MEET THE TEAM

We are dedicated to funding evidence-based strategies that can stop murders before they happen.

CHANDRA DAWSON

Executive Director

Chandra Dawson, LISW, LCSW is a Licensed Independent Social Worker. Her professional career includes over 20 years of social work practice serving various marginalized populations primarily comprised of communities of color. A substantial portion of her career involves designing, managing, and implementing programs designed to meet the multifaceted needs of the underserved. She has years of organizational experience including case management, crisis intervention, supervision, training, project management, and senior leadership within organizations serving trauma survivors within the District of Columbia. Chandra’s professional background includes managing contracts at both local and federal levels, leading non-profit organizations, and designing and implementing training programs to support various local and state systems, such as TANF, victim services, behavioral health, and homeless services. Her capability in programming and technical assistance has been instrumental in addressing the complex needs of these systems. Her ability to establish and maintain vital relationships with organizations across systems has contributed to developing formal partnerships vital to trauma survivor safety, healing, and equitable service accessibility. Chandra is deeply committed to the development of system-level trauma prevention and intervention efforts designed to address the intersecting issues of racial and economic oppression.

She formerly served as Vice President for Friendship Place, a local nonprofit serving the housing needs of homeless individuals and families in the District of Columbia. She is also the founder of The MACRO Project Inc., a social work consulting practice providing ethical trauma-informed services to groups, organizations, and agencies representing various systems. As founder, Mrs. Dawson provides consultation and training to organizations and licensed professionals addressing topics such as intersectional trauma-informed service provision, domestic & sexual violence programming, multicultural intervention, equity, and more. Mrs. Dawson is a former 2020 Leadership Education and Advancement for Professionals (LEAP) fellow, a program funded by the Office of Violence Against Women. She holds a Master of Social Work from the University of Maryland at Baltimore with a practice interest in Social Action and Community Development.

RACHEL USDAN

Chief Operating Officer | Co-Founder

Rachel Usdan is a seasoned nonprofit executive and former structural engineer whose career bridges technical precision with community-rooted leadership. As Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Peace For DC, she brings over two decades of experience in project management, program design, and advocacy to her role stewarding healing-centered, equity-driven initiatives across the District.

Rachel’s professional journey began in civil and structural engineering, where she led complex design and construction projects for commercial and residential developments. Her analytical rigor and organizational acumen laid the foundation for her transition into nonprofit leadership, where she now applies those same skills to build sustainable systems of care and collaboration.

Prior to Peace For DC, and in addition to a 15-year career in Structural Engineering, Rachel served in volunteer leadership roles for Serve Your City and Moms Demand Action, where she mobilized hundreds of volunteers, led successful legislative advocacy campaigns, and cultivated partnerships with dozens of local organizations to advance gun violence prevention efforts. She has also supported mutual aid networks, refugee resettlement efforts, and cross-cultural dialogue groups, always centering equity and collective care.

Rachel holds a Master’s and Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from George Washington University.

MARVIN WEBB

Fractional Chief Financial Officer

During his 13 years as Chief Financial Officer at Funders for LGBTQ Issues, Marvin honed the art of strategic financial management, driving growth and resilience. This experience led him to found Marvin Webb Micro Consulting, where he offers fractional CFO and CHRO services.

Marvin helps Peace for DC and other philanthropic and nonprofit organizations build financial and HR strategies that foster sustainable growth and equity, embedding DEI principles into their operations. Marvin’s 17-year career as a professional dancer taught him creativity and adaptability, which, combined with an MBA in Human Resources & Marketing and MS in Accountancy, allows him to support clients in reaching their full potential.

SHABY ROSALES

Chief Human Resources Officer

Shaby Rosales is a Washington, DC–based nonprofit leader with 20+ years of experience advancing equity, innovation, and organizational effectiveness. She brings deep expertise in human resources, talent strategy, and organizational design, with certifications in IDEAB, restorative justice, and human-centered design.

Most recently, Shaby served as Partner and Chief Experience Officer at Orr Group, where she led client delivery and HR strategy for mission-driven organizations nationwide. A trusted advisor to nonprofits, she integrates justice and equity into every aspect of leadership, culture, and operations.

Earlier, Shaby was VP of HR at Congressional Bank, where she scaled the team and launched a corporate social responsibility program benefiting local nonprofits. She is passionate about building equitable workplaces and helping organizations align values with impact.

Shaby holds an MBA and an M.S. in Human Resources from the University of Maryland and a B.S. from Salisbury University.

NAKEDA GILBERT

Program Manager - DC Peace Academy

With over two decades of experience spanning nonprofits, community, and corporations, Nakeda brings a rare blend of strategic coordination, trauma-informed care, and administrative precision to her work. She currently serves as the Program Manager of the DC Peace Academy at Peace For DC, where she designs and facilitates training programs that equip frontline violence interrupters with the tools to build safer, more resilient communities.

Prior to this role, Nakeda served as a Program Manager at Cure Violence Global, and in professional roles in healthcare and architecture, where she honed her skills in project management, stakeholder engagement, and systems design.

Nakeda is deeply rooted in the DC community and passionate about advancing equity through education, healing, and collaboration. Her work reflects a lifelong commitment to empowering others, whether through youth outreach, health education, or violence prevention. Nakeda is known for her unwavering dedication to creating pathways for peace. She continues to be a driving force behind DC’s movement to end violence through community-led solutions.

ANTOINE GATLIN

Program Manager - Training and Community Engagement

Antoine Gatlin is an integral member of the Peace For DC team- as a Roca Rewire Cognitive Behavioral Theory Facilitator, and supporting our DC Peace Academy and HEAL DC programs. Antoine is a Washingtonian born and raised in Ward 5 in the Trinidad / Ivy City community. As a former employee of NAARC Cure the Streets, Antoine worked his way up from Outreach Worker- where he helped high-risk individuals in The Ward 5 Trinidad community and the 18th and M St sector to obtain wrap-around services- to a role as Program Manager- where he led a team of ten credible staff members: 7 Violence Interrupters, 2 Outreach Workers and 1 Site Supervisor with an overall goal of reducing gun violence in the community and rehabilitating high risk individuals. These professional experiences helped Antoine to learn more about gun violence and how trauma affects a whole community. He has received certification in Restorative Justice, Project Management, VIRT Circle Keeping, Mindful Workplace with Early Childhood, and is a graduate of the DC Peace Academy. Antoine's motto is: "Put The Guns Down And Pick The Kids Up" and we're thrilled to have him on our team, helping make that motto a reality.

KRISTIN ADAMS

Program Manager - HEAL DC

Kristin Adams is dedicated and highly skilled with over a decade of experience in program management, policy development, and community engagement. She began her career in 2009 as a Case Manager in Washington, D.C., where she developed a strong foundation in direct service and advocacy for vulnerable populations. Over the years, Kristin has built a reputation for leadership in managing complex programs aimed at supporting youth, young adults, and families in need of behavioral health and housing services.

Previously, Kristin served as the Assistant Director for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) for the State of Maryland, where she provided leadership, strengthened partnerships, and ensured the successful implementation of housing initiatives across the state. In addition, she oversaw youth emergency shelter grants, ensuring compliance with terms, tracking expenditures, and offering technical assistance to grantees.

Kristin was also the Youth Project Coordinator for the Now is the Time: Healthy Transitions Grant at the Department of Behavioral Health, which was focused on providing individualized behavioral health services for youth and young adults in Wards 5, 7 and 8 in Washington DC. Kristin played a pivotal role in implementing strategies to support youth and young adults receiving or needing behavioral health services. She developed key community partnerships, led public education campaigns, and facilitated community assessments to better serve underserved populations. Her work included grant outreach, workshop facilitation, data collection, and serving as a contributor to a national publication by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

With experience supervising teams, leading workshops, and contributing to national efforts, Kristin's career reflects her unwavering commitment to improving the lives of our young people.

CAROLE WILLS

Social Worker - DC Peace Academy

Carole Wills, LMSW, is a seasoned social worker who brings over a decade of experience in behavioral health, forensic therapy, and violence intervention to her role supporting the DC Peace Academy. She provided excellent social work skills to the Academy, offering counseling, team-building guidance, and mental health assessments that strengthened frontline workforce cohesion and care.

Previously, Carole served in diverse settings including detention centers, hospitals, and community organizations. She coordinated mental health services for incarcerated populations, delivered trauma-informed therapy to children and adults, and managed multimillion-dollar behavioral health contracts across Maryland. Her work consistently reflected deep expertise in crisis intervention, compliance oversight, and culturally responsive care. Carole’s career was defined by her commitment to healing, accountability, and equity in systems that serve vulnerable communities.

TONISIA CARTER

Case Manager - HEAL DC

We are delighted to welcome Tonisia Carter to the Peace For DC team as Case Manager for our HEAL DC program. Known as Ms. Tonie, she brings a wealth of experience spanning decades in case management, care advocacy, and leadership roles. Ms. Tonie’s diverse expertise includes her time as Case Manager Supervisor for Valley Place Bridge Housing Program, where she developed innovative tools to enhance housing navigation and conducted impactful self-esteem and team-building workshops. Her leadership in creating crisis response plans and resources for participants exiting programs is particularly inspiring.

Since joining HEAL DC, Ms. Tonie has already made a remarkable impact. She has built trust with program participants through her natural aptitude for support and care, fostering meaningful connections while exemplifying her results-driven approach. We are thrilled to have her on board and look forward to the continued excellence she will bring to our mission of healing and empowering communities.

KEISHA JONES

Social Worker - HEAL DC

Keisha A. Jones, MSW is a trauma-informed psychotherapist and seasoned clinical social worker with over a decade of experience supporting youth and adults navigating housing instability, mental health challenges, and systemic barriers. In her previous role, Keisha served as a psychotherapist at Caring Through Healing LLC, Keisha providing individualized therapy using evidence-based modalities including DBT, CBT, and harm reduction, with a strong emphasis on motivational interviewing and restorative practices.

Her other previous roles span direct service and leadership across DC and Michigan, including work with AMFM Healthcare, Pathways to Housing DC, and the Ruth Ellis Center. Keisha has co-supervised transitional living programs, facilitated youth development groups, and led crisis interventions with compassion and cultural competency. She holds a Master of Clinical Social Work from The Catholic University of America and a Bachelor of Science in Women and Gender Studies from Eastern Michigan University. Her practice is grounded in equity, empowerment, and healing-centered engagement.

LORENZO SANDERS

Violence Intervention Specialist - HEAL DC

Lorenzo Sanders is a dedicated public servant and community advocate with over a decade of experience in public safety, customer service, and facility management across Washington, DC. In his former role with Cure the Streets, Lorenzo played a pivotal role in violence intervention and neighborhood healing, overseeing daily operations in Ward 7 and supporting conflict mediation efforts. His leadership fostered trust, safety, and engagement in communities most impacted by violence. Lorenzo is also a graduate of the DC Peace Academy, and has work experience serving with the Downtown DC Business Improvement District, and with Old Town Trolleys. Lorenzo brings both technical expertise and heartfelt commitment to every role. His work reflects a deep belief in the power of service, collaboration, and care to transform lives and uplift communities.

Our Board

We are very fortunate to have a Board composed of individuals who care deeply about our mission and bring deep knowledge and experience to this work. We are truly grateful for their commitment to building peace in DC.

Mannone Butler

Head of Programs & Partnerships - National Basketball Association Social Justice Coalition,

Former Executive Director of DC Criminal Justice Coordinating Council

Arne Duncan

Managing Partner - Emerson Collective,

Founder - Chicago CRED,

Former US Secretary of Education

Pastor Delonte Gholston

Lead Pastor - Peace Fellowship Church, Washington, DC

Founder and Leader - Peace Walks DC

Amber Goodwin

Founder - Community Justice Action Fund and the Community Justice Reform Coalition

Assistant District Attorney- Gun Violence Prevention Policy, Travis County District Attorney’s Office

Jane Korhonen

Partner, Brown Advisory.

Chair of Private Client Investment Committee

Roger Marmet

Founder, Peace For DC

Roger Marmet is working to reduce gun violence to honor the memory of his son, Tom Marmet, as well as every other victim of homicide in the District. Tom was 22 when he was killed, October 24, 2018, just driving home from his first job out of college working for So Others Might Eat. Tom’s murder was another senseless but possibly preventable tragedy in the plague of DC gun violence.

Since then, Roger has dedicated his time to advocacy - and now action. He is dedicated to building community-powered resources to save lives in DC’s most dangerous neighborhoods, and bringing philanthropy to helping reduce the homicide rate in the city.

Roger was born in Washington DC and had a long career in television before entering the restaurant business. He has been active in the leadership of nonprofit organizations and is now committed to bringing resources to the most desperately needed neighborhoods in the city that he - and his son - loved so much for all their lives.