I joined Identity’s Board of Directors because…
…I am passionate about Identity’s work supporting and empowering youth to build Montgomery County’s future!
….I want to help ensure members of our community have access to the resources they need that allow them to prosper, realize their dreams, and be successful in whatever they choose to do.
…I want to lend my service toward making Latino youth feel welcome and valued in our community.
…I am so impressed with what Identity and its wonderful staff do for Latino youth in Montgomery County.
…Identity has a powerful impact on Latino youth and families in Montgomery County.
…I want to do my part to address the challenges that face some Latino youth and families and to help create opportunities for all to thrive.
…Identity enables Latino youth and families to flourish, to achieve, and to contribute to making Montgomery County a great place to live.
…I believe Identity is among the nation’s most effective and compassionate groups for helping Latino youth and families realize their highest potential.
….I deeply believe in the work this organization does and the importance of positively impacting the life and trajectory of Latino youth and the Latino community at large.
…I want to give back, support and help create opportunities for the people of color that Identity serves.
…I strongly believe in Identity’s important mission and wish to help the organization achieve its goals.
… Identity works every day to build a better future for all, and especially those who would be overlooked without its help.
….I want to help further Identity’s mission of fostering inclusivity and empowering Latino and underserved youth to discover and realize their fullest potential.
….as a Latina myself, I want to do my part in addressing and supporting the needs of Latino youth and their families so they can thrive and lead better lives.
…it serves as an exemplary model of what it looks like to do transformative work with community to build pathways to human dignity.
…of its profound and inspiring mission and its demonstrated effectiveness in empowering Montgomery County’s Latino youth and their families to reach their potential.
…I wanted to work with Identity to improve the education of Latino students and assist their families to support the education and careers of their children.
…of the fundamental urgent need to engage, develop and empower the future generations of leaders who will shape a more compassionate, inclusive and just society.
Sarah Whitesell
Sarah Whitesell
“I joined Identity’s Board of Directors because I am passionate about Identity’s work supporting and empowering Montgomery County youth to build our county’s future!”
Monica Marquina
Monica Marquina
Monica Marquina is a legislative strategist with deep connections in Montgomery County. She currently serves as Government Affairs Manager with WSSC Water as a liaison to Montgomery County Government and municipalities. Previously, Monica worked for the City of Gaithersburg, most recently as the Legislative Affairs Manager where she successfully advocated for several MCPS Capital Improvement Projects as well as state funded grants for multiple City capital projects. Monica brings her perspective as a parent of MCPS students, former PTA officer, proud graduate of Gaithersburg High School, and her advocacy and communications expertise to her role as a member of the Advisory Committee to the Black and Brown Coalition for Educational Equity and Excellence.
“I joined Identity’s Board of Directors to advocate on behalf of Latino youth so they may be offered the opportunities and the means necessary to thrive and achieve. As a child of immigrants who grew up in a focus area served by Identity, I recognize the critical role Identity plays in narrowing the opportunity gap for our young people.”
Michael A. Jiménez, Jr.
Chair
Michael A. Jiménez, Jr.
Michael A. Jiménez, Jr. is the co-owner of Capital Kids DC, an educational preschool and pre-kindergarten, in Washington, DC. Prior to this career change, Michael served as corporate counsel at a technology company. Michael was born and raised in Florida and earned his B.A. from Florida International University in Miami. He later earned his J.D. from IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law in Chicago. He has served on the Association of Corporate Counsel’s National Capital Region’s Diversity Programming Sub-Committee (2018-2020) and as an Associate Board Member of the Center for Economic Progress (2013-2016). As someone who identifies as mixed race, Latino, and gay, is married to a Muslim man, and has an adopted son, Michael champions diversity, inclusion, and equity both in and out of the office as those concepts are central to his family and life. As the owner of a childcare center and the parent of a young child, Michael is passionate about improving early childhood development and education in our community.
“I joined Identity’s Board of Directors because I want to help ensure members of our community have access to the resources they need that allow them to prosper, realize their dreams, and be successful in whatever they choose to do.”
Steve Hull
Vice Chair
Steve Hull
Steve Hull was the Founding Editor and Publisher of Bethesda Magazine and Bethesda Beat, and co-founder of Arlington Magazine (he sold the business in 2021). Before starting Bethesda Magazine in 2004, Steve spent 14 years as a senior executive with Atlantic Media Company (formerly National Journal Group), which publishes The Atlantic magazine. Prior to that, Steve was an editor of several business-to-business magazines, a newspaper reporter and editor, and a press secretary in the U.S. House of Representatives.
In addition to being on the Identity board, Steve serves on the Board of Advisors at the Universities at Shady Grove, the Community Foundation for Montgomery County, the Journalism Department at the University of Connecticut (his alma mater) and on the Board of Directors of Rock Creek Conservancy and The Day, a daily independent newspaper in New London, Connecticut. Steve lives in Chevy Chase with his wife Susan Hull. They have four grown children.
“I joined the Identity board because I want to do my part to address the challenges that face some Latino youth and families and to help create opportunities for all to thrive.”
Shirley Brandman
Shirley Brandman
Shirley Brandman currently works as an education advocate in Montgomery County. She is Chair-Emeritus of the Board of Directors for Identity as well Chair of the Board of Advisors for the Universities at Shady Grove (USG). Most recently, Shirley worked as the founding Executive Director for the National Commission on Social, Emotional and Academic Development at the Aspen Institute. In 2014, Shirley completed two terms as an elected member of the Montgomery County Board of Education where she was twice selected to serve as President.While on the Board of Education, Shirley participated in countywide efforts directed at improving the wellbeing of youth. In 2011, then County Executive Leggett appointed her as a co-Chair of the countywide Latino Youth Collaborative Oversight Work group. Prior to her service on the Board of Education, Shirley directed the Domestic Violence Clinic at the Washington College of Law. She began her career as an attorney representing children and youth in abuse/neglect and juvenile delinquency cases in Newark, New Jersey and she launched the first Child Advocacy Clinic at Cornell Law School. Shirley is a graduate of Yale Law School and Yale University and earned her Master¹s Degree in Special Education from American University. She is a first generation American.
“I joined Identity’s Board of Directors because our Latino youth are the future of Montgomery County. How effectively we educate them and support their dreams will shape the well-being of our County for years to come.”
I had been impressed by the high quality of Identity’s work and, as the child of immigrants myself, wanted to lend my service toward making Latino youth feel welcome and valued in our community.”
Nancy Ebb
Nancy Ebb
A lawyer and clinical social worker, Nancy worked for Aspire Counseling, a mental health non-profit, for close to 20 years before going into part-time private practice in 2019. At Aspire, she developed community programs for low-income Montgomery County residents that sought to bring mental health services to people in settings they trust, rather than waiting for them to come to an intimidating office. Through this work, Nancy discovered Identity and its vital role advancing the wellbeing of Latino youth and families.
Before her mid-career switch from lawyer to social worker, Nancy worked at the Children’s Defense Fund for 20 years, focusing on health, child care, and child support. She served on the Board of Nurturing Minds in Africa, which supports a Tanzanian secondary school and community programs for low-income girls, empowering and educating them for individual and community change. Nancy is a member of Giving Together, a local philanthropic giving circle. She worked for many years on the Montgomery County Child Care Commission and the Montgomery County Child Support Advisory Council. She lives in Bethesda with her husband Gary Ford; they are the proud parents of two adult sons. Nancy graduated from Harvard University. She earned her JD from the University of California at Berkeley and her MSW from Catholic University.
“I am so impressed with what Identity and its wonderful staff do for Latino youth in Montgomery County. I love Identity’s vision of holistic care, the way its programs walk the walk, and the passion staff and Board members bring to translating its mission into action.”
Stewart Edelstein, PhD
Stewart Edelstein
Stew Edelstein retired as the Executive Director of the Universities at Shady Grove (USG) and Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs for the University System of Maryland in October 2020. Under his leadership, he strengthened collaborations between USG, Montgomery College, and Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS), including ACES (Achieving Collegiate Excellence and Success), which has enabled many MCPS graduates from diverse backgrounds to obtain baccalaureate degrees. Stew served on the Board of Directors of the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce and received its Visionary Award. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of Worksource Montgomery, the Montgomery County Advisory Board of the Greater Washington Community Foundation and is a member of Montgomery Moving Forward, a collective action group advocating for systemic change in early care and education in the county. He received his Master’s and Ph.D. degrees from the University of California at Berkeley.
“I joined Identity’s Board of Directors because of the powerful impact it has on Latino youth and families in Montgomery County.”
Nancy Kaplan
Nancy Kaplan
Nancy is Executive Chair of Conscient Strategies, a consulting firm she co-founded in 2014 to empower organizations to develop resilient cultures that thrive through change. A leader in managing organizational transformation and turnarounds, she has extensive experience orchestrating change for a wide range of organizations from global corporations to nonprofits. Among other areas, Nancy brings her expertise to organizational transformation, agile strategy development and implementation, scaling, and post-merger integration. Nancy has led numerous mergers and acquisitions, with particular focus on the integration of cultures and processes.
Previously, Nancy was a partner at SECOR Group Consulting (subsequently acquired by KPMG Canada), where she opened the first U.S. office tor Canada’s largest independent strategy firm. Nancy was a strategy partner with Accenture, a global 50 consulting firm, and the Washington, DC, area managing partner of ADVENTIS, named by Consulting News as one of the Seven Small Jewels of the consulting industry.
Nancy has served on the boards of several nonprofits, helping to develop and revise strategies as markets change, sustainably growing organizations, and creating effective governance.
Nancy holds an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business and a BA, magna cum laude, from Yale University. She is a certified mindfulness and meditation teacher.
“Identity enables Latino youth and families to flourish, to achieve, and to contribute to making Montgomery County a great place to live. We are all stronger when everyone realizes their potential. I joined Identity to help realize the possibilities for the future for individuals, families, and our community.”
Michael Knapp
Michael Knapp
Mike Knapp is CEO and Co-Founder of SkillSmart and has spent more than 30 years identifying opportunities to use technology to improve people’s lives and create economic opportunity. SkillSmart’s SaaS products make stronger communities by improving outcomes for economic projects by increasing diverse workforce and business participation and using skills-based applications to overcome the skills gap and improve hiring outcomes. Prior to beginning SkillSmart, he served two terms on the County Council of Montgomery County, MD, and was elected Council President, giving him first-hand insight into how growing a diverse pipeline of skilled workers and businesses can improve lives and communities and grow our economy.
Mike also founded Orion Ventures, managed business development at Celera Genomics, the National Center for Genome Resources, and The Institute for Genomic Research, and served as legislative assistant to U.S. Senator Peter V. Domenici of New Mexico. His current community activities include serving as chair of the Board of Trustees at Montgomery College, and as a member of the Board of Advisors at the Universities at Shady Grove, a founding chair of Montgomery Moving Forward and as a member of the board of the Healthcare Initiative Foundation and Identity, Inc.
“I joined Identity’s Board of Directors because I believe this organization is among the nation’s most effective and compassionate organizations for helping Latino youth and families fulfill their goals and realize their highest potential.“
Martin Lespada
Martin Lespada
Martin Lespada currently works as the Chief Financial Officer at the Board of Child Care, a nonprofit organization that provides residential, educational and mental health services for at-risk youth. Prior to joining the Board of Child Care, Mr. Lespada spent over 20 years in the Financial Services sector with leadership roles at Capital One, WSFS Bank and Oportun. Mr. Lespada started his career in Argentina, where he’s originally from, working in management consulting at PwC and KPMG. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his family, grilling in his backyard and swimming. Mr. Lespada earned a Master’s in Business Administration at The George Washington University and a Bachelor’s in Accounting and Finance at the University of Buenos Aires, Argentina.
“I joined Identity’s Board of Directors because I deeply believe in the work this organization does and the importance of positively impacting the life and trajectory of Latino youth and the Latino community at large.”
Ivonne Lindley
Ivonne Lindley
Ivonne Corsino Lindley is a Principal at the law firm of Stein Sperling Bennett Driscoll De Jong where she primarily handles personal injury claims and litigation. A genuine and long-standing desire to stand up for others drew Ms. Lindley to the field of personal injury law. She seeks to connect with and understand her clients as thoroughly as possible so that she can determine their individual needs and concerns, and thus successfully advocate on their behalf to insurance adjusters, juries, and judges. Prior to joining Stein Sperling in 2003, Ms. Lindley served as a law clerk in the Montgomery County Circuit Court. She has remained involved in law associations throughout her career and served for three years as a Commissioner for the Montgomery County Commission for Women. In her spare time, Ms. Lindley enjoys spending time with her family and volunteering to support her children’s school, sport and other community activities. Ms. Lindley earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Maryland, and a Juris Doctor from The George Washington University Law School.
“I joined Identity’s Board of Directors to give back, support and help create opportunities for the people of color that they serve. As a bilingual Latina woman who grew up in this county, and who is raising my family here, it is important for me to make sure these communities get all of the support they deserve.”
Stephen Metz
Stephen Metz
Stephen Metz is a Principal at the law firm of Offit Kurman, P.A. in Bethesda, Maryland. At Offit Kurman, he primarily handles all types of bankruptcy and real estate dispute matters. Previously, Mr. Metz was a member of Shulman, Rogers, Gandal, Pordy & Ecker, P.A. where he served as co-chair of the Bankruptcy & Creditors Rights Group and chair of the Title Dispute Resolution Group. Mr. Metz is a past president of the Bankruptcy Bar Association for the District of Maryland and is a member of the Montgomery County Bar Association, the Maryland State Bar Association, the American Bankruptcy Institute, the Simon E. Sobeloff Law Society and the Walter Chandler American Inn of Court. Prior to joining Shulman Rogers, Mr. Metz clerked for a judge in the Circuit Court for Prince George’s County, Maryland. He also clerked for several judges in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maryland. Mr. Metz has also been awarded a top AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell and has repeatedly been named to Maryland SuperLawyers. Mr. Metz earned a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and Logistics from the University of Maryland and a Juris Doctor degree, cum laude, from the Dickinson School of Law at the Pennsylvania State University.
“I joined Identity’s Board of Directors because I strongly believe in Identity’s important mission and wish to help Identity achieve its mission and goals. Because of my professional background, I am particularly interested in financial literacy issues.”
Christian J. Mixter
Christian J. Mixter
Christian “Chris” J. Mixter first connected with Identity in 2018 as a Compass volunteer consultant and then joined the Board in 2020. He serves as Counsel (Retired Partner) with Morgan, Lewis & Bockius, LLP in Washington DC. Previously, he was Chief Litigation Council with the Division of Enforcement for the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and Associate Counsel with the Office of the Independent Counsel (Iran/Contra). Chris earned his JD at Duke University and his BA at Ohio State University.
“I joined Identity’s Board of Directors because Identity works every day to build a better future for all, and especially those who would be overlooked without its help.”
Ana Morales
Treasurer
Ana Morales
Ana Morales serves as the Director of Treasury Management at Founders Bank, a local financial institution committed to meeting the diverse financial needs of businesses and individuals across the Metro DC area. Ana has an extensive background spanning more than 20 years in the banking sector, including international, retail, and commercial banking. She is active in several local organizations and holds a particular interest in mental health and financial literacy initiatives. Ana lives in Montgomery County, where she finds the greatest fulfillment in her connection with family, friends, and the community.
“I joined the Board to serve the community and help further Identity’s mission of fostering inclusivity and empowering Latino and underserved youth to discover and realize their fullest potential.”
Vanessa Rodriguez
Vanessa Rodriguez
Vanessa Rodriguez is Senior Vice President, Placemaking, Marketing, Investor & Community Relations at MURAL Real Estate Partners. With 20 years of experience, Vanessa has developed and implemented strategic marketing initiatives and placemaking for mixed-use properties throughout the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions. She determines the appropriate merchandising uniquely suited for each community. She effectively and efficiently solves marketing/communications and branding challenges with versatility, creativity, and attention to detail. Vanessa manages ongoing marketing programs and promotions as well as developing and implementing brands for new mixed-use development projects.
Prior to joining MURAL, Vanessa was the Vice President of Marketing for The Howard Hughes Corporation’s (HHC) redevelopment of Downtown Columbia in Columbia, MD. In this role, she spearheaded the adoption of a new district-wide master art plan, launched an array of cultural initiatives designed to reposition Merriweather District as a creative new regional hub. These initiatives include the creation of the OPUS Merriweather – the art, music and technology festival series that has brought to date over 30,000 new visitors to the region, the Merriweather District annual Artist-In-Residence program, and Books in Bloom, a regional literary festival. In her role on the Board of Directors for the Downtown Columbia Arts and Culture Commission, she has established the launch of Soulful Symphony’s residency at Merriweather Post Pavilion. Prior to her role at HHC, Ms. Rodriguez managed marketing for high-profile mixed-use assets for Federal Realty Investment Trust and Forest City.
“As a Latina myself, I joined the Identity Board of Directors to do my part in addressing and supporting the needs of Latino youth and their families so they can thrive and lead better lives.”
Gislene Tasayco
Secretary
Gislene Tasayco
Gislene Tasayco is a consultant at the American Institutes for Research. Currently, she is the deputy director on a set of projects focused on providing evidence-backed support across education, community development, and the criminal legal system. Before joining AIR, she was a Senior Associate at the National League of Cities where she managed cross-functional initiatives and programs to drive community-centered change through education, technology, and authentic youth and community engagement. Gislene advises national and global leaders on a range of issues to explore physical environments and learning tools to promote learning ecosystems, working with interdisciplinary partners to pioneer the Community Learning Hub model. Prior, Gislene worked within and outside of government agencies and nonprofit organizations to integrate positive youth development more effectively within public systems. In 2017, then County Executive Leggett appointed her to serve on the county-wide local management board of the Montgomery County Collaboration Council as well as an appointment by Mayor Ashman to serve on the Educational Enrichment Committee of the City of Gaithersburg. Gislene’s work is rooted in her lived experience as a formerly undocumented, first-generation Latina from Peru and a lifelong participant of expanded learning programs in Montgomery County. She has a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Government from Trinity Washington University, an associate’s degree from Montgomery Community College, and a data science specialization from Johns Hopkins University.
“I joined Identity’s Board of Directors because it serves as an exemplary model of what it looks like to do transformative work with community to build pathways to human dignity – honoring differences, where interactions are thoughtful, and everyone’s humanity is seen. As a former MCPS student, former Identity employee, and lifelong resident of Montgomery County, I have witnessed the powerful impact of Identity firsthand.”
Diego Uriburu
Ex Officio
Diego Uriburu
Diego is co-founder of Identity and served as Deputy Executive Director from 2004 to July 2011 when he assumed the position of Executive Director. In this capacity, he is responsible for the strategic direction of the organization and stewardship of a broad range of federal, state, local and private grants. Prior to co-founding Identity, Diego worked as a psychotherapist at various community-based organizations in the Washington, DC area that work with the Latino population. Diego participates in a several Montgomery County task forces and working groups: he is Co-Chair of the Latino Youth Collaborative Oversight Committee and of the steering committee of the Latino Health Initiative; and member of the steering committee of Nonprofit Montgomery and the Latino Public Safety Workgroup. Diego holds a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of Belgrano in Argentina.
Tal B. Widdes
Tal Widdes
Tal B. Widdes retired in 2018 after serving for 14 years as Chief Operating Officer of the Jewish Social Service Agency. Previously, for twenty years, Tal served in leadership positions as Vice President and Brand Manager of Assisted Living and Special Care for Marriott Senior Living Services and Manor Care Health Services. Tal earned her MPH at Yale University, and her M.Ed and B.A. at the University of Rochester. Tal joined the Identity Board in 2020 and also serves on the Board of JCRC. Tal emigrated to the United States in 1968.
“I joined the Identity Board of Directors because of its profound and inspiring mission and its demonstrated effectiveness in empowering Montgomery County’s Latino youth and their families to reach their potential. What a unique honor to extend my life’s work and passion for pursuing-change-making a difference in people’s lives, transforming their challenges to possibilities for success and dignity!”
Teresa Wright
Board Member Emerita
Teresa Wright
Teresa Wright has worked in Montgomery County Public Schools since 1979, where she pioneered staff cultural awareness training and initiated programs to increase the involvement of Latino parents in the school system. She has been a Parent Resource Teacher in MCPS’s Division of ESOL and Bilingual Programs since 1995. Teresa has been working tirelessly to ensure that immigrant families and their children in the Gaithersburg and Watkins Mill clusters have an opportunity to achieve success. Her work extends well beyond school-related issues. She is a member of the County Executive’s Latin American Advisory Group and was a founding member of the County’s Hispanic Alliance. She also served on the Montgomery County Latino Youth Collaborative, and worked with Family Services to open the Teen Mom Center in Gaithersburg. Born in Mexico City, she earned an undergraduate degree from the Normal Superior School of Guadalajara and a master’s degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana. Teresa has been honored with countless awards, among them Identity’s Teresa Wright Award for excellence in service to Latino youth, which was created in her honor in 2011.
“I joined Identity’s Board of Directors because I wanted to work with Identity to improve the education of Latino students and assist their families to support the education and careers of their children.”
Alejandro Yepes
Alejandro Yepes
Alejandro Yepes brings to Identity a history of leadership positions in large and small organizations and commitment to social justice and community development. Alejandro currently volunteers with Friends of White Flint and KID Museum and manages a real estate investment partnership. Previously, he served as Senior Policy Associate with Bridgewater Associates, Program Manager for Onboarding at the World Bank Group, and in the District of Columbia Government. Alejandro earned his MPP-UP at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government. He has a long history of activism, primarily related to children, youth, and economic development. Alejandro is fluent in French, Portuguese, and Spanish.
“I joined Identity’s Board of Directors because of the fundamental urgent need to engage, develop and empower the future generations of leaders who will shape a more compassionate, inclusive and just society.”