Washington Leadership Academy

Tony Williams currently serves as the Executive Director of External Affairs for Comcast NBCUniversal. In this position, Tony partners with civil rights, consumer, and community organizations to expand free speech, civil rights, and economic inclusion within Technology and Media. Previously Tony led outreach and partnerships for Comcast’s Internet Essentials program. Under his leadership Comcast built partnerships with thousands school districts, libraries, community-based organizations, government agencies, and federal, state, and local elected officials to connect low income Americans to broadband at home while ensuring that they also have the digital literacy skills and tools necessary to thrive in a 21st century economy. Today Internet Essentials is the largest and most impactful broadband adoption program in the world connecting over 8 million low income Americans to high speed Internet.

Tony currently serves on the boards of Washington Leadership Academy, the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, The March on Washington Film Festival, and Call 4 Action. He is also an advisor for the Multicultural Media Caucus Association and the DC Chapter of the New Leaders Council. Prior to Comcast Tony worked for Senator Norm Coleman and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. He is a 2016 Presidential Leadership Scholar, holds a Masters in Journalism from American University and is graduate of Macalester College.

Jim is president of Portico Policy Advisors, a policy research firm, and Business Forward, a trade group and foundation that advocate for affordable health care, climate action, and immigration and education reform, among other issues. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan and Harvard Law School.

With 12 years of experience, Ananeya started his career at the Federal Reserve Board providing regulatory guidance to financial institutions and Federal Reserve Banks. Soon after, Ananeya transitioned into the consulting industry where he advised clients on how to implement data management programs and optimize business processes that incorporate data analytics tools, frameworks, and methodologies.

At Capital One, Ananeya was a trusted partner to various lines of business advising key stakeholders on how to mature their data management capabilities, manage their data risk, and adhere to enterprise data governance policies. Currently, Ananeya is responsible for leading the Enterprise Data Governance Program at Navy Federal Credit Union and the adoption of enterprise data governance practices across the enterprise.

Ananeya holds a B.S. in Finance from Virginia Tech and an M.B.A. from George Washington University. He is an avid documentary and portrait photographer who also enjoys traveling and working out during his free time.

Talisha Holmes has held a global senior corporate communications position at Under Armour since December 2020. A dynamic communications professional with over 12 years of experience, Talisha has worked on numerous brands, passionately elevating their global recognition and awareness by developing solid PR strategies and crafting engaging brand narratives. Before joining the Under Armour team, Talisha worked in the Beauty/Grooming, Technology, and Consumer Healthcare space at top global agencies, including Edelman Public Relations and MSL. In addition to Talisha's work experience, she volunteers her expertise to multiple non-profit organizations, including ICT Food Rescue in Wichita, KS.

Saba Bireda is Co-Managing Partner of Sanford Heisler Sharp's DC Office and Co-Chair of the firm’s Discrimination and Harassment Practice Group.

Since joining Sanford Heisler Sharp, Saba has been named by the National Law Journal as one of Washington, DC’s Rising Stars. The Profiles in Diversity Journal also recognized her among its Women Worth Watching in Leadership and as a Black Leader Worth Watching. Saba was recently named a Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Employment Lawyer and recognized on the National Black Lawyers Top 100 list.

At Sanford Heisler Sharp, Saba’s practice has focused on discrimination, harassment, and retaliation matters, representing individuals and classes.

Saba received her law degree from Harvard Law School and her Bachelor of Arts from Stanford University.

Saba has written and spoken on a variety of topics related to civil rights, employment law, and education. She has authored and been quoted in articles that have appeared in publications such as The American Lawyer and Law360. Saba has served as an adjunct professor at the UDC David A. Clarke School of Law and the American University School of Education. She is a member of the DC Bar Rules of Professional Conduct Review Committee, the Washington Council of Lawyers, the Greater Washington Area Chapter of the National Bar Association, and on the board of the National Student Legal Defense Network. Saba was appointed by DC Mayor Muriel Bower to serve two terms on the District of Columbia Public Charter School Board.

Before joining Sanford Heisler Sharp, Saba was a member of the senior political staff at the U.S. Department of Education, including two years in the Office for Civil Rights, during the Obama Administration. She also worked as a lawyer with Morgan Lewis and the Education Law Center of Pennsylvania. Saba started her career as a middle school English teacher in Washington, DC as a member of Teach for America.

Bisi Oyedele is a Partner at Education Forward DC, one of the leading education philanthropies in the region. He leads the Schools and Talent team to support the creation, staffing and development, and growth of high-quality, equitable schools in Washington, DC. As a first-generation immigrant and English Language Learner, Bisi fundamentally believes in the transformative power of a high-quality public education. Prior to joining Education Forward DC in 2017, Bisi, was a Leadership Effectiveness Director at the Lynch Leadership Academy at Boston College. There he was responsible for the coaching and professional development of district, charter, and Catholic school leaders in Boston and the Boston metro area. Earlier in his career, Bisi was the Executive Director of Match Charter Public High School and Principal of Nativity Preparatory School in Boston. Bisi earned a BA in Political Science, a M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction, as well as an Ed.D. in Education Administration from Boston College. Bisi currently lives in the Brightwood/Manor Park neighborhood with his wife, Natasha and two children, Nolan and Gem who both attend DC public schools.

Paul Gleger is the Founding Partner of DriveX Network, an advisory firm supporting mission-driven education and future of work organizations. Previously, he was the Vice President of Growth Partnerships at Emeritus, a global education company expanding access to high-quality and affordable executive education programs around the world. Prior to Emeritus, Paul was on the senior leadership team at General Assembly (acquired by Adecco Group), one of the first upskilling and reskilling accelerated education companies in the market. At General Assembly, Paul launched, scaled, and led multiple education campuses across North America, including in Washington DC, which collectively served tens of thousands of learners annually. 

Before starting his work in the education sector in 2012, Paul was the Director of Marketing and Communications at HotPads.com (acquired by Zillow Group), ran the business plan competition at the London School of Economics, worked as a Regional Director of Information and Communication Policy at the US Department of State, and researched microfinance at the World Bank. Paul has a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and International Affairs from George Washington University and a Master’s degree in International Political Economics from London School of Economics.

Nona Mitchell Richardson is chief strategist at MitchRich Communications, a boutique consulting firm she founded in 2013 to help non-profits and social enterprises engage their audiences and multiply their impact. The firm’s clients serve youth, families and communities in the arenas of K-12 and higher education, economic development, community health, environmental sustainability, social justice and racial healing. 

Prior to starting MitchRich Communications, Nona served as Vice President at Widmeyer Communications, where she led the firm’s W.K. Kellogg Foundation account. She helped the Kellogg Foundation articulate its investments in the education, health and financial stability of low income children and communities. Prior to that role, Richardson was the Director of Communications at the DC Public Charter School Board, where she served on the leadership team that grew the DC charter school community by 500%, and shaped the Board into a national model for urban education reform and cross-sector collaboration. 

Richardson has more than 20 years of experience providing communications support to organizations that are seeking to address some of society’s most pressing concerns. She is an accomplished speech and script writer, publications author and editor, video producer, web content creator, social media strategist and event planner. Her greatest strengths are her effectiveness as a strategic collaborator, relationship-builder, and creative solution finder. Richardson has a Bachelor’s degree in International Affairs from Georgetown University and a Master’s degree in Communication from Johns Hopkins University.

Maquita Alexander is the new principal of Van Ness Elementary School. Prior to joining DCPS, Ms. Alexander served as the Executive Director at Washington Yu Ying PCS, the only Chinese Immersion International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program school in Washington DC. Washington Yu Ying is a high performing, inquiry-based school with a highly diverse student body. Yu Ying opened in the fall of 2008. Under Ms. Alexander’s leadership, Yu Ying has become one of the most sought-after schools in the District of Columbia with its standardized test scores in the top 10% citywide year after year.

Ms. Alexander has over twenty-eight years of teaching and administrative experience, including fifteen years in the Fairfax County Public School system, seven of which she served as an elementary school teacher. She has a Master of Arts in Educational Technology Leadership from George Washington University, a Master of Teaching in Elementary Education from Virginia Commonwealth University, and an administrative certification in Curriculum and Administration from George Mason University.

Erica Beal is the Executive Director of School Leader Lab, a leadership development nonprofit located in Washington, DC. Erica brings her passion for supporting school leaders, the most important people in the world, to School Leader Lab. Her dream is that all leaders find joy and sustainability in their work through intentional relationships and gaining tools to strengthen their impact. Erica began her career as a TFA corps member and, after a decade as a teacher and school leader, joined School Leader Lab. While in the classroom, Erica's 4th grade students were the highest performing in the KIPP network.

As a school leader, she was awarded a Bold Improvement award from Empower K-12 for improvement on PARCC scores. Erica has an undergraduate degree from Georgetown University and a Master's Degree from Columbia University. She is also a Pahara Fellow through the Aspen Institute and a graduate of Harvard’s Strategic Perspectives in Nonprofit Leadership course. Erica was awarded the David Bradt Award from the Greater Washington Community Foundation in recognition of her achievements in nonprofit leadership. In her spare time, you can find her with best friend (her husband), their three kids, and their little french bulldog, Charley.

Kea Dupree, a Washington, DC native, embarked on a diverse academic journey that began with her pursuit of a physics major at Florida A&M University before discovering her true passion in photography. After graduating from Florida A&M University, she transitioned to the world of visual storytelling, earning a degree in photography in 2002. In 2003, she founded Kea Dupree Photography, specializing in capturing the essence of life's cherished moments. Her career has evolved from personal events such as weddings and family gatherings to commercial and corporate photography, working with high-profile clients like Nike, Comcast, Pepco, and Pepsi/Frito-Lay. Kea's exceptional technical expertise and friendly approach have made her a sought-after professional, and her commitment to her craft shines through in all she does.

Beyond her thriving photography career, Kea is a devoted parent with a special place in her heart for her son, who is currently thriving as a ninth-grade student at Washington Leadership Academy. As a parent of a child with unique needs, Kea understands the joys and challenges of nurturing young minds, and her dedication to her family and our community is evident in her unwavering commitment to their well-being. She takes pride in her son's achievements at WLA and looks forward to continuing to support his educational journey while contributing to the success of our community.

Mashea Ashton is the Founder and CEO of Digital Pioneers Academy, a public charter school located in Washington, D.C. — where her family has lived for six generations and she began her career as a special education teacher. DPA is the first computer science-focused middle school in the city. Prior to founding DPA, Mashea served as the CEO of the Newark Charter School Fund, where she oversaw a $48 million initiative to support the growth of quality charter schools. During her tenure, Newark’s charter sector grew to serve over 20,000 students and was ranked by a Stanford/Credo study as the second highest performing sector in the country. A visionary, results-oriented leader, Mashea has helped guide numerous nonprofit and education organizations, including New Leaders for New Schools, New York City’s charter schools, and the Knowledge is Power Program (KIPP). Mashea has an M.Ed. in Special Education and a B.A. in Sociology and Elementary Education from the College of William and Mary. She and her husband are the proud parents of fourth grade twins.

Arthur McKee is the Senior Director of Research and Special Projects, guiding the development of new initiatives that can tackle challenges to DC’s education system as well as the analysis of the impact of CityBridge entrepreneurs. Arthur rejoined CityBridge Education in May of 2015. From 2011 to 2015, he led the first-ever comprehensive evaluation of over 2,000 teacher preparation programs across the country at the National Council on Teacher Quality. From 2000 to 2010, Arthur helped develop and lead CityBridge’s Early Years Education Initiative, a five year, $8 million effort to ensure high-quality early childhood education for all children in the nation’s capital. Arthur earned a B.A. from Princeton University and a Ph.D. in Russian history from U.C. Berkeley in 1997. His sons inspire his work in education.