Our Board

 

Jennifer Nye – President 

Ms. Nye has over 25 years of experience in management, operations and human resources in both the private and non-profit sectors. She is an honors graduate of the former L’Academie de Cuisine and has worked as a professional pastry chef in the DC area. She developed and co-lead Lifeline’s Healthy Body cooking classes.

 

Andy Hackett – Vice President 

Mr. Hackett is Vice President and the Manager of DC operations for Cogency Global.  Andy comes to Lifeline having experienced the joys and challenges of working with folks with developmental disabilities with a family member and close family friends.  He received the 2019 Volunteer of the Year award from Lifeline.

 

Sandra Jackson – Secretary 

Ms. Jackson previously served at DC Advocacy Partners, a leadership training program for self advocates with disabilities and family members.  She has also been a volunteer at Special Olympics.  She has an adult sibling with developmental disabilities.

 

Greg Nelson – Treasurer 

Mr. Nelson is the Plans and Program Manager at Mitre.  He has served in various positions with that organization, including Assistant Director for Asia Pacific Singapore, for almost 20 years.  He received a BA in Economics from the University of Kansas and a MA in Public Policy from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.

 

Aunyea Carr – Board Member 

 Ms. Carr works as the Fitness Director for a Senior Wellness Center.  She comes with experience working with individuals with developmental disabilities at numerous summer camps and sporting events. She received a BS in Exercise from Georgia State University.

 

LeRoy Jackson – Board Member 

Mr. Jackson is an adult with a developmental disability and a very active volunteer for various non profits in the DC area.  He is involved with the self-advocacy group Project Action.

 

Ryan King – Board Member 

Mr. King is an adult with a developmental disability.  He has been employed by Giant Foods as a courtesy clerk for over 15 years.  He volunteers often with various disability related organizations and is in a leadership position with the self-advocacy group Project Action.

 

Susie King – Board Member 

Ms. King worked with the District of Columbia Department of Human Service’s Family Services Administration in positions that included Social Science/Child Care Specialist, Contract Administrator and Policy Analyst. She received a BA degree in Sociology from Wilberforce University and a MA degree in Teaching from the University of the District of Columbia.  As the parent of an adult with developmental disabilities she has been active with organizations such as DC Parents and Friends of Children with Special Needs, the DC Developmental Disabilities Council and the Inclusion Research Institute.

 

Pastor Tom Knoll – Board Member 

Reverend Knoll is retired from ministry and previously served on the Pastoral staff of First Trinity Lutheran Church in Washington D.C.  He is a licensed and board certified social worker and was the Executive Director of Community Life Services, a parish based social service ministry, from 1982-2002.  He holds numerous board positions including with the Capital Area Asset Building Corp., Trinity Landholding Corporation, New Course Restaurant & Catering, and the Urban Alliance. He received a BA in Psychology/Sociology and Theology from Concordia College, an M.Div. from Christ Seminary and an MSW from St. Louis University.

 

L. Thomas Mangrum - Board Member

Mr. Mangrum is an adult with a developmental disability. He is an active advocate for adults with developmental disabilities.

 

Mathew McCollough – Non Voting Board Member 

Mr. McCollough is the Director of the District of Columbia Office of Disability Rights.  He previously served as the Executive Director of the DC Developmental Disabilities Council.  President Barack Obama appointed him to the U.S. Access Board. He received a BA in Political Science from James Madison University and a MA in Public Policy from American University.

 

John Priebe – Board Member 

Mr. Priebe worked for the U.S. Bureau of the Census for over 40 years. He is a founding board member of Lifeline and very active with his church community at First Trinity Lutheran Church. He received a BS in Economics from South Dakota State University.  

 

Tom Roschke – Board Member 

Mr. Roschke held positions primarily as a computer programmer and information analyst for a variety of companies and clients including the US Treasury, MCI Communications, SHL Systemhouse, Compuware, Inc, and the Federal National Mortgage Corporation.  He also served as a Peace Corps volunteer in India. He received a BA in Liberal Arts from Concordia College, an MA in Psychology from Wake Forest University and an MA in International Studies from Johns Hopkins University. He served as Lifeline’s Treasurer from 2007 to 2019.

 

Donna Suchmann – Board Member 

Ms. Suchmann has more than 50 years experience in microbiology, founding her own company in 1986. She received a BS in Bacteriology and Organic Chemistry from Ohio State University.  She is a long time Lifeline board member and very active with First Trinity, her church community.

 

Pastor Susanne Blume – Ex Officio Board Member 

Rev. Blume has served as Executive Director of Lifeline since 2012.  Prior to this position she served as Associate Pastor for Spiritual Formation and Congregational Care at Luther Place Church in downtown Washington DC.  She was involved in a ministry similar to Lifeline in upstate New York from 2005-2006 and was a Lifeline volunteer prior to her assuming the position of Executive Director. She received a BA in Journalism from the University of Southern California, a JD from Antioch School of Law and an M.Div. from Pacific Theological Seminary.  Prior to seminary Pastor Susanne worked as an attorney in DC for almost 20 years.

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