Judges for the 2019 Miss District of Columbia Pageant
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Ellen BryanMiss Ohio 2011 | TV Host, Author & Motivational Speaker
Ellen Bryan is a television host, author and motivational speaker. Every morning, she helps people start their day on WUSA 9 in Washington, D.C. Ellen just released her first book, A Work in Progress, which is available on Amazon or in person today. She also hosts an online series called “Minute Motivation," which you can find on her website: www.ellenbryan.com. |
A girl from the Midwest, Ellen competed in Miss America as Miss Ohio 2011. She was named a Quality of Life Finalist for her work promoting lightning safety, a platform she chose after her sister was struck by lightning in June of 2000. Ellen served as a national spokesperson for lightning safety and partnered with NOAA to tell her sister's story across the country, which was picked up by many publications including USA Today.
Ellen graduated from Ball State University weeks before winning Miss Ohio. From there, she started her broadcasting career at ABC 36 in Lexington, Kentucky. She then joined the NBC 5 team in Dallas - Fort Worth, Texas before moving to our nation's capital.
Ellen graduated from Ball State University weeks before winning Miss Ohio. From there, she started her broadcasting career at ABC 36 in Lexington, Kentucky. She then joined the NBC 5 team in Dallas - Fort Worth, Texas before moving to our nation's capital.
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Sarah Slocum CollinsMiss Arkansas 2009 | Senior Manager, Federal Gov't Relations, Tyson Foods
Sarah Slocum Collins serves as Senior Manager, Federal Government Relations for Tyson Foods in Washington DC. Sarah earned her law degree from the University of Arkansas School of Law and is licensed in the state of Arkansas. Prior to law school, Sarah graduated summa cum laude from the University of Central Arkansas earning a B.A. in Liberal Arts with a minor in Mass Communication. |
Before moving to DC, Sarah served as Executive Vice President of Government Relations and associate attorney for Roberts Group, an international law firm. She worked on a variety of issues within the spaces of defense, food safety, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, higher education, corrections and utility regulations. Her law practice was primarily focused on antitrust litigation. In 2017, Sarah was named to Arkansas Business’ 40 Under 40 which identifies rising young professionals in the area of business. At Tyson Foods, Sarah handles issues within the spaces of defense, FDA, alternative proteins, and antitrust matters.
Sarah served as Miss Arkansas 2009 and remains an active volunteer with the Miss Arkansas and Miss America organizations. She and her husband Ryan live in Alexandria, Virginia and have one son. In her free time, she enjoys running, SoulCycle and golfing.
Sarah served as Miss Arkansas 2009 and remains an active volunteer with the Miss Arkansas and Miss America organizations. She and her husband Ryan live in Alexandria, Virginia and have one son. In her free time, she enjoys running, SoulCycle and golfing.
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Ronica ClearyPresident, Cleary Strategies, LLC
With over a decade of communications experience, Ronica is the President of Cleary Strategies, LLC, a communications consulting firm supporting corporations, political campaigns, and individuals. Previously, Ronica worked as a television reporter in several Top 10 media markets, most recently as a White House Correspondent for Fox 5 in Washington, DC, and co-host of a Sunday morning political talk show, "Fox 5 On The Hill." |
During her time as a journalist, she also reported on presidential campaigns, Capitol Hill, multiple Governors, and elections at every level of government. Today, Ronica regularly appears on Fox Business Channel and Chasing News.
Ronica graduated with honors from the University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Science in Systems Engineering. She received the Dean's Fellowship for Academic Achievement at Drexel University where she earned her Master of Science in Public Communication.
Ronica has judged Miss America state pageants across the country including Miss Utah, Miss Maryland, Miss Delaware, Miss Mississippi, and Miss Pennsylvania’s Outstanding Teen. She was Miss Philadelphia 2005 and placed first runner-up at Miss New Jersey 2007. She has been married for nine years to her husband Patrick and they have two beautiful children.
Ronica graduated with honors from the University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Science in Systems Engineering. She received the Dean's Fellowship for Academic Achievement at Drexel University where she earned her Master of Science in Public Communication.
Ronica has judged Miss America state pageants across the country including Miss Utah, Miss Maryland, Miss Delaware, Miss Mississippi, and Miss Pennsylvania’s Outstanding Teen. She was Miss Philadelphia 2005 and placed first runner-up at Miss New Jersey 2007. She has been married for nine years to her husband Patrick and they have two beautiful children.
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Tim DonnerFounder & President, One Generation Away
Tim Donner is a longtime entrepreneur, broadcast journalist, radio talk show host, former candidate for the U.S. Senate, and Washington Political Columnist for LibertyNation.com. He is Founder and President of Horizons Television, a video production company, and One Generation Away, a non-profit dedicated to teaching young Americans about the nation's founding principles. |
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Dr. Therese Lizardo-EscanoMiss DC 2004 | Anesthesiologist, North American Partners in Anesthesia
Therese Lizardo-Escaño, Miss District of Columbia 2004, is an attending anesthesiologist with North American Partners in Anesthesia of Northern New Jersey. She was a finalist for the Quality of Life Award at the Miss America 2005 competition. Therese graduated cum laude in 2002 from The George Washington University and holds Bachelor of Arts Degrees in Biology, Psychology, and Women’s Studies. She went on to complete medical school in 2011 at The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences and specialized in Integrative Medicine, focusing on mind-body wellness. |
Prior to medical school, Therese conducted oncology research at The George Washington University’s Department of Pharmacology and Physiology. Therese’s research with the university earned her fellowships, awards, and the opportunity to present her studies at various conferences throughout the years. After medical school, Therese completed residencies in both Internal Medicine, with Seton Hall University at St. Michael’s Medical Center and Anesthesiology, with New York Medical College at St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center.
As a first generation Filipino-American, Therese has always had a passion for global health. In January 2019, she and her family joined the Association of Philippine Physicians in America on their annual medical mission to the Philippines. During the mission, over 2500 patients were evaluated and cared for in various impoverished regions of the Philippines. Therese had the joy of volunteering with her husband, Dr Jude Escaño,, and 2 children Jude Max (8 years old) and Blaise Rudy (7 years old).
Currently, Therese resides in Watchung, New Jersey. She is ecstatic to be back with her Miss District of Columbia family at the 2019 Pageant, as she remembers how special this time in her life was and how influential the volunteers of the generous organization have been. She wishes all the best for the next Miss District of Columbia sister and encourages her to enjoy every minute of her journey!
As a first generation Filipino-American, Therese has always had a passion for global health. In January 2019, she and her family joined the Association of Philippine Physicians in America on their annual medical mission to the Philippines. During the mission, over 2500 patients were evaluated and cared for in various impoverished regions of the Philippines. Therese had the joy of volunteering with her husband, Dr Jude Escaño,, and 2 children Jude Max (8 years old) and Blaise Rudy (7 years old).
Currently, Therese resides in Watchung, New Jersey. She is ecstatic to be back with her Miss District of Columbia family at the 2019 Pageant, as she remembers how special this time in her life was and how influential the volunteers of the generous organization have been. She wishes all the best for the next Miss District of Columbia sister and encourages her to enjoy every minute of her journey!
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Christianne (Chris) RicciEntrepreneur, Restaurateur, celebrating 30 years of I Ricchi
Christianne Ricchi is Owner and Executive Chef of Ristorante i Ricchi, Washington D.C. Opened in 1989, it is one of the oldest operating restaurants in the city. It specializes in authentic Tuscan and regional Italian cuisine with a 30 year reputation as being one of the finest restaurants in the country and, according to L’Accademia della Cucina Italiana, one of the best Italian restaurants in the world. |
i Ricchi has been voted one of the “Top 25 Restaurants in America” by Food & Wine and “Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year” by The Washington Post. Earlier this year there was a resolution passed to make February 9th, “i Ricchi Day” in the District of Columbia. This June, i Ricchi will receive the “2019 Honorary Milestone RAMMY Award” for 30 years of serving the metropolitan area.
Christianne is active in leadership roles, both in the restaurant industry and in the community. She was named a “Woman Power Player” by Nation's Restaurant News, “Hospitality Ambassador of Washington, DC” by the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington and The Washington Post as well as “Washington DC Humanitarian of the Year” and a “Woman Who Means Business” by Washington Business Journal. She has received the “Leadership Award” from the VA Women’s Center, the “Brava Award” from Smart CEO Magazine, and “Empowering Women and Leadership Award” from the YWCA. She also was inducted into the National Restaurant Association’s elite College of Diplomates.
She served for many years on the Board of Directors of the National Restaurant Association and as a Trustee of its Educational Foundation. She has been active as a spokesperson for the Association on Capitol Hill, having given statements on behalf of the restaurant industry at numerous Congressional committees and at the White House. She led the launch of DC’s Restaurant Week, now held twice a year, to increase restaurant business after the economic slow-down that occurred following 9/11.
She is a member of the International Women’s Forum and Les Dames d’ Escoffier and serves on the board of the National Cherry Blossom Festival. She organizes many initiatives to support women in the DC community and is particularly interested in helping women by creating a place for them at the restaurant to interact, network and support each other. She has worked on numerous initiatives including the creation of i Ricchi’s Women’s Club with a membership of over 6000 and the elite Distinguished Executive Women’s Dinner (DEWD).
Christianne is active in leadership roles, both in the restaurant industry and in the community. She was named a “Woman Power Player” by Nation's Restaurant News, “Hospitality Ambassador of Washington, DC” by the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington and The Washington Post as well as “Washington DC Humanitarian of the Year” and a “Woman Who Means Business” by Washington Business Journal. She has received the “Leadership Award” from the VA Women’s Center, the “Brava Award” from Smart CEO Magazine, and “Empowering Women and Leadership Award” from the YWCA. She also was inducted into the National Restaurant Association’s elite College of Diplomates.
She served for many years on the Board of Directors of the National Restaurant Association and as a Trustee of its Educational Foundation. She has been active as a spokesperson for the Association on Capitol Hill, having given statements on behalf of the restaurant industry at numerous Congressional committees and at the White House. She led the launch of DC’s Restaurant Week, now held twice a year, to increase restaurant business after the economic slow-down that occurred following 9/11.
She is a member of the International Women’s Forum and Les Dames d’ Escoffier and serves on the board of the National Cherry Blossom Festival. She organizes many initiatives to support women in the DC community and is particularly interested in helping women by creating a place for them at the restaurant to interact, network and support each other. She has worked on numerous initiatives including the creation of i Ricchi’s Women’s Club with a membership of over 6000 and the elite Distinguished Executive Women’s Dinner (DEWD).
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Tony WallerSenior Director, Constituent Relations, Walmart
Tony Waller is Senior Director, Constituent Relations for Walmart in Bentonville, AR. In his position he sets strategy for driving reputation, augmenting outreach opportunities and maximizing social investments in diverse and multicultural communities. His portfolio includes the African American, Hispanic, Asian American & Pacific Islander and Native American communities as well as Women, People with Disabilities and Millennials. He joined Walmart in 2006. |
He currently serves as Chair of the NAACP ACT-SO Advisory Council, on the Board of Trustees of the Center for Asian Pacific American Women and on the Board of Directors of the National African-American Women’s Leadership Institute.
Tony is a strong supporter of the arts, and serves on the Board of Directors and the Corporate Advisory Council of the Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville, AR. He is also a member of the Board of Directors for the Arkansas Fashion and Arts Council.
A graduate of the University of Virginia, he is a diehard WAHOO. He remains very active with The University and served on the board of the Walter N. Ridley Scholarship Fund, named after its first African-American graduate. He is a passionate collector of African-American art & sculpture, antique watches, vintage cufflinks, eyewear, children’s story books and quotes. Shoes however are his kryptonite.
Tony strives to live each and every day by the words of his mother, Barbara Jean Motley Waller, “Keep flowing with The River for The River knows exactly where It is going.”
Tony is a strong supporter of the arts, and serves on the Board of Directors and the Corporate Advisory Council of the Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville, AR. He is also a member of the Board of Directors for the Arkansas Fashion and Arts Council.
A graduate of the University of Virginia, he is a diehard WAHOO. He remains very active with The University and served on the board of the Walter N. Ridley Scholarship Fund, named after its first African-American graduate. He is a passionate collector of African-American art & sculpture, antique watches, vintage cufflinks, eyewear, children’s story books and quotes. Shoes however are his kryptonite.
Tony strives to live each and every day by the words of his mother, Barbara Jean Motley Waller, “Keep flowing with The River for The River knows exactly where It is going.”