Board of Directors
Malena Brookshire (Chair) has a professional career that reflects over 13 years of leading the development of strategic plans that effectively communicate organization-wide priorities; employing advanced tools and complex data analysis to assess and evaluate operational soundness; and communicating executive-level information to inform resource decision making. Malena currently serves as the Acting Deputy Controller at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Prior to this, she served as the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) first Deputy Performance Improvement Officer and Chief of the Planning, Performance, and Budget Formulation Branch. Prior to joining the SEC, Malena was detailed to the U.S. Executive Office of the President, Office of Management and Budget to provide strategic and technical support to OMB staff. Malena was awarded the 2017 Emerging Leader Award by the AGA DC Chapter and is featured on the U.S. Office of Executive Councils Career Close-up website, discussing the impact of effective program performance management in the federal government. Malena also has served on the Arlington County (VA) Fiscal Affairs Commission to provide advice to the elected County Board, and as the Strategic Director for the Association of Government Accountants, DC Chapter. Malena earned her Master of Public Administration from The George Washington University Trachtenberg School of Public Administration and Public Policy, and a B.S. in Economics and Mathematics from the University of Wisconsin.
Amala Nath (Vice Chair) is an attorney at the global law firm of DLA Piper LLP in Washington, DC. She has over a decade of experience representing multilateral development banks, export-credit agencies, and other lenders on international debt financings and equity investments. She facilitates the development of projects primarily in the energy and infrastructure sectors throughout Latin America and Africa and also works in other emerging markets. Amala was previously seconded to the legal department of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, an agency of the U.S. government, where she served as counsel on a portfolio of renewable energy projects for the Global Climate Finance Facility. Amala has received numerous professional honors, including being named a "Next Generation Lawyer" for her work in Latin America. Amala grew up in India where she was involved with many initiatives focused on the promotion of the arts, including classical music and theatre. She holds a JD from American University and lives in Alexandria, VA with her husband and son.
Dr. Brandon Cochenour (Treasurer) holds a PhD in Electrical Engineering, and is a researcher for the Department of Defense, where he has led over $2 million in basic research activities. He has over 50 scientific publications, 5 US Patents, and 1 textbook chapter on underwater laser communications, all of which have been referenced in the scientific literature nearly 1000 times. He is a NAVAIR Associate Fellow (2017), a Top Navy Scientist of the Year (2012 and 2006), a Maryland Academy of Sciences Outstanding Young Engineer (2009), and a Department of Defense SMART Scholar (2008). He also has a 30+ year involvement with the performing arts as a musician, with experience in and out of the theater as a performer, educator, designer, and clinician. As a performer, Brandon is an active freelance jazz pianist in the DC area. In the theater, he has served in numerous productions as an orchestra musician or director, including a Kennedy Center ‘American College Theater Festival’ recognized production of “Working” with Lafayette College in 2000. Brandon has a 20+ year involvement in outdoor pageantry activity, and is a former marching member of the Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps. He is actively involved in the pageantry arena as an instructor and visual designer for competitive marching bands and ensembles across the Mid-Atlantic. He has received adjudication training from Winterguard International (www.wgi.org), and regularly adjudicates for both indoor and outdoor competitive circuits across the country. As a volunteer, Brandon has worked with Music for All (www.musicforall.org), a non-profit advocate for music and arts education. He lives in Alexandria VA, with his wife, and newborn son.
Elizabeth Hankins (Secretary) is nonprofit professional & Northern Virginia native. She currently serves as the Director of Development for Lorton Community Action Center (LCAC), a human services nonprofit devoted to assisting low income families in Southern Fairfax County. In this role, she manages and oversees all aspects of special fundraising events, including developing a marketing strategy, and securing corporate as well as individual donations. In addition, she has a background in grant writing & strategic fund development. Prior to her work with LCAC, Elizabeth served as the Program Director of Washington Media Scholars Foundation. She also spent time on Capitol Hill, before obtaining her degree in Public Policy & Nonprofit Studies. Elizabeth is a patron of the arts & was a performer, herself, for over 15 years. Elizabeth currently resides in Alexandria & serves on the Steering Committee of the Washington Ballet’s Jete Society.
Shawn Bates (Board Member) is an international lawyer, mediator, educator and trainer with over 15 years of experience in the international arena. He is currently Assistant Professor in the School of International Service at American University, and the Director of the Chile/Argentina Summer Law Program for the Washington College of Law. Shawn was the founder and former Academic Director for American University’s Washington Semester Program in International Law and Organizations. With the assistance of the Washington Semester Program staff, he developed the International Law and Organizations Program into one of the most successful visiting academic programs at American University. Shawn designed and led a study tour of Western Europe and international legal institutions, as well as directed the academic development of the students in Unit I of the program. In addition to teaching, Shawn is actively involved with the American Bar Association and the American Society for International Law (ASIL). He is a frequent lecturer on cross-cultural conflict and mediation, as well as an advisor to various multilateral institutions.
Benjamin Chernow (Board Member) is a corporate litigator in Alexandria, Virginia. He previously practiced toxic tort litigation in New York City. Benjamin graduated from Vanderbilt University in 2017 with both a law degree and a MBA. While attending graduate school, Benjamin had various internships with the Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and an international anti-terrorism NGO. He lives in Alexandria, Virginia and enjoys skiing and golfing in his spare time.
Savonia Vassel (Board Member) currently works as a Project Coordinator for Brown and Caldwell in Alexandria, VA. Brown and Caldwell is a passionate environmental engineering firm delivering exceptional services throughout the United States and select countries abroad. Prior to her work with Brown and Caldwell, Savonia was a contractor for the United States Department of Justice, managing a series of projects such as the National Commission of Forensic Sciences. In the evenings and on the weekends, Savonia frequents local theaters in the Washington, DC area such as the Woolly Mammoth Theatre, Arena Stage, and The Kennedy Center.
Amala Nath (Vice Chair) is an attorney at the global law firm of DLA Piper LLP in Washington, DC. She has over a decade of experience representing multilateral development banks, export-credit agencies, and other lenders on international debt financings and equity investments. She facilitates the development of projects primarily in the energy and infrastructure sectors throughout Latin America and Africa and also works in other emerging markets. Amala was previously seconded to the legal department of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, an agency of the U.S. government, where she served as counsel on a portfolio of renewable energy projects for the Global Climate Finance Facility. Amala has received numerous professional honors, including being named a "Next Generation Lawyer" for her work in Latin America. Amala grew up in India where she was involved with many initiatives focused on the promotion of the arts, including classical music and theatre. She holds a JD from American University and lives in Alexandria, VA with her husband and son.
Dr. Brandon Cochenour (Treasurer) holds a PhD in Electrical Engineering, and is a researcher for the Department of Defense, where he has led over $2 million in basic research activities. He has over 50 scientific publications, 5 US Patents, and 1 textbook chapter on underwater laser communications, all of which have been referenced in the scientific literature nearly 1000 times. He is a NAVAIR Associate Fellow (2017), a Top Navy Scientist of the Year (2012 and 2006), a Maryland Academy of Sciences Outstanding Young Engineer (2009), and a Department of Defense SMART Scholar (2008). He also has a 30+ year involvement with the performing arts as a musician, with experience in and out of the theater as a performer, educator, designer, and clinician. As a performer, Brandon is an active freelance jazz pianist in the DC area. In the theater, he has served in numerous productions as an orchestra musician or director, including a Kennedy Center ‘American College Theater Festival’ recognized production of “Working” with Lafayette College in 2000. Brandon has a 20+ year involvement in outdoor pageantry activity, and is a former marching member of the Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps. He is actively involved in the pageantry arena as an instructor and visual designer for competitive marching bands and ensembles across the Mid-Atlantic. He has received adjudication training from Winterguard International (www.wgi.org), and regularly adjudicates for both indoor and outdoor competitive circuits across the country. As a volunteer, Brandon has worked with Music for All (www.musicforall.org), a non-profit advocate for music and arts education. He lives in Alexandria VA, with his wife, and newborn son.
Elizabeth Hankins (Secretary) is nonprofit professional & Northern Virginia native. She currently serves as the Director of Development for Lorton Community Action Center (LCAC), a human services nonprofit devoted to assisting low income families in Southern Fairfax County. In this role, she manages and oversees all aspects of special fundraising events, including developing a marketing strategy, and securing corporate as well as individual donations. In addition, she has a background in grant writing & strategic fund development. Prior to her work with LCAC, Elizabeth served as the Program Director of Washington Media Scholars Foundation. She also spent time on Capitol Hill, before obtaining her degree in Public Policy & Nonprofit Studies. Elizabeth is a patron of the arts & was a performer, herself, for over 15 years. Elizabeth currently resides in Alexandria & serves on the Steering Committee of the Washington Ballet’s Jete Society.
Shawn Bates (Board Member) is an international lawyer, mediator, educator and trainer with over 15 years of experience in the international arena. He is currently Assistant Professor in the School of International Service at American University, and the Director of the Chile/Argentina Summer Law Program for the Washington College of Law. Shawn was the founder and former Academic Director for American University’s Washington Semester Program in International Law and Organizations. With the assistance of the Washington Semester Program staff, he developed the International Law and Organizations Program into one of the most successful visiting academic programs at American University. Shawn designed and led a study tour of Western Europe and international legal institutions, as well as directed the academic development of the students in Unit I of the program. In addition to teaching, Shawn is actively involved with the American Bar Association and the American Society for International Law (ASIL). He is a frequent lecturer on cross-cultural conflict and mediation, as well as an advisor to various multilateral institutions.
Benjamin Chernow (Board Member) is a corporate litigator in Alexandria, Virginia. He previously practiced toxic tort litigation in New York City. Benjamin graduated from Vanderbilt University in 2017 with both a law degree and a MBA. While attending graduate school, Benjamin had various internships with the Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and an international anti-terrorism NGO. He lives in Alexandria, Virginia and enjoys skiing and golfing in his spare time.
Savonia Vassel (Board Member) currently works as a Project Coordinator for Brown and Caldwell in Alexandria, VA. Brown and Caldwell is a passionate environmental engineering firm delivering exceptional services throughout the United States and select countries abroad. Prior to her work with Brown and Caldwell, Savonia was a contractor for the United States Department of Justice, managing a series of projects such as the National Commission of Forensic Sciences. In the evenings and on the weekends, Savonia frequents local theaters in the Washington, DC area such as the Woolly Mammoth Theatre, Arena Stage, and The Kennedy Center.
