Ramya has had a varied career working in the education policy field all over the globe (in the U.S., Africa, Europe and Asia), with NGOs, governments, UN agencies and other international organizations. Currently, she is Senior Education Specialist and Thematic Lead for Teaching and Learning at the Global Partnership for Education, a multi-stakeholder partnership and fund supporting education in the developing world. Ramya is motivated by a desire to connect the rich humanities landscape of our city, including international perspectives, with education and youth programming. She is parent to a DCPS 3rd grader and is currently a member of the DCPS Parent Advisory Board.
Maceo Thomas
Maceo Thomas is an advocate in the local creative community with over 10 years of experience in programming and event planning. Receiving his Masters in Public Health at the University of North Carolina, Thomas has applied his instincts for public service to creating opportunities for artists in Washington, DC. Working with musicians and painters alike, Mr. Thomas has created various programs including a monthly art exhibit and music festival, garnering the recognition of The Community Foundation with the Linowes Award in 2011.
Malgorzata (MJ) Rymsza-Pawlowska
MJ Rymsza-Pawlowska is Associate Professor of History at American University, where she researches and teaches U.S. cultural history and public history theory and practice. MJ is also very active in DC’s history community, collaborating with a number of local organizations on research initiatives and public programming–she loves seeing how history and the humanities can help people– both natives and newcomers—connect with the city and with each other in new ways. MJ grew up in Ward 5 and now lives with her husband in Ward 3.
Chinedu Felix Osuchukwu
Alison Johnson
Alison lives in Glover Park and can be found wandering the wooded trails with her dog, Winston, when not traveling for her role as Associate Vice President of Content and Program Strategy at the National Multifamily Housing Council. At NMHC, Alison partners with business executives, researchers, and industry advocates to implement and maintain industry knowledge programs in a variety of subject matters, including corporate citizenship, leadership, market trends, technology and innovation, and housing affordability. The starting point for Alison’s professional role began in her early academic career, studying Political and Economic Philosophy at Wheeling Jesuit University in Wheeling, WV. Through her continued studies and interactions about the history, thoughts and culture that make up the record of our modern community, she has learned the practical application humanities have in everyday life. The humanities give voice to how we make sense of the world. And the humanities belong to us all.
Cole Fiala
Cole Fiala is a connector of people and dots with expertise in cross-cultural collaboration, relationship building, and project management. He is currently looking toward 2026 and the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States while cultivating federal and international partnerships for the America250 Foundation. His previous work spans more than 50 countries, first with U.S. Department of State public diplomacy programs at Meridian International Center and, more recently, with National Geographic traveling exhibitions. On the local level, he enjoys serving on the Board of HumanitiesDC and volunteering with the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities.
Cole earned his MA in Museum Studies from Marist College and the Instituto Lorenzo de’ Medici and his BA in Art History and International Studies from Loyola University Chicago. He can often be found taking his dog on long walks, trying new recipes in the kitchen, and traveling with his husband to destinations near and far.
Heather Clark
Jimmy Watkins
Jimmy was born and raised in Washington DC’s Ward 8 and has spent the past eight years working for and supporting local nonprofits. A graduate of Bates College, Jimmy obtained his bachelor’s degree in English before completing a Certificate in Nonprofit Management from Georgetown University. Most recently, Jimmy served on the Board of Directors for Words Beats & Life, taught playwriting at the Young Playwright’s Theater, and joined the Black Swan Academy as their administrative assistant. Outside of work, Jimmy can be found writing a screenplay, quoting lines from his favorite TV shows (What? There’s no blook club?!) and raising his cat, Ghost, who he secretly thinks is his direwolf.
Rebecca Joseph
Rebecca believes that strong public humanities collaborations are essential to addressing our biggest questions as we navigate the complexities of living in an interconnected, rapidly changing world. A relationship builder and resource mobilizer, she leads development growth in individual and institutional giving, as well as public funding, drawing on more than three decades of experience as an applied ethnographer, non-profit professional, grant maker, and consultant. Becky listens deeply. Her natural curiosity often wonders, “What else can this be?” She holds a PhD in Anthropology from the University of California – San Diego, a BA from Swarthmore College, and has been a post-doctoral research fellow at UC – Berkeley and a Fulbright scholar. She finds special joy experiencing the city through the senses of her young grandson, a DC native, studying ancient texts in their original languages, and hacking recipes old and new in kitchens of all sizes.
Karen Oliver
Karen believes that numbers help tell stories and that solid systems can allow HumanitiesDC’s community to thrive and grow. As Director of Operations her responsibilities include finance and accounting, human resources, operations and administration, and supporting a strategy to build a stable internal structure to support the growth of our programs. Karen’s diverse experience includes more than 10 years in nonprofit management, as well as a short stints in local politics, education board service, management consulting, and technical marketing. She holds a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Finance from UCLA and a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from Swarthmore College. You can spot her out and about around DC in the many great public libraries or playing soccer in local rec leagues.