Silas | Scholar
Spring 2024 Cohort
The Heart of New Futures is its People
Our staff is the soul of the organization: mission-aligned, deeply committed, and relentlessly dedicated to walking alongside our Scholars every step of the way. We show up for them with the tools, networks, and encouragement they need to thrive. Our Scholars are parents, first-generation college students, immigrants, and young professionals balancing work and school. We meet them where they are and walk with them every step of the way.
Our Staff
Behind every Scholar’s success is a team of thoughtful, talented professionals who pour their expertise and care into making New Futures a place of real possibility.
Dr. Sherrod Williams
Chief Executive
Officer
Elizabeth Ash
Donor Engagement &
Operations Manager
Jasmine Froe
Assistant Director of
Scholar Programs
Michael Ludgardo
Director of Philanthropy &
Communications
Ramiro Forty
Scholars Program
Advisor
Amy Eslava
Operations
Coordinator
Griselda Macias
Director of Strategic Partnerships
& Community Impact
Katie Bodie
Scholars Program
Advisor
Molly Friesenborg
Director of
Scholar Programs
Sienna Brancato
Development
Manager
Desiree Despertt
Scholars Program
Advisor
Jamila Williams
Director of People, Culture
& Operations
Kera Donaldson
Scholars Program
Advisor
Nicholas Lorenz
Communications
Manager
Our Board
Alongside our staff, our dedicated and compassionate board is helping to build a future where every young person has the chance to succeed on their own terms.
Kim Vinick
Chair
Heather Wathington, Ph.D.
Vice Chair
Chief Executive Officer
iMentor
Elizabeth Haile Hayes
Secretary
Retired
Susan Krause Bell, Ph.D.
Treasurer
Retired
Isaac Agbeshie-Noye, Ed.D.
Program Director
SHRM Foundation
Richa Batra
Senior Vice President
Anthology, Inc.
Tiara Brawner
New Futures Alumna
David Farrell
President
Farrell Advisory, Inc.
Kendra Grinnage
Associate Principal
Kennedy & Company Education Strategies
Lori Jackson
President and CEO
Jane Bancroft Robinson Foundation
Mondi Kumbula-Fraser
Vice President of Government Relations & General Counsel
Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area
Jeff Oberstein
Executive Vice President, Head of Strategy
Kimberly Price
Integrated Delivery Executive
JLL Technologies
Lakendra Randolph
New Futures Alumna
School Counselor
Montgomery County Public Schools
Nick RisCassi
Vice President of Strategy & Operations
BuildQ
Selvon Malcolm Waldron, Ed.D.
Senior Vice President / Executive Director
City Year Washington, DC
Betselot Zeleke
Partner
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP