MEET THE TEAM

Staff

Wendy Brehm, Executive Director

Wendy@brooklandvillage.org | 202-658-5958

Wendy Meima Brehm (she/her) is a certified Project Management Professional and bilingual English/ASL leader with experience supporting national and local nonprofits in strategic planning, operations, accessibility implementation, and program growth. Wendy holds an M.S. in Justice, Law, and Criminology from American University and a B.A. in Jurisprudence from the University of Baltimore. She is committed to strengthening intergenerational connections, supporting aging in place, and building on GBIV's success in cultivating a more inclusive and connected community in Brookland. Outside of work, she enjoys baking, crafting, and spending time outdoors with her family. 

Kinyofu Mlimwengu, Community Organizer

Kinyofu@brooklandvillage.org | 202-750-3601

Kinyofu has been inspiring generations of resilience from wombs to classrooms for over twenty years. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Community and Human Services and Master’s Degree in Education. Combined with her roles as a birthworker, parent educator, coach, workshop facilitator, author, and public and private school teacher she is in a perfectly unique position to fully advocate for families.

Board of Directors

Bessie Watts, Board President

Bessie is currently a Director at a private equity firm where she manages an External Directors program and is responsible for leveraging executive relationships strategically to advance the broader firm's strategy. Prior to, Bessie worked as a Director at CARE USA serving as the Operational Lead and Chief of Staff to the Innovation team and Chief Innovation Officer. Bessie is a graduate of Spelman College and Georgetown’s Master’s in Foreign Service Program. Although a DC native, Bessie was raised in Durham, NC. Since college, she has spent her professional years in New York City, Atlanta, and DC.

Jason Alcorn, Interim Treasurer and At-Large Board Member

Jason is Vice President of Growth Investments at the American Journalism Project, the first venture philanthropy dedicated to local news. In his role, he leads a portfolio of investments in nonprofit newsrooms across the country, partnering with civic leaders to rebuild local news and strengthen communities. Before helping to launch AJP, Jason was an award-winning investigative journalist and led his own strategic consulting practice. A Brookland resident since 2019, he has spent his career working to make civic life more accessible and inspired. Beyond his professional work, he helped start a neighborhood soccer game in 2021 that still brings neighbors together weekly, co-organizes an annual block party, and is a proud supporter of the PTA at Elsie Whitlow Stokes, where his children attend the Spanish immersion program.

Joan Stahl, Interim Secretary and At-Large Board Member

Joan has lived in DC for more than 25 years. She holds an MA from University of Maryland and an MLS from Rutgers University. Currently working as Director, Research and Instruction, University Libraries, The Catholic University of America, she has also served as Head Librarian, George Washington's Mount Vernon and Head, Slide + Photo Archives, Smithsonian American Art Museum, among other positions. She is a volunteer at the U.S. National Arboretum and the Humane Rescue Alliance and chair of the GBIV Membership Committee.

Sharon White, At-Large Board Member

Sharon was born and raised in southeast Washington, DC, where she worked diligently in her community. Her hard work enabled her to win a DC Federation of Civic Associations Youth trophy - featured in the Afro-American Newspaper. After moving away for 35 years, serving her community was at the forefront of her mind, so she moved back to DC. She then volunteered at So Others Might Eat, Food and Friends and AARP Experience Corps to teach reading fluency to elementary school aged children. Sharon has a Master of Arts degree in Education and Human Development from GW University. She retired following a 37 year career in teaching various subjects to pre-school through college aged students around the DMV. Sharon has a passion for community engagements, especially when it pertains to seasoned citizens. Sharon is on the GBIV Program Committee.

Laura Worby, At-Large Board Member

Laura has lived in DC since 1979 and in Brookland since 1990. She is a retired family nurse practitioner and is currently working part-time as a forensic nurse examiner. She has served on several boards in the past, including for a non-profit medical clinic, a daycare center, a peace and justice organization, and the nurse practitioner Association of DC. She is also an active member of Brookland’s Huddle for the Future, a group of activist women working on a wide range of local and national issues. Laura is the chair of the GBIV Program committee.

Danielle Schmutz, At-Large Board Member

Danielle is the Executive Director of Beacon House, a Ward 5 nonprofit with more than 30 years of history providing education, athletics, and mentoring programs for children and youth. She has been connected to Beacon House since 2014, first serving as Director of Programs and Operations before returning as Executive Director in 2024. Danielle also held leadership roles at Surgo Ventures and Surgo Health, organizations dedicated to using data and innovation to address major health challenges. She earned her BS in Sociology and Child Development from Central Michigan University and her MSW in Management and Policy from the University of Michigan. A Brookland resident, Danielle is passionate about place-based work that strengthens communities and creates pathways for people to thrive. Outside of work, she enjoys making pottery and spending time outdoors with her husband and their dog, Pearl.

Drew Minor, At-Large Board Member

Drew brings over 20 years of experience in finance, risk management, and organizational planning to the Greater Brookland Intergenerational Village Board. He works in banking and capital markets, where his responsibilities include asset-liability management, treasury oversight, and the evaluation of financial strategy and internal controls. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from the University of Memphis.

Prior to joining the Village Board, Drew has helped assess and strengthen financial frameworks within complex institutions and is particularly interested in supporting community organizations through sound governance and sustainable planning.

Drew has lived in Brookland since 2017 and is passionate about strengthening intergenerational connection and civic engagement in Ward 5 and beyond. Outside of his professional work, he enjoys camping, travel, local walks with his dog Macy, and mentoring youth.