academic institutions, international organizations, and civil society, conducting both qualitative and quantitative research, policy analysis, and program evaluations. His research expertise spans labor migration, human trafficking, and migration policies, as well as peace and conflict resolution, with publications in peer-reviewed journals.
Felegebirhan is currently a Ph.D. candidate with “ABD” in Conflict Analysis and Resolution at George Mason University, focusing on migration governance and development aid. He holds an MSc in Migration, Mobility, and Development from SOAS, University of London, an MA in Human Rights from Addis Ababa University, and a BA in Sociology from Gondar University in Ethiopia. He has served as a lecturer and research assistant at George Mason University, contributing to academic discourse on global migration and conflict resolution.
His extensive experience includes consultancy roles with organizations such as the World Bank, DFID, the EU, and the Red Cross, where he has provided policy recommendations and conducted field research in migration and human rights. He has also been involved in capacity-building projects, advising policymakers, civil society organizations, and grassroots initiatives focused on youth, women, and migration governance frameworks. Since 2020, Felegebirhan has also served as a board member of a non-profit organization called the African Civic Leadership Program (ACLP).
Abigial Wahl
Abigial Wahl served as Board Chair of the Multicultural Community Service (MCS) from 2021-2023. Serving on the Board with Abigail are Cris Cristine; Dixie Lee Ross; and Jenn Capps.
Bonnie Cain
Bonnie Cain served as MCS Board Chair in the mid-2000s – 2021. Her leadership was integral to MCS’s parent involvement civic engagement initiative. Board members serving with Bonnie were board members Rachel R. Lukens – Board Treasurer; Evelyn Boyd Simmons; and Soohyun (Julie) Koo.
Bonnie has been a tireless advocate for civic engagement as a resident and familiar face in the Mount Pleasant neighborhood. She has participated in numerous campaigns in DC, including working for the Tommy Wells Campaign in his 2014 run for the Council of the District of Columbia, representing Ward 6, and Adrian Fenty in his mayoral bid. Her enthusiasm and experience with uniting the community in partnerships for the common good bring a much-appreciated energy to the MCS Board.
Frank J. Method
Frank J. Method served as the Director of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Washington Office and education advisor from 1998 to 2001. He was an education and planning expert on UNESCO’s Board of Americans for UNESCO, 1998 to 2001.
Frank’s career began as a Peace Corps volunteer in Nigeria,1964 – 1969. Next, he served in senior staff posts in the Ford Foundation and the Research Triangle International. He was a senior adviser for policy development for basic education, professional development, participant training, development, and communications at the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), 1981 – 1996. Frank taught graduate seminars on UNESCO at George Washington University from 2008 to 2010 and served as a visiting professor at Stanford University. He was a long-time resident of the Mount Pleasant neighborhood in Washington, DC.
Frank was the MCS Board Chairperson from early 2000s until his death in 2013.