Gerren G. Price

Gerren Price brings to the DowntownDC BID more than 15 years of experience directing and supporting large-scale youth, workforce, and education programs and initiatives in the government and nonprofit sectors. He joined the BID as Director of Public Space Operations in 2018. Previously, he served as Senior Associate for National Community Strategies at the Annie E. Casey Foundation. Gerren began his career managing a national youth mentoring program before serving in several capacities in the District of Columbia government, starting in the Office of the Chancellor for D.C. Public Schools, then later serving as Director of Programs at the Department of Parks and Recreation and as a Senior Policy Analyst in the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Education. At the D.C. Department of Employment Services, he rose to hold the positions of Associate Director of the DOES Office of Youth Programs and Deputy Director of Youth Workforce Development, and also served as Deputy Director of Business Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs and as the agency’s Interim Director.

Rachel Rose Hartman

Rachel Rose Hartman is a visionary leader steering the Downtown D.C.’s future. Having spearheaded the DowntownDC Foundation as its founding Executive Director, Rachel is uniquely poised to step into the new role as Chief Strategy Officer for the DowntownDC BID. Her tenure at the Foundation has honed her ability to foster community engagement, drive impactful philanthropy, and spearhead transformative initiatives. Now, as Chief Strategy Officer, Rachel leverages this expertise to propel the BID’s strategic priorities forward, ensuring synergy between the BID, the Foundation, and Downtown D.C.

Rachel Rose Hartman is the founding Executive Director of the DowntownDC Foundation, the BID’s 501c3 organization. The DowntownDC Foundation supports the BID’s philanthropic efforts by enhancing service to the DowntownDC community through homeless services, park revitalization, public art and programming, and public space improvements. Rachel previously served as the BID’s Director of Interactive Marketing and Communications, where she directed marketing, events, branding, and communications for the organization. Rachel joined the BID in January 2014 with 10 years of political journalism experience. She previously held the positions of White House Reporter and Political Reporter for Yahoo News after covering several election cycles as a daily reporter for Congressional Quarterly. Her work has appeared in The Guardian, The Daily Beast, and many other publications, and she served as a guest on national and local television and radio. Rachel holds a B.A. in print journalism from American University. Rachel was awarded a 2017 Emerging Leader Fellowship from the International Downtown Association. She currently serves as vice chair of the board of directors for the National Cherry Blossom Festival. Rachel lives in D.C. with her husband and two sons.

Gerry Widdicombe

Gerry Widdicombe is responsible for overseeing all financial operations, including planning, budgeting and analysis; accounting; billing; and working closely with the Board of Directors and treasurer to ensure that the organization remains in good financial health and that its financial operations align with its strategic priorities. Previously he served as Director of Economic Development from 2018 to 2023. It’s a role he also held from 2000 to 2017. From December 2012 to May 2014, Gerry served as Executive Director of the D.C. Tax Revision Commission. Previously, he worked for the D.C. government in both the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development and the Office of the Chief Financial Officer. Prior to that, Gerry was a financial consultant, including at the FDIC and RTC during the savings-and-loan crisis of the early 1990s. He spent 10 years at Goldman Sachs in the 1980s. Gerry is a graduate of Dartmouth College and Harvard Business School.

Lukas Umana 

Lukas Umana brings to our team a wealth of experience and expertise, having thrived in a distinguished 16-year career as a business executive with a focus on the hospitality industry. His multifaceted skills encompass operations, finance, and the cultivation of positive company culture. Noteworthy achievements include the successful launch of nine food & beverage businesses across Washington D.C., Maryland, and Pennsylvania. His most recent role was as the President & Chief Financial Officer of the TaKorean restaurant group. From 2007 to 2017, Lukas served as the Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of his own restaurant group in Washington, D.C., with three flourishing locations. Prior to his endeavors in the hospitality sector, he dedicated a decade to serving as a Program Management Analyst for the Chief Information Office at the Department of Defense. Lukas is a graduate with a degree in Finance and International Management from American University.

Debra Kilpatrick Byrd

Debra Kilpatrick Byrd is the BID’s Director of Homeless Services, responsible for the overall operations of the BID’s Downtown Day Services Center and comprehensive homeless outreach in the downtown area, including business and property stakeholder engagement. Debra possesses over two decades of program management, community outreach, government relations, program development, and leadership. Having held several executive level positions, Debra has been responsible for several local and nationally successful homeless initiatives that specialize in nonprofit program development, fund development, marketing, and overall operations. Debra has served on local and national health projects and panels. She offers a vast amount of expertise in low-barrier and overnight shelter management, health disparity prevention, and mental health education through a multiplatform integrated approach to health education including public awareness campaigns and grassroots programming. Debra received her B.B.A. in Business Administration from Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia. She was selected to serve among 19 members for the DC Mayor’s Commission on Poverty. Her hobbies and interests include traveling, collecting antiques, volunteering, and reading. She is drawn to and passionate about charitable organizations such as her church and nonprofits that assist underserved communities.

Samala Satterwhite

Melanie Nwosu

As Director of Events and Partnerships, Melanie I. Nwosu is responsible for guiding the strategy and execution of all BID events, including public space activations across a range of scales, receptions, conferences, festivals, markets, and beyond. She will continue cultivating the relationships that have been established with the DowntownDC community as well as develop new partnerships while working on meaningful and common visions. Melanie is an event industry and client relationship veteran with over 20 years of professional industry experience. Her roles have included senior level and executive management positions for corporate, private, and non-profit organizations, most recently the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. Her expertise includes event conceptualization and execution, production and logistics, project and team management, and partner and donor relationship cultivation. Her event productions have ranged from small, intimate soirees to macroscale convenings, locally, nationally, and internationally. During her career, she has curated events and has been commissioned for works for notable individuals and organizations including world leaders, supreme court justices, high-ranking military and federal government officials, and music and film personalities. When time allows, she lends her skills and advice to her local school board and various other charitable organizations within her community. Additionally, she is a founding member of Empower Her Empower Me, mother & daughter summit, where she continues to serve and volunteer as an advisor and mentor. Melanie earned her Bachelor’s degree in Clinical Laboratory Science from Howard University and holds numerous event and meeting industry certifications and memberships.

Ebony P. Walton

Currently serving as the Director of Marketing and Communications, Ebony Patrice Walton began her tenure with the DowntownDC BID in 2006 as a marketing assistant. Over the years, Ebony has worked in various capacities at the BID and on many projects and events. A self-proclaimed BID nerd, Ebony has had the opportunity to manage marketing and communications efforts, lead public space operations projects and initiatives, and coordinate external stakeholder engagement. Ebony is a wife, mom, minister, graduate of Howard University and a former Miss Black USA. Ebony grew up in Miami and now resides in Maryland with her husband and three children. She has one mission: be an agent of change.

Lulu Liu

Lulu Liu serves as Senior Accountant for the BID, maintaining the organization’s general ledger and preparing month-end close procedures, reconciling account balances and bank statements, documenting, monitoring internal controls to ensure compliance, and preparing the budget. Lulu also assists with performing variance analyses and with financial and tax audits. Lulu joined the BID in January 2005 with a background in accounting. She previously served as staff and senior account in various positions in the commercial and nonprofit sectors and with government contractors. She has also served as an instructor in the Beijing Teacher Institute. Lulu holds a Master of Accounting degree from the University of Baltimore and a bachelor’s degree in education from Beijing Normal University.

Innes Noel-Jeune

Innes joined the BID in 2019 as a Staff Accountant with over 15 years of accounting-related management experience in various industries, including fashion, advertisement, social, and medical. Innes served as chapter president for the National Association of Black Accountants (NABA), leading his chapter to two national awards during his tenure. He has lived in several countries, including France and Canada. Innes loves classical and jazz music and plays alto saxophone in his free time. He earned a master’s degree in business economics from Brooklyn College and a bachelor’s degree in accounting at Medgar Evers College in New York. Innes is fluent in French and Creole.

Rukiya Lewis

Ellouise Johnson

Ellouise Johnson brings to the BID over 15 years of experience in project and facilities management. Her passion for projects, build outs and the scope of facilities infrastructure is evident from her managerial experience at CityCenterDC, the D.C. Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR), and KPMG. In her eight years with DPR she held many roles including managing over 198 trade staff and employees and overseeing the build out of pools, parks and playgrounds. As an Infrastructure and Facilities Manager at KPMG, Ellouise oversaw office build outs and inspections, and managed more than 10 offices in several states. Ellouise is a talented multitasker with a can-do attitude. When she is not at the office, she can be found playing golf, rugby, or basketball. She is on a triathlon team and loves football season.

Cecily Mendie

Cecily Mendie brings to be the BID over 17 years of Parks and Recreation management. Prior to joining the BID, she served as an Area Manager with the D.C. Department of Parks and Recreation, managing over staff and recreation centers in Wards 6, 7, and 8, before assuming the role of Senior Services Manager. Cecily is passionate about creating equitable park access, park sustainability, and increased opportunities for wellness. In her free time, Cecily enjoys traveling, the arts, and playing flag football. Cecily is a Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP).

Mignonne Gray

Michael Bunn

Michael Bunn is a native Washingtonian and has worked at the BID since 2007, when he started as a SAM. He moved over to the Downtown Day Services Center as a Facilities Assistant when it opened in 2019. Michael loves gardening and traveling. Currently he is enrolled at the University of the District of Columbia, where he is focusing his studies on Urban Sustainability.

Cheven Gaston

Montee “Angel” Saunders

Montee “Angel” Sanders is a proud D.C. native who joined the BID in 2007 as a Safety/Hospitality and Maintenance (SAM) ambassador. In 2019, she transitioned into her current role as a facility assistant with the Downtown Day Services Center. Prior to working at the BID, Angel was a certified nursing assistant with the National Labor Relations Board. She resides in D.C. with her six children.

Mark Smith

Famela Wolf

Alexander Harvey

Christian Romero

Christian Romero is the BID’s Human Resources Manager, where he is responsible for overseeing all aspects of Human Resources: global HR operations, compensation and benefits, employee safety, recruitment, hiring, and HR compliance. He has 10+ years of experience in all areas of Human Resources, including talent engagement strategy, total rewards, performance management, employee wellness and safety, and employee training. Christian holds master’s and bachelor’s degrees in International Economy and Labor Relations, and Human Resources. He loves that Human Resources can elevate the company’s success as a whole by fostering a positive culture and preparing employees with the right tools for success. Christian is native from Spain, and if you want to know which team he roots for—it’s Real Madrid.

Jalal Chaoui

Jalal Chaoui (Jay) is the Payroll Manager for the BID, where he is responsible for processing payroll and employee benefits. He previously served as the operations office manager for the SAM ambassadors, where he oversaw office payroll and monitored equipment, uniforms, and supplies. Jay joined the BID in December 2001 with a background in hospitality. He served at the Marriott Hotels for 10 years as a staff accountant. He earned a degree in physics from Rabat Science University in Morocco.

D’Mario Headen-Vance

As the Downtown BID’s IT Operations Manager, D’Mario Headen-Vance oversees technology operations and systems functionality through a progressive lens in order to maximize availability and reliability of systems and networks, vendors, and service providers, and to improve efficiency and productivity for staff. Prior to joining the BID, D’Mario served as federal technical account manager at Dell Technologies and successfully evaluated and implemented new technologies and systems to improve the IT infrastructure and provide support to several federal accounts. D’Mario began his career in technology at the cross-sections of K-12 education, higher education, and the private sector, thus aligning him with a futuristic and creative approach to IT solutions. D’Mario obtained a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology with a minor in Forensic Science from the University of Maryland University College and an Associates of Applied Science in IT-Networking Specialist.

DeLores M. Dickens

DeLores M. Dickens joined the BID in October 1997 as receptionist/assistant to the president. She was previously employed with the International Downtown Association as a receptionist and office assistant, the U.S. Information Agency as an office manager/clerk in the books program department, and the Pax River Naval Air Station as an office clerk.

Valencia Long

As an Event Manager at the DowntownDC BID, Valencia specializes in programming world-class Signature and Social Impact events. She is a versatile and highly adaptable interdisciplinary creative professional with 15 years of experience spanning multiple industries. Her extensive portfolio includes collaborations with notable organizations such as UNCF, YMCA, James Madison University, and the Hosanna Institute of the Sahel to develop impactful content, events, and programs. She has directed and produced branding video packages for Emily’s List, showcasing our nation’s female leaders, including the Honorable Speaker Emerita, Nancy Pelosi, and the recently appointed first Black Female Senator for the state of California, Laphonza Butler. Valencia’s experience also includes professional modeling, fashion styling, event management, and serving as a Creative Director in the fashion and beauty industries in New York. She is a dedicated advocate for Girls and Women. She is proud to have served and mentored over 2,000 girls and young women domestically and abroad through her organization, MissFancyPants. Valencia’s educational background includes a B.A. in Fashion Design and Merchandising from Virginia Commonwealth University and an M.A. in Women & Gender Studies from George Mason University, where she also served as an adjunct professor. In her free time, she enjoys dancing, reading, fine dining, and spending time with loved ones.

Yue Han

As an Event Associate at the DowntownDC BID, Yue Han serves as a Planner and is responsible for creating and programming multiple meaningful and impactful events. She enthusiastically cultivates current key event partnerships and sponsorships and establishes new ones. Yue Han is a dynamic and creative Event Specialist with rich experience organizing large-scale global events for industry-leading organizations and corporations. Her achievements include planning and organizing conferences and exhibitions with over 10,000 attendees. She has created vibrant collaborations with international conference and exhibition organizers across many countries. Yue Han holds two master’s degrees in International Communication, one from Hanze University of Applied Sciences in Groningen, Netherlands, and another from Libera Università di Lingue e Comunicazione IULM, Italy. She is also certified in Exhibition Management (CEM).

Martina Tinong

As the BID’s Marketing and Communications Associate, Martina Tinong is responsible for the editorial creation, coordination, and implementation of print and digital marketing campaigns. She comes with a background in community engagement, integrated marketing, event planning, and strategic brand partnerships, and has lent her talents to a diverse array of clients in finance, non-profit, and beverage industries through her public relations consulting work. Martina enjoys working with youth girls, having spent the past 10 years as a dedicated volunteer coach for Girls on the Run, empowering young girls to unleash their full potential. A self-described adventure girl, Martina is always up for a thrilling excursion or activity. She loves to travel and learn about different cultures. Her interests include art appreciation, fashion design, runway modeling, novice photography, cherry blossoms, and catching up on classic 80’s and 90’s movies.  Martina holds a Master’s degree in Public Relations and Corporate Communications from Georgetown University and a Bachelor’s degree from University of Maryland. 

Jana Krien

Jana Krien graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a BA in Biology in 2019. While there, she founded a nonprofit called Penn Period Project to provide menstrual products and health education to individuals experiencing homelessness in the Philadelphia area. By 2019, Penn Period Project was a registered 501(c)3 with over 100 members, had partnerships local businesses as well as CVS and Rite Aid, and served 5 homeless shelters in the area. She also co-authored a proposal with student government to provide free menstrual products on campus, which was then approved and enacted by the university. Jana was the Executive Director and Co-Captain of the entirely student-led dance team on campus, the Quaker Girls. She oversaw all team activities and philanthropy, including partnerships with GlobeMed, Relay for Life, and the Philadelphia 76ers. She was awarded a Senior Spotlight Award for Community Service in 2019.

60+ Safety/Hospitality & Maintenance (SAM) Ambassadors