Our Board

 

Denise Jones – President

Ms. Jones is a  passionate certified personal fitness trainer who has been serving individuals with physical and developmental disabilities for over 5 years.  She has been an active participant in the disability community since childhood.  Denise learned American Sign Language (ASL) in elementary school and continued her ASL studies at Seton Hall University and Gallaudet University.  She obtained a B.A. in Communication from Seton Hall University. 

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Andy Hackett – Vice President 

Mr. Hackett is Vice President and 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.

 

Jennifer Nye – Secretary

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.

 

Greg Nelson – Treasurer 

Mr. Nelson is a 20 year member of First Trinity Lutheran Church, serving as Church Council President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer.  He has long been an active volunteer at Lifeline.  He has served as Treasurer of Lifeline since 2020. Mr. Nelson holds a B.A. in Economics from the University of Kansas (Go Jayhawks!) and a Master's in Public Policy from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.

 

Maggie Angevine - Board Member

Ms. Angevine is the Public Relations Coordinator for the American Staffing Association, a nonprofit where she has worked since graduating college in 2022. She graduated from Miami University of Ohio with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and political science. Maggie has had a strong passion for community service, involvement, and advocacy since high school.

 

Michelle Hawkins - Board Member

Ms. Hawkins is an advocate for her loving adult son with developmental disabilities. She has extensive advocacy experience, has led and organized numerous initiatives, and participates on several boards in the DD/ID community. Ms. Hawkins works at Lt. Joseph P Kennedy Institute as a Parent Advocacy Coordinator; for the DC Department on Disability Services. Her many duties include Community Liaison Specialist and Intake and Outreach associate. Ms. Hawkins is a member of DC Quality Trust, Family Ties of DC, Georgetown University Center for Child and Human Development, University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, and the DC Consumer Advisory Council.

 

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!.

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Sandra Jackson – Board Member

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.

 

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.

 

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 also serves on the Board of Largo Landing Fellowship House, one of the rent subsidized houses for low income persons run by Fellowship Square.  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.

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Crystal Thomas - Board Member

Ms. Thomas is the Program Manager for the State Office of Policy, Planning and Innovation at the District of Columbia’s Department on Disability Services. Previously, she worked in Arlington County Department of Human Services for over ten years where she was responsible for development and implementation of policies and procedures, coordinating with partner agencies in the community and at the state and federal level, representing the agency at public meetings. Prior to joining Arlington County, Crystal had three years experience with an IDD provider in DC as the Director of Operations. Crystal began her human service career while she was still in college, as a youth counselor at the National Center for Children and Families. She received a Bachelor’s Degree in psychology from the University of Maryland, College Park; a Master’s Degree in Human Sciences and Psychology from Hood College; and a Master of Public Administration from George Mason University. 

 

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