Leadership

Deborah Shore

Executive Director and Founder

As founder and executive director of Sasha Bruce Youthwork, Deborah Shore has led groundbreaking work in youth and family service development in the District of Columbia. Her vision for empowering at-risk and homeless youth through a competency-based approach to counseling and supportive services has been enhanced through the recruitment and training of an exceptional staff and the development of strong management systems to ensure that SBY’s work meets the highest standards of quality and cost-effectiveness. Ms. Shore has received several awards for her leadership in the nonprofit sector.  In 2012, she was given the prestigious Champions of Change Award from the White House for her ongoing work in preventing youth homelessness. In 2014, Shore was inducted into the Washington DC Hall of Fame in recognition of her historic contributions to civic and community development in the nation’s capital. Washingtonian Magazine also cited Shore’s leadership by designating her as a 2016 Washingtonian of the Year.

Colleen Ludgate

Director of Human Resources

Colleen Ludgate joined Sasha Bruce in 2019 as Director of Human Resources. Mrs. Ludgate has spent her career working for mission-based organizations, especially in their HR departments. Prior to joining Sasha Bruce, she spent 8 years as a HR Manager for a small government consulting firm promoting energy efficiency, and 9 years as Director of Human Resources at a local nonprofit memorial and museum. Mrs. Ludgate is a native of North Carolina and graduated from the University of North Carolina Asheville with a BS in Management. She currently lives in Takoma Park, MD with her husband and two daughters. 

Jill Nelson

Chief of Finance and Operations

Prior to joining Sasha Bruce in 2020, Ms. Nelson was the Chief Financial Officer of Education Week, the nation’s premier publication about K-12 education; a mission-driven non-profit.  During her 15 year tenure, she was an integral member of the senior leadership team that transformed Ed Week from a traditional print publisher to a very entrepreneurial digital media organization.  In her role, she oversaw finance, accounting, and investments, and helped shepherd the launch of several new products, including EdWeek Market Brief, Education Week’s business intelligence service.  

Prior to Education Week, she was the Vice President of Finance and Administration at a technology start-up, which developed training simulators for medical procedures.  She played a key role in raising $10 million in private equity, corporate, and bank financing, and participated in successful merger negotiations with Immersion Corp, a publicly held company.

Donnell Potts

Chief of Programs

Donnell Potts was promoted to Chief of Programs in 2019.  Prior to this role, Potts directed the Sasha Bruce House emergency shelter.  He began his career in human services in 2004 as a teacher in the family home program at Boys Town.  Along with his wife, they cared for more than 80 troubled youth. In 2012, Potts was promoted to Director of Residential Services at Boys Town.  He spearheaded a collaboration with court social services and established the “Cool House” program in the District.  During his career, Potts has received multiple accolades including Most Outstanding Youth Advocate in D.C. from the Consortium of Child Welfare in 2008, the P.G. County Outstanding Advocate, 2015, and Youth Advocate of the Year 2016, from Men of Change.

Danny Rico

Director of Development and External Relations

As Director of Development and External Relations, Rico oversees the organization’s fundraising and communications efforts. Mr. Rico has more than ten years of experience working in the civil rights, education, healthcare, and social justice sectors where he has brought together caring philanthropists looking to make a difference in the lives of others in their community. He is committed to working with donors to help them meet their philanthropic goals, while supporting our efforts to end youth homelessness. Rico lives in Adams Morgan in DC, and is a proud Hoya with a BS and MA from Georgetown University.