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.
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.
Board Of Directors
John Crain, Chair
Principal, 452 Consulting
Christopher Addison, Vice Chair
Principal, Addison/Ripley Fine Art
Shaunda Patterson-Strachan, Secretary
Partner, Drinker Biddle & Reath, LLP
Larry Fullerton, Treasurer
Retired Attorney
Maple Adams-Krygier
Principal, MA Investment Properties
Alan Adler
Don Auerbach
Chief Operating Officer, Investment Company Institute
Deborah Both
Public Policy Consultant
Dwight Bush
Diplomat
Natasha Cavanaugh
Associate General Counsel, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Nancy Chockley
President & CEO, NIHCM LLC & NIHCM Foundation
Kathryn E. Fletcher
Vice President, US Card Customer Acquisitions, Capital One
Morgan Genderson
Architect
Waldo G. McMillan, Jr.
Lobbyist, Charter Communications
Nate Oleson
Partner / Attorney, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP
Lee Satterfield
Executive Vice President, Meridian International Center
Heideh R. Shahmoradi
Partner, O’Keeffe Shahmoradi Strategies
Michael Sohn
Retired Attorney
David Tolson
CEO, DBT-Data Holdings, Inc.
Timothy H. Watkins
Partner, Goulston & Storrs