Introducing the Lead and Ignite Classes of 2027

July 6, 2026
Introducing the Lead and Ignite Classes of 2027

Arlington, VA – The Leadership Center of Arlington is pleased to announce the members of the Lead and Ignite Classes of 2027.

“We look forward to welcoming the Lead and Ignite Classes of 2027 and creating a space for them to listen and learn from one another as well as from our vast network of regional leaders,” said Lisa Fikes, President and CEO. “We are grateful to each of them for committing to this journey of personal growth, civic engagement, and community impact.”

The Lead cohort convenes a select, cross-sector group of established leaders committed to shaping Arlington and the broader region. Through deep exploration of local and regional challenges, participants gain a systems-level perspective to strengthen their capacity to lead at a community scale. The Lead Class of 2027 will begin in September 2026.

  • Rachel Alansky, The HR Team
  • Natalie Alatriste, nta Consulting
  • Milady Andrews Morgan, Greystar
  • Farhad Azizi, NRECA
  • Ray Bolton, Bridges to Independence
  • Galin Brooks, Clarendon Alliance
  • Danielle Busch, George Mason University
  • Julie Crawford, Arlington Public Schools
  • Heather Creelman, Center for Youth and Family Advocacy
  • Rachel Dabrowski, Strategic Engineering Solutions
  • Dominique Dunford-Lack, ENDependence Center of Northern Virginia
  • Cintya Flores, Latinas Leading Tomorrow
  • Connie Gamache, Deloitte
  • Caitlin Gandhi, Accenture Federal Services
  • Kenricka Gardner, CommonWealth One Federal Credit Union
  • Daniel Gray, Western Door Federal
  • Phillip Green, Green Powered Technology
  • Chad Hackmann, Alair Homes Arlington
  • Makram Hassine, United Bank
  • Ivy Horan, MGI Corporate Gifts
  • Amy Johanek, Okta
  • Raekwon Johnson, True Ground Housing Partners
  • Bryon Krug, CEG Solutions
  • Andres Lazaris, Arlington County, Commissioner of Revenue
  • Mary Liakos, Consultant
  • Terry Liercke, Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority
  • Lauren Lipsey, Animal Welfare League of Arlington
  • Tracey Lytle, Dominion Energy
  • Richard Malish, Arlington County Sheriff’s Office
  • Maria Martinez Bustamante, Red Bean Harvest Coffee
  • Kristy Milburn, Aspire! Afterschool Learning
  • Robby Mook, Philanthropic Advisor
  • Erika Moore, Arlington County Manager’s Office
  • Diana Ortiz, Doorways
  • Kevin Riley, Arlington County Police Department
  • Andrew Robinson, Arlington Public Schools
  • Debbie Staren-Doby, Arlington Food Assistance Center
  • Jennifer “JT” Tillett, Apple Federal Credit Union
  • Janet Truelove, Arlington Free Clinic
  • Chrissy Wallace, Psychotherapist

Ignite is a cross-sector, diverse cohort of emerging, regional leaders who are curious to learn, develop, and make a greater impact both professionally and civically. The Ignite Class of 2027 will begin in October 2026.

  • Alexandra Abyaneh, Walsh, Colucci, Lubeley & Walsh, P.C.
  • Rob Allison, Aminad Consulting
  • Kyra Atherton-Hodges, Chain Bridge Bank
  • Sarah Baker, Arlington County, Department of Parks and Recreation
  • Sara Bellakbira, Food For Thought Foundation, Inc
  • Emily Brown, The Craddock Group
  • Lisa Burns, Accenture
  • Caroline Conway, The Craddock Group
  • Mike Crawford, SQFI
  • Josanne Davidson, Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority
  • Amalfi Eguren De Bouchane, School of Children
  • Micaiah Humes, Arlington County, Department of Human Services
  • Guy Hunt, Arlington County, Department of Environmental Services
  • Koo Hwangbo, FMI – The Food Industry Association
  • Tyler Jones, Bidflow
  • Amelie Kovacevic, Arlington Soccer Association
  • Chris Le, Arlington County Fire Department
  • John Lomeo, VHC Health
  • Selma Mackay, Peregrine Advisors
  • Maria Maldonado, Fors Marsh
  • Sarah Manrique Chiriboga, Columbia Pike Partnership
  • Madiba Massey, Dominion Energy
  • Erin McCarthy, FMI – The Food Industry Association
  • Aliza Mendelowitz, Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority
  • Noelle Muha, National Association of State Departments of Agriculture
  • Kiko Murphy Apgar, Washington Workplace
  • Kevin Ng, CNA
  • Jackie Nnaji, Ballston BID
  • Eric Petroski, Arlington County, Department of Public Safety Communications and Emergency Management
  • Rachel N. Redmond, Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority
  • Jordan Reed, Bean, Kinney & Korman, P.C.
  • Sarah Slough, Arlington Thrive
  • Julie Smith, Melwood
  • Brandon Stephenson, First National Bank
  • Lauren Taylor, Concurrent Technologies Corporation
  • Elizabeth Tierno, SQFI
  • Natika Walker, Amazon
  • Emily Whalen, Strategic Engineering Solutions
  • Joelle Windmiller, The Craddock Group
  • Kaylin Yang, George Mason University
  • Dakota Yoon, Aspire! Afterschool Learning

Both programs will convene monthly through April 2027, culminating in a joint celebration at the Leadership Center of Arlington’s Leadership Summit on Wednesday, May 5, 2027.

To learn more about Lead, Ignite, and other leadership development programs, please visit leadercenter.org/leadership.

About the Leadership Center of Arlington

The mission of the Leadership Center of Arlington is to connect, develop, and inspire leaders for personal growth, civic engagement, and community impact. For more information, visit leadercenter.org or call (703) 528-2522.

Media Contact

Lisa Fikes
President & CEO
Leadership Center of Arlington
(703) 528-2522
lfikes@leadercenter.org

Posted in Press Releases