Cara Lesser is Founder and Executive Director of KID Museum, the DC region’s pioneering experiential museum and educational makerspace. KID Museum is designed to accelerate and democratize access to transformative maker learning experiences that empower the next generation with the skills to invent the future. Recognized by the Catalogue for Philanthropy as “one of the region’s best nonprofits” and nationally as a leader in maker education, KID Museum has served 300,000 kids, educators, and community members since opening its doors at Davis Library in Bethesda, Maryland in 2014.

Under Cara’s leadership, KID Museum has grown from an idea to become an anchoring regional institution, offering high-impact maker learning through deep, embedded partnerships with schools, weekend and after school programs, camps, and community events. With a focus on K-8 students, their families, and classroom educators, KID Museum builds pathways for sustained student growth and development. Deeply committed to diversity, equity, inclusion and access, the museum consistently prioritizes populations traditionally under-represented in STEM fields.

Prior to founding KID Museum, Cara held a number of leadership positions in the field of health policy and health services research. She received her Masters of Public Policy from the University of California, Berkeley, and her Bachelors of Arts from Barnard College, Columbia University.

What's your favorite thing to make?
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Holly oversees the day-to-day operations of the museum, and ensures that our team has the people, talent, funding, equipment, and technology required to do their jobs. She manages the visitor experience, along with our finance function. Prior to joining KID Museum, Holly worked at The Carter Center in Atlanta, GA and has worked with nonprofits serving youth in Nicaragua and immigrants in Denmark. Holly holds a Master's of Public Administration and Nonprofit Management from American University and a BA in International Relations from Grand Valley State University.

What’s your favorite thing to make?
Spreadsheets! And new systems and processes that help us work smarter.
Pronouns: She, her, hers.

Jackie sets the strategic direction for our programs and exhibits, bringing over 30 years of experience in museum education and exhibit development. After a stint as an archeologist working in Israel and Cyprus, she began her museum career at the Michael C. Carlos Museum of Art & Archaeology in Atlanta, GA. She has worked at the Smithsonian's Sackler/Freer Galleries, The National Building Museum, Discovery Creek Children's Museum and most recently as the Director of Youth Education at the International Spy Museum. She is also on faculty at The Johns Hopkins University Museum Studies Program. Jackie holds a Masters in Teaching degree from The George Washington University's Museum Education Program.

What’s your favorite thing to make?
I love baking Challah bread every week and experimenting with different fillings (yes, I stuff the bread with sweet or savory concoctions as a special surprise).
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Dorothy leads efforts to optimize and convey KID Museum’s impact to key stakeholders and partners. Prior to joining KID Museum, she served for 5 years as the founding Executive Director of Nation of Makers, a national nonprofit dedicated to helping support America's maker organizations through community building, resource sharing, and advocacy. Dorothy holds a B.A. in psychobiology from Wellesley College, an M.S. in Neuroscience from the University of Michigan, and a Ph.D. in Neuroscience from the University of Michigan.

What’s your favorite thing to make?
I love making all kinds of things, from jewelry to paper craft, to textiles. Right now, I've been enjoying expanding my embroidery skills and knitting scarves and hats for the winter.
Pronouns: She, her, hers.

Monica oversees our human resources functions and leads efforts to align our people strategies with our strategic vision, mission and organizational values, while cultivating a culture of inclusivity. She brings over 25 years of strategic leadership, business and human resources experience to this role, having held strategic leadership positions at the McGraw-Hill Companies, Aetna US Healthcare, ConvaTec (a Bristol-Myers Squibb Company) and Bright MLS. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Management from Fairleigh Dickinson University and has attained two of the highest certifications in her field, the Senior Professional Human Resources (SPHR) certification and the SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) designation.

What’s your favorite thing to make?
My favorite thing to create are opportunities and pathways for people to succeed and grow.
Pronouns: She, her, hers.

Will manages Day Camps and Summer Camps, working closely with the education team to ensure success. He also develops and delivers birthday party programs. Before joining KID Museum, Will was the Makerspace Director of an independent K-8th grade school on the Gulf Coast of Mississippi. Will has also coached a First LEGO League team which won the Innovation Project Award in 2020 and both the Robot Design and Core Values Awards in 2022. Will has a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Mississippi State University and a master’s degree in Learning, Design, and Technology from Penn State.

What’s your favorite thing to make?
I love 3D printing! It’s incredibly satisfying to print something out that can help solve problems.
Pronouns: He, him, his.

Lucia designs and implements imaginative learning experiences for family visits and field trips. Before joining KID Museum, Lucia was a Pre-K teacher in Howard County, MD for six years and the director of a Howard County preschool. She has also worked as a gallery host and a teaching artist. Lucia holds a Bachelor of Arts in Art History and Studio Art from McDaniel University and a Masters’ degree in Museum Studies from Johns Hopkins University.

What’s your favorite thing to make?
Anything fiber related! One of my favorite things to make is hanging wall tapestries.
Pronouns: She, her, hers.

Kathleen facilitates maker learning programs at KID that foster a lifelong passion for STEAM education. Before joining KID Museum, Kathleen worked at the Orlando Science Center, first as a STEM educator and later as an education coordinator. She has also worked at the Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center, The Little Gym, and several karate studios. Kathleen has a bachelors of science in Biology from the University of Florida.

What’s your favorite thing to make?
Anything with textiles! Love working on the sewing machine!
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Laurel works with schools to develop and strengthen partnerships by supporting teachers and administrators as they participate in our programs. In her role, she also teaches students. She has spent her career in the field of education in a variety of roles and with students from preschool age through undergraduate level. After beginning her career in educational research, she became a teacher, working in urban schools. She has also worked with science camps, the education department at a zoo, and in school admissions. Laurel holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania, and a master’s in education from Duquesne University.

What’s your favorite thing to make?
In the spirit of sustainability, I enjoy making things with repurposed materials.
Pronouns: She, her, hers.

Reid designs curriculum and facilitates maker learning programs. He has more than 10 years of experience working in youth development, including coaching, early childhood education, and STEAM Afterschool programs. In his varied experience, Reid strives to create a sense of belonging and agency for young people. He holds a BA in Psychology from Rice University in Houston and an MFA from Parsons School of Design in New York City.

What’s your favorite thing to make?
I love woodworking, so pretty much anything in the shop I will enjoy making.
Pronouns: He, him, his.

Noah works with young makers who participate in KID Museum field trips, after school programs and summer camp. Prior to joining KID Museum, Noah was a paraeducator with an MCPS program that helps recent immigrants and other adult English language learners obtain their GED and career certifications. He also spent a year as an AmeriCorps volunteer.

What’s your favorite thing to make?
Someone smile 🙂 Or maybe… designing and modeling things to be 3D printed!
Pronouns: He, him, his.

Sydney designs and facilitates STEAM-based educational programs for KID Museum's weekend programs, after-school, school group visits, and camp programs. Prior to joining KID museum, Sydney worked at the Maryland Science Center and the Walters Art Museum, where she facilitated visual arts and science-based programs for all ages including family experiences, school groups, and outreach programs. Sydney holds a BFA in General Fine Arts from the Maryland Institute College of Art.

What’s your favorite thing to make?
I love to learn new tools and mediums, and I am constantly creating. Currently, my passions are paper sculpting, textiles, and digital fabrication.
Pronouns: She, her, hers.

Kate facilitates school field trips and after school programs, summer programs, and more. Before joining KID Museum, Kate taught second graders in South Korea, middle schoolers in Costa Rica, and kindergarten students in Arlington Public Schools. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Capital University in Columbus, Ohio.

What’s your favorite thing to make?
I love making of all kinds with little kids, whether it’s cooking/baking, experimenting with arts & crafts materials, or exploring in nature!
Pronouns: She, her, hers.

Odalys develops creative, participatory, culturally-responsive programs and experiences that foster intergenerational learning and a sense of belonging. She curates and develops programming with community partners and visiting artists. Prior to joining KID Museum, she designed and facilitated bilingual programming and cultural events for the Smithsonian, and created community-based programs and events with various organizations in Puerto Rico. Odalys holds a Master of Arts in Cultural Agency and Administrations from the Universidad de Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras, where she also earned a Bachelor’s degree in Communications with a specialization in Public Relations and Advertising, and a double major in Fine Arts.

What’s your favorite thing to make?
Food, and art.
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Karah develops and facilitates learning experiences focused on creativity, innovation, and exploration for all types of makers. Before joining KID Museum, Karah worked at the Intrepid Sea, Air, & Space Museum where she led school programs and worked with teens to develop their leadership skills and community engagement. She holds a Master of Arts in Teaching in museum education from George Washington University and a Bachelor of Science in Geology from the University of Texas at San Antonio.

What’s your favorite thing to make?
In my free time, I enjoy quilting, embroidering, and knitting.
Pronouns: She, her, hers.

Drew assists the Programs Team with planning, prototyping, and delivering maker learning activities. She facilitates educational programs that utilize many different tools and materials to make things while keeping creativity at the forefront and promoting the mind of a maker. She’s worked for MNCPPC and PG Parks and Recreation as a camp counselor, a tech assistant, and a teen coordinator. Drew holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art and Design from Frostburg State University.

What’s your favorite thing to make?
Functional ceramics.
Pronouns: She, her, hers.

Annalise leads the Programs team in developing innovative and engaging curriculum and programs. Prior to joining KID Museum, Annalise was at the University of California, Berkeley where her work focused on diversity, equity and inclusion in making. She has managed makerspaces on both coasts, working with learners ranging from Pre-K to graduate students. She holds a Master’s degree in Teaching from Alliant University, and a Bachelor of Art degree in English Literature and Creative Writing from the University of San Francisco.

What’s your favorite thing to make?
There are so many things I like to make, but most recently I have been into linoleum block carving and printmaking.
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Jonathan oversees the Kid Inventors program and he supports our consulting and professional development practice. He enjoys collaborating with his colleagues to develop innovative maker-learning programs. Before joining KID Museum, Jonathan was a classroom teacher in Florida and Maryland public schools, specializing in instructional data, academic intervention, and K-5 STEM education. He has a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from St. Petersburg College and a Masters degree in Curriculum and Instruction with a focus on STEM Leadership from University of Maryland.

What’s your favorite thing to make?
I have a passion for all things music so I really enjoy helping find ways to include music, rhythms, and melodies in Maker design experiences.
Pronouns: He, him, his.

Jake designs and constructs exhibits for Maker Playground, manages the Fabrication Lab's 3D printers and laser cutters, and comes up with new ideas to connect kids to the exciting world around them. Before joining KID Museum, he interned at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History as an exhibit writer and editor and served as the Associate Director of Georgetown's Summer Programs for High School Students. He holds a bachelors of arts in American Studies with a minor in Business Administration from Georgetown University and is in the process of completing a Master's in Museum Studies from the Corcoran School of Arts.

What’s your favorite thing to make?
I like to make interior designs and spatial plans for exhibits.
Pronouns: He, him, his.

Lezlie has worked in arts education for 20 years and has experience working in museums, public libraries, learning centers, and parks, as well as in the community where children live and go to school. She has designed curricula for a variety of teaching and learning experiences ranging from take-home self-directed activities to hour-long workshops, and even year-long programs. Lezlie holds an MFA in Community Arts and a certificate in Post-secondary Visual Arts Education from MICA. She also received an MFA in Sculpture from Cranbrook Academy of Art, and a BFA in Photography and Sculpture from Washington University in St. Louis.

What’s your favorite thing to make?
My favorite WAY to make is with other people so I like to co-create spaces to create and learn. I also make customized shoes and installations featuring an excess of paint.
Pronouns: She, her, hers.

Barbara mentors the Maker Educators and Program Facilitators at KID Museum, encouraging their individual curiosity and creativity while fostering their collaboration and compassion for one another. Prior to joining KID Museum, she was the Manager of Learning and Experience at National Children's Museum in Washington, DC and the Director of Access Initiatives at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum. Barbara holds a Master of Science in Education from Bank Street College of Education and Bachelor of Arts in Art History from Hobart and William Smith Colleges.

What’s your favorite thing to make?
People smile. 🙂
Pronouns: She, her, hers.

Dia Stone
Senior Education Program Manager

Dia oversees the design and creation of open explore activities and manages Explorer field trips. Before joining KID Museum she was a youth development STEM coordinator, working primarily with middle and high school aged girls. Before that, Dia worked in advanced manufacturing in higher education. In both of these positions, she set up academic makerspaces. Dia holds a Bachelors of Science in Industrial Engineering from the University of Arkansas and a Masters in Industrial Engineering from the University of Arkansas.

What’s your favorite thing to make?
I love to rescue and revive vintage furniture.
Pronouns: She, her, hers.

Venu designs and teaches maker-based programs that enable children to explore, experiment, and persevere. Before joining KID Museum, Venu spent years working in both formal and informal settings teaching students a variety of topics. She has taught in South Korea and worked within the Education Department at the South Street Seaport Museum. Venu holds a Masters of Education from the University of Glasgow and a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology with dual minors in Psychology and Theatre/Dance from CUNY Queens College.

What’s your favorite thing to make?
I’ve always loved making small wooden gifts for my family and friends, but since joining KID Museum, I’ve developed a love for small hand-sewn crafts and 3D printed structures.
Pronouns: She, her, hers.

Connie assists in lesson plan design, program prototyping, and facilitation. Before joining KID Museum, she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications and Film Studies from the University of Maryland at College Park. Connie also worked at the National Children's Museum while completing her Master's degree in Museum Education at George Washington University.

What’s your favorite thing to make?
I like toy hacking with both plushies and plastic toys!
Pronouns: She, her, hers.

Becky Zeisel
Senior Education Program Manager

Becky works with the Invent the Future Challenge program, where she coordinates logistics, creates the curriculum, and collaborates with teachers to implement the program in schools. She also assists with KID’s teacher professional development programs. Prior to joining KID Museum, Becky was a science teacher for 10 years. She then became the manager of high school sciences for a network of charter schools, after which she created professional development workshops for teachers across the greater D.C. area. Becky received her bachelor’s degree from Washington University in St. Louis and holds a master’s degree in Education from Lehman College.

What’s your favorite thing to make?
LEGO creations and messy-little-kid art.
Pronouns: She, her, hers.

Nakia oversees development and fundraising activities, including corporate sponsorship, grant writing, and events. She has spent the majority of her career working at the intersection of corporate strategy, business development, marketing, and non-profit fundraising. Before joining KID Museum, Nakia worked with EY, Avendra, the American Heart Association, the American Cancer Society, and the National Minority AIDS Council. Nakia holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Biology from Hampton University and a Bachelor’s of Science in Business from University of Maryland University College.

What’s your favorite thing to make?
I love to refurbish furniture, paint, and dance.
Pronouns: She, her, hers.

Liza manages strategic partnerships, develops new business, and aligns sources of funding with programmatic initiatives. She also contributes to fundraising and works across teams to build connections between programs and KID Museum sponsors. Liza has worked in formal and informal education spaces, including at the International Spy Museum and the National Building Museum. She holds a Masters of Art in Teaching in Museum Education from George Washington University and a Bachelor of Science from the University of Notre Dame.

What’s your favorite thing to make?
Changes almost daily. Today it’s quilts, because I just finished one!
Pronouns: She, her, hers.

Jaylee works with schools to ensure a seamless KID Museum visit experience. From initial communication and booking to the end of a group's visit, she takes care of the logistics which ensure teachers, parents, and students have an exceptional experience at KID Museum. Prior to KID Museum, Jaylee worked with the Smithsonian Office for the Under Secretary for Education as a graduate intern. Jaylee has a bachelor’s degree in Art History and Curatorial Studies from Brigham Young University and a master’s degree in Museum Education from George Washington University.

What’s your favorite thing to make?
Spreadsheets 😉 I also love to spend time in the Textiles Studio whenever I get the chance.
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Jason leads KID Museum’s overall Community Engagement strategy in the DMV region connecting the work we do with families in a meaningful, equitable, and sustainable way. From non profit, private, to government he has been an effective strategic leader and advocate for underrepresented communities. Jason holds a bachelors in Business Administration from Howard University.

What’s your favorite thing to make?
Delicious meals for my family.
Pronouns: He, him, his.

Lydia makes sure anyone visiting KID has a great experience, that the building is running smoothly, and that everyone who visits wants to come back! Before joining KID Museum she worked in corporate settings, where she managed building operations, scheduling, and product launch events. She has a degree from Temple University in Theatre and Public Relations, and an Event Planning Certification from George Washington University.

What’s your favorite thing to make?
ART <3 I love to build with my hands and paint–what would life be without creativity?
Pronouns: She, her, hers.

Susan is responsible for the finance and accounting functions at KID Museum, where she provides strategic direction for all aspects of the organization’s financial operations. Prior to joining KID Museum, Susan spent her early career in commercial banking and corporate finance, later moving into the nonprofit sector as a Resource Manager consultant. She holds an MBA in finance and strategy from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Smith College.

What’s your favorite thing to make?
Friends. I also like to sew and use tools to repair objects.
Pronouns: She, her, hers.

Jake works to market KID Museum’s programs through a variety of channels, including social media, the website, and direct email campaigns. He also writes copy and manages our CRM database, and provides assistance with fundraising events and general storytelling through video production. Before joining KID, Jake worked as a Marketing Associate and Marketing Intern for two organizations in Illinois. He holds a Master of Arts in Communications from Arizona State University.

What’s your favorite thing to make?
LEGOs and baked goods!
Pronouns: He, him, his.

Megan provides cross-departmental support for the museum, managing internal staff operations, facilities, and information technologies. Before joining KID Museum, Megan served as the Assistant Director at a small heritage museum in New York. She also worked as an Oral Historian for the 9/11 World Trade Center Health Program. Megan holds a Bachelors of Arts in Anthropology from Stonybrook University, where she also minored in History, and a Masters of Arts in Museum Studies from Johns Hopkins University.

What’s your favorite thing to make?
Greeting cards using mixed media.
Pronouns: She, her, hers.

Josh supports the day-to-day operations of KID Museum, ensuring visitors have a positive and joyful experience. Before joining KID Museum, he was a Community Manager for a shared office space of over 30 small businesses, where he focused on administrative support. Josh holds an Associate’s of Arts in Communications from the University of Maryland at Shady Grove.

What’s your favorite thing to make?
Star Wars puzzles.
Pronouns: He, him, his.

Maeve supports the marketing team to share the story of KID Museum in print and on social media. He also supports fundraising efforts and outreach events, and is committed to expanding KID Museum’s presence wherever possible. Prior to joining KID Museum, Maeve worked at several cultural institutions, including the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the American Museum of Natural History, and Glenstone Museum. They hold a Bachelor of Arts degree in Anthropology and Film and Media Studies from Bryn Mawr College, where they were also a recipient of the school’s first annual Community Building Honor Roll.

What’s your favorite thing to make?
Overly complex collages, weirdly specific playlists, and ominous poetry.
Pronouns: They, them, theirs; he, him, his.

Kendra helps our teen volunteers navigate KID Museum’s Apprentice program, from initial onboarding to assigning their roles and responsibilities. Prior to joining KID Museum she was a teaching artist with the Creative Arts Team at CUNY and was a Pre-K teacher in North Carolina. Kendra holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from UNCG, a Master of Arts in Performance Studies from NYU, and she is currently a PhD candidate in History at Howard University.

What’s your favorite thing to make?
My favorite thing to make is music.
Pronouns: She, her, hers.

Samuel Z. Alemayehu is the Chair of the Board of Directors of Cambridge Industries Energy, a leading developer of sustainable city parks that incorporate waste management, renewable energy, insect farming, food production, water recycling, metal recycling, and light manufacturing within a circular economy.

Prior to joining Cambridge, Sam was the founder of 4AFRI Media; a venture backed mobile software start up focused on the African Continent. 4AFRI was funded as the Africa version of 4INFO (www.4info.com) the leading SMS services provider in the US. 4AFRI had offices in both Ethiopia and Cameroon developing mobile-based solutions in entertainment, lottery, health, jobs and many other sectors. 4AFRI had reached over 5million customers in less than a year and produced over 100 applications. Sam also lead the creation of 4AFRI’s subsidiary, Lotophone S.A. in West and Central Africa based on exclusive license to run lottery services on the mobile phone

Samuel started his professional career in Silicon Valley as a serial entrepreneur as founder of three successful tech ventures before his 23rd birthday. Sam began creating companies while enrolled as an undergraduate at Stanford University. He was an Associate at Venrock Associates (Rockefeller Family Venture Firm) investing in consumer media and mobile applications. 4AFRI was initially incubated at Venrock but was funded independently by a consortium of investors including SpringHill Equity and leading angel investor Josh Mailman. Sam has worked in various countries in Africa including Cameroon, Gabon, Senegal, Mali, Algeria, DRC, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, South Sudan and South Africa.

Robby Brewer is a real estate attorney at Lerch, Early & Brewer Chtd. He represents regional developers, institutional owners, and retailers through the critical phases of expanding, developing, buying, and selling real property in the DC region. Robby has been an active leader in many of the area’s civic, community and cultural organizations, including Strathmore Hall Foundation, Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation, Imagination Stage, BCC High School Educational Foundation, and the Greater Bethesda Chamber of Commerce.

Board of Directors, Vice Chair
Executive Committee
Permanent Home Committee, Chair
Finance Committee
Governance Committee

Jill Chessen is co-founder and serves as Secretary of the Board at KID Museum. Jill is a residential real estate agent with the Ron Sitrin Team at Long and Foster. Their team is consistently ranked in the top 1% of Realtors nationwide. Jill also has over two decades of legal expertise in the field of affordable housing and community development. Jill also serves as a Board Member of the Northwestern University DC Regional Alumni Board. She spends much of her time volunteering for political campaigns, We Are Family in DC and JStreet. Jill aspires to focus more on world issues and to inspire children to focus on the less fortunate and to learn about the world they are inheriting.

Co-Founder, KID Museum
Board of Directors, Secretary
Development Committee, Co-Chair
Governance Committee
Strategic Communications Committee

David Goldberg is a Founding KID Museum Board member. His work has been dedicated to start-up businesses and working for large, public companies virtually all in the area of ecommerce, digital marketing, and new media, with a heavy emphasis on live events and entertainment.

Board of Directors, Chair
Finance Committee
Governance Committee
Strategy Committee
Strategic Communications Committee

Sue Hendrickson is a Global Technology Governance Fellow at the Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society at Harvard University, the former Executive Director of the Berkman Klein Center, and a Lecturer at Harvard Law School. A techno-optimist and change-maker, her work focuses on digital media, emerging technology, innovation and the implications for democracy, human rights, and societal well-being. Her experience tackling complex legal, commercial, and public policy issues in emerging tech spans three decades and encompasses a wide array of technologies, including social media, digital education, AI, communications technologies, autonomous systems, biotech, fintech, Web 3.0, and AR/VR/XR technologies. Prior to Berkman Klein, Sue was a partner at Arnold & Porter, where she co-headed the Technology and Life Sciences Transactions practices. She is also a long-standing advocate for diversity in science and technology fields.

As part of the Google Brain Team, Shanika leads a portfolio of equity focused programs, research projects and initiatives to grow equitable access to computing to all end users. As an experienced and recognized thought leader in the fields of educational technology (which is any technology that supports teaching and learning), curriculum and programming tools for computing education, she will bring deep subject matter expertise, industry and/or academic knowledge and strong leadership capabilities to bear, in creating innovative strategies, next-generation, sustainable software solutions and tools to build tomorrow’s technologists, entrepreneurs, and inventors.

Corinna Lathan, Ph.D., is Board Chair and CEO of AnthroTronix, an award-winning engineering research and development company that produces human-centered technology. Her diverse background includes extensive research, teaching, and consulting in the areas of human performance engineering, medical device design, and assistive technology. She is actively involved in STEM educational outreach programs that empower women and minorities in science and technology.

Corporate Leadership Council
Governance Committee
Strategy Committee
Development Committee
Strategic Communications Committee

Michael Lin, Ph.D., was a biomedical scientist at the National Institutes of Health for 35 years, and recently retired as a Program Director with the responsibilities of nurturing cutting-edge research in cardiovascular field. He has also served actively in several non-profit organizations nationally and locally, including the Organization of Chinese Americans, and co-founded the Asian American Political Alliance.

Cara Lesser is Founder and Executive Director of KID Museum, the DC region’s pioneering experiential museum and educational makerspace. KID Museum is designed to accelerate and democratize access to transformative maker learning experiences that empower the next generation with the skills to invent the future. Recognized by the Catalogue for Philanthropy as “one of the region’s best nonprofits” and nationally as a leader in maker education, KID Museum has served 300,000 kids, educators, and community members since opening its doors at Davis Library in Bethesda, Maryland in 2014.

Under Cara’s leadership, KID Museum has grown from an idea to become an anchoring regional institution, offering high-impact maker learning through deep, embedded partnerships with schools, weekend and after school programs, camps, and community events. With a focus on K-8 students, their families, and classroom educators, KID Museum builds pathways for sustained student growth and development. Deeply committed to diversity, equity, inclusion and access, the museum consistently prioritizes populations traditionally under-represented in STEM fields.

Prior to founding KID Museum, Cara held a number of leadership positions in the field of health policy and health services research. She received her Masters of Public Policy from the University of California, Berkeley, and her Bachelors of Arts from Barnard College, Columbia University.

Founder and Executive Director, KID Museum

Alexandre H. Rene is co-chair of the global Litigation and Enforcement practice group at Ropes & Gray LLP. Alex has extensive experience representing corporate entities and their executives in connection with litigation and investigations arising out of white collar criminal prosecutions, grand jury investigations, criminal antitrust investigations, and corporate compliance matters. Prior to entering private practice, Alex was an Assistant United States Attorney for the District of Columbia and a Trial Attorney in the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Criminal Division, Fraud Section. Alex is a native Washingtonian.

Development Committee
Corporate Leadership Council

Brian Taff is the Chief Executive Officer of Streetsense, an integrated real-estate, marketing and placemaking firm located in Bethesda, MD. Previously he served in senior-level executive positions for a variety of organizations and companies, including a domain monetization platform for advertisers, a cutting-edge retail systems internet technology, a restaurant chain, and has been an adviser to numerous online business ventures and venture firms.

Strategy Committee
Finance Committee
Governance Committee
Permanent Home Committee
Strategic Communications Committee

Antonio Tijerino is President and CEO of the Hispanic Heritage Foundation (HHF), which inspires Latino leaders in the classroom, community and workforce to meet America’s priorities. His innovative, sustainable model for Latino leadership LOFT (Latinos on Fast Track) has been recognized by the White House, Congress, Silicon Valley and Fortune 500 companies for its far reaching impact. He also executive produces the Hispanic Heritage Awards, and serves on several local boards. He has been featured in HBO’s Habla series and the TED talk series, and written articles, blogs, and a white paper about his work with youth.

Strategic Communications Committee, Chair
Development Committee