Conference Speakers
The 2023 Magnificent Leadership Conference features dynamic speakers from various industries who will bring real-world perspectives and insights to commonly shared challenges and opportunities. Leading interactive sessions, facilitating peer-based group discussions, this year’s speakers will undoubtedly provide a highly relevant, engaging experience.
Keynote Speakers
Maria Asuelimen, Managing Partner of AMA Consulting LLC
Maria is a highly sought after consultant, trainer, facilitator and executive coach that helps leaders and groups uncover blind spots and unleash their already existing greatness. With over 16 years of experience, Maria’s expertise focuses on Organizational Development and Leadership. Her wealth of experience has been a great resource for civilian and defense agencies as well as federal contractors. Prior to starting AMA Consulting, Maria lead a team of academic advisors at University of Maryland University College, worked at Federal Emergency Management Agency as a Management Analyst for economic recovery programs and managed a portfolio of over 100 firms for the U.S . Small Business Administration. Maria leads a team that helps organizations create and implement practical strategies to achieve their mission, navigate through tough problems and increase their performance
Kirstin Austin Chief of learning Officer of the U.S. Government
Kirstin Austin has a diverse background consisting of more than 25 years of experience in learning, development, organizational design, and employee engagement across the private, non-profit, and public sectors. Ms. Austin currently serves as the Chief Learning Officer of the U. S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), where she leads the Learning Center in delivering each year over 15,000 hours of training to GAO employees, reaching new hires, analysts/auditors, operations professionals, managers, and executives. Classes are currently delivered as 100% virtual, in various formats including microlearning, self-instruction, instructor-led, and blended approaches. Previously, Ms. Austin served as the Deputy Chief Learning and Engagement Officer at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), where she led initiatives that promoted effective learning, development, and employee engagement. Before DHS, Ms. Austin served in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Personnel and Readiness, in two different roles, within Readiness and Force Management, Total Force Planning and Requirements, as the Associate Director, Total Force Management, and in Personnel and Readiness, Civilian Personnel Policy, as the Director, Talent and Organization Development. Ms. Austin has a master’s degree in human resources development from George Washington University and a bachelor’s degree in literature from American University. She completed the Excellence in Government Fellows Program at the Partnership for Public Service.
Melody Gratic founder XcelMil, LLC
Melody C. Gratic is a certified John Maxwell Coach, Teacher, Trainer, and Speaker, and Certified Behavioral Analysis Trainer and Consultant. She is a phenomenal strategic thinker, passionate motivational speaker and servant leader, well-known for connecting with a multicultural, multigenerational and global workforce. Melody Gratic founded XcelMil, LLC on the premise of providing exceptional, value-based, and relevant services to our stakeholders and partners that significantly impacts business and personal transformation. Melody Gratic retired from the U.S. Army with 24 years of active service. She is most proud and honored to have served at the White House Transportation Agency under President George Bush, Jr. and President Barak Obama and US Army Garrison Brussels in support of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. She has supervised and trained countless servicemembers on critical hard and soft skills. Projects she managed include reports to Installation Management Command Europe Operations; US Army Garrison Benelux; Senior Officer and Noncommissioned Officer Leadership Development Workshops, Off-sites and Team-building Activities. Melody Gratic received a Master of Educational Leadership in Administration from Trident International University. She has also reviewed, edited and provided insight to a number of published authors. She is a proud wife, godmother, aunt and resides in the Northern Virginia area.
Dr. Linda Cureton is the founder and CEO of Muse Technologies, Incorporated.
Dr. Linda Cureton is the founder and CEO of Muse Technologies, Incorporated. A thought leader and known strategic innovator, Linda’s thirty-eight-plus years of public service ensure Muse delivers responsive solutions in Leadership, Program Management & Organizational Development. Linda’s background in IT includes experience as a federal cabinet-level executive, a former Associate Chief Information Officer (CIO) at Department of Energy, Deputy CIO at Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, and CIO at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Dr. Cureton graduated from Howard University with a BS in Mathematics. She received a Master of Science degree and a Post-MastersAdvanced Certificate at Johns Hopkins University and a Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership. Linda has received many awards and written articles and publications like a bestseller, “The Leadership Muse: Inspiration for the 21st Century Hero Leader” – Synergy Press, and “Innovation: There Is Something New Under the Sun” – IT Professional. Linda lives in a Washington, DC suburb in Maryland with her husband of 31 years, her mother, and her grandfather.
CHARLES “SKIP” PETTIT A leader, trainer/facilitator, curriculum designer
Skip Pettit has more than 25 years of experience facilitating and teaching in the leadership/performance/strategic management arena. He has extensive experience consulting with DOD, VA and other federal leadership groups designing and delivering training and OD services. He facilitating team activities, problem solution sets and developing strategic management plans. Skip has trained in 40 federal agencies for more than 250,000 professionals. He has deigned and delivered more than 200 training programs for large and small agencies, including GSA, Pentagon, The White House, US Library of Congress, DOT, FHWA, & others. EDUCATION • AGS, Advanced Graduate Study (2nd Master’s Degree) in Counseling & Personnel Services, full scholarship, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 1981-82. • M.Ed., Master of Education, concentration in Psychiatric Rehabilitation & Adult Learning, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, Date.1979-81 • B.S., Clinical Psychology, Antioch University Date: 1977-79; A.A. Mental Health AA Degree 1975-77 Montgomery College.
Kaya Lewis-Baltimore Training Development Specialist United States Patent Trademark Office
Kaya Lewis-Baltimore has held many positions in her 28 years at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), which include experience in Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Training. With a love to help in the community, she held the Chair position of the Food Bank Ministry with her church in Alexandria, Virginia for 10 years, feeding over 50 families twice a month. Ms. Lewis-Baltimore is currently serving as the National Vice President for Training on the National Board of Directors (NBOD), and National Training Program/National Event Chair of 2022, along with serving as the Training and Education Chair for the Bright Knights Chapter. She has a drive to collaborate and find new ways to establish structures and develop new programs at all levels of FEW. She has a Master in Business Administration through Grantham University, Bachelor in Business Management from University of Maryland Global Campus, as well as a Business Certificate in Human Resources and Project Management. Mrs. Lewis-Baltimore has four children, has one granddaughter, and resides in Woodbridge, VA.
John Riordan Leadership and Organization Development Consultant
John Riordan has been committed to challenging people and organizations to reach their full potential for many years – first as co-founder and Director of Cornerstone Leadership Academy for 8 years in Uganda, and for the past 20 years as a Leadership and Organization Development Consultant working with a broad range of Federal, private sector and non-profit organizations. John sees the potential for leadership in every individual and is deeply motivated to support others who want to make the world a better place. He has coached hundreds of leaders from across every sector, challenging them to expand their leadership capacity and have a greater impact. Over the past 20 years, he has conducted hundreds of workshops ranging from large groups (200+) to small teams and is adept at making sure the approach for the work fits well with his client’s style. John’s strengths include a unique ability to quickly connect with a broad range of people of diverse styles and backgrounds, creativity in tailoring a session to the particular needs and style of the group, and tremendous flexibility that allows him to make real-time adjustments to ensure the right work is being done. John received his B.A. in Public Policy from Washington and Lee University (1987), and his M.A. in Educational Management from Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda (1997). He and his wife Margaret, from Sydney, Australia, have four children and reside in Ashburn, Virginia
Dr. LaTonya L. Small is the Founder and CEO of LT Empowerment, Incorporated
Dr. LaTonya L. Small is the Founder and CEO of LT Empowerment, Incorporated a consulting company with the mission of empowering women to live life with Possibilities, Power, and Purpose. She offers facilitated learning and strategic development through customized services, workshops, coaching, and motivational speaking. LT Empowerment adds value to its clients by unpacking the root, reward and relational impact of decisions and actions derived or planned and transforms them into viable outcomes that render performance excellence and financial gains. Dr. Small has over 30 years of experience working with the Federal Government and private/non-profit organizations. Her vast technical knowledge, background and experiences enabled her to be viewed as an expert in the areas of leadership, workforce/strategic planning, program management and organizational development. where she developed, managed, facilitated and evaluated leadership development programs, strategic planning initiatives and organizational development for numerous agencies. Currently serving with the Department of Veterans Affairs, she helps Federal advisory committees achieve their charter mission that supports and services our Veterans. Her past achievements include: the Executive Training and Development Specialist where she developed, recommended and ran Department-wide Senior Executive training programs and procedures for agency; a Senior Training Officer who oversaw and managed corporation-wide strategic training initiatives; a HR Chief who directed staffing, pay issues and training; and the Chief of the Freedom and Information Act (FOIA)/ Privacy Office who addressed information and privacy requests/matters. Dr. Small served as a Director of Administration for a non-profit and as a HR Staffing Supervisor for a contracting agency. She also worked with numerous public-school systems, civic / social organizations, churches and individuals in helping them to examine, align and achieve results and outcomes that add value. Dr. Small holds various awards and associations and is an active lifetime member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, and Blacks In Government. She is a motivational speaker and has been a featured speaker on various platforms and radio shows. Dr. Small is the proud mother of Alexis LeNay. Dr. LaTonya L. Small is a change agent and an advocate in being your unapologetic, empowered, authentic self.
Dr. Robin D. Butler a Full Professor at Northcentral University in Prescott
Dr. Robin D. Butler is a Full Professor at the Northcentral University in Prescott, AZ. She serves as a graduate Project Management specialization lead, as well as a Doctoral Chair for students within the School of Business Ph.D. and DBA programs. Dr. Butler is also a Lecturer at both Morgan State University-School of Community Health & Policy (Master of Public Health), and Coppin State University-School of Education & Leadership (Master of Adult & Continuing Education, Instructional Leadership & Professional Development). Dr. Butler has obtained a Doctor of Management degree from the University of Maryland Global Campus, a Master of Business Administration from Walden University, and a Bachelor of Science in Health Systems Management from the University of Baltimore School of Public Affairs. Additionally, she is a mixed methodology researcher in the areas of workforce development and leadership, public health, K-12, and adult education. Dr. Robin Butler demonstrates a significant background in working with both stressed communities and vulnerable populations for over 20 years. This interest has led to multiple years in teaching public health and research courses to both undergraduate and graduate students, as well as illustrating personal advocacy for equitable treatment of vulnerable and underserved communities. Dr. Butler offers vast experience in workforce development and training for stressed and marginalized communities. For example, she led a nationally-funded training initiative (United States Department of Commerce, National Telecommunications, and Information Administration) Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) to address the “digital divide” or limited access to computers among marginalized communities in 2009. Her leadership and advocacy led to a significant placement of over 1,000 displaced workers back in the workforce. Through this same initiative and partnership with the Comcast Foundation, Dr. Butler led a separate youth-based component to increase technological, and financial literacy skillsets among K-12 youth that attended Title I schools in Baltimore, Maryland. Dr. Butler has led many initiatives that pertain to health disparities for both marginalized rural and urban communities. Such programs have involved health disparities that pertain to breast cancer screenings for minority women with limited access to care, HIV/AIDS education and care management via Ryan White policy programs, and obesity in children within rural and urban communities.
Trevi T. Wormley Managing Director and Chief Solution Engineer for TJ Strategy Group
Serving as Managing Director and Chief Solution Engineer for TJ Strategy Group which has supported efforts business process reengineering and change management efforts for federal clients such as EPA, Veterans Affairs, CMS, and DoE served as Integra Life Sciences Senior Executive of Operational Excellence and Strategic Initiatives, where he advised executive leadership on both cost reduction and revenue-generating global initiatives served as Credit Suisse’s Senior Vice President of Operational Excellence and In-House Consulting-Americas, where he advised internal clients in the areas of Lean Six Sigma, Change Management, Strategy, Regulatory Compliance, and Project Management Co-led the assessment of the Shared Services Division (incl. Corporate Real Estate, Expense Management, IT, Supply Management, and Finance) which projects savings of approximately $1.5B over the next seven years. served as Government Services Leader and Lead Consultant for BMGI Corporation. through his project execution and mentorship, his clients have realized approximately $350M in financial impact served as Senior Master Black Belt and Associate with Booz Allen Hamilton Organization and Strategy Team, where he led business transformation initiatives within the Army, Navy, and Department of Defense organizations oLed client engagement of process improvement for Physical Disability Agency at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Served as Regional Black Belt with Honeywell Automated Control Solutions Division with $25M in cost savings
Tonbra Nwosuagwu is a Transformational Coach and the Founder of The More Collective
Tonbra Nwosuagwu is a Transformational Coach and the Founder of The More Collective, a tribe of go-getters determined to BE more, DO more and HAVE more for positively impacting and raising collective consciousness of our world. Tonbra is also a podcasting expert who helps people plan and launch their podcast shows. As host of the trending Created For More, the podcast, she interviews guests and shares knowledge and tools for elevating mindsets and manifesting inner greatness. Tonbra's life's message is to help people make better decisions about what they accept about themselves and this desire was birthed from her personal story of overcoming adversity in childhood. Tonbra is also an experienced Programme Management Consultant with over 12 years of experience across a number of industry sectors including Oil and Gas, Investment Banking, Utilities and Automotive. Furthermore, Tonbra has delivered Enterprise Level Agile Leadership Coaching to Senior Executives of Top-Tier Organisations in the UK. Tonbra holds an MSc with distinction in Process Engineering from the University of Surrey, as well as a BSc in Petroleum Engineering from the University of Portharcourt, Rivers State. Tonbra has two beautiful daughters she shares the pleasure of raising with her husband.
Speakers
Maria Asuelimen, Managing Partner of AMA Consulting LLC (Keynote Speaker)
Maria is a highly sought after consultant, trainer, facilitator and executive coach that helps leaders and groups uncover blind spots and unleash their already existing greatness. With over 16 years of experience, Maria’s expertise focuses on Organizational Development and Leadership. Her wealth of experience has been a great resource for civilian and defense agencies as well as federal contractors. Prior to starting AMA Consulting, Maria lead a team of academic advisors at University of Maryland University College, worked at Federal Emergency Management Agency as a Management Analyst for economic recovery programs and managed a portfolio of over 100 firms for the U.S. Small Business Administration. Maria leads a team that helps organizations create and implement practical strategies to achieve their mission, navigate through tough problems and increase their performance.
Melody Gratic, Founder of XcelMil, LLC
Melody C. Gratic is a certified John Maxwell Coach, Teacher, Trainer, and Speaker, and Certified Behavioral Analysis Trainer and Consultant. She is a phenomenal strategic thinker, passionate motivational speaker and servant leader, well-known for connecting with a multicultural, multigenerational and global workforce. Melody Gratic founded XcelMil, LLC on the premise of providing exceptional, value-based, and relevant services to our stakeholders and partners that significantly impacts business and personal transformation. Melody Gratic retired from the U.S. Army with 24 years of active service. She is most proud and honored to have served at the White House Transportation Agency under President George Bush, Jr. and President Barak Obama and US Army Garrison Brussels in support of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. She has supervised and trained countless servicemembers on critical hard and soft skills. Projects she managed include reports to Installation Management Command Europe Operations; US Army Garrison Benelux; Senior Officer and Noncommissioned Officer Leadership Development Workshops, Off-sites and Team-building Activities. Melody Gratic received a Master of Educational Leadership in Administration from Trident International University. She has also reviewed, edited and provided insight to a number of published authors. She is a proud wife, godmother, aunt and resides in the Northern Virginia area.
LaKisha Greenwade, Award-Winning Innovator, Tech Ecosystem Founder, Forbes Leadership Coach, and Harvard University Guest Lecturer
LaKisha Greenwade is an award-winning Innovator, Tech Ecosystem Founder, Forbes Leadership Coach, and Harvard University Guest Lecturer. Affectionately known as “Coach L,” she teaches ambitious entrepreneurs, experienced professionals, and senior managers how to push past their self-imposed limits, unleash their innovative spirit and design the life of their dreams. As the founder of Wearable Tech Ventures (501c3), she is leading the charge to support 100 wearable startups by 2030 led by underrepresented founders. She highlights founders and innovations as host of the Wearable Takeover podcast. In July 2022, Wearable Tech Ventures hosted the world largest and most inclusive wearables focused hackathon. Her trailblazing career is marked with historical firsts in Corporate America as a National and Regional Account Manager for Fortune 500 companies; in Tech while raising a fund for underrepresented tech founders; in Innovation curating design thinking and executive leadership growth experiences; and in academia as a Business Professor.
Sheila Edmondson, Vice-President, Relationship Manager at M&T Bank
Sheila Edmondson, Vice President, Relationship Manager, Greater Washington Business Banking at M&T Bank is a small business advocate focused on serving as a trusted financial advisor for small business owners. In this role, Ms. Edmondson provides financial guidance on credit, lending, commercial real estate, operations, cash flow, succession planning, mergers and acquisitions. She also has over a decade of experience in management, strategic relationship development, small business operations and government procurement. Ms. Edmondson is a graduate of M&T’s Relationship Management Sales Program.
Dr. LaTonya L. Small, Founder and CEO of LT Empowerment, Incorporated
Dr. LaTonya L. Small is the Founder and CEO of LT Empowerment, Incorporated a consulting company with the mission of empowering women to live life with Possibilities, Power, and Purpose. She offers facilitated learning and strategic development through customized services, workshops, coaching, and motivational speaking. LT Empowerment adds value to its clients by unpacking the root, reward and relational impact of decisions and actions derived or planned and transforms them into viable outcomes that render performance excellence and financial gains. Dr. Small has over 30 years of experience working with the Federal Government and private/non-profit organizations. Her vast technical knowledge, background and experiences enabled her to be viewed as an expert in the areas of leadership, workforce/strategic planning, program management and organizational development where she developed, managed, facilitated and evaluated leadership development programs, strategic planning initiatives and organizational development for numerous agencies. Currently serving with the Department of Veterans Affairs, she helps Federal advisory committees achieve their charter mission that supports and services our Veterans. Her past achievements include: the Executive Training and Development Specialist where she developed, recommended and ran Department-wide Senior Executive training programs and procedures for agency; a Senior Training Officer who oversaw and managed corporation-wide strategic training initiatives; a HR Chief who directed staffing, pay issues and training; and the Chief of the Freedom and Information Act (FOIA)/ Privacy Office who addressed information and privacy requests/matters. Dr. Small served as a Director of Administration for a non-profit and as a HR Staffing Supervisor for a contracting agency. She also worked with numerous public-school systems, civic/social organizations, churches and individuals in helping them to examine, align and achieve results and outcomes that add value. Dr. Small holds various awards and associations and is an active lifetime member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, and Blacks In Government. She is a motivational speaker and has been a featured speaker on various platforms and radio shows. Dr. Small is the proud mother of Alexis LeNay. Dr. LaTonya L. Small is a change agent and an advocate in being your unapologetic, empowered, authentic self.
Dr. Muteba Mukendi, Leadership Expert, Be Well Resource Group LLC
Dr. Muteba Mukendi is a leadership expert and author of the book Leadership for Such a Time as This: A Leader’s Journey to Global Inclusivity. He is also a senior manager at a global consulting firm where he helps his clients solve their most pressing and complex challenges. His experience in engaging global teams and building leadership capabilities over the last 15 years opened the door for him as a new voice in the field of global thinking. His international travels, which include time spent in Liberia, Senegal, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Guinea Bissau, Switzerland, and Brazil, have given him insights into global leadership and its intersection with culture and strategy. It has also highlighted the need for leaders to possess a moral compass and intercultural competencies. He holds a doctorate in strategic leadership from Regent University with a focus in global consulting, a master's in business administration from Howard University, and a bachelor's in economics from the University of Maryland. He lives in Maryland, with his wife and their two daughters.
Hollie Bodiford-Taylor, Senior Information Technology Advisor, Acquisition Officer and Chief Officer
Hollie Bodiford-Taylor is a Senior Information Technology Advisor and Acquisition Officer at the Food and Drug Administration. She also serves as a Chief Officer for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) in her current Office. Her strategic partnerships enable her to provide strategic direction for information technology, financial management, human capital, acquisitions, and risk management and analysis. During her intelligence career in the DoD, she shaped and enabled successful management, strategy, implementation, and administration of programs impacted throughout the intelligence community. Over the course of her career, in an executive capacity, she has led an unrivaled problem-solving network of military, civilian, and contractor professionals dedicated to bringing together defense, technology, and entrepreneurial innovators to solve national security problems through innovation. With over two decades of a leadership, relationship building, and strategic partnerships, she has been recognized for her outstanding communications and networking skills throughout the federal workspaces. Ms. Bodiford-Taylor is the recipient of several federal awards including Agency Commissioners Awards for Leading Cross Cutting Teams, Exceptional Leadership, and Managerial Excellence. She serves in various non-profit professional and community associations as an officer and board member. She is also a coauthor of “A Note to My Black…”, a book series of heartfelt notes of positivity, inspiration, and encouragement. Ms. Bodiford-Taylor holds a Master of Science degree in Information Systems & Technology, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering. Her philosophy is to contribute to strengthening a growth mindset and investing in creating a culture of learning through strategic partnerships.
Ivana H. Miranda, M.B.A., National Communications Chair for Federally Employed Women
As the 2022-2024 National Communications Chair for Federally Employed Women (FEW), Ivana H. Miranda, M.B.A. establishes and maintains standards and plans related to FEW’s communication strategy. Miranda actively engages with internal and external stakeholders to identify and share compelling stories as she works for the advancement of women in the government. A Project Management Training Specialist with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, she brings a unique blend of experience from Human Resources, finance, sports marketing, communications, sales, and entertainment. With the motto, “mission critical does not equal boring,” she is known for high-energy, interactive events. Miranda is a certified instructional designer and a Distinguished Toastmaster.
Ms. Mma Amara Ekeruche, Senior Research Fellow, Centre for the Study of the Economies of Africa (CSEA)
Ms. Mma Amara Ekeruche is a Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for the Study of the Economies of Africa (CSEA), Nigeria’s premier economic think tank. In addition, she runs a column ‘Your Nigerian Economist’ on Stears Business, Africa’s leading business publication. She holds a Master’s in Economic Policy from University College London (UCL), United Kingdom and a Bachelor's Degree in Economics from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Ghana. Her research interests are public finance and debt management, domestic resource mobilization, and macroeconomic management. Consequently, her research experience cuts across key issues in development including public debt, South-South Cooperation, and the impact of Chinese investment in Africa. You can find her work on the Think20, Brookings Institution, the International Centre for Tax and Development, the United Nations Office on South-South Cooperation, and Southern Voice. She was also awarded the IMF Youth Fellowship in 2020.
Alex Porfirenko, Delivery & Growth Lead, Procurement & Acquisition Center of Excellence (PACE) LLC
Mr. Porfirenko has over 18 years of consulting experience and 14 years of Federal Program Management experience. His career started out in the Contracting/ Acquisition Field, then gradually expanded into IT Project/Program Management. Over the course of the last decade Mr. Porfirenko helped multiple Federal Agencies buy IT Software and Services, then worked for a Value-Added Reseller (VAR) and supervised implementation of software/services into the Federal Government, and finally worked for a Software Vendor who tried to establish a Federal segment of their business. This experience allowed him to examine all facets of the Federal IT environment. Mr. Porfirenko currently hold the title of Growth and Delivery Lead at PACE, LLC, a company that specialized in Federal Procurement and IT strategies. Alex holds a BS from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service and is PMP/ COR Level certified.
John Riordan, Leadership and Organization Development Consultant
John Riordan has been committed to challenging people and organizations to reach their full potential for many years – first as co-founder and Director of Cornerstone Leadership Academy for 8 years in Uganda, and for the past 20 years as a Leadership and Organization Development Consultant working with a broad range of Federal, private sector and non-profit organizations. John sees the potential for leadership in every individual and is deeply motivated to support others who want to make the world a better place. He has coached hundreds of leaders from across every sector, challenging them to expand their leadership capacity and have a greater impact. Over the past 20 years, he has conducted hundreds of workshops ranging from large groups (200+) to small teams and is adept at making sure the approach for the work fits well with his client’s style. John’s strengths include a unique ability to quickly connect with a broad range of people of diverse styles and backgrounds, creativity in tailoring a session to the particular needs and style of the group, and tremendous flexibility that allows him to make real-time adjustments to ensure the right work is being done. John received his B.A. in Public Policy from Washington and Lee University (1987), and his M.A. in Educational Management from Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda (1997). He and his wife Margaret, from Sydney, Australia, have four children and reside in Ashburn, Virginia.
Nasir Ahmed, Engineer
Nasir Ahmed is an experienced engineer in leading large system integration and maximum ROI for both employer and stakeholders. With an advanced degree Applied Physics and Electrical Engineering and focus in Biomedical engineering and AI, Nasir has worked in diverse sectors to automate large systems. As a member of a large team and software, I helped to develop various system design, deliverable system, and Automatic Test Procedures (ATPs), developing machine language to automate image analysis, and large robotic handling of biological process. Also, worked on developing voice recognition software using Neural Networks. Nasir has worked in government, private and non-profit research organizations. In his government experience, Nasir has worked in Intellectual Property domain and understand the importance of property right in innovation and societal progress. Nasir has worked in numerous Non-profits, served as executive board of UPSTO Military Association (UMA), USPTO Asian Pacific America Professional Network (APANET), and USPTO Toast Masters. Furthermore, he is a certified Special Olympics Coach.