LeadingAge DC 2024 Board of Directors
Lynn O'Connor, Chair
President & CEO, Ingleside
Lynn O’Connor is Ingleside’s President and CEO. Lynn commenced her aging services career in 1980 as an AIT for a nursing home and hospice. Lynn has led aging services organizations in Maryland; Pennsylvania; New Jersey; Washington, DC; Colorado; and Virginia. In 1995, Governor Glendening appointed Lynn to the Maryland Assisted Living Task Force, which created Maryland’s first assisted living legislation/regulations. Lynn has a BS in Health Care Management from St. Joseph’s University; a M.S.A in Health Care Administration from Central Michigan University, Long Term Care Certification from U of MD, is a LNHA, a CASP, and a Certified Montessori Dementia Care Professional. Lynn has served on the boards of LeadingAge NJ; MANPHA; AHCA, was V.C. of LeadingAge Colorado; and served on the LeadingAge House of Delegates. Lynn currently serves as Board Chair of the LeadingAge DC Board of Directors and the Presbyterian Association of Homes and Services for the Aging.
Sally White, Vice Chair
Immediate Past Director, Iona Senior Services
Sally White is the Immediate Past Director, Iona Senior Services. Based in Washington DC, Iona’s mission is to support people with the challenges and opportunities of aging. Iona advocates, educates and provide community-based programs and services to help people age well and live well. Ms. White is honored to have worked for Iona for the past 35 years in numerous program areas and to serve as Executive Director for the past twelve years. Ms. White also served as the Executive Director for the Greater Washington Partnership for Palliative and End-Of-Life Care and recently stepped down after 10 years from the position of Co-Chair for the DC Senior Advisory Coalition. Ms. White is a member of Leadership Greater Washington, class of 2014. She holds a B.A. degree from the University of Virginia and a M.S. from the University of Maryland. She is thrilled to be joining the Board of LeadingAge DC.
David Saustad, Board Member
Assistant Vice President, HJ Sims
David Saustad is an Assistant Vice President at HJ Sims, a full-service investment bank that specializes in providing capital sourcing and advisory services to non-profit senior living organizations. At HJ Sims, David assists senior living organizations with implementing their strategic initiatives by structuring and sourcing capital for expansion projects, repositionings, and new communities, as well as advising on acquisitions, divestitures, and affiliations (mergers). Prior to joining HJ Sims, David worked with local governments and real estate developers on economic development projects at MuniCap, Inc., an independent municipal advisory firm. During his time at MuniCap, David provided project management, offered financial modeling support, and assisted with drafting revenue studies for several bond financings. David graduated from Boston College with a B.A. in Economics and Political Science. He also holds a master’s degree in public affairs from the University of Texas at Austin, LBJ School of Public Affairs.
Jessica Petro, Past President
Consultant, Edenbridge
Jessica earned a bachelor’s degree from Florida State University. A lifelong volunteer, she is passionate about serving disadvantaged individuals and families. She began her career in the nonprofit sector in 2001, managing a diverse portfolio of grants and contracts for a large community mental health provider in Florida. Jessica moved to DC in 2006 to lead fundraising and communications efforts for a national health organization. In July 2009, Jessica was hired to serve as the deputy director of Sarah’s Circle, a nonprofit provider of affordable housing and supportive services for very low-income older adults. Jessica became the executive director in August 2012, serving in that role until December of 2022. In 2016, Sarah’s Circle was awarded an allocation of low income housing tax credits to complete a gut renovation of its property. This project, completed in 2019, resulted in the creation of 49 subsidized units targeted to seniors at or below 30 percent of area median income.
Makeda Vanderpuije, Executive Director
Executive Director, LeadingAge DC
Makeda Vanderpuije is the Executive Director of LeadingAge DC. She began her public health career as a teen interning at Hudson River Healthcare in NY and received her Master's degree in Public Health from the University of Pittsburgh. Makeda mobilized early childhood stakeholders and providers to promote socio-emotional health while at the Allegheny County Health Department, and most recently, served as a public health analyst and program manager with the DC Health Office of Health Equity. She helped the Office of Health Equity navigate through the COVID-19 public health crisis, managing health equity alignment of DC Health’s efforts and evaluating pandemic impacts. She also led a multi-sector collaborative team to advance shared perinatal health goals resulting in identification of system service and data gaps, new data collection processes, and expanded access to responsive supports for residents at the intersection of pregnancy and homelessness. A catalyst and steward of change, Makeda is well-versed in meaningful relationship building and has successfully convened and facilitated cross-disciplinary initiatives, research, and policy change efforts in academic, governmental and non-profit settings. Makeda will bring these skills as well as her compassion, empathy and commitment to equity to LeadingAge DC.
La’Kesha McAllister, Board Member
Executive Director, Ascension Living Carroll Manor
La’Kesha McAllister has over 20 years of health care experience and over 15 years of experience in administrative and leadership positions. She has demonstrated success in achieving clinical and operational gals while fostering a collaborative, patient-centered atmosphere in facilities under her management. La’Kesha is directly responsible for all operations and regulatory compliance at Ascension Living Carroll Manor, a skilled nursing community in Washington, DC. Under La’Kesha’s leadership, Ascension Living Carroll Manor received the 2017 Baldridge-Silver National Quality Award. Before coming to Ascension Living Carroll Manor, La’Kesha served as the executive director of Envoy of Alexandria, in Virginia, a 111-bed senior community with more than 150 employees. In this role she improved revenue outcomes, consistently maintained a 5 star in quality measures in the CMS ranking, and received the Baldridge-Bronze National Quality Award. She also took steps to decrease hospital readmissions by introducing the physician extender program, improved bed management strategies, and accomplished other operation and clinical efficiencies. She graduated from the University of South Florida with a B.S. in Gerontology and Health Administration. She also has a Master’s Degree in Business Administration.
Dawn M. Quattlebaum, Board Member
CEO, Seabury Resources for Aging
Dawn M. Quattlebaum is Seabury Resources for Aging’s® Chief Executive Officer since 2020. Seabury is a 98-year-old non-profit organization that provides personalized, affordable services and housing options to help older adults in the greater Washington area live with dignity and independence. Dawn has more than 35 years of experience in management, human resources, senior services, affordable housing, and area agency on aging services. Since joining Seabury in 1989, Dawn has served as the Administrator at Seabury at Friendship Terrace retirement community for 20 years, the Program Director of the Seabury Ward 5 Lead Agency for 5 years, and was promoted to Chief Program Officer in 2014, and then Chief Operating Officer in 2019. A native of Washington, D.C, Dawn graduated from the University of Maryland Baltimore County with a BA in Health, Science & Policy.
Stephanie Chong, LICSW, Board Member
Executive Director, Northwest Neighbors Village
Stephanie is the executive director of Northwest Neighbors Village. For years Stephanie was attracted to the grassroots Village model for its effectiveness in championing positive aging and fostering a community that values older adults. In 2016, she jumped at the opportunity to be a part of the growing Village movement. Stephanie found a natural fit between the Villages’ culture of empowerment and her professional commitment to improve the aging experience. Stephanie has been working in the field of aging for over 20 years and has a wealth of experience that began with work as a certified home health aide. Stephanie has a Bachelor’s in Social Work from Stockton University and a Master’s in Social Work from Fordham University. Having dedicated her career to aging services in the District of Columbia, Stephanie previously ran a local non-profit care management program and has worked in all areas of senior living.
Crystal Scott, Board Member
Administrator, Forest Hills of DC
Crystal L. Scott, MSN, RN-BC, LNHA, has over two decades of experience as an Executive leader in the healthcare industry. She received her Bachelor of Science Nursing degree at Howard University, Division School of Nursing. She attended George Mason University to achieve her Master’s degree in nursing administration. She currently serves as the Administrator at Forest Hills of DC (FHDC) and Forest Side. In this role, she oversees the daily operations of a comprehensive healthcare facility, encompassing a 130-bed skilled nursing facility, assisted living residence, and memory care community. Crystal Scott was a 2018-2019 LeadingAge Fellow. She held various key roles in the District of Columbia Health Care Association (DCHCA), the Black Nurses Association of Greater Washington D.C. Area Inc., Black Nurse Collaborative (a founding member), the University of the District Student Board, and other associations.
LeadingAge DC
Makeda Vanderpuije
Executive Director
2519 Connecticut Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20008
Phone: 202-783-2242
Email: LADC@leadingage.org