Rotaract DC 2024-2025 Board
Vanessa Lewis
President
president@rotaractdc.org
Vanessa grew up in Sydney, Australia, moving to the US in mid-2021. She holds a Diploma in Counselling from the Australian College of Applied Psychology and a Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy & Economics from the University of New South Wales.
She originally started her career in banking but pivoted to tech upon moving to the US. Currently, she works as a lead Salesforce Consultant for a firm in Mclean, Virginia. Vanessa has travelled widely, visiting cities all over the world and independently backpacking through Latin America, Jamacia and Mexico. During college she undertook two student exchanges: in Seoul and Beijing. This love of discovering new cultures and experiences led her to Rotaract where she enjoys frequently meeting and mentoring other young passionate professionals from all over the world.
President
president@rotaractdc.org
Vanessa grew up in Sydney, Australia, moving to the US in mid-2021. She holds a Diploma in Counselling from the Australian College of Applied Psychology and a Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy & Economics from the University of New South Wales.
She originally started her career in banking but pivoted to tech upon moving to the US. Currently, she works as a lead Salesforce Consultant for a firm in Mclean, Virginia. Vanessa has travelled widely, visiting cities all over the world and independently backpacking through Latin America, Jamacia and Mexico. During college she undertook two student exchanges: in Seoul and Beijing. This love of discovering new cultures and experiences led her to Rotaract where she enjoys frequently meeting and mentoring other young passionate professionals from all over the world.
Jennifer Romero
Vice President
vicepresident@rotaractdc.org
I previously served as the Professional Development Chair of the Rotaract Club, and am excited to serve as Vice President! I relocated to Washington DC in May of 2023 in pursuit of a new career opportunity. I am currently an Event Coordinator for Texas A&M DC, and I graduated from Texas State University in 2021. I'm currently pursuing a Master's at George Washington University.
Beyond my professional career, I am an avid music lover. I love to attend festivals, concerts, and collect vinyls/CDs/cassettes. I also have two cats, Beani and Maui, who traveled with me from Texas. They were both rescued from my previous job at a public library. In my free time, I enjoy playing soccer, trying new foods, going to the movies and hanging out with my friends.
Vice President
vicepresident@rotaractdc.org
I previously served as the Professional Development Chair of the Rotaract Club, and am excited to serve as Vice President! I relocated to Washington DC in May of 2023 in pursuit of a new career opportunity. I am currently an Event Coordinator for Texas A&M DC, and I graduated from Texas State University in 2021. I'm currently pursuing a Master's at George Washington University.
Beyond my professional career, I am an avid music lover. I love to attend festivals, concerts, and collect vinyls/CDs/cassettes. I also have two cats, Beani and Maui, who traveled with me from Texas. They were both rescued from my previous job at a public library. In my free time, I enjoy playing soccer, trying new foods, going to the movies and hanging out with my friends.
Ebtesam Al-Haque
Treasurer
treasurer@rotaractdc.org
Grad school brought me to the DMV area about three years ago, which I now consider to be my second home. I am currently working towards my PhD in Computer Science and work as a graduate research assistant at George Mason University. My current research is centered around understanding and building reliable AI-assisted tools for software developers.
I joined the Rotaract club about a year and a half ago and have been more actively involved over the past year particularly with our service and social events. The most rewarding aspect of my membership has been the opportunity to give back to our local community and connecting with such an energetic group of young professionals who share the same commitment towards “service above self”. I love the community that Rotary helps foster and share the same values that it stands for.
When I’m not working on my research, I like to explore new places, restaurants, experiment with recipes, binge-watch sitcoms and detective mysteries. I consider myself to be a lifelong learner whose goal is to be the jack of all trades and a master of some; my favorite way to do that is by connecting with the people around me.
Treasurer
treasurer@rotaractdc.org
Grad school brought me to the DMV area about three years ago, which I now consider to be my second home. I am currently working towards my PhD in Computer Science and work as a graduate research assistant at George Mason University. My current research is centered around understanding and building reliable AI-assisted tools for software developers.
I joined the Rotaract club about a year and a half ago and have been more actively involved over the past year particularly with our service and social events. The most rewarding aspect of my membership has been the opportunity to give back to our local community and connecting with such an energetic group of young professionals who share the same commitment towards “service above self”. I love the community that Rotary helps foster and share the same values that it stands for.
When I’m not working on my research, I like to explore new places, restaurants, experiment with recipes, binge-watch sitcoms and detective mysteries. I consider myself to be a lifelong learner whose goal is to be the jack of all trades and a master of some; my favorite way to do that is by connecting with the people around me.
Tim Boyle
Membership Chair
membership@rotaractdc.org
From Reston to Blacksburg, Richmond to DC, I have lived my whole life in the DMV. Whether I am hosting parties with my roommates on H Street, going out to dinner with my Grandmother in Ashburn or playing golf with my brothers in Alexandria, I love my life here and plan to continue investing in the area.
When I am not with family and friends, I enjoy running, working on my golf game and engaging with the DC community through mentoring students at Cornerstone School or being a delivery driver for the DC Food Justice Initative.
As a Director of Operations for a hospital system, I focus my work life on confronting challenges and pursuing opportunities to better meet the needs of patients and their families during some of the toughest times of their lives.
Membership Chair
membership@rotaractdc.org
From Reston to Blacksburg, Richmond to DC, I have lived my whole life in the DMV. Whether I am hosting parties with my roommates on H Street, going out to dinner with my Grandmother in Ashburn or playing golf with my brothers in Alexandria, I love my life here and plan to continue investing in the area.
When I am not with family and friends, I enjoy running, working on my golf game and engaging with the DC community through mentoring students at Cornerstone School or being a delivery driver for the DC Food Justice Initative.
As a Director of Operations for a hospital system, I focus my work life on confronting challenges and pursuing opportunities to better meet the needs of patients and their families during some of the toughest times of their lives.
Marvelouse Guerrier
Professional Development Chair
professionaldevelopment@rotaractdc.org
Marvelouse Guerrier is a dedicated professional currently a Senior Consultant at Booz Allen Hamilton. Prior to her role at Booz, she was the Chief of Staff to the President of Birmingham-Southern College where she was deeply engaged in strategic planning, project management, and overall setting up the office of the president for success. She brings a wealth of experience, having been an instrumental part of Biso Collective as its first employee, working closely with the CEO to evaluate potential investments in the B2B, software-as-a-service (SaaS) industry.
Marvelouse is a proud graduate of George Washington University, where she earned a degree in International Affairs and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). She was a Venture for America Fellow where she was City Lead in Birmingham, Alabama and sat on the advisory board as co-chair of Small Magic, a non-profit dedicated to enhancing early childhood literacy.
She is an avid reader with a passion for learning languages. As a travel enthusiast, she embraces new experiences and seeks opportunities for personal and professional growth.
Professional Development Chair
professionaldevelopment@rotaractdc.org
Marvelouse Guerrier is a dedicated professional currently a Senior Consultant at Booz Allen Hamilton. Prior to her role at Booz, she was the Chief of Staff to the President of Birmingham-Southern College where she was deeply engaged in strategic planning, project management, and overall setting up the office of the president for success. She brings a wealth of experience, having been an instrumental part of Biso Collective as its first employee, working closely with the CEO to evaluate potential investments in the B2B, software-as-a-service (SaaS) industry.
Marvelouse is a proud graduate of George Washington University, where she earned a degree in International Affairs and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). She was a Venture for America Fellow where she was City Lead in Birmingham, Alabama and sat on the advisory board as co-chair of Small Magic, a non-profit dedicated to enhancing early childhood literacy.
She is an avid reader with a passion for learning languages. As a travel enthusiast, she embraces new experiences and seeks opportunities for personal and professional growth.
Maddy Brandon
Public Image Chair
publicimage@roataractdc.org
Maddy is from North Carolina and moved to DC after receiving a degree in Political Science from Appalachian State University. She started an internship on the Hill and eventually began her AmeriCorps service year. Following this opportunity she started her career on the Hill as Congresswoman Kamlager-Dove’s staff assistant and has since been promoted to her Legislative Correspondent and Healthcare Staffer. She plans to attend Cornell University to pursue her masters in public administration in the Fall of 2025. Beyond her professional and academic career, Maddy loves musical theater, singing, live music, soccer, movies and reading!
Public Image Chair
publicimage@roataractdc.org
Maddy is from North Carolina and moved to DC after receiving a degree in Political Science from Appalachian State University. She started an internship on the Hill and eventually began her AmeriCorps service year. Following this opportunity she started her career on the Hill as Congresswoman Kamlager-Dove’s staff assistant and has since been promoted to her Legislative Correspondent and Healthcare Staffer. She plans to attend Cornell University to pursue her masters in public administration in the Fall of 2025. Beyond her professional and academic career, Maddy loves musical theater, singing, live music, soccer, movies and reading!
Suzan AI Shammari
Fellowship Chair fellowship@rotaractdc.org
Suzan Al Shammari, originally from Iraq, arrived in the United States as a refugee in 2010 along with her family. She has always been passionate about human rights and policy, fields that resonate deeply with her personal experiences. With over 8 years of professional experience in advocacy, community outreach, and policy, she has made significant contributions in Los Angeles, New York City, and Washington, DC. She holds a Master’s degree in Security Studies from University College London and a Bachelor's degree in Communication Studies from California State University, Long Beach.
Awarded the 2016 Mark Bixby Leadership Award, she also received a Rotary Global Grant Scholarship from Rotary International and District 5320 in 2018. This scholarship enabled her to pursue her master’s degree in London and engage with various Rotary Clubs in the city, where she shared insights about her work and studies.
Suzan served as the Vice President of the Rotaract Club at the United Nations in New York and now proudly serves as the Fellowship Chair for the Rotaract Club of DC.
Fellowship Chair fellowship@rotaractdc.org
Suzan Al Shammari, originally from Iraq, arrived in the United States as a refugee in 2010 along with her family. She has always been passionate about human rights and policy, fields that resonate deeply with her personal experiences. With over 8 years of professional experience in advocacy, community outreach, and policy, she has made significant contributions in Los Angeles, New York City, and Washington, DC. She holds a Master’s degree in Security Studies from University College London and a Bachelor's degree in Communication Studies from California State University, Long Beach.
Awarded the 2016 Mark Bixby Leadership Award, she also received a Rotary Global Grant Scholarship from Rotary International and District 5320 in 2018. This scholarship enabled her to pursue her master’s degree in London and engage with various Rotary Clubs in the city, where she shared insights about her work and studies.
Suzan served as the Vice President of the Rotaract Club at the United Nations in New York and now proudly serves as the Fellowship Chair for the Rotaract Club of DC.
Ahmed Eltally
Past President
pastpresident@rotaractdc.org
Ahmed has lived and worked in several countries, and he is passionate about bridging the gaps between different cultures.
Ahmed is an emerging leader at Rotary District 7620 and a member of the District 7620 Peace Committee, the Environmental Sustainability Rotary Action Group, and the Rotary Action Group for Peace.
Past President
pastpresident@rotaractdc.org
Ahmed has lived and worked in several countries, and he is passionate about bridging the gaps between different cultures.
Ahmed is an emerging leader at Rotary District 7620 and a member of the District 7620 Peace Committee, the Environmental Sustainability Rotary Action Group, and the Rotary Action Group for Peace.