Board & Staff

Board of Directors

Chair

Diaa Elbashir

EMA Architecture + Interiors

Treasurer

Mike Dawson

Freddie Mac

Vice Chair

Denise Noel

Low Income Investment Fund

Director

Jessica Reid

Alliance for Safety & Justice

Director

Ned Goodwin

Cushman & Wakefield

Director

Rita Grazda

SICPA

Director

William J. Barrow

Mayer Brown LLP

Director

Hannah Horner

MCRA

Director

Don Kent

The Nickles Group

Director

Christopher K. Landis

Landis Architects/Builders

Director

Jasmine Leonard

CareFirst

Director

Michelle Corder

Ernst & Young

Director

Donna Greene

Wells Fargo

Director

Rita Drayton

Target

Director

Joanna Verdi

JLL

Staff

Katharine Dixon

Katharine Dixon, President & CEO, has been with Rebuilding Together DC • Alexandria since 2003 and has more than 25 years of project management experience. She sits on the Alexandria Housing Affordability Advisory Committee, the Advisory Councils of Northern Virginia Affordable Housing Alliance, and the Partnership to Prevent and End Homelessness, and has held leadership roles on the Alexandria Council of Human Services Organizations, the Alexandria Housing Master Plan Committee, and the Chamber of Commerce. She lives in DC with her Great Danes.

Haig Paul

Haig Paul, Director of Programs, has volunteered with our organization as a House Captain and Team Leader for several years. Haig’s extensive construction and remodeling knowledge, customer service experience, and project management skills are put to daily use for our clients and projects. Haig is a native of Northern Virginia, and lives in Springfield with his wife and two children.

Maggie Klefstad

Maggie Klefstad, Director of Development, has worked in direct service for 10 years, both in program development and fundraising. She’s an extroverted extrovert and enjoys building meaninful relationships with donors, volunteers, and clients. She’s lived all over, but is happily settled in DC with her cat Munchkin, and loves to take advantage of everything the Capital has to offer.

Ann Nguyen

Ann Nguyen, Office Manager, is the glue that holds everything together. She assists in the day to day management of the office and works directly with the President & CEO. Ann has lived in Alexandria for 50 years. She enjoys volunteering with the elderly, walking her two poodles, and traveling with her husband of 36 years. 

John Baudassi

John Baudassi, Project Manager, started volunteering with the organization during the summer of 2018. He has extensive experience in home building and remodeling, having owned and operated a remodeling company. John is a native of New York and has lived and worked in northern Virginia since 1985. 

Anne Holic

Anne Holic, Project Manager, has a Master’s degree in Architecture. Recently, she was Lead Professor and Department Head of Interior Design at the Art Institute of Washington. Previously, she ran her own Architectural Design company overseeing residential additions and renovations. Anne worked four years with Habitat for Humanity guiding affordable home construction. She enjoys travel, the outdoors, and spending time with her husband and three children.

Chris Moore

Christopher C. Moore, Project Manager, began his career in project management over 15 years ago. This experience, collaborating with clients and various DC government agencies, has prepared him for his role with Rebuilding Together DC • Alexandria. A native of Pasadena, California, he graduated from Howard University with a degree in Architecture and Planning. Chris enjoys quality time with family, friends and good food. 

Sydney Zhu

Sydney Zhu, Development and Communications Coordinator, originally from NY, graduated from The George Washington University in May of 2022 with a degree in Sociology and Political Science. In the past she interned as a Community Organizer in Wards 7 and 8 and loves learning about DC by getting to know native Washingtonians. She has a passion for social justice work, and enjoys art, learning new things, trying new foods, and green spaces in DC!

Shalawn March

Shalawn March, Project Coordinator, graduated from Howard University in May 2020 with a degree in Political Science and a focus in legal communications. She has worked with the Fund for the Public Interest, interned with Zellibelous Law Firm, and served as the Federal Relations Intern with Habitat for Humanity. She lives in DC and loves going out to see the ever-changing creative scene. 

Val Pehrson

Val Pehrson, Project Coordinator, is a DC native who is passionate about and eager to help people in his hometown and the surrounding area. A graduate of St. John’s College in Annapolis, Maryland, he worked in the garden center and rental team for Frager’s Hardware. In his free time, Val enjoys reading, biking, and learning new things!

Candy Cook Vance

Candy Cook Vance, Grant Administrator, was previously a Store Director of 32 years at Safeway. She is a Certified Professional Organizer (CPO) and enjoys shopping, movies, travelling, relaxing near water, and spending time with her family and friends.

Elise Fleming

Elise Fleming, AmeriCorps Project Coordinator, was born and raised in Virginia and is passionate about helping communities. She graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with a degree in Social Work with a psychology and sociology minor. She is currently serving with Americorp. She has worked with REAL LIFE Community Center and HOPE for Obesity in Richmond, VA. She enjoys reading, knitting, and spending time with her dog.