Kenenisa Bekele

​Goodwill Ambassadorr

Jeff Horowitz

​Event Manager​

Bereket Woldu

​Foundr and Organizer​

NATE BROOK WOLDU

TREASURER AND ORGANIZER

​​Nathan Brook is a multi-hyphenate singer-songwriter, producer and entertainer from the Washington D.C. area. 

The 1st generation product of Ethiopian immigrants had a deep love for music, film, and pop culture from an early age. In a myriad of roles, Brook has cultivated a charismatic, upbeat persona to showcase his passion for entertainment and art. 

Behind the scenes, he works full-time as a freelance cinematographer, writer, and digital brand marketing consultant. He also doubles as an actor and philanthropist, running a 501c non-profit and acting in independent film productions. Nate holds a B.A. from George Mason University

​

Karen Wrege 

ADVISeR

 Wrege has been a contributing member of the Information Technology (IT) community for over 25 years. She began her career at the Resolution Trust Corporation, a temporary federal agency created to resolve the savings and loan crisis.  In 1994   she joined the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), where she developed the FCC license auction program that has raised over $50 billion for the US Treasury since its inception.

 Since 2005 she founded a software and management services consultancies and has worked with international clients in five   continents developing and implementing spectrum auction programs. For the last 15 years Ms. Wrege was on the Board of   Directors of The Angels Network a fundraising organization that provides financial grants to homeless charities in the   Washington metropolitan area, serving as co-president from 2010 to 2014.  A few times each year, Ms. Wrege provides   auctioneer services to homeless organizations and over the last 10 years has raised over $900,000 for local charities.

• Three time USA Olympic Trails Qualifier (2004, 2008, 2012).
  
• A five time member of Team USA for the 100K World Championships in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, and lead the team most years that he was a member, with his best finish ever in 2011, winning the USA a Silver Medal.  Additionally, he lead the team to their first ever Team Gold Medal for the USA Men (in the 26 years that the USA has been competing).
• A two time member of Team USA for the 50K World Championships in 2009, 2010,  and both years, Michael was the Bronze medalist for the USA.
• 3rd place finisher at the Badwater Ultra Marathon (135 Miles in Death Valley, CA in July with average temps at 121 degrees)  in 2011.
• USATF National Champion, 50 Miles (Road-2011), 50K (Road- 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011), 100K (2008), and 50 Mile (Trails-2008).
• Highest placing USA mens finisher ever at the “Marathon Des Sables” (150 Mile  Stage race across the Sahara  Desert) in 2010 with a 3rd place finish.
• USATF Ultrarunner of the year (2008, 2009, 2010, 2011)
• Has won the National Marathon, Delaware Marathon, San Francisco Marathon, Harford Marathon, Kauai Marathon, Mount Desert Island Marathon, and Mercedes Marathon (Birmingham, AL).
• Set multiple Guinness World Records (Fastest Marathon pushing a Pram, Fastest Marathon as a super Hero, Indoor Marathon World Record)

       Michael lives with his wife, Jennifer and two young sons, Pierce (7 years old) and Grant (4 years old) in Arlington, VA

Michael Wardian

GOODWILL AMBASSADOR 

Wardian began running and competing in triathlons in 1996, and has completed more than 150 marathons, 60+ Ultra Marathons-on three continents, 20 triathlons, including Iron Man Lake Placid, and one adventure race, with a marathon personal best of 2:17:49.  His list of accomplishments include: 

Lloyd Henry

OFFICIAL RACE TIMER

Lloyd Henry is a 12-time Ironman triathlon participant, as well as a marathoner, coach, and race director. A native of St. Croix, US Virgin Islands, Lloyd has a B.S. in Biology, M.S. in Medical Science and BA degree, and now lives in Washington, DC. He is also an avid scuba diver and snowboarder. He is the founder and owner of OnPoint Fitness coaching (www.onpointfitness.com), as well as the Capital Sprints race series (www.capitalsprints.com).

Lloyd Henry is a 15-time Ironman FINISHER (Wisconsin, South Africa, Western Australia, Arizona, Coeur d’Alene, Louisville, Cozumel (3), Switzerland, Brazil, Canada, Boulder, Muskoka and Kona-World Championship with international race experience in all triathlon distances. He has been running since 2002 and coaching triathletes since 2004. In addition to triathlon, Lloyd has competed in numerous running events (5k to marathon and ultra-marathon) including the 110th Boston Marathon and Comrades Marathon.
Form and technique are the focal points of Lloyd’s coaching style. As a coach he enjoys seeing clients experience that “ah ha” moment. Whether, it is gliding though the water with ease,finally feeling like a fish in the water, figuring out how to level their pelvis using only their abs, the feel of gravity pulling them forward as they engage their lean, or the sudden outburst of “I‘m running and it doesn‘t hurt”. He has helped clients learn to swim, improve their stroke, compete in triathlon, move from the couch to a 5k, finish their first marathon, and qualify for Boston. 
[Lloyd Henry finishes IronMan Cour D'Alene] A native of St. Croix, US Virgin Islands, Lloyd has a B.S. in Biology, M.S. in Medical Science and MBA degree. 

NuNu Wako

MEDIA AND COMMUNICATIONS

NuNu Wako is an internationally recognized broadcast journalist, independent filmmaker, Spokesmodel, and health advocate. Ethiopian-born and American-raised, NuNu Wako jump started her broadcasting career in 2006 as one of the founders of a website based television show –Africa in Demand to bring African issues to the forefront and joined the team at EBS in early 2008. With a background in international relations, communications and broadcast journalism, NuNu Wako is able to steadily and respectfully build her broadcasting career as a trusted source discussing range of topics linking our-global community.  Having traveled to various African nations, interviewed Ambassadors, globally renowned philanthropists, pioneers and leaders of multi-continental corporations, NuNu Wako brings a more personalized form of interviewing skills to the show.  One of NuNu Wako's main goals is to advocate ending Podoconiosis in our lifetime.  Podoconiosis is an entirely preventable, noncommunicable, geochemical disease caused by exposure of bare feet to irritant clay soils. It is found across tropical Africa, Central America, and north India where such soils coexist with high altitude, high rainfall, and low income. NuNu Wako’s philanthropic efforts have and continue to bring awareness to Podoconiosis. Visit www.podo.org to learn more on how you can help.

Abera Bezuneh

RISK MANAGEMENT, MARKETING AND PROMOTION

Abera Bezuneh is a well-rounded and distinguished businessman, primarily with Allstate Insurance Management, where he has worked for 30 years. Bezuneh is a two-time Chairman’s award winner, 16 times National Conference qualifier, and top in the Country in 1989 out of 800 Allstate managers,  Abera was also the Middle East distribution manager for AIG from 2008 to 2010.  Abera’s credential includes a B.S. in Economics from the State University College at Brockport and a Certificate from the Graduate School of Sales Management and Marketing (Executives International) at Syracuse University.​ Abera is a Board member of the Central Fairfax Chamber of commerce and is Managing his Current Allstate Agency in Fairfax City.

Scott Burr

sponsor, ADVISER AND ORGANIZER

Scott Burr is the President of Tech Painting Company. Scott worked his way through college painting and began the business not long after graduation. Since 2001, Scott has served on the boards of Team Placement, Inc.; the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce; the Capitol Hill Association of Merchants and Professionals; and is a member of the National Painting and Decorating Contractors of America. Scott received his B.A. from Drew University and is a graduate of the prestigious Leadership Washington program. As a volunteer, Scott is Chairman of the Alexandria Education Partnership; a past Chair of Leadership Alexandria; and has served on the Advisory Board for the Washington Business Journal. Scott lives in Alexandria with his wife and two children. sburr@techpainting.com 

Benjamin Miller 

SPONSOR AND ADVISER

Ben is a co-founder of Fundrise. Ben's responsibilities involve strategic partnerships, deal underwriting, real estate development, PR as well as setting the long-term strategy and goals for the company. Ben has 15 years of experience in real estate and finance, and he has acquired, developed, and financed more than $500 million of property in his time as Managing Partner of WestMill Capital Partners and President of Western Development Corporation. Ben also started US Nordic Ventures, a cross-Atlantic private equity and operating company. Ben has worked as an analyst for Lubert-Adler, a private equity real estate fund. Ben was part of the founding staff of Democracy Alliance, a progressive investment collaborative. Ben is also co-founder of Popularise, a real estate crowdsourcing website.

from August 2001 to February 2006.  He was the Mayor Anthony Williams primary adviser on issues pertaining to the City Council, U.S. Congress, Office of Management  and Budget, and the White House.  From January 1999 to August 2001, McCarthy was Director of Policy and Evaluation in the Executive Office of the Mayor, where he was responsible for, among other things, the federally-funded Tuition Assistance Grant Program.  

Gregory M. McCarthy

GoodWILL ambassador and ADVISER  

Gregory McCarthy is Vice President for Government and Municipal Affairs of the Washington Nationals Baseball Club. He works with the Mayor’s Office, City Council, city agencies, the United States Congress, and various federal agencies to ensure that Nationals Park operates smoothly and in conc​ert with local, regional, and federal policies.  An avid runner, he has completed 15 marathons on all seven continents including Antarctica.  McCarthy was also Deputy Chief of Staff in the Executive Office of the Mayor in Washington, DC 

Nathania Woldu

President AND ORGANIZER 

Nathania Woldu is best described as a woman of passion; someone with an embedded desire to absorb all the knowledge that life allows. This passion becomes obvious when one simply observes her impressive years as a scholar. Nathania first earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science, concentrating on International Studies and Communications from Randolph-Macon Woman’s College. Next, Nathania pursued a M.A. in Legal and Ethical Studies from the University of Baltimore, Maryland. Currently, Ms. Woldu is on track to receive a Ph.D. in International Development with a specialization in Emerging Markets from Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies. Additionally, Nathania works as a consultant for a non-profit government organization where she manages programs, grants and contracts. Her prior experiences, in both non-profit and government sectors, also include management and coordination of projects, both domestic and abroad, organizational development, human resource management, communications, marketing, fundraising and legislative affairs. If her resume is not impressive enough, Nathania also served as a Field Organizer for President Obama’s 2008 Presidential Campaign.

Jeff Horowitz

Chief EVENT MANAGER AND ORGANIZER

Jeff Horowitz is an experienced runner, coach, youth non-profit program director, and author. He's raced in over 170 marathons  and ultramarathons, across the U.S. and around the world. Formerly a practicing attorney, he is an endurance sport coach and trainer, and teaches running at George Washington University. Jeff is the author of My First 100 Marathons; 2,620 Miles With An Obsessive Runner (Skyhorse Press 2008), Smart Marathon Training: How to Run Your Best Without Running Yourself Ragged (Velo Press 2011) and Quick Strength For Runners (Velo Press 2013).  Visit Jeff’s websiteand blog at www.smartmarathontraining.com. 

Yaphet Woldu

VICE PRESIDENT AND ORGANIZER

Yaphet Woldu holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in philosophy from George Mason University and currently studying at the Georgetown University Law Center. While studying at St. Stephen and St. Agnes HighSchool in Alexandria he took part in the Presidential Classroom Media and Democracy program in Washington DC. Woldu joined more than 360 student leaders from 42 states and Puerto Rico. Woldu is a native of Alexandria, Virginia, and a first-generation Ethiopian. Yaphet has an entrenched desire to explore all the joys of life. Most recently, this yearning lead him to become an avid golfer. Yaphet has been described as a conspicuously confident, resourceful, and bright young man.​

Bereket Woldu

Chairman

Bereket Woldu is executive vice president of The Forge Co., a private real estate and transportation holding company based in Washington, D.C., whose principal operating units are Colonial Parking Inc. and PortfolioFirst Parking Solutions, an international parking asset management firm. Prior to joinng the Fore team, Bereket served as Senior Vice President for over 20 years at Colonial Parking, Inc. and a member of the Board of  the  Georgetown Business Improvement District (BID). Bereket is also a member of ECDC, Ethiopin Community Development Councel  and is an active supporter of the Ethiopian and Hispanic communities in Washington. Woldu received several prestigious awards for his community related services. Bereket holds a B.A. from The University of Baltimore.

MEET  OUR  TEAM

BENEYAM (BEN) YOHANNES
EVENT MANAGER

Beneyam Yohannes brings 24 years of experience in parking, with a particular focus on managing large-scale and special event operations for stadiums and entertainment venues. He has a strong understanding of the unique challenges these projects present. Ben has managed event parking operations for a number of high-profile facilities, including garages serving Audi Field,Nationals Park, Capital One Arena, and RFK Stadium. Additional experience includes the management of over 20 commercial parking operations serving office buildings and mixed-use developments throughout Washington, DC. Ben is a Certified Event Parking Specialist. 

                 OFFICERS, ADVISeRS AND ORGANIZeRS

​​​REASONS  ALL CHILDREN ENDURE