The DC Center Board Announces New Co-Chairs, New Members
CONTACT INFORMATION:
The DC Center for the LGBT Community
Rebecca Bauer, Chief Communications Officer
202-682-2245
rebecca@thedccenter.org
RELEASE DATE: February 1, 2019
THE DC CENTER BOARD ANNOUNCES NEW CO-CHAIRS, NEW MEMBERS
Jonathan Gilad & Rehana Mohammed to lead the DC Center as Co-Chairs
[WASHINGTON, DC, February 1] — Jonathan Gilad and Rehana Mohammed begin as the DC Center for the LGBT Community’s first Board co-chairs. Rehana, a Muslim bisexual woman, and Jonathan, a Jewish gay man are proud that the co-chair model enables diversity at the organization’s highest level of leadership.
Jonathan and Rehana succeed Michael Fowler, who has served as the DC Center Board Chair for the last five years. Executive Director, David Mariner shared, “I am grateful for the many years of service Michael Fowler has given our community, both as a board member and board chair. We are fortunate that Michael will remain on the board this year to assure a smooth transition while welcoming new ideas and energy. The DC Center and our community is lucky to have Rehana, Jonathan, and our entire leadership team.”
Jonathan Gilad joined the DC Center Board of Directors in December of 2016 and was elected Chief Communications Officer. While on the Board, Jonathan has revitalized programs for the DC Center, including the annual Gay Day At The Zoo, and event which quickly became one the Centers’ signature fundraisers. Prior to his work with the DC Center, Gilad was active in the Washington DC Jewish LGBTQ community, serving as the Chair of Nice Jewish Boys DC (NJB), a social group that serves GBTQ men in their 20’s and 30’s. He also served on the Programing Committee of the Washington DC JCC’s Kurlander Program for LGBTQ Engagement. Jonathan is a communications and advocacy professional, currently working at MCI-USA, where he is a Senior Programming and Communications Manager. He has a master’s degree from the George Washington University Graduate of Political Management, where he focused on digital advocacy. Jonathan moved to DC after completing his bachelor’s degree in political science in 2008 from Queens College, City University of New York.
Rehana Mohammed is a passionate leader and management professional with a background in public policy. She has served on the DC Center Board of Directors since June 2018 and was elected Secretary in August 2018. Prior to joining the Board, Rehana was a 2017 Victory Empowerment Fellow with the LGBTQ Victory Institute. Rehana is Director of Program Development at the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) where she oversees change management, data analysis, and outreach for the Rural Health Care program. Previously, she was a Presidential Management Fellow at the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB). She has a MS in Public Policy and Management from Carnegie Mellon University and a BS in Foreign Service from Georgetown University. She is originally from Takoma Park, MD and currently lives in Washington, DC with her wife and two cats.
In addition to the leadership transition, the Board welcomed two new members, Tiera Craig and Luke Scuitto. Tiera Craig, a Detroit native, is an experienced LGBT activist, advocate, and change agent with a passion for LGBT veterans. A United States Army Disabled Combat Veteran, she currently works at the Department of Veterans Affairs. For more than 15 years, Tiera has volunteered with several organizations serving on boards and committees including Equality Michigan, Motor City Pride, National Black Justice Coalition, Harlem Pride, and LOCS Network. Tiera is also a founding member of The Garden Collective, serving as the Board Vice President. Luke Scuitto is the Development Associate for the Council on Foundations. Luke is a part of Council on Foundations’ DEI Advisory Group, which executes a series of internal and external events, policies, and procedures in the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion space. Prior to joining the Council, Luke was the Senior Class Gift Coordinator at the George Washington University for the Class of 2018 and worked as a Development Intern at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. He is excited to return to the DC Center as a Board Member.
To learn more about the DC Center for the LGBT Community, visit www.thedccenter.org