Individual Winners
Jessica Bress
Strategic Projects Advisor to the Chief of Police
Metropolitan Police Department
Jessica Bress recognized the need to cultivate strong, adaptive leadership in the Metropolitan Police Department. Given the complex challenges that law enforcement faces, recruitment, morale, limited budgets, and public scrutiny, building a workforce prepared for 21st century policing became a top priority. Jessica saw an opportunity to equip the next generation of police leaders with the mindset, skills, and education required to lead effectively and drive meaningful change.
Newly promoted lieutenants and captains need additional training and time to focus on building skills that would ready them for the evolving realities of modern police leadership.
Through a national landscape analysis, Jessica found that existing leadership programs were often outdated, expensive, limited in capacity, or targeted only at senior executives. There was a critical and growing gap in training for the middle ranks, often those who hold the most influence over agency culture and operations. In response, she created the DC Police Leadership Academy (DCPLA).
Launched in 2023, DCPLA is a three-week program taught in two in-person sessions. Its curriculum is built on heutagogical (self-directed) learning and combines experiential training, polling, case studies, and breakout sessions. Jessica worked across sectors to secure expert faculty and design a program that reflects the demands of policing. The Academy teaches that 21st-century policing requires more than tactical skills. Today’s leaders must be ethical role models, innovative problem-solvers, and bridge-builders in their communities.
DCPLA incorporates site visits to the U.S. Capitol, White House, and Supreme Court, grounding participants in history and civic leadership. Led by Harvard professors, investigative journalists, national researchers, a Navy SEAL, and more than three dozen respected police chiefs, officers engage in real-world case studies on wellness, critical incidents, and media response.
Since 2023, DCPLA has graduated five cohorts with 358 participants. In addition to Metropolitan Police Officers graduates have included leaders from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Secret Service, and agencies representing14 countries. In final evaluations, 86% of participants reported a shift in their thinking on leadership, and 83% felt more prepared to lead effectively.
Commander Michael Pulliam wrote: “No one has done more to improve the way we think about and deliver police services in the District of Columbia than Jessica... Her development of the DC Police Leadership Academy has been an astounding success, recognized as one of the nation’s best for police executive development.”
In 2023, DCPLA earned the Webber-Seavey Award for Excellence in Law Enforcement from the International Association of Chiefs of Police. Through Jessica’s vision, the program is shaping the future of policing one leader at a time.
Anwar Mahmood
ADA Architect
Office of Disability Rights
In a city where the built environment defines access to opportunity, Anwar Mahmood is quietly reshaping the District of Columbia to ensure every resident and visitor regardless of physical ability can move through public spaces with dignity, safety, and independence. As the DC Government’s only in-house architect focused exclusively on accessibility, Anwar plays a singular role in integrating inclusive design into the city’s infrastructure. His work does not simply ensure legal compliance, it reimagines public architecture as a shared, equitable resource that reflects the District’s values and long- term vision. Anwar led a sweeping review of DC’s parks and schools, assessing each for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination based on disability. The result was a detailed set of reports and remediation plans that now serve as a roadmap for citywide accessibility improvements. His work ensures that playgrounds, recreational fields, school entrances, and learning environments are navigable and welcoming to all. Because of his work, this fundamental standard is supported by city leadership and planning.
Serving as the sole accessibility reviewer for the District’s built and proposed environments, Anwar engages directly with DC agencies during the design phase of major projects. He responds to technical inquiries, conducts architectural reviews, and guides teams to proactively meet ADA requirements before ground is ever broken. His expertise was instrumental in the design of the Kingman and Heritage Island redevelopment project, ensuring the revitalized space would be inclusive from its inception. Demonstrating the respect his work commands across jurisdictions, his advice is sought out beyond DC, most recently by the project team designing the Laurel Community Center in Maryland.
Anwar’s leadership is equally impactful behind the scenes. Recognizing the importance of capacity building, he designed and delivered citywide training for ADA Coordinators and provided on-site instruction to agency staff on how to conduct accessibility surveys. By empowering staff to conduct their own assessments, the DC Government can reduce reliance on external consultants. This initiative has already been implemented with DC public school staff and is expected to yield long-term cost savings for the city by fostering internal expertise and consistency.
Colleague Hallie Simmons of the Office of Disability Rights captured Anwar’s influence clearly, “Anwar’s unwavering dedication to promoting physical accessibility and eradicating barriers is evident in every project he undertakes… He has demonstrated a rare combination of expertise, commitment, and kindness that has had a lasting impact on the lives of District residents and visitors.”
Through his assessments, technical reviews, and commitment to training, Anwar has significantly improved accessibility across DC. His work has led to measurable cost savings, enhanced compliance, and improvements in public spaces. Anwar continues to set the standard for how the government can lead with both excellence and empathy.
Dr. Kofi Onumah
Pharmacist
DC Health
The summer of 2021 marked a turning point in the fight against COVID-19 in Washington, DC, Dr. Kofi Onumah, a pharmacist at DC Health, emerged as a leader in the city’s essential health initiatives. With unwavering commitment, he worked tirelessly to ensure that no community was left behind in the race to vaccinate.
Dr. Kofi played a key role in developing the District’s COVID-19 Vaccination Rollout Plan, collaborating with federal agencies, community leaders, and local pharmacies. Prioritizing vulnerable populations and essential workers, he identified trusted partners capable of delivering mass vaccinations and facilitated mobile clinics in underserved neighborhoods. His thoughtful coordination, adherence to guidelines, efficient troubleshooting, and most importantly, the distribution of hundreds of thousands of vaccine doses was vital to the city’s safe reopening and progress toward community immunity. His efforts helped restore trust in public health systems during a time of widespread uncertainty and fatigue.
Dr. Kofi’s work extended to other critical and complex public health challenges, most notably, the escalating opioid epidemic. He co-authored regulations for the District’s Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP), a real-time tool to help flag risky prescribing patterns and reduce misuse. Under his leadership, the PDMP became a cornerstone of the District’s overdose prevention strategy, enabling prescribers and pharmacists to intervene earlier and support safer prescribing practices. Since its implementation, the program contributed to a decline in overprescribing and helped prevent overdose deaths across the city and surrounding region.
Dr. Kofi also modernized the District’s healthcare continuing education system by transforming it into the DC Center for Rational Prescribing (DCRx). The online platform provides free, on-demand, evidence- based training for healthcare professionals. Focused on opioid stewardship, which ensures the safe and effective use of opioid medications, DCRx expanded access to critical clinical knowledge and helped reduce industry influence in care decisions. Under Dr. Kofi’s leadership, it became a trusted national resource for prescribers seeking unbiased, practical training.
Dr. Kofi’s commitment to Washington, DC, extended to fostering a more equitable and effective government workforce. As First Vice President of AFGE Local 2725, he championed policies that directly improved working conditions for government employees. His efforts aimed to modernize regulations and ensure just treatment of employees, leading to a more engaged and productive workforce, which translated into improved public services across departments and agencies.
One colleague noted, “Dr. Onumah combined technical expertise with a deep understanding of the communities he served. His work wasn’t just smart, it was driven by care, equity, and follow-through.”
Through each initiative, Dr. Kofi demonstrates what a practical, principled leader who is deeply rooted in the real needs of people can accomplish. His work continues to influence how the District approaches crisis response, health equity, and workforce justice.
Phillip S. Walker
Chief of Recreation for All
Department of Parks and Recreation
In the District of Columbia, recreation is more than activity, it’s a vehicle for belonging, joy, and growth. As Chief of Recreation for All at the Department of Parks and Recreation, Phillip Walker is helping define what public service can be. He is building something rare, a culture of leadership rooted in care, creativity, and authentic community engagement.
In 2023, Phillip helped develop the Recreator’s Academy and its centerpiece, the Visionary Leadership Institute. These programs, designed to strengthen professional excellence among recreation staff while inspiring a deeper sense of purpose, were built around the values of Leadership, Optimism, Vision, and Example (L.O.V.E.). The initiative reflects the belief that every recreation space should foster dignity and connection for all a team of more than 100, and mentored thousands of young people during pivotal moments in their lives. ages and communities. These programs are actively informing leadership development efforts across DPR, community-based organizations, and other agencies committed to inclusive and equitable public service.
For over 20 years, Phillip served at the Department of Employment Services, where he helped shape the Marion Barry Youth Leadership Institute (MBYLI) into one of the District’s most meaningful leadership development programs. He rose from summer trainer to program director, modernized operations, managed a team of more than 100, and mentored thousands of young people during pivotal moments in their lives. He authored the “MBYLI Transformation” document, a forward-looking plan that restructured the program based on real- world leadership principles and deep community input. He also initiated the MBYLI Global Education Program, which took youth abroad to places like South Africa, Colombia, and Canada, helping them see themselves not just as local changemakers, but as global citizens.
When the COVID crisis disrupted lives and learning, Phillip moved swiftly to transition MBYLI online in less than eight weeks, ensuring continuity for over 450 youth. His actions sustained a vital community lifeline at a time of national isolation and uncertainty. As Hakeem Rogers, Deputy Director at DPR, wrote, “His superpower is his humility—he can enter any room, at any level, and lead with empathy, humor, and conviction. The staff and youth under his care know they matter, and that changes everything.”
From international travel to local playgrounds, from workforce training to cultural transformation, Phillip’s leadership has left a visible imprint on the District. He sees public service not as a ladder, but as a circle, where every person deserves to be seen, supported, and empowered.
Phillip Walker’s contributions continue to shape how the District develops its workforce, empowers young people, and strengthens community life. His leadership has sparked lasting programs, nurtured talent across agencies, and created inclusive spaces, both physical and relational where people feel they belong, feel safe, and can grow. His legacy is a more connected, community-centered DC.
Gashaw Woldehanna
Cluster Controller, Government Operations Cluster
Office of the Chief Financial Officer
While many talk about transforming government, Gashaw Woldehanna is doing it, with rigor, innovation, and integrity. As the Cluster Controller for the Government Operations Cluster in the Office of the Chief Financial Officer, Gashaw has modernized financial systems and processes, significantly improving efficiency, accuracy, and accountability. His reforms have improved service delivery and responsiveness across the District.
One of his most impactful contributions was leading the implementation of the Paymentus System, replacing the outdated lockbox method for rent collection. This platform enabled digital payments, improved cash flow, and resolved long-standing audit issues. Gashaw’s leadership recovered $6.59 million in delinquent leasing debt and brought critical modernization to a public-facing process. His efforts not only increased transparency and accountability but also eliminated manual tasks like invoicing, check deposits, and reconciliation, all while enhancing security.
Gashaw also led the automation of the Direct Voucher process, launching real-time tracking and centralized approvals through a streamlined platform called SeamlessDocs. This significantly reduced approval times and ensured full compliance with DC’s Quick Payment Act. The result has been faster vendor payments, stronger internal controls, and enhanced financial reporting. This initiative set a new standard for efficiency and responsiveness in government operations.
In capital asset reporting, Gashaw tailored the District Integrated Financial System (DIFS) system to better manage Construction In Progress, including specialized assets such as IT infrastructure and real property. These enhancements brought the District into closer alignment with recognized accounting standards and increased accuracy across agencies. His improvements addressed inefficiencies and ensured capital assets are accounted for with greater precision and visibility.
Recognizing the challenges associated with year-end financial activities, Gashaw redesigned the fiscal year 2024 accrual process to make it simpler and more reliable. These updates streamlined how expenditures are recorded across the 40 agencies he oversees, supporting faster closeouts and enhanced accuracy in year-end financial reporting. His leadership enabled stronger public fund management.
Michael Bolden, Director of Financial Operations for the Government Operations Cluster, said, “His commitment to continuous improvement is unmatched. He routinely does more than what’s required, and his contributions have truly transformed the accounting operations within the cluster and the District as a whole.”
As a leader in compliance, Gashaw also oversaw the implementation of Governmental Accounting Standards Board’s Statements 87 and 96 pertaining to complex lease and IT subscription accounting standards. His meticulous planning and technical knowledge ensured seamless integration of these regulations ensuring accuracy in day-to-day financial management and in the more complex audit process.
At the core of his leadership is a focus on people and service. By modernizing systems and empowering teams through training and thoughtful design, Gashaw has created lasting value. His ability to align vision with execution, and technology with mission, exemplifies the best of public service and sets a new standard for excellence.
Team Winners
Team Name: Peer Case Management Institute (PCMI) Team
Department of Human Services
  Lindsay Curtin
  Policy Analyst, Strategic Planning and Data Division
  Rachel Pierre
  Interim Director
  Miati Taliaferro
  Program Analyst, Strategic Planning and Data
Experiencing homelessness can strip people of shelter, economic stability, and opportunity, but not of wisdom, resilience, or the desire to serve. In Washington, DC, where homelessness remains one of the city’s most visible and urgent challenges, the Peer Case Management Institute (PCMI), launched by the Department of Human Services (DHS), is a groundbreaking effort to transform how the District thinks about workforce development, public service, and lived experience.
Led by A. D. Rachel Pierre, Lindsay Curtin, and Miati Taliaferro, PCMI prepares individuals with lived experience of homelessness to become professional case managers who support others currently navigating the system. In partnership with the Howard University School of Social Work, The Community Partnership for the Prevention of Homelessness, and Pathways to Housing DC, the team designed a rigorous 14-week program combining technical training, classroom instruction, and on-the-ground practicum experience.
Each team member played a distinct and essential role. A. D. Rachel Pierre, with her deep knowledge of DHS programming and cross-agency collaboration, led strategic alignment, policy coordination, and ensured the program advanced broader workforce equity goals. Lindsay Curtin oversaw program operations, including the selection and onboarding of students, facilitation of inter-agency logistics, and development of systems to track outcomes. Miati Taliaferro served as the daily on-site coordinator, attending every class session, managing real-time student needs, and creating an environment where participants felt seen, supported, and empowered to succeed.
The inaugural PCMI cohort began with 40 students. Participants received laptops, stipends, and three weeks of computer training to build digital literacy. The initial training was followed by seven weeks of case management courses led by Howard University faculty and four weeks of internship placements with homeless service providers across the District.
By the program’s conclusion in July 2024, 35 students had graduated, an 88% completion rate. Twenty-two have secured employment, 20 now working within the District’s own homeless services system. One graduate shared, “Before being accepted into the Peer Case Management program, I often felt like a failure due to the trials I encountered in my life… This program helped me reconnect with myself and become the best version of me.”
From daily classroom support to weekly cross-agency meetings, the PCMI team ensured every detail of the program reflected dignity, opportunity, and care. As Dr. Tracy Whitaker of Howard University wrote, “Their vision, implementation strategies, and presence made this project unique, innovative, and highly successful… Their commitment to the success of the students and the partners was evident in every interaction.”
Now preparing for its second cohort graduation, PCMI is being studied as a model for replication across the country. Thanks to Rachel, Lindsay, and Miati, the District is no longer just delivering services, it is building careers, restoring dignity, and proving that lived experience of homelessness is not a barrier, but a strength.
Team Name: Low Titer O Whole Blood Program Team
Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department, Office of the Chief Technology Officer
  Ryan ElborneÂ
  Deputy Fire Chief of EMS
  Gabriel GanÂ
  EMS Quality Improvement Analyst
  Jeffrey Lenard
  Firefighter
  Holly O'Byrne
  Paramedic/Lieutenant and Whole Blood Coordinator
  Dr. David Vitberg
  Medical Director
  Timothy Hutchison
  Public Safety GIS Analyst
When seconds mean the difference between life and death, delivering safe, universal blood transfusions in the field becomes more than a medical advancement—it becomes a moral imperative. In Washington, DC, a cross-agency team of public servants answered that call with the creation and implementation of the Low Titer O Whole Blood (LTOWB) Program, one of the first in the nation for civilian trauma response.
The LTOWB team, composed of leaders from the Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department (FEMS) and the Office of the Chief Technology Officer (OCTO), brought whole blood transfusion capabilities out of the hospital and directly to patients in critical need. Their efforts have saved lives, set a new standard for prehospital trauma care, and created a model for other jurisdictions to follow.
Each team member played a pivotal role:
- Ryan Elborne, Deputy Fire Chief of FEMS oversaw operations and helped integrate the program across FEMS divisions.
- Gabriel Gan, FEMS Quality Improvement Analyst designed dashboards to track transfusion outcomes and support decision-making.
- Timothy Hutchison, Public Safety GIS Analyst from OCTO created tools to optimize placement of blood resources based on trauma call density.
- Jeffrey Lenard, Firefighter acted as a frontline advisor and early tester, validating workflows and offering feedback to enhance effectiveness.
- Holly O’Byrne, Paramedic/Lieutenant and Whole Blood Coordinator led implementation, field operations, training, and coordination with clinical partners.
- Dr. David Vitberg, Medical Director for FEMS developed medical protocols and built partnerships with trauma centers.
What makes LTOWB innovative is its simplicity, speed, and scalability. By carrying cold-stored, type O, low-antibody blood, EMS crews can begin transfusions within minutes of arriving on scene. This bypasses delays of hospital arrival and type- matching, often too slow for patients with massive hemorrhage.
Since launching, the program has decreased time-to-transfusion and improved survival rates among trauma patients. In its first year, it completed over a dozen successful field transfusions, with early outcomes showing a 50–55% improvement in survivability for patients with severe blood loss.
The team also engaged a broad range of stakeholders to ensure a coordinated rollout. They created data-sharing agreements, interagency training protocols, and collaborated with national experts to fine-tune the model.
As one senior medical leader wrote, “The launch of the Whole Blood Program represents one of the most impactful medical advances DC has made in decades. The interdepartmental cooperation and the commitment of these individuals made it possible for DC to save lives that would otherwise have been lost before a patient even reached the hospital.”
This program has elevated emergency care, inspired replication, and shown what public service can accomplish at its best, coordinated action that supports people at their most vulnerable and gives them another chance at life.
Individual Finalists
Latoya Allen
Supervisory Customer Service Specialist
Child and Family Services Agency
Dr. Perette Arrington
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Department of Behavioral Health-School Behavioral Health Program
Tamirat Azene
Financial Systems and Accounting Manager
Office of the Chief Financial Officer/Office of Financial Operations and Systems
Tenika Brown
Human Capital Administrator
Department of Public Works
Kandis Catalan
Community Engagement Specialist
Office of City Administrator - Office of Gun Violence Prevention
Latita Faulk-Grant
District Center Site Manager of Southeast Tennis and Learning Center
Department of Parks and Recreation
Wanda Gattison
Metropolitan Police Department Special Assistant
Metropolitan Police Department
Bridget Holliday
Library Technician
DC Public Library
Ty'on Jones
Curbside Services Manager
District Department of Transportation
Jason Juffras
Senior Analyst
Office of the District of Columbia Auditor
Alan Karnofsky
Chief of Staff
Department of General Services
Team Finalists
PSH3 Monitoring and Contracts Team
Department of Human Services, Family Services Administration
Team Members:
Abi Akodu
LaToya Bass
Kara Carmichael
Tawana Holland
LaPortia Jackson
Melanie Newkirk
Eric Ndichu
Tanner Smith
Kim Tenhor
Victor Tommy
The Oasis Incentive Program
Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS), New Beginnings Youth Development Center
Team Members:
Candice Autry
John Mein
Jeremiah Mungo
Rena Myles
Romita Sillitti
Multimodal Project Delivery Division
District Department of Transportation
Team Members:
Britnee Adams
Noah Bell
Emma Blondin
Lareon Brent
Othman Chebli
Shawn Daniel
Tarifa Faunteroy
William Handsfield
Kendrick Miles
Bethany Turner
Cedar Hill Regional Medical Center GW Health - P3 Project Team
Department of Healthcare Finance
Team Members:
Mitchell Collin
Ranada Cooper
Larissa Etwaroo Bako
Jacob Hambrick
Osei O. Headley
Renee M. Holmes
Lee-Ann Pinkard
Jeff Reiss
Benjamin Stutz
Joseph Tetzloff
The Aston Non-Congregate Facility and Program
Department of Human Services
Team Members:
LoToya N. Bass
Lisa Franklin
Stacia Novella Frederick
Dwayne Gentry
Carmen Hernandez
Christian Howard
Mori Langshaw Sr
Anthony D. Newman
William Stewart
Sakina B. Thompson
Co-Response Team (COR)
Metropolitan Police Department
Team Members:
Akintayo Akintunde
Tiffany Cunningham
Maxwell Davidson
Jonathan Dorrough
Kenya Gaston
Mervin Garber
Brittney George
Melanie Minges
John Muniz
Kevin Smith
Office of Out of School Time Grants and Youth Outcomes Team
Office of the Deputy Mayor for Education
Team Members:
Kevin Cataldo
D’Andre Garrison
Shontia Lowe
Shanna Samson
Marcus Shaw
Mark Weinberger
Reading Clinic Team
DC Public Schools
Team Members:
Dr. Helen Behr
MeQuel Bolden
Erin Dunn
Abigail Klein
Dr. Jasmine Rogers
Claire Sontag
Tiffani Turner
