Our Team

OUDC Staff

Dr. Linda J. Mann, Executive Director (affectionately known as Dr. L.) is a distinguished educator and leader with more than a decade of experience as Executive Director, where she has spearheaded youth education and innovate research initiatives rooted in social justice, civic engagement, and restorative justice practices. Her teaching experience spans both postgraduate and public-school settings, complemented by specialized training in conflict resolution and restorative justice. Dr. L is recognized for her leadership in curriculum development and the teaching of controversial and sensitive topics, including reparations, Nazi Germany, and the Jim Crow era.  Her commitment to innovate educational practice is reflected in her receipt of two fellowships at the US Holocaust Mememorial Museum (2018, 2019) both focused on advancing curriculum development. 

In addition to leading OUDC, Dr. L serves as a Senior Associate Researcher at Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA). She is a internationally recognized scholar and practitioner in transitional justice policymaking to address the legacies of colonialism and enslavement and descendant community engagement. Dr. L has received numerous national and international awards and fellowships recognizing her innovative work and pioneering research methodologies. Her accolades include the EU Schuman Fulbright (2025), a fellowship from the International Centre for Education about Auschwitz and the Holocaust in Poland (2022), and the Alliance for Historical Dialogue and Accountability at Columbia University (2018). 

Ms. Kiona Byrd is a nonprofit and education leader, policy strategist, and organizational strategist with experience spanning nonprofit leadership, education, government, policy, program operations, development, and stakeholder engagement. She holds a Master of Public Administration from Troy University and dual bachelor’s degrees in Political Science and Public Relations from East Carolina University.

Kiona has held senior leadership roles with national education and policy organizations and served as an Education Policy Advisor to a member of Congress. Earlier in her career, she was a high school history teacher and is a Teach For America alum. Her work centers on building strong organizations, developing strategic partnerships, securing resources, and translating organizational priorities into measurable outcomes.

Her leadership has been recognized through Young Government Leaders’ Top 40 Under 40, an Atlanta City Council Proclamation, federal policy creation, and through her work in numerous fellowships. An experienced speaker and facilitator, Kiona has presented at national convenings and curated discussion

Ms. Izzy Garcia , program manaager, is a bilingual educator and education leader with more than a decade of experience helping students, educators, families and school communities thrive. A proud DCPS alumna and native Washingtonian, she served as a classroom teacher, instructional leaders, and education program administrator, supporting hundreds of educators and bulleting partnerships what strengthen teaching and learning. Izzy holds a B.A. in Hispanic Studies and International Studies from Pepperdine University and an M.Ed. from John Hopkins University, and is passionate about creating more equitable, welcoming, and connected educational experiences for multilingual students and families. She brings a unique perspective as both an educator and a parent and loves finding ways to bridge the gap between schools, families, and the communities they serve. Outside of work, Izzy enjoy spending time with her son and when she gets the chance, binge-watching a good show on Netflix.

Ms. Alix Swann, Program Facilitator.  Alix Swann is an emerging leader in the social impact and nonprofit space. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies from Spelman College and a Master of Science in Nonprofit Management. With a deep commitment to equity and community-centered change, her post-graduate work sits at the intersection of innovation, education, and justice. She has led organizational change, curriculum development, and research-driven initiatives focused on dismantling systemic inequities and expanding access to opportunity. In her free time, Alix enjoys traveling, drinking tea, and roller skating.

Board of Directors

Executive Committee

Karim Marshall

Karim D. Marshall is a seasoned leader with nearly two decades of expertise in environmental law, policy development, and strategic program management across federal, state, and local levels. As the equity lead for the United States Environmental Protection Agency in the Biden-Harris Administration, Karim drove the integration of equity principles into national programs, ensuring fairness and inclusivity in public service delivery and access to federal resources. With a proven track record of spearheading transformative initiatives, he has built and led national programs, managed multi-billion-dollar real estate portfolios, and authored groundbreaking policies in energy, climate, and environmental justice. 

Mr. Marshall has represented the U.S. government on the global stage and developed innovative stakeholder engagement frameworks and equity-focused solutions, bridging strategic vision with operational execution. Karim is currently the Director of Climate and Energy Policy at the Consumer Federation of America, where he continues to protect vulnerable and marginalized communities by advocating for polices which advance an affordable and responsible economy. 

Karim is a third-generation Washingtonian, a graduate of the storied Benjamin Banneker High School, Dartmouth College, and the Washington College of Law at American University (WCL). He teaches Environmental Justice at WCL & Howard University's School of Law and is admitted to practice in the District of Columbia and Maryland.

Scott Rechler, Treasurer

Scott joined the Board in 2022.  A Washington DC native, Scott is Co-Director and CEO of LearnServe International, a non-profit organization that prepares high school and middle school students as community leaders, with a focus on social entrepreneurship and global awareness.  Scott graduated from Harvard College with a B.A. in social anthropology.  He wrote his senior thesis on social entrepreneurship and social change in southern Chile, and co-founded Harvard’s Race, Culture, and Diversity Initiative to improve campus intercultural relations. Scott worked for five years at Ashoka: Innovators for the Public, strengthening Ashoka’s dynamic global community of social entrepreneurs.  Scott was selected a 2009 winner of the Linowes Leadership Award of the Community Foundation of the National Capital Region.  He received his M.B.A. from George Washington University’s School of Business in May 2012.  He served on the Board of ScholarCHIPS, a college scholarship and mentorship program for children of incarcerated parents.  A fluent Spanish speaker, Scott has lived in Chile and Bolivia.  Scott is a member of OUDC Class 4 of and served as a travel leader for the summer journey for Class 10.

Kerri Gilmore Mesiah, Secretary

Kerri is empowered by a commitment to social justice and equality, and dedicated to driving meaningful change both in her personal and professional capacity in the legal field.  Kerri was moved to become active with OUDC after her son participated in the OUDC program.   Kerri lives in DC with her husband and three almost grown children.  She attended James Madison University and the College of William and Mary Law School.  

Dan Nathan, past President 

Dan joined the Board in 2011, after he fell in love with the program when his child was as a member of OUDC Class 15.  He became Board president in August 2022. Dan retired last year from a career as an attorney with federal and industry financial regulators and in private practice, principally practicing in securities, commodities, broker-dealer and white collar law.  Dan attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and New York University School of Law, and has lived in Washington, DC for 38 years. Dan is also a member of the Board of Forge, a non-profit entity that works with veterans, law enforcement, and other gun owners on collaborative projects to save lives.  A jazz pianist, he is using his retirement to increase his playing with several bands, and he can frequently be found on his bicycle around the DC metropolitan area.

Other Board Members

Alexandra Caceres

Alexandra joined the Board in 2022. Having dedicated most of her career to public service and volunteerism, she has contributed to the community through inspiring a love for STEM, tutoring, and professional readiness for youth. Alexandra was a founding member of the CHICA Project, an organization dedicated to uplifting and closing the opportunity gap for young women and girls of color. As a bi-cultural and native Spanish speaker, she is dedicated to uplifting communities of need to create more empowered future generations. Alexandra has a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Massachusetts Lowell and a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Massachusetts Boston.

Delonte Egwuatu

Delonte joined the Board in 2023.  He is an alumnus of OUDC Class 17.  He currently is Chief Engagement & Inclusion Officer for the Beaver Country Day School in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts.

Jess Schwalb

Jess Schwalb is an alumna of Class 20 and currently lives in Chicago, IL. As a researcher, writer, facilitator, and storyteller, she has worked to advance fair housing laws through outreach and legal advocacy with the Chicago Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights, to build the child care workers' union with SEIU, and to train Jewish communities on antisemitism and white supremacy with the Jewish Council on Urban Affairs.

Jack Moline

Jack was a member of the original OUDC board, then served for years on the Advisory Board.  He is back on the board as of 2024. He is the father of participants in classes 5 and 13.  Now retired, Jack served as a synagogue rabbi in Alexandria for 27 years and as president of Interfaith Alliance for 7 years

Pam Mahony

Pam Mahony is the mother of an OUDC alum (Class 28) and joined the Board in 2024. She is a high school teacher of government and politics in Falls Church City Public Schools. She began her career as a special education teacher and has served as a curriculum leader, Model UN sponsor, and Scholastic Bowl coach over the last several decades. As the current President of the Falls Church City Education Association, she recently led the staff union through the process of negotiating the first collective bargaining contract in fifty years. She graduated from the College of William and Mary with a B.A. in International Studies, has an M.Ed. from the University of Maryland, College Park, and has completed considerable post graduate studies in U.S History.

Alison Arnold

Alison joined the Board in 2024. She is the mother of OUDC alum, Anderson Simmons (OUDC Class 19). Alison began her career as a corporate attorney and later taught business law. She is now semi-retired and is following her passion - teaching math to middle school students. Inspired by her mother's dedication to being a contributor to her community, Alison has served on a variety of boards including the Washington Performing Arts Society, Capital City Public Charter School and the Atlanta Legal Aid Society. Alison is a graduate of Harvard University.

Elias Benda

Elias is an alumnus of OUDC Class 20. He is currently pursuing his Juris Doctorate with a specialization in Critical Race Studies at UCLA School of Law. Prior to moving to Los Angeles, he worked in a number of roles with the Council of the District of Columbia, most recently as Senior Legislative Advisor to the Committee on Human Services, and has extensive experience in progressive political organizing and campaigns.