Joshua Civin is the chief legal counsel for Baltimore City Public Schools in Maryland, where he provides legal advice counsel, and litigation defense for the school system. Throughout his legal career, he has served as counsel in several Supreme Court cases. As an advocate for anti-discrimination policies, he often speaks across the country on the issue.

Rachel J. Thornton, MD, PhD is vice president and chief health equity officer at Nemours Children’s Health. In this role, Dr. Thornton leads the organization’s work on an enterprise­ wide health equity strategy and coordination in support of Nemours Children’s vision to create the healthiest generations of children. Prior to joining Nemours Children’s, Dr. Thornton was the inaugural executive director for clinical services in the Johns Hopkins Medicine Office of Population Health where she led efforts to optimize clinical services for population health management and support community health. She has committed her career to health equity research and practice, including organizational transformation. From work in medical education to research advancing equitable healthcare delivery and health equity, Dr. Thornton is focused on improving outcomes for children, families, and communities. She also served as a member of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine Report Shaping Summertime Experiences: Opportunities to Promote Healthy Development and Well-Being for Children and Youth and was also a member of the National Academy of Science, Engineering, and Medicine Strategy Group on COVID and Rental Evictions. Dr. Thornton is a clinically practicing board-certified pediatrician. She received a B.A. from New York University, an M.D. from Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, and a PhD in health policy and management from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. After residency, she completed fellowship training in general academic pediatrics.

Trent Williams is the president of Global Recruiters of Columbia, where he manages business development and focuses on creating an organizational culture of fairness and opportunity. He is affiliated with the Living Classrooms Foundation, United Way of Central Maryland, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Harbor Bank of Maryland and University of Virginia.

Sonya Brathwaite is the co-founder and managing director of Federal Street Strategies. She runs the business operations of the firm, drawing on more than two decades of professional experience across a variety of fields. She started her career in advertising, first planning media campaigns and then moving on to account management where she directed the activities of all departments in the development and production of results-oriented marketing for technology, healthcare, financial services and non-profit clients.

Cheryl Boyer is currently the director of diversity services for Berkshire Associates, a human resource consulting firm headquartered in Columbia, Maryland. She brings over 25 years of HR experience to Berkshire’s Leadership Team, providing valuable strategic direction to the company on solving client’s business issues as they relate to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Prior to joining Berkshire, Cheryl was Vice President of Human Resources for LifeBridge Health, a regional health care system.

Krystal is a health and human services professional with nearly two decades of experience advancing health equity and driving systems change across diverse sectors. As the Executive Managing Director of Mosaic Group, a management consulting firm, she oversees initiatives across multiple portfolios, leveraging her expertise in public health, collective impact planning, and implementation science. Krystal collaborates with stakeholders across sectors—including philanthropy, community-based organizations, and the public sector—to develop strategic solutions, build organizational capacity, and drive transformative change to address complex challenges and improve community health and well-being. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Health Promotion from the University of Delaware and a Master of Public Health from Morgan State University.

Ed Brown is the CFO at St. Vincent de Paul of Baltimore, with over a decade of experience across start-up, nonprofit, and Fortune 100 environments. He has a strong focus on building and acquiring high performing teams and creating processes for improved productivity and morale. Ed is passionate about driving better business solutions and shaping financial outcomes. Ed’s areas of expertise include financial management and analysis, operations, FP&A, HR, change management, process improvement, strategic planning, single audit compliance, grants management, capital markets, investment banking, cloud computing, and real estate.

Steven M. Clark, MD, General and Bariatric Surgeon, General Surgical Care South; Director of Bariatric Medicine, Community Surgical Center South for Community Physicians Network Steven M. Cark, MD has served as a general and bariatric surgeon at General Surgical Care South and director of bariatric medicine at Community Surgical Center South for Community Physicians Network since 2000. To meet the highest standards for providing bariatric medical care via the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program, Dr. Clark established two bariatric centers of excellence. His efforts include successfully overcoming surgical complications, effectively managing risks, and overseeing credentialing and disciplinary measures for physicians.

Tom Coale is an attorney with the law firm of Talkin & Oh, LLP. His practice concentrates on government relations, land use, and zoning. Most recently, Tom has been hired as General Counsel for the Save Our Sun campaign, which is focused on bringing local ownership to The Baltimore Sun. Tom is heavily involved in the community and has served on numerous nonprofit and government boards and commissions, including the Howard County Charter Review Commission, the Ellicott City Master Plan Committee and the Maryland Comptroller’s “Reform on Tap” Task Force. Tom currently serves on the Board of Trustees for the Maryland Science Center and the Steering Committee for the Howard County Housing Affordability Coalition.

Adria Crutchfield is the executive director of the Baltimore Regional Housing Partnership, dedicated to helping families escape poverty through access to high-quality housing in areas with strong schools, low crime, and ample job opportunities. She is an affordable housing and community development leader with public service experience that spans federal, state, and local government legislative and executive branches. Immediately prior to joining BRHP, Adria served as chief of staff at the New York City Department of Buildings where she advised the commissioner on the administration and execution of agency priorities including organizational restructuring, improving the safety of construction sites, and the mayor’s goals to develop affordable housing; support small businesses; and build a more sustainable, and equitable city. Adria is a graduate of Washington University in St. Louis where she studied architecture and American University where she earned her master’s in public policy. She is a proud alum of Coro Leadership New York.

As Senior Director of Policy, Megan came to NCRC from the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, where she was a Senior Policy Counsel leading LDF’s economic justice policy work. Previously, Megan worked at the Poverty & Race Research Action Council for nine years, leading work on policy design and advocacy, public education, and community-based technical assistance, striving to reform and harness government programs in the interest of civil rights, with a focus on advancing fair housing and environmental justice. Megan is a graduate of Columbia Law School, where she was an Executive Editor of the Columbia Journal of Environmental Law, and Swarthmore College, where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology/ Anthropology. Prior to law school, she worked at the ACLU National Legal Department supporting its racial justice litigation, and as an English teacher in South Korea. She grew up in New Hampshire.

As an attorney at the Public Justice Center, Matthew Hill supports fair housing projects and legislation. At the center, he leads the Human Right to Housing Project, an initiative that supports fair and equal housing, tenants’ rights and the formation of respectful and lawful landlord-tenant relationships. Matthew is affiliated with Loyola College, American University Washington College of Law, American University’s Community and Economic Development Law Clinic and Maryland Legal Aid Bureau.

As an investment advisor for PNC Institutional Asset Management, Dwight is charged with maintaining strong relationships with clients. He regularly provides thought leadership, education and insights to clients regarding both charitable and retirement assets. He manages portfolios in accordance with applicable fiduciary standards and the client’s investment objectives. He works with each client to determine asset allocation based upon their unique needs. He also supports the development of new business relationships. Dwight received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Finance and Business Information Systems from the University of Pittsburgh. Outside of work, Dwight volunteers with Grow Up Great, a program designed to help prepare underserved children for elementary school success. He currently serves on the board for the Thursday Network, the young professional affiliate of the Greater Washington Urban League.

Michael Oppenheimer, experienced Assistant Public Defender with a demonstrated history of working in the legal services industry. Focused on training trial skills and development with an emphasis on forensic competency. Skilled in Nonprofit Organizations, Criminal Law, Westlaw, Legal Research, and Hearings. Strong legal professional with a Master of Laws (LL.M.) focused on Clinical Advocacy from Georgetown University Law Center.

Mykki Scott has worked in various customer service-focused fields, with her greatest career achievement being her service to the public, sharing resources, knowledge, and experiences to help others overcome adversity. Currently, she is a triage specialist at the Maryland Department of Health’s Office of Health Care Quality, where she handles complaints related to home care facilities. Born and raised in Cherryhill, Baltimore City, Mykki is a proud mother of five. She made her opportunity move to Harford County in 2009. She is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Computer Software Technology, a field she chose due to its evolving nature and critical role in business. She expects to graduate from the program in October 2027. One of her key motivators was seeing her eldest son graduate from college and become a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army. He credited her support and tenacity as his inspiration, although she views him as her own motivation. After two previous attempts at college, which were interrupted by childcare and work issues, Mykki re-enrolled to enhance her financial stability and achieve her personal goals. Mykki believes strongly that you can always change your situation, but first you must change your mindset.

Zelda Tally is a Baltimore Housing Mobility Program participant and active member of her community. Her volunteerism efforts include working with and donating to causes of the homeless and at-risk-youth populations at local organizations like My Sister’s Place and Bernadette’s House. She is also vice president of the PTA at her son’s school. Zelda began her professional career in healthcare and currently works in her field of passion, human services. She is the proud mother of three children, with a daughter in her first year of college. Zelda is a graduate of Anne Arundel Community College.

Bill Tamburrino is a former director of the Baltimore Office of Public Housing at the U.S. Housing and Urban Development. He is affiliated with Johns Hopkins and the University of Pennsylvania.

Steven Walker is a senior global marketing and commercial executive in the biopharmaceutical industry. With over two decades of experience, he has provided strategic and tactical leadership to biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies around the globe. Steven’s expertise lies in creating and implementing strategies, action plans and leading people, with a direct focus on enhancing patient access to vital medications and vaccines for public health benefit.
Notably, Steven holds a B.S. in Neuroscience from the University of Pittsburgh, along with graduate degrees and executive certificates from institutions such as the Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business, Harvard Business School, Wharton Business School, and MIT’s Sloan Business School.

Courtney Windor is a former BRHP participant who was able to utilize the programs benefits for five years to establish and accomplish personal and financial goals. During her participation in the program Courtney was able to earn a Bachelorette of Social Work from Coppin State University Baltimore, MD and Master of Social Work from Baylor University Waco, TX. During her collegiate journey Courtney was able to become a founding member of the BRHP Client Advisory Board. In 2020, Courtney found her own company Purposeful Miles LLC with Virtuous Women Ministry as an umbrella company. Virtuous Women Ministry agency focuses on women of the Christian faith learning to embrace the great commission of love to overcome trauma. As of 2023, Courtney has focused on working throughout various counties; Baltimore County, Baltimore City, Charles County, and Anne Arundel County. Courtney has interned in long term care where she assists our aging adults with obtaining various resources such as: Housing mobilization through the LTC community options waiver, assisted livings, congruent homes, & temporary shelter, access to Community primary care physicians and specialist and access to Maryland benefits through the local social service agency. Courtney has a true passion for those who are marginalized and continues work hard to empower others on a daily basis. In Fall of 2023, Courtney will enroll at Liberty University to earn her Doctoral Degree in Pastoral Counseling with a focus on Mental Health and the Aging community.

Caylin Young is the deputy director of the Baltimore City Office of Equity and Civil Rights since October 2021. Previously, he worked as the public policy director of the ACLU of Maryland, where he led the organization’s public policy team in advocating for strategic priorities in the General Assembly, including five police accountability demands, parole reform, the Trust Act, and education equity. He also served as public policy counsel at the ACLU from 2018 to 2019.

Iris Bradford is a Baltimore Housing Mobility Program participant and active member of her community. Her volunteerism efforts include supporting the ACLU with fair housing initiatives, serving as president of the tenant council at Somerset Homes in Baltimore, and advocating for the homeless. Iris is also the recipient of funding from the Associated Black Charities and Annie E. Casey Foundation to manage afterschool and summer camp programs at Somerset Homes.

As an attorney at the Civil Rights Corps, Ryan Downer engages in advocacy and public education and specializes in innovative, systemic civil rights litigation with the goal of challenging systemic injustice in the American legal system. Ryan’s work focuses on fair housing, employment and public accommodations matters. Prior to joining Civil Rights Corps, he worked for over a decade litigating civil rights cases at both Reiman, Dane & Colfax and the NAACP Legal Defense Fund.

Anne Perkins is a social justice advocate with several years of work in Baltimore City and the global community. During Thompson v. HUD, she worked as a special master overseeing the implementation of the Partial Consent Decree. Anne also served Baltimore’s 44th legislative district in the Maryland House of Delegates from 1979 to 1992. Her work internationally includes teaching and directing English as a Second Language programs in China and consulting for the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs in southern Africa and Liberia. Anne is a member of the Baltimore Arts Commission and serves on the board of the Baltimore Curriculum Project and Maryland Institute College of Arts.

Barbara Samuels worked as lead counsel on Thompson v. HUD with the Maryland branch of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). Throughout her career she has worked on cases challenging discriminatory government housing policies. Barbara is affiliated with the NAACP, Maryland Legal Services Corporation and Legal Aid Bureau. She retired as the managing attorney of the ACLU of Maryland’s housing program.

Margaret Williams is a former executive director and current advocate for the Maryland Family Network. She advocates for policies and initiatives that support education, childcare, and families. For over 27 years, she led the development of the state-sanctioned plan in Maryland to create a system of services for young children and their families, including high quality childcare, parenting education, connection to adult education, job training, mental health, medical care, and more. She is an expert in gaining support from private and public childcare providers, parents and the greater community for legislation focused on eliminating barriers to education for children from low-income families. Margaret also served as executive director of Friends of the Family, Inc. for 17 years.