Judges for the Miss District of Columbia Competition
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J.C. OwenDiana Davis Spencer Foundation | Grants Manager
Yheizzi Owen has had a successful career in the world of banking which has included Panabank and Banco Continental in Panama City, Panama. She also spent more than 11 years at PNC Bank in Pittsburgh as a member of the Hawthorn Division Private Foundation Management, where she helped families protect their legacies and insure solvency for future generations. |
Yheizzi graduated from Universidad Latina with a degree in Banking and Finance. She then earned her M.B.A. in Strategic Management at Universidad Interamericana de Panamá. Currently, she is Grants Manager at the Diana Davis Spencer Foundation in Bethesda, Maryland. Yheizzi evaluates potential partners and oversees logistics for grant distribution. Yheizzi hopes to have a positive impact on the world by awarding grants that promote entrepreneurship and improve the lives of grant recipients. In her free time, Yheizzi enjoys volunteering, traveling, and spending time with her family.
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Valeria LassiterFounder and CEO, Lassiter & Associates
Endorsed by clients as a top strategist, Valeria Lassiter brings expert analysis and unmatched energy to guide executives and leadership boards in organizational planning, revenue growth, and stakeholder communications. In 2003, she formed her management consulting firm, Lassiter & Associates, LLC, to provide corporate and nonprofit organizations with smart strategic planning, executive coaching, and creative training solutions. |
Valeria has forged a career in public affairs, community-based organizations, and corporate philanthropy. As an adjunct faculty member with the Georgetown University Center for Public and Nonprofit Leadership Program, she has trained more than 1,000 nonprofit executives in resource development. Valeria is a sought-after trainer and coach and has shared her experience and insight in such programs as Building High Impact Nonprofits of Color, an initiative sponsored by JP Morgan Chase Foundation and Prosperity Now; and the SPARK Program to build an inclusive social entrepreneurship ecosystem, sponsored by the Case Foundation and the Ewing Marion Kauffman
Foundation.
Valeria holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications from East Carolina University, a Masternof Divinity degree from Colgate Rochester Divinity School, and a Master of Business Administration degree from Babson College. She is currently Vice Chair of the NEA Foundation and has served as a member of the East Carolina University Foundation Board of Directors and as the chair of the Women’s Philanthropy Roundtable at East Carolina University. Valeria is a graduate of Leadership Montgomery County, Maryland, and a judge for the 2020 .ORG Impact Awards. She is the author of “Exploring the Experiences of Leaders of Color and Philanthropy” (March 2020) and “5 Things Nonprofits Can Control During Hyper Change” (April 2020).
Foundation.
Valeria holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications from East Carolina University, a Masternof Divinity degree from Colgate Rochester Divinity School, and a Master of Business Administration degree from Babson College. She is currently Vice Chair of the NEA Foundation and has served as a member of the East Carolina University Foundation Board of Directors and as the chair of the Women’s Philanthropy Roundtable at East Carolina University. Valeria is a graduate of Leadership Montgomery County, Maryland, and a judge for the 2020 .ORG Impact Awards. She is the author of “Exploring the Experiences of Leaders of Color and Philanthropy” (March 2020) and “5 Things Nonprofits Can Control During Hyper Change” (April 2020).
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Kristy ClasonHaving Served as the Vice President of Business Development and Strategy for global leaders in healthcare and technology she provides impetus to each and every business’ growing capabilities.
She has over two decades of experience in defining, envisioning and implementing successful products, solutions and programs. Currently her focus is in start up bio-tech research and development of in-vitro diagnostics. |
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Polly HansonAmerican Public Transportation Association
Polly Hanson is responsible for developing transit security, risk and emergency management standards and policies for the American Public Transportation Association. She performs peer reviews and assists with safety audits and serves as an advocate for transportation security, as well as a source matter expert on transit security, risk and emergency management issues. Previously, Polly was the Chief of Police for AMTRAK where she led a national police department responsible for protecting over 30 million passengers and 20,000 employees. |
Prior to Amtrak, she was a career SES 1811 serving as the Director of the Office of Law Enforcement and Security for the Department of the Interior. At the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington D.C., Polly was the Executive Director, Strategic Services Bureau where as a civilian Assistant Chief she oversaw the development of policy and procedures, tactical crime analysis and research, strategic planning, applicant and promotional testing.
Polly received her Master's Degree in Applied Behavioral Science from Johns Hopkins University and her Bachelor's Degree in Communications from Temple University. In addition, she continued her education by attending the F.B.I.’s National Executive Institute, Law Enforcement Executive Development Seminar and National Academy. Polly is working to obtain her FTA TSSP and SMS certifications.
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Souny KennedyCo-Founder of Agritourism Life
Souny Kennedy is the Co-Founder of Agritourism Life, (www.agritourism.life) an international brand that promotes, engages and benchmarks farms, garden centers and wineries throughout the globe. She and her husband, John joined forces to create a digital magazine, website and data management platform to raise awareness and support to the growing trend of locally sourced and family-owned small businesses in the agritourism industry. |
As a former small business owner of The W Salon in Burke, Virginia, Souny is no stranger to the fashion, beauty and the Miss America community and is honored to be part of empowering women in the 2021 Miss DC and Miss DC's Outstanding Teen Competition. Souny maintains her passion in the beauty community with her dress line that celebrates a vintage twist on tropical chic wear inspired from her travels to tropical locations. Her collection can be found at: (www.souny.life)
As a mom of two teenage boys and an innovator and entrepreneur at heart, Souny has learned to balance both work and life, and will always make time to support local businesses and events in the Washington, DC area.
As a mom of two teenage boys and an innovator and entrepreneur at heart, Souny has learned to balance both work and life, and will always make time to support local businesses and events in the Washington, DC area.