Maggie Moore
Co-Founder,
Board Chair

Maggie Moore works as a communications officer for USAID. She graduated from Syracuse University with master's degrees in international relations and in public relations. She also holds a BA in international relations from Tufts University.

Prior to her work at USAID, Maggie served as the operations officer for Democracy International (DI). Maggie also worked as an election observer in the 2014 Egyptian constitutional referendum and the Egyptian presidential election as well as DI’s media liaison in the 2010 parliamentary elections in Afghanistan. Maggie also worked for the U. S. Embassy in Bratislava, the Clinton Foundation,  Senator Mary Landrieu, Senator Ted Kennedy, then Representative Edward Markey, Representative Heath Shuler, and the Italian Council of Ministers. She lives in Washington, D.C.

Maggie, the chair of our Board of Directors, is a goddaughter of B.A. and has a lifetime appointment. She has a B.A.’s quick wit and extensive library, and she continues B.A.’s tradition of regular dinner parties with friends and family.

Ashlee Peña
Board Vice Chair

Ashlee Peña currently serves as Counsel and Community Liaison for Thrivent Financial. Prior to working with Thrivent, she served as Chief of Staff in the Texas State House of Representatives. A native of San Antonio, Texas, Ashlee holds a Bachelor’s degree in political science and history from Trinity University, a Doctorate of Jurisprudence from St. Mary’s University School of Law, and a Master’s degree in educational policy and planning from The University of Texas at Austin. 

Ashlee knows firsthand the positive impact of supporting young women who seek to make a difference in the world, and is excited to further advance the mission while serving on the Board. 

She is a 2016 alumna of the Alliance’s programs, where she interned as a policy fellow at the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics. Ashlee, our Board of Directors’ vice chair, has B.A.’s passion for lifelong learning and a dedicated commitment to paying it forward to people, communities, and causes. 

Alejandra "Lexii" Carrillo
ALUMNAE COUNCIL LIAISON

Alejandra "Lexii" Carrillo recently completed a Binational Business Fulbright Scholarship in Mexico City, where she interned at Ashoka, a global nonprofit organization that drives entrepreneurship and social innovation. Prior to her Fulbright experience, she completed internships at the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Minnesota State Legislature, Center for Homicide Research, and the International Institute of Metropolitan Detroit’s Immigration Legal Center. 

Lexii received a Bachelor’s degree from Macalester College, where she majored in sociology and classics, and specialized in legal studies. Lexii also completed a Master’s degree in global thought, specializing in economic development at Columbia University.

Lexii is a 2014 alumna of the BA Women’s Alliance, where she interned at the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of International Affairs, Criminal Division. She serves as Alumnae Council liaison of the Board of Directors. Like B.A., Lexii has a pistol-quick wit and lives boldly wherever she goes.

Rebecca Cook Davis
Co-Founder, Member-At-Large

Rebecca Davis is a certified and licensed genetic counselor working for California Cryobank. She works with the genetics team to screen potential sperm and egg donors, as well as track and manage health updates from both gamete donors and donor-conceived offspring. Previously, she worked as the Registry Coordinator for the Phelan-McDermid Syndrome Foundation's International Registry and as a clinical genetic counselor at the Cleveland Clinic, where she specialized in hereditary cancer risk and was part of the multidisciplinary breast cancer clinic team. She also worked in the pediatric, adult and cardiovascular genetics clinics.

She received her Master of Science in Genetic Counseling from Arcadia University in 2011. She has been the Programs Intern for Genetic Alliance. She is also a 2008 graduate of Rhodes College with a Bachelor of Science in biology.

Rebecca is a goddaughter of B.A. and has a lifetime appointment to our Board of Directors, where she, like B.A., is bossy, opinionated and practical.

Dionne Galloway
Programs Officer

Dionne Galloway is a skilled communications leader, strategist and organization development professional. She works with leaders at all levels to enhance their potential, make lasting change and achieve organizational and career goals and objectives at various organizations.

Dionne currently serves as the Director, Blended Learning and Innovation at Leadership for Educational Equity (LEE) where she designs and executes leadership development experiences for policy, advocacy, organizing and elected leaders at the local, state and federal level. Prior to joining LEE, Dionne served as the Director of Leadership Development Programs for ProInspire. There she developed cutting-edge trainings for over 300 social-sector leaders, partners and funders. 

Dionne holds an Executive Certificate in Organizational Consulting and Change Leadership from Georgetown University and a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism—with a concentration in advertising, from Howard University. 

Dionne currently serves as the programs officer on our Board of Directors. Like B.A., she lives life with a no-nonsense attitude and make-no-excuses policy.

Suzette Gardner
Communications Officer

Suzette Gardner is the digital director at Family Values @ Work, a national network of 27 progressive state and local coalitions leading the localized movement for family-friendly workplace policies such as paid sick days and paid family leave.

Suzette has over 15 years experience as a marketing technologist, and have worked with small and large organizations/companies including AARP, George Washington University, Blackbaud, and Beaconfire Consulting (now Beaconfire RED). 

Radio production is among Suzette’s passions. She has worked as a musicologist at IRIE FM (Jamaica), producer and host  at WPFW (Washington DC), and is currently a programmer at Takoma Radio in Takoma Park, MD where she resides with her family. Suzette holds a B.A. in history from the University of the District of Columbia, and an MSc in technology management and e-commerce from University of Maryland, University College. 

Suzette, communications officer of our Board of Directors, enjoys stimulating conversations with friends and lending help to others with her advice, much like B.A.

Candice Gayl
Fundraising Officer

Candice Gayl is an independent consultant, providing operational and fundraising expertise to clients primarily in the education sector. Candice specializes in program development and capacity-building, and works with organizations to create and execute fundraising plans, establish and manage relationships with key stakeholders and funders, and craft location-based strategies for effective program implementation. 

Her entrepreneurial senior executive background consistently results in developing six- and seven-figure funding streams for her employers and clients, including Bellwether Education Partners, National Math and Science Initiative, GreatSchools, District of Columbia Public Charter School Board, and the National Alliance of Public Charter Schools. 

Candice holds a Bachelor of Science in computer information systems from Strayer University. She actively participates in local education-related initiatives, including serving on the board of Beacon House and as a trustee for BASIS DC public charter school.

Candice currently serves as the fundraising officer on our Board of Directors. Like B.A., she’s never met a stranger, using her vibrant smile and effortless charm to make friends instantly. 

Angela Jones Hackley
Member-At-Large

Angela Jones Hackley is the Executive Director of Covenant House Greater Washington, the D.C. area’s leading organization working to transform the lives of youth ages 18-24 experiencing homelessness, disconnection, and exploitation.    

Previously, Angela was the Interim CEO for the Wayfinder Foundation, the Interim Executive Director of the DC Children and Youth Investment Trust Corporation, and held several leadership positions during her tenure at the Community Foundation for the National Capital Region. She has also served on the Board of the Taproot Foundation, Voices for America’s Children, the DC Health Coordinating Council, and the United Way of the National Capital Area.

She received an undergraduate degree, as well as a master’s in urban planning and policy, from the University of Virginia. She earned a Certificate in Leadership Development and an MBA from the Johns Hopkins University Carey School of Business. Additionally, she is a graduate of Leadership Washington Class of 2000.

Angela is a member-at-large on our Board of Directors. Like B.A., she sees the limitless potential of youth all around her.

Emily Mediate
Finance Officer

Emily “Emmie” Mediate works as the chief of staff at the American Flood Coalition. She holds dual Master’s degrees with distinction in global governance and public policy from the University of Oxford, where she studied as a Rhodes Scholar. She also holds a BA in health studies and Africana studies from the University of Notre Dame.

Prior to her current role, Emmie was the Director of Presidential Affairs at Planned Parenthood. Emmie also worked as an International Development Research Fellow on a USAID-funded project for vulnerable households in Uganda. She has also worked for U.S. Senator Michael Bennet and the Baltimore City Health Department.

Emmie is a 2015 alumna of the Alliance’s programs, where she interned at the Department of State, Bureau for African Affairs, Office of East Africa. She currently serves as the finance officer on our Board of Directors. Like B.A., Emmie appreciates dressing up for any occasion and a good, loud laugh.

Meredith Moore
Co-Founder, Member-At-Large

Meredith Moore currently teaches IB chemistry and psychology at the Washington International School in Washington, D.C. She earned a master’s degree with distinction in education from the University of Edinburgh. Meredith also taught at Roland Park School in Baltimore, MD from 2009-2015. During her tenure, Meredith was a founding committee member for the STEM Institute. She also collaborated with Teach for America and Becton Dickinson to train new science teachers.

Meredith has also participated in the Klingenstein Summer Institute, taught at Emma Willard School and was awarded both the Apgar Excellence in Teaching Award and the Sara Lee and Tillie K. Lubin Intern in Science Award. She graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology with honors in research, and double minored in chemistry and educational studies.

Meredith has a penchant for vintage clothing and whiskey, and like B.A., is always looking for a good deal on both. Meredith is a goddaughter of B.A. and has a lifetime appointment to our Board of Directors. 

Madeline Palmieri
Member-At-Large

Madeline Palmieri currently works as a Client Services Coordinator for Subject Matter, a creative advocacy firm in DC. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from New York University with a degree in political science and journalism, and minors in art history and graphic design. 

Prior to working at Subject Matter, she was an intern for the Oversight & Investigations Subcommittee in the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. There, she did in-depth research on key policy issues, drafted social media and official correspondence, and aided in official subcommittee hearing proceedings. In 2018, she also interned in the Office of Congresswoman Rosa De Lauro in the House of Representatives, working on women’s reproductive rights, international affairs, and the opioid crisis.  

Like B.A. Madeline has an unbridled laugh and an avid appreciation for the arts. She is a goddaughter of B.A. and has a lifetime appointment to our Board of Directors.

Astrid Quiñones
Legal Officer

Astrid Quiñones, Esq. MPA is a staff attorney at Ayuda, a nonprofit organization that provides legal, social, and language services to help vulnerable immigrants access justice and transform their lives. As a member of the Domestic Violence and Family Law Program, she practices law in Maryland and D.C.

Astrid received her J.D. from Syracuse University College of Law. During her time in law school, she also received her Masters in Public Administration from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs. Astrid serves as a member of the Crime Victims' Rights Advisory Board of the Superior Court of D.C. She is also an advisory board member of Rita’s Work in California, continuing her work to end domestic violence.

A 2017 alumna of the Alliance’s programs, Astrid interned at the Legal Aid Society of the District of Columbia. Now, she serves as the legal officer on our Board of Directors. Like B.A., she is bossy and enjoys stirring up “the good kind of trouble” to elevate her community.

Ivonne Ramirez-DeBlois
Academia Officer

Ivonne Ramirez-DeBlois has 10 years of experience in higher education. She is the Associate Director for Student Involvement and Leadership at Mount Holyoke College. 

Ivonne graduated from George Washington University (GW) with a master’s degree in human development. She also holds a BA in Latin American studies and Spanish from American University. Ivonne began her career as a sexual violence prevention and education coordinator at GW. She then worked in the nonprofit sector, developing leadership opportunities and trainings for women at American Association of University Women and Phi Mu Sorority.

 Ivonne resides in Massachusetts with her two dogs and husband. Ivonne volunteers her time as Chapter Advisor for Sigma Sigma Sigma National Sorority’s Gamma Iota chapter and as a national volunteer for their SAFE team.

Ivonne serves as the academia officer on our Board of Directors. Like B.A., she possesses a seemingly limitless tap of generosity and priceless perspective for those who seek her counsel.

Molly Buford
Senior Advisor

Molly Buford has more than two decades of management experience in the public sector, issue advocacy and political campaigns. She currently serves as Executive Vice President at the  Markham Group, a public policy firm in Washington, D.C.

A two-term veteran of the Obama Administration, Buford led the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of the White House Liaison and served as a Senior Advisor in the Office of Public Affairs. She also served in the offices of then-Senators Barack Obama and Joseph Biden, worked on four U.S. presidential campaigns, as Director of Schedule Advance for Secretary Bill Daley at the Commerce Department and the White House, and in the office of First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Molly Buford is a native of Little Rock, AR, a graduate of Little Rock Central High School, and a graduate of the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville.  Molly resides in Washington, D.C.

Like B.A., Molly remains a loyal Hogs fan, enjoys handmade cocktails in the sunshine, and still believes in handwritten thank you notes. Molly is a senior advisor to our Board of Directors.

Mike Wroblewski
Senior Advisor

Mike has a range of experience including legal training and antitrust practice, in the private sector, for the Federal Government, and in the nonprofit sector. In addition to being a Certified Financial Planner®, Mike was formerly the project director for Consumer Education at Consumers Union, the nonprofit publisher of Consumer Reports.

Mike directed Medicare’s implementation of how to rate doctors and hospitals on the cost and quality of care furnished so that Medicare could differentiate payments based on the value of the services furnished. He was also an antitrust attorney with the Federal Trade Commission for over a decade, and studied and implemented policies to benefit consumers in a variety of industries.

Mike received his JD. from the University of Texas School of Law, and an MPA from the Lyndon Baines Johnson School of Public Affairs. He received his BS (computer science) and BBA (finance) from Loyola University in Maryland.

Mike lives in Washington D.C., and like B.A., has provided advice and support for countless young people trying to find their way in Washington, D.C.