OPWDD-NCCC Partnership Logo

Our Team

We welcome hearing from you. Please email us at: OPWDD-NCCCpartnership@georgetown.edu

Tawara Goode is pictured smiling, wearing a royal blue blouse, silver and blue necklace, and red eyeglasses.Tawara D. Goode, Principal Investigator

Tawara D. Goode (she/her) serves as the principal investigator and is responsible for the successful implementation and quality assurance for all aspects of the OPWDD-NCCC Partnership.

Professor Goode is also the Director of the Georgetown University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (GUCEDD) and is responsible for short-term and ongoing programs for persons at-risk for and with developmental and other disabilities and their families.

Read more of Professor Goode's bio

 

Dr. Tanisha Clarke, a black woman with black shoulder-length hair, is smiling at the camera. She is wearing silver hoop earrings, a black blouse with white polka-dots, and a black blazer in front of a black background.Tanisha Clarke, Project Director

Tanisha Clarke, DBA, MPH, directs the OPWDD-NCCC Partnership for Systems Change project. She oversees this three-year complex and multi-faceted statewide project designed to advance policies and practices of cultural and linguistic competence, diversity, equity, and inclusion in all components of the intellectual and developmental disability system of New York State. Tanisha has served in various leadership roles, where she directed public health projects and technical assistance activities, and led efforts related to cultural and linguistic competence, diversity, equity, and inclusion. Tanisha earned her Doctorate in Business Administration from the University of Maryland Global Campus.

Read more of Tanisha Clarke's bio

 

Andy-Arias: Andy is pictured smiling in a headshot with a blurred background. He is a Latin X man with an olive complexion, short brown highlighted hair, and brown eyes, and he is wearing a purple argyle sweater. You can see the top of his wheelchair in the photoAndy Arias, Component Manager, Persons with Lived Experience & their Families

Andy Arias (he/him) serves as a Program Component Manager for the OPWDD-NCCC Partnership for Systems Change project. He leads and contributes to formulating and implementing program approaches and strategies for the Persons with Lived Experience of IDD & Family Program Component. His responsibilities include leading activities that support, collaborate, and partner with persons who experience IDD and their families across diverse racial, ethnic, cultural, linguistic, and other identity groups who reside in New York. Andy has worked in the disability/diversity space for over a decade. He previously worked with the NCCC as an Adjunct Faculty on various projects. Andy was a Policy Advisor at the US Department of Labor for 6.5 years. He is a recognized national Subject Matter Expert (SME) on diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility.



Jacquelyn is pictured smiling in front of a white background. She is a black woman with a brown complexion. Her hair is braided past her shoulders. She’s wearing gold earrings, a gold necklace, and a green and white checkered shirtJacquelyn Bing, Program Component Association, Persons with Lived Experience & their Families

Jacquelyn Bing, MHA serves as a Program Component Associate for the OPWDD-NCCC Partnership for Systems Change project. She is responsible for providing administrative support and coordinating a variety of project tasks and activities in the areas of technical assistance and deliverables tracking to support the Persons with Lived Experience & their Families component. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Public Health from UNC Charlotte and a Master of Science in Healthcare Administration from the University of Maryland Global Campus.



Dr. Bronheim is smiling in a headshot with a pink and gray background. She is white with a fair complexion, straight red hair and blue eyes and is wearing glasses and a blue and black knit jacket.Suzanne Bronheim, Cultural and Linguistic Competence Senior Associate

Suzanne Bronheim, Ph.D (she/her) serves as a Cultural and Linguistic Competence Senior Associate. She is responsible for: (1) leading efforts related to the adaptation of the Cultural and Linguistic Competence Assessment for Disability Organizations (CLCADO); (2) providing consultation to service providers to conduct an organizational cultural and linguistic competence self-assessment process and to develop and implement cultural and linguistic competence action plans; and (3) providing technical assistance, training, and consultation across project components as required. Suzanne holds a Ph.D. in clinical psychology and is currently an Adjunct Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the Georgetown University Medical Center. Suzanne has worked for over fifty years with and on behalf of persons who experience disabilities and chronic illness and their families and for the past 25 years as a member of the National Center for Cultural Competence.



Angela is pictured smiling with a background of white balloons. She is a Puerto Rican/Italian woman with light olive skin, medium-length brown hair, and brown eyes. She is wearing a blue tank top and gold earrings.Angela Castillo, Provider Network Component Manager

Angela Castillo, MA (she/her) serves as the Provider Network Component Manager. She is responsible for overseeing and coordinating the activities conducted under the Provider Network component, including but not limited to: 1) Regional Provider forums; 2) statewide organizational self-assessment processes and associated TA; 3) virtual professional development activities; 3) collaborating with the Research & Evaluation team to evaluate all activities under this component; and 4) conducting training, consultation, and TA activities as required. Angela holds a Master of Arts in Professional Studies and has experience supporting similar cultural and linguistic competence, diversity, equity, and inclusion systemic change projects for the Georgetown University National Center for Cultural Competence and the Georgetown University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities.



Nadine is smiling in front of a cream background. They are a Southeast Asian individual with shoulder-length black hair. They are wearing a black blazer over a white top, gold-rimmed glasses, and small hoop earrings.Nadine Chau, Project Research Assistant

Nadine Chau, B.A. serves as the Project Research Assistant for the OPWDD-NCCC Partnership for Systems Change project. They are responsible for providing support to the research and evaluation team with: 1) data entry; 2) compiling, verifying accuracy, and sorting information to prepare source data for computer entry; 3) reviewing data for deficiencies or errors, correcting any incompatibilities and checking output; 4) assisting with evaluation report writing, document preparation, PowerPoint presentations; and 5) scheduling listening sessions and interviews. They hold a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Arizona with certificates in developmental disabilities and healthy aging. Nadine has experience in the disability field from their research and traineeship at a University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD).


David Crawford is pictured with a pleasant facial expression with a cream background. He is a black Jamaican man with brown skin, light-brown eyes, short brown and gray hair, and a full, neatly cropped brown and gray beard. He’s wearing a white button-up shirt with a tan colored blazer.David J. Crawford, Program Component Associate, OPWDD

David Crawford, BA, is a Program Component Associate for the OPWDD-NCCC Partnership for Systems Change project. He provides administrative support and coordinates a variety of project tasks and activities to support the OPWDD component. David is a seasoned marketing communications executive with over 15 years of experience supporting C-Suite executives. Skilled in copywriting and editing, he’s known for being dynamic, adaptable, and dependable in working with leadership teams and executing traditional and digital projects. David graduated from St. John’s University in Minnesota with a bachelor’s degree in communications and a minor in writing.


Helen is pictured smiling in a headshot with a light-grey background. She is a South Asian woman with a dark complexion, medium-length, wavy, black hair with brown highlights, and is wearing a light-yellow shirt.Helen Dominic, Senior Project Researcher and Evaluator

Helen Dominic, PhD serves as the Senior Project Researcher & Evaluator for the OPWDD-NCCC Partnership for Systems Change project. Helen leads the evaluation and associated research efforts, including developing and utilizing evaluation and data collection tools, conducting qualitative and quantitative analyses, and reporting relevant findings. Helen holds a Ph.D. in Sociolinguistics from Georgetown University and has extensive experience in leading research and evaluation projects in the health equity and educational access fields both in the US and in Singapore where she is from.


Luticha is a honey-skinned Black femme sitting in a wheelchair wearing pink pants, a black and white houndstooth top, and a multitude of sparkly jewelry. Behind Luticha is part of a quote from Frederick Douglass that reads “freedom” in black and white on a purple backgroundLuticha Andre Doucette, Component Manager, OPWDD

Luticha Andre Doucette (all pronouns) serves as a Program Component Manager for the OPWDD-NCCC Partnership for Systems Change project. She leads and contributes to formulating and implementing program approaches and strategies for the OPWDD Program Component. Her responsibilities include managing multiple cultural and linguistic competence (CLC), diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts such as action planning; policy analysis and development; professional development and training; technical assistance and consultation; leadership development; and engagement of key constituencies such as persons who experience IDD and their families across diverse racial, ethnic, cultural, linguistic, and other identity groups and the communities in which they live. Luticha holds a bachelor’s in bioinformatics from the Rochester Institute of Technology.



Syreeta Elie is pictured smiling with a slightly blurred background with green, yellow, and cream hues. She is a black woman with a brown complexion, shoulder-length dark brown, almost black hair, and wearing burgundy lipstick that matches her burgundy and black sweater.Syreeta Elie, Program Component Associate, Provider Network

Syreeta Elie (she/her) is a Program Component Associate for the OPWDD-NCCC Partnership for Systems Change project. She provides administrative support and coordinates a variety of project tasks and activities to support the Provider Network component. Syreeta has provided administrative support in higher education for over 20 years.



Leslie Gaines, Information Technology Specialist

Leslie Gaines, MS serves as the Information Technology Support Specialist. She provides information technology support to the project, including audio/visual and other technical support for meetings and webinars. Leslie comes with a varied background in Biology (BS), Social Psychology (MS), and Computer Science (certs). She has worked as a research assistant, teleconferencing and face-to-face meeting administrator, and database management/analyst. Leslie also supports the Georgetown University Center for Child and Human Development.



Sharonlyn Harrison is pictured smiling with a medium grey background. She is an African-American woman with brown skin, white hair wearing black frame glasses with purple-tinted lenses and a black and white checked blazer.Sharonlyn Harrison, Director of Research and Evaluation

Sharonlyn Harrison, PhD serves as the Director of Research and Evaluation for the OPWDD-NCCC Partnership for Systems Change project. She is primarily responsible for designing the evaluation plan, implementing data collection strategies, conducting data analysis, and reporting findings from these efforts. She has more than 20 years of experience in the evaluation of federal, state, and locally funded projects and has received special recognition for her research in culturally, racially, ethnically, and linguistically diverse communities. Sharonlyn has extensive experience in conducting stakeholder-driven evaluation projects and engaging diverse communities in the process. The primary focus of much of her work has been on topics related to cultural and linguistic competence, diversity, equity, and inclusion. Sharonlyn is an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Pediatrics and the Director of Research and Evaluation for the University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities and the National Center for Cultural Competence at Georgetown University.



Vivian Jackson is pictured smiling with a gold background. She is an African American woman, light brown skin tone with short, dark hair. She is wearing a black and silver blouse, white dangling earrings, black framed glasses and red lipstick.Vivian Jackson, Cultural and Linguistic Competence Senior Associate

Vivian Jackson, ACSW, Ph.D., serves as a Cultural and Linguistic Competence Senior Associate. She is responsible for: (1) ensuring the quality and integrity of materials and resources used across project components; (2) providing guidance to project staff; and (3) conducting selected training, consultation, and TA as required. For over twenty years, Vivian has been a NCCC faculty member providing training, technical assistance and coaching on federal projects related to children’s mental health, and children and youth with special health care needs, and persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. Recent projects include Leadership Institutes for Cultural Diversity and Cultural and Linguistic Competence, and the Community of Practice on Cultural and Linguistic Competence in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. As a member of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), Vivian was a major contributor to the revisions of the NASW Standards for Cultural Competence in Social Work Practice. Vivian completed her BA at Oberlin College, MSW at Howard University, and her PhD at Case Western University.


This photo of Wendy Jones depicts a smiling red-brown complexioned black woman with brown eyes, dimples in both cheeks, and red-mauve colored lip gloss. She has brown shoulder-length locs or rope-like strands of hair, and is wearing a navy-blue mock turtleneck sweater, and sits against a black background.Wendy Jones, Senior Technical Assistance Director

Wendy Jones, MEd, MSW is the Senior Technical Assistance Director and is responsible for planning and providing technical assistance, training, and consultation across all components of the OPWDD-NCCC Partnership for Systems Change project. She serves on the project’s leadership team, provides oversight and guidance on relevant internal project planning, and collaborates with staff as needed. She maintains an ongoing consultative relationship with the New York State Community of Practice on Cultural and Linguistic Competence in Developmental Disabilities (NYS CoP). She provides technical assistance and supports to assist the NYS CoP in its leadership role to advance cultural and linguistic competence, diversity, equity, and inclusion across New York State in the intellectual and developmental disability space.

Read a full bio of Wendy Jones

 

Mariam Kherbouch, GUCCHD Administrator

Mariam Kherbouch, MBA, serves in a dual capacity as the GUCCHD Administrator and the principal administrative staff for the OPWDD-NCCC Partnership. Her responsibilities include: (a) serving as the liaison with the Georgetown University Medical Center Office of Sponsored Research, Office of Legal Counsel, and other departments/offices as required by university policy; (b) supervising budgetary management of the contract to ensure compliance with both OPWDD and Georgetown University Medical Center policies; and (c) serving on the project’s leadership team.

 

MelKisha is pictured smiling and standing in front of a large abstract painting with splashes of orange, red, and yellow. She is a black woman with a warm, rich skin tone and curly hair pinned up. She is wearing a black blouse with pink flowers and gold hoop earrings, and her glasses have a black frame.MelKisha Knight, Program Coordinator

MelKisha Knight serves as the Project Coordinator for the OPWDD-GU NCCC Partnership for Systems Change project. She works collaboratively with team members to provide an array of administrative and technical support. Her responsibilities include assisting with scheduling team meetings, tracking action items and work plan activities, supporting the preparation of reports and other required deliverables, and monitoring inquiries and requests sent to the project’s email account. MelKisha is an accomplished administrative professional with over a decade of experience providing high-level support to executives and teams across various departments. She’s a strong communicator and problem-solver who helps build positive relationships at all levels and contributes to a productive workplace culture.

 

Kalie Kowalski is pictured smiling in a headshot with a light-grey background. She is a biracial, Black-American woman with an olive complexion, shoulder-length, curly, black hair, brown eyes, and is wearing a green blouse with a navy blazer and gold hoop earrings.Kalie Kowalski, CLC-DEI Professional Development Associate

Kalie Kowalski, MS (she/her) serves as the Cultural and Linguistic Competence-Diversity Equity Inclusion Professional Development Associate for the OPWDD-NCCC Partnership for Systems Change project. Kalie oversees and facilitates the formation, design, and implementation of professional development and training activities. Her responsibilities include: (a) providing a broad range of professional development, training, and consultation activities focused on advancing cultural and linguistic competence, diversity, equity, and inclusion, (b) managing and leading short-term and ongoing initiatives in accordance with the work plan, and (c) supervising administrative staff as required. Kalie also supports other efforts at the Georgetown University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) and National Center for Cultural Competence (NCCC). Kalie holds a Master of Science degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders.

 

A headshot of Jalyn Marks, a white woman with freckles who is in her 20’s and smiling. She has curly, auburn hair, blue eyes, and is wearing glasses.Jalyn Marks, Information Dissemination Coordinator

Jalyn Marks, MA (she/her) serves as the Information Dissemination Coordinator for the OPWDD-NCCC Partnership for Systems Change project. Jalyn assumes the lead for and assists with a broad array of communication and product development tasks with an emphasis on persons with the lived experience of intellectual, developmental, and other disabilities, accessibility, multimedia products, postings, and related dissemination activities. Jalyn holds a Master of Arts in Communications, Culture & Technology and is also the Information Dissemination Coordinator for the Georgetown University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD).

 

Vernice Thompson, Fiscal Clerk

Vernice Thompson serves as the Fiscal Clerk. She is responsible for providing a first-level review of all financial transactions, such as requisitions, payment requests, and travel expenses. Her responsibilities include: (a) processing purchase orders, (b) ensuring all payments are tracked and filed correctly, and (c) providing administrative support to the project’s principal investigator, such as scheduling appointments.

 

Monica is pictured smiling in a close-up picture, with a blurred-out background that draws attention to her. She is a light complexion woman in middle age with long gray hair that cascades down. Monica is wearing a burgundy top and small gray earrings.Mónica Sanjur, IDD & Family Engagement Specialist

Mónica Sanjur, MA, serves as the IDD & Family Engagement Specialist for the OPWDD-NCCC Partnership for Systems Change project. Her primary role includes: 1) documenting and developing print and media materials about the lived experiences of persons with IDD and families, and 2) conducting training and professional development activities focused on advancing cultural and linguistic competence to diverse audiences and centering the perspectives of persons with IDD and families. Mónica has a diverse background in arts and media, museums, marketing, and video storytelling. Mónica also supports the Georgetown University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities.

 

Sarah Ward is pictured wearing a red blouse with a pearl necklace.Sarah Ward, Multimedia Specialist

Sarah Ward, MA serves as the Multimedia Specialist for the OPWDD-NCCC Partnership for Systems Change project. Her primary role supports video production, graphic design, and other forms of visual and audio communication that will be used within the project. Sarah contracts with experts to create alternate versions of our work to ensure our products are accessible to the culturally and linguistically diverse audiences we serve. Additionally, Sarah ensures that the branding of all products is aligned with the mission of the Georgetown University National Center for Cultural Competence. Sarah is also the Multimedia Specialist for the Georgetown University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities.

 

Soumia Yesraoui, Director of Information Technology

Soumia Yesraoui, BS, serves as the Director of Information Technology and is responsible for leading the Information Technology team to ensure the project’s technology needs are met, including webinar registrations, accessibility compliance, and all other technical support. She provides hardware and software support and training for Georgetown University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities faculty and staff. Soumia is responsible for the website's day-to-day maintenance and provides technical support for all webinars and distance learning technologies. She ensures that the website’s compliance and accessibility are consistent with federal regulations.



Betelhem is pictured in a headshot with a light grey background and some plants at the bottom. She is a black woman with a brown complexion, curly black hair tied in a top knot, dark brown eyes, and is wearing a black sequin dress, glasses, and a gold necklace.Betelhem Yimer, Research and Evaluation Associate

Betelhem Eshetu Yimer, MS, serves as a Research and Evaluation Associate for the OPWDD-NCCC Partnership for Systems Change project. She collaborates with the Research and Evaluation team to (1) implement evaluation and data collection protocols, (2) conduct statistical and qualitative analyses, (3) synthesize findings into evaluation summaries, (4) manage Institutional Review Board (IRB) applications, (5) assist with report writing, and (6) support related research activities. Additionally, Betelhem supports other research and evaluation efforts at the NCCC. Betelhem holds a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience from the University of Miami, and a Master of Science in Global Health from Georgetown University.



Aylie is pictured smiling in a headshot with a light-grey background. They are an Arab, feminine-presenting individual with an olive complexion. She has brown eyes, and her hair is dark brown, pulled back in braids. She is wearing gold hoop nose rings, earrings, and a gold pendant necklace. They are additionally wearing thin-rimmed glasses, and a white turtleneck beneath a green-brown button-down shirt.Aylie Yousif, Professional Development Assistant

Aylie Yousif (they/she) serves as the Professional Development Assistant. Aylie assists in planning, developing, and implementing a broad range of professional development, training, and consultation activities focused on advancing cultural and linguistic competence (CLC), diversity, equity, and inclusion for the OPWDD-NCCC Partnership for Systems Change project. Aylie holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and has a background in supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, primarily through providing 1-on-1 support as a behavioral therapist.