Mercedes Lemp, Executive Director Mercedes Lemp has served as Executive Director since April 2018. Prior to joining MSP she worked at Montgomery Hospice and twice served as the Executive Director of Washington English Center, from July, 2011 to March 2015 and September 2002 through the end of 2005. In between serving as Executive Director at Washington English Center she was appointed as the Director of the Washington DC Mayor’s Office on Latino Affairs by Mayor Adrian Fenty and served as a Cabinet member from January 2007 through December 2010. In addition to her government and non-profit experience, Mercedes was the Marketing Director at the Council of Better Business Bureau’s BBBOnLine website program, and worked as the Channels Program Manager for Latin America Sales at Netscape Communications Corporation in Mountain View, CA and in Florida. She holds an MBA in International Marketing from George Washington University and a BA in Business and Management Administration from the University of Maryland, College Park. She is a member of the 2014 class of Leadership Greater Washington, the National Society of Hispanic MBA’s, and served on the DC Public Schools Joint Advisory Council from 2007-2010, and on the Mayor’s Adult Literacy Council from 2007-2009.

Administrative Staff

Krista McDaniel, Senior Programs Director

Email | (202) 993-5051 | Bio

Camesha C. King, Director of Community Programs

Email | (202) 897 7884 | Bio

Angela Cavanaugh, Volunteer and Move-In Manager

Email | (202) 540-1049 | Bio

Joviah Ndahayo, Director of Finance and Grants

Email | (202) 540-1048 | Bio

Keena Alford, Finance Manager

Email | (202) 540-1052 | Bio

Jey Fell, Data and Impact Manager

Email | (202) 880-2206 | Bio

Amanda Gittleson, Director of People and Culture

Email | (301) 437-5572 | Bio

Trevor Jennings, HR & Operations Associate

Email | (202) 815-1524 | Bio

Renae Erichsen-Teal, Development Director

Email | (202) 997-6156 | Bio

Denisa Caballero, Communications Manager

Email | (202) 880-2531 | Bio

Ashley Reiss, Development and Outreach Associate

Email | (202) 897-7749 | Bio

Ricardo Washington, Workforce Development Specialist

Email | (240) 907-1770 | Bio

Mya Fountain-Bunch, Housing Navigator

Email | (202) 961-1549 | Bio


RISE Transitional Housing Program

Shannon Simms, Senior Program Manager

Email | (202) 499-0356 | Bio

Leise Gergely, RISE Resources and Advocate

Email | (202) 997-1675 | Bio

LeTrese Treasley, Community Advocate

Email | (202) 961-0721 | Bio

Tiara Troxler, RISE Admissions and Advocate

Email | (202) 770-5120 | Bio

Javonte Vaden, Community Advocate

Email | (771) 215-7309 | Bio

Anaia Gaither, Community Advocate

Email | (202) 748-0002 | Bio


RISE Plus Program

Gabriela DeLeon, RISE Plus Program Manager

Email | (202) 897-7844 | Bio

Zeni Ruffin, RISE Plus Community Advocate

Email | (202) 578-7746 | Bio


Family Re-housing Stabilization Program

Amatullah Shabazz, FRSP Program Manager

Email | (202) 815-2894 | Bio

Rosemary Weathers, FRSP Case Manager Supervisor

Email | (202) 815-2912 | Bio

Robin Coley, FRSP Case Manager Supervisor

Email | (202) 993-5035 |Bio

Andrea Commock-Pope, Community Advocate

Email | (202) 515-6906

Jumani Andrews, Community Advocate

Email | (202) 748-0003 | Bio

Ebony Williams, Community Advocate

Email | (202) 993-5051 | Bio

Cynthia McNickles, Community Advocate

Email | (202) 748-0003

Kayla Collins, Community Advocate

Email | (202) 993-1556 | Bio

Ashley Acevedo, Community Advocate

Email | (202) 993-5094 | Bio

Tyaira Wilson, Community Advocate

Email | (202) 924-1027 | Bio


Sanctuary Plus and Sanctuary II Shelters

Linda Akunwafor, Shelter Program Manager

Email | (240) 814-0391 | Bio

Crismeily Maloney, Children’s Program Manager and Shelter Advocate

Email | (202) 568-1578 | Bio

Theresa Price, Aftercare and Fresh Start Fund Administrator

Email | (202) 924-4286 | Bio

Elissa Blackwell, MSW, LGSW, Shelter Advocate

Email | (202) 997-3521


Residential Services Staff at Sanctuary Plus

Avril Palton, Manager of Facilities and Residential Counselors

Email | (202) 540-1064 | Bio

Barbara Matthews, Overnight Residential Counselor

Email | (202) 540-1064 | Bio

Valencia Stubbs, Chef/Kitchen Manager

Email | (202) 540-1055

Indiah Taylor, Evening Residential Counselor

Email | (202) 607-6957 | Bio


Part-time Residential Counselors

Deboria Allison

Kimberly Astorga

Tashaunya Blake

Shara Hayden

Victoria Robinson-Hines

Gloria Taylor

Patricia Walker

Diane Watkins

Tracy Williams

Michelle Bailey