Ramon Looby
Ramon Looby is a government-relations strategist and thought leader, who serves as Senior Vice President, and Public Policy Lead at the Bank of America Corporation. He has been featured as a speaker by numerous organizations, including: the Association of Consumer Credit Information Suppliers, Equifax, American Bankers Association, American Financial Services Association, National Urban League, University of Florida, and the Washington Post.
He began his career in the fire service as a Public Information & Education Officer with the Fort Myers Beach Fire Department. He has served as a Special Advisor to the United States Chamber of Commerce – focusing his efforts primarily on international affairs and trade policy. And prior to his current role, Ramon spent several years managing a diverse portfolio of policy issues for the Consumer Data Industry Association.
In 2018, Mr. Looby was elected to the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s (CBCF) Council of Corporate Advisors (CAC) – the CAC advises the CBCF’s Board of Directors on policy, special initiatives, and leadership development.
Ramon is a recipient of the 2018 Corporate Achievement & Image Award from the National Black Caucus of State Legislators – in recognition of “Eminent Partnership and Social Responsibility”. The first award from this influential group to a member of the Financial Service Industry.
In addition to his service to the CBCF, Mr. Looby serves on several boards of directors, including, the Maryland Bankers Association, the National Safe Place Network, the Five Star Scholarship Foundation, and the University Of Florida Alumni Association.
He lives in Washington, D.C. with his wife and two children.
Fiona Lewis
Fiona Lewis is co-owner of The District Fishwife, a combination retail seafood market and quick serve restaurant, that sources fresh fish and shellfish that has been sustainably sourced, with an emphasis on products from regional fisheries. Fiona’s upbringing in Australia was marked by her family’s passion for fishing, seafood, and conservation of local fish species in her native state of Victoria. Prior to moving to the United States, Fiona traveled, worked and lived internationally and was a seasoned hospitality professional for over 15 years working in both casual and fine-dining establishments in Melbourne and Sydney, Australia.
Fiona is an aquaculture advocate, she hopes to enjoy wild seafood, support wild fisheries, and ensure the health of our oceans, lakes, and rivers forever. She believes that supporting well-managed aquaculture and responsibly harvested farmed fish and shellfish is the best way to meet ever-growing demand for fresh seafood, easing the strain on wild populations and ensuring a sustainable future.
Tony Carroll
A life-long student of the fire service currently serving as Battalion Fire Chief of the 2nd Battalion (#1 Platoon) in the District of Columbia Fire Department. Chief Carroll began his adventure as a 15-year old kid with his local volunteer fire department. He started with the DCFD in March of 1992 and has served in engine, truck and rescue companies, safety and training roles. His 30+ year career has brought him to appreciate the basics of being fit to fight fire: physical, mental and knowledge.
His inspiration is to be better everyday.
Kate Schmidgall
Kate is founder and director of BitterSweet Creative, an award-winning, multi-disciplinary team specializing in creative strategy, content production, brand evolution, graphic design, data visualization, film production, UX/UI design, web development, and social media marketing. In this role, she has more than fifteen years of experience consulting and creating for multinational and national organizations operating at the highest levels of development, philanthropy, and business solving some of the world’s toughest problems.
In 2014, she was named Young Entrepreneur of the Year by DC Chamber of Commerce and has won many industry awards with her team since then. For fun, the BitterSweet team publishes an online magazine featuring organizations most deserving but least able to afford fresh storytelling: bittersweetmonthly.com.
Erik Bruner-Yang
Born in Taiwan and raised in the States, Bruner-Yang has been credited for introducing D.C. to ramen in 2011 with Toki Underground. He is a multi-James Beard finalist and was named Starchefs’ Rising Star D.C. Restaurateur 2018. Click here to view his personal bio.
Michele Johnson, MD
Dr. Michele Johnson received her Bachelor of Science degree and Medical degree from Howard University in Washington DC where she completed a six year combined BS/MD program. She completed her residency training in physical medicine and rehabilitation at Rutgers- Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Jersey followed by fellowship training in Interventional Spine at Virginia Commonwealth University. She holds board certifications in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation , Pain Management and Obesity Medicine. She believes in a comprehensive approach to patient care and has completed medical acupuncture training with Harvard University.
Dr. Michele Johnson is a native of the DC Metropolitan area and strives to help people with chronic diseases decrease medication and improve their health by using simple foods.
Cassandra Irby
Cassandra Irby is a native Washingtonian. She has a passion for community and wellness. Her desire is to make an impact in people’s lives – leaving them better than when they initially met.
She is a graduate of Howard University with Bachelor of Business Administration degrees in Accounting and Marketing. She also holds a Masters of Business Administration from University of Maryland University College with a focus on International Studies. Additionally, she has completed the certificate of Real Estate Development program at Cornell University.
She is the founder of Qfab (Quietly Fabulous) Events, an organization that champions health and well-being of young women through social networks and shared experiences. She is a champion of work/life balance – placing emphasis on the fact that health and wellness are about staying physically active and eating properly. It is about self-care, rest and seeking out environments that support happiness and mental stability.
She is an accounting and finance professional with over 20 years of experience consulting on varying projects that have shaped the metropolitan region. It is a very challenging industry so she is constantly adjusting to the mental demands of the job. She is a member of the Xi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated and a charter member of the Greater Suburban Maryland Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Incorporated. When she is not crunching numbers, serving, mentoring and advocating, she enjoys spending time with her husband, two children and Cavachon pup, Astro.
Jasmaine McClain, PhD
Jasmaine McClain, PhD serves as Principal of the Health Equity Alliance team at The Health Management Academy (“The Academy”). Launched in 2021, the Health Equity Alliance is a cooperative, research-backed initiative of the nation’s leading health systems and industry organizations partnering to accelerate progress toward equitable patient care. As an organization, The Academy partners with leading health systems (integrated delivery systems with over $2B operating revenue) across the country to collectively address healthcare’s biggest challenges and opportunities.
Prior to her role at The Academy, Dr. McClain previously worked in roles focused on quality improvement, digital health, and consumer-centered research at Avalere Health and Advisory Board. Jasmaine has a PhD in Cancer Biology and an MS in Medicine from the Stanford University School of Medicine.
