Personal notes from the Class of 2020
April 24, 2020
Our mission has never been more essential in the community. Take a personal glimpse into how some of our dynamic Class of 2020 leaders are moving forward today and collaborating.
Quanda Allen
SunTrust Bank
What is helping you get through this pandemic? Share a link, a favorite book, activity, or shout-out a friend.
Group chats have been instrumental in helping me to stay connected with family, peers, and work. In areas of life where I did not have chats set up, they were stood up quickly. They have been a lifeline for quick exchanges with co-workers as well as ideas for homeschooling.
What is your typical daily routine like right now?
I get up at 5:45 am to read, journal, meditate and pray. I work out for an hour. Then, I start an average of 8 - 10 conference calls a day (way too many). Because I am an "essential" worker in banking, I still have access to childcare so I don't have the challenge of balancing childcare with work. I end the day early around 5 pm and then cook dinner for the family, wind down outside on the front porch and then start the bedtime routine for the children. I have one hour to myself between 8:30 pm and 9:30 pm where I often watch one episode of one of my favorite TV shows or chat with family. Bedtime is a firm 10 pm.
How has your Class helped out during this time?
My Mindtrust has been amazing. We have met virtually and we stay connected via email. They inspire me! Jolene is making masks for healthcare workers. Hawah is hosting community meditation sessions. Antwone is on the front lines of the economic crisis advising his clients (and us!) on how to navigate this tough time. Hanh is mobilizing funds and people to address the DMV's immediate COVID-19 related needs.
Phyllis Liebman Brill
MRP Realty
What is helping you get through this pandemic? Share a link, a favorite book, activity, or shout-out a friend.
Two meditation apps have been very helpful - Calm and the Oprah/Deepak Chopra "Hope in Uncertain Times" as well as the video posts from my college roommate Ginny Grabowski via "The Women's Wellness Academy". Also, Amazon, Target, Thrive Market, and other delivery options for food/household products. Catching up with friends and family over Zoom, Facetime. Also going for walks in the neighborhood/woods.
What is your typical daily routine like right now?
Things are not that much different for me but I do love not having to travel/sit in traffic and that I can work out of my sunroom which overlooks a wooded area. Doing a lot more cooking and some gardening which I actually enjoy. Try to meditate and exercise daily. I've been speaking to my mom daily prior to this - but out of concern for her well being (she is 81 and lives alone) I purchased us the same puzzle/trivia game book (from Target) and we will do a page together each day. Prior to the pandemic, she was very active in the retired teachers association and other organizations.
How has your Class helped out during this time?
Roy organized a class Zoom call which I participated in and our Mind Trust has gotten together virtually a few times.
Willie Phillips
DC Public Service Commission
What is helping you get through this pandemic? Share a link, a favorite book, activity, or shout-out a friend.
Leadership from our local officials.
What is your typical daily routine like right now?
I typically have 4 or more video conference calls throughout the day. When I'm not on a call, I'm trying to help out with homeschooling. My wife also has work calls, so it is a challenge. We take the kids for a walk each afternoon.
How has your Class helped out during this time?
My Mindtrust has been great. Virtual happy hours and Netflix parties have helped. We also continue to bounce ideas off each other.
Roy Lee
Accenture
What is helping you get through this pandemic? Share a link, a favorite book, activity, or shout-out a friend.
My partner, my company, and the desire to make a difference where I can. Also episodes of Golden Girls and West Wing because, why not?
What is your typical daily routine like right now?
My routine hasn't changed too much with the exception of working out around 6pm vs 6am to help break up my work day and to get out of the house.
How has your Class helped out during this time?
Mindtrust virtual meetings and great email chats.
Carolyn Thompson
Merito Group
What is helping you get through this pandemic? Share a link, a favorite book, activity, or shout-out a friend.
We have daily video calls with my various companies and do a team building game or something not business-related at least once a week. We also have integrated professional training weekly which allows the teams a great opportunity point of learning discussion that’s been happening organically.
What is your typical daily routine like right now?
8 am - 6 pm minimum back to back phone and video calls m-f. Good news is Saturday and Sunday work has slowed down a little and we have been getting in a couple of rounds of golf each weekend
How has your Class helped out during this time?
Reaching out to participants for projects later this year has been helpful to me personally. It’s easier to get on calendars when there’s no commute time required.
Marla Dean
Bright Beginnings, Inc.
What is helping you get through this pandemic? Share a link, a favorite book, activity, or shout-out a friend.
The breaks away from the pace of the day inspire me. I am generally going non-stop from 7 am-7 pm. So when I can have a Zoom meeting with a ladies affirmation or prayer group, or hang out with friends or my LGW mind trust group via Zoom, or attend a birthday party with a DJ via Zoom, or have a Zoom family meeting with family across the country, it keeps me going and restores me.
What is your typical daily routine like right now?
I am busier than ever. I start Zoom meetings or conference calls at 8 am and I go until 6-7 pm each evening. Trying to meet the needs of our families in a virtual space and ensuring we have the funding/resources we need as a non-profit, keeps me on overdrive.
How has your Class helped out during this time?
Roy Lee is taking care of me, us. He organized Zoom meetings with our mind trust and Netflix watch parties. His creativity in a virtual world amazes me and keeps me with some degree of levity in my life.
Irma Becerra
Marymount University
What is helping you get through this pandemic? Share a link, a favorite book, activity, or shout-out a friend.
The resilience of the Marymount community including our wonderful students. My family, especially my daughter that is from New York and has been with me since it began. Great books and journals, a nice long walk every day, and knowing that God is watching over us.
What is your typical daily routine like right now?
My day begins very early, usually at 6 or 6:30 am my first meetings are usually at 8 am and lasts all throughout the day until 6 or 7 pm and sometimes later. Teleworking is quite challenging for a position like mine that requires so much interaction with people.
How has your Class helped out during this time?
It's wonderful to have colleagues that you can always count on for occasional conversations and it's nice to reflect back on the good times and to know that we're all in this together.
Antwone Harris
Platinum Bridge Wealth Strategies, LLC
What is helping you get through this pandemic? Share a link, a favorite book, activity, or shout-out a friend.
I own a financial advisory firm so of course, with the market turmoil, I am very busy. I am viewing this additional time together as a blessing. I am seeing my wife and kids through a different lens. I am thankful for the time we have together and that feeling of gratitude is keeping me at peace.
What is your typical daily routine like right now?
I start working before my 3 and 5-year-old kids get up so that I can get some things accomplished (usually around 6:30 am). I work until the market closes at 4 pm. I take them outside to play a sport or superheroes. We get them fed, bathed, and put into bed. I spend an hour with my wife. Rinse and repeat.
How has your Class helped out during this time?
We have had a few Zoom meetings. We watched a Netflix show together online and we also stay in touch via text. I miss my crew!
Marshall Murphy
Pepco Holdings, Inc.
What is helping you get through this pandemic? Share a link, a favorite book, activity, or shout-out a friend.
Great music, my wife's good humor during this challenge as she has put up with my marathon phone calls and meetings, and some maritime and history books that I am rereading.
What is your typical daily routine like right now?
Calls and virtual meetings beginning at 7:00 am each day and finally winding down at 6:30 pm. Generally at least another hour emails and then some downtime before essentially the same routine the next day. Not the most enjoyable period of my career but this is an unprecedented health challenge so, now's definitely not the time to complain. Try to get a bit of exercise in as well but it's harder than I thought.
How has your Class helped out during this time?
The link to the Platinum Mind Trust has been an essential source of advice, humor, and empathy during this unprecedented challenge. They are a wonderful, caring group and I feel very fortunate to be part of it.
Lisa Wise
Flock DC
What is helping you get through this pandemic? Share a link, a favorite book, activity, or shout-out a friend.
Writing about business during this time. Plus wine.
What is your typical daily routine like right now?
Up at 6:30 am. Coffee, breakfast for son, read the news, exercise, first-team call at 9 am, shower at 10 am, 5 client meetings, team meetings, focus on the economy, finances business continuity. One of those is done while walking dog - 6:30 pm make dinner, eat with family - 8:30 -pm watch news catch up on work, then bed around 11:30 pm.
How has your Class helped out during this time?
We've all come together socially and professionally as much as we can. Our needs are changing all the time so having a responsive and thoughtful community that cares is outstanding.
Matt de Ferranti
Arlington County Board
What is helping you get through this pandemic? Share a link, a favorite book, activity, or shout-out a friend.
To Obama, the story of the letters the former President read every day in office while home.
What is your typical daily routine like right now?
Conference calls, emails, and the time with my girlfriend at the end of the day.
How has your Class helped out during this time?
We have a Mindtrust text that has been going.
Emily Baker
City of Alexandria
What is helping you get through this pandemic? Share a link, a favorite book, activity, or shout-out a friend.
Evenings with my family, either watching a movie on the couch, playing a game, or walking down the street to the neighborhood ice cream store.
What is your typical daily routine like right now?
Nonstop meetings on Microsoft Teams, while trying to feed my kids and hoping some virtual school work happens somehow.
How has your Class helped out during this time?
Occasional video and text check-ins with my Mind Trust have been great sanity savers!
Carlos Cecchi
The IDI Group Companies
What is helping you get through this pandemic? Share a link, a favorite book, activity, or shout-out a friend.
My family has definitely been my source of support so far. Like so many other families, we're now working, studying, living on top of one another, all the time - but instead of getting on each other's nerves, this experience has actually brought us closer together. I'm especially proud of my teenage children as they navigate the remote learning experience with grace and good spirits, even though it has meant canceled events, sports, graduations, and so many other things that they were looking forward to. They inspire me on a daily basis!
What is your typical daily routine like right now?
I've set myself up in the spare bedroom, with a folding table, a laptop, and a bunch of files. My day is one conference call or GoTo meeting after another, sometimes chock-a-block from 9 am to 5 or 6 pm. I go into the office for a few hours one day a week to pick-up/drop off files and do some housekeeping items. Because the construction industry has been deemed essential, our jobs are continuing to operate and I visit the job site a couple of times per week. Silver linings are that I can sleep in a little later, eat lunch with my family, and no evening commutes!
How has your Class helped out during this time?
Our MindTrust group has been able to connect a few times, which has been great. One of our LGW classmates organized and hosted a candle-light vigil for fourteen days - I only attended one of them but was inspired by the experience and thankful to connect on that sort of level. Another classmate coordinated a Netflix watch party which was a light and fun way to virtually connect. And a few of our classmates have spearheaded wonderful donation drives to help certain small businesses, non-profits, and/or healthcare sector workers, and I'm thankful to have been given that opportunity to help out.
Theresa Atta Ifogah
Management Leadership For Tomorrow
What is helping you get through this pandemic? Share a link, a favorite book, activity, or shout-out a friend.
A colleague organized a book club to read and complete exercises from "Designing Your Life" by B. Burnett and D. Evans. We're meeting virtually once a week, and it's a great way to connect with colleagues whom I otherwise don't get to engage with often.
What is your typical daily routine like right now?
Grateful to have found a childcare solution for my boys (ages 2.5 and 1), my work-from-home routine is fairly stable between 9-5:30. Evenings are family-focused and less structured, for sure, but we are getting along fine.
How has your Class helped out during this time?
Though our in-person programming has been disrupted, members of our cohort have done a great job trying to keep us connected virtually. I'm not able to make all of the virtual happy hours or Netflix parties, but I'm happy to see that people are making the effort to stay connected.
Rahsaan Bernard
Building Bridges Across the River
What is helping you get through this pandemic? Share a link, a favorite book, activity, or shout-out a friend.
The resilience of my team and our service to members of our community during this pandemic. Our work was featured briefly on nbc4 this month: https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/nbc4-giveathon-how-you-can-give...
What is your typical daily routine like right now?
I get up early, and since gyms are closed, run 3-4 miles. Three days a week I work from my office at THEARC, the other two from home. The day consists of a lot of conference and zoom calls, managing the feeding program that's occurring on campus, working with our facilities team to maintain our property, and collaborating with partners on solutions for families in Ward 8.
How has your Class helped out during this time?
Classmates have been encouraging, inspiring, and supportive.
Lupi Quinteros-Grady
Latin American Youth Center
What is helping you get through this pandemic? Share a link, a favorite book, activity, or shout-out a friend.
It has been extremely helpful to be able to set time aside to chat with friends. It's also been helpful to find time to work out and get some exercise in!
What is your typical daily routine like right now?
I am joining department meetings to check with our staff. On calls and meetings all day with different partners and other community leaders to coordinate efforts. LAYC has adapted its service delivery approach to ensure we are supporting our youth and families at this time while keeping our staff safe. This has included grocery deliveries as food insecurity heightens, medicine, laptop deliveries so youth can still access online learning, video-chat counseling services to youth, and serving both existing and new clients experiencing an
increase in anxiety and mental health concerns. These are a few examples of what community support has made it possible for our youth and their families. In our April 1 COVID-19 update, we share the various ways we are supporting youth and families, and on April 13, we shared the ideas our Prince George's site is serving youth and their families.
How has your Class helped out during this time?
We've had a Zoom check-in with the mind trust group. Kudos to Roy as he scheduled a Netflix party!
Luanne Gutermuth
Washington Gas & WGL Holdings, Inc.
What is helping you get through this pandemic? Share a link, a favorite book, activity, or shout-out a friend.
Regular long walks, enjoying the beautiful spring blossoms, Zoom calls with family, friends, and colleagues, reading "for fun".
What is your typical daily routine like right now?
Zoom calls and phone calls interspersed with house projects, exercise, snacking, and reading.
How has your Class helped out during this time?
Our Mindtrust has connected a couple of times through Zoom, and it's been great catching up with folks.
Jeffrey Katz
WAMU 88.5
What is helping you get through this pandemic? Share a link, a favorite book, activity, or shout-out a friend.
Family. Occasional kind words from a colleague or friend. The hope that what we're doing is useful to people at a stressful time (and our audience is way up.) The hope that we'll be over the worst of this soon. Favorite books right now: I enjoyed "Buzz Saw," about the Washington Nationals 2019 season. Now reading "The Splendid and the Vile" about Churchill during the Blitz.
What is your typical daily routine like right now?
I'm generally working 11, sometimes 12 hours a day. All remote. Rarely getting up from my desk during the day. Still very much plugged in on what is supposed to be off days. Spending more time than ever on Zoom or Slack.
How has your Class helped out during this time?
I've enjoyed the occasional emails. I've relied on some of my LGW colleagues for background and information. We've put a couple of them in our stories. Mostly, the lockdown has reminded me how much I enjoyed our monthly sessions. I miss them and I'm disappointed that circumstances are putting future in-person gatherings in doubt any time soon.
Julie Coons
Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce
What is helping you get through this pandemic? Share a link, a favorite book, activity, or shout-out a friend.
meaningful work for my members
What is your typical daily routine like right now?
early morning exercise; work; virtual HH with friends; dinner - and repeat
How has your Class helped out during this time?
modeling leadership
Irma Becerra
Marymount University
What is helping you get through this pandemic? Share a link, a favorite book, activity, or shout-out a friend.
the fact that my daughter is quarantined with me. She normally lives in NYC but luckily came to work from home (then furloughed) with me. It has been a blessing having her here - a lifesaver!
What is your typical daily routine like right now?
I am on my computer for about 12 hours (8 am to 8 pm) no break, even on weekends. most days I don't go outside at all.
How has your Class helped out during this time?
Try to keep my connections, although I've had very little time to do so.
Gina Toppin
DC Department of Parks and Recreation
What is helping you get through this pandemic? Share a link, a favorite book, activity, or shout-out a friend.
I would just say, my husband and my son.
What is your typical daily routine like right now?
I have a 9 am mtg every day and then back to back meetings until at least 5 pm every day (most days it’s longer). It’s exhausting! Where I used to be able to build in some time between meetings-no more! I’m truly drained by the end of the day!
How has your Class helped out during this time?
My class is a wonderful support system, a source of motivation, and a great outlet for me from work. Thanks, LGW!!
Jenny Bilfield
Washington Performing Arts
What is helping you get through this pandemic? Share a link, a favorite book, activity, or shout-out a friend.
Connections with friends, and more consistent time in nature than I have ever had in my professional life.
What is your typical daily routine like right now?
At my 'virtual office' by 9:30, lunch (often made by my husband), sign-off (and cleaning up mobile office...which is in my bedroom) by 6. Walk-in Cleveland Park neighborhood. Dinner with family (which is more a rarity given my many evenings out for performances), movies, asleep by 1:30 AM. Yes...1:30 AM.
How has your Class helped out during this time?
Folks have connected socially, philanthropically, topically...with warm notes sent back and forth. A supportive, loving community.
Jenny Kaplan
Greater Washington Partnership
What is helping you get through this pandemic? Share a link, a favorite book, activity, or shout-out a friend.
Running! And a combination of my husband keeping me sane, my kids laughing between battles and grandparents who are endlessly willing to read to their grandchildren virtually!
What is your typical daily routine like right now?
We start every day at 8 am with pump up announcements and then the day is a combination of balancing schoolwork, zoom chats, and making the most of the time together.
How has your Class helped out during this time?
My Mindtrust has been really helpful, checking in with one another and sending information - both substantive and attempts at humor. Many classmates have also been helpful in my professional capacity as we work to support and advocate for the Capital Region's needs during this challenging time.
Tatiana Torres
DC Economic Recovery Unit
What is helping you get through this pandemic? Share a link, a favorite book, activity, or shout-out a friend.
Working to serve others fuels me each day. When I have time late at night, I’ve been watching UnOrthodox on Netflix and reading Jo Jo Moyes books.
What is your typical daily routine like right now?
15 hours days working on recovery and reopening the District with about 3 days of PT and one day of running.
How has your Class helped out during this time?
Zoom calls and texting
Jolene Ivey
Prince George’s County Council
What is helping you get through this pandemic? Share a link, a favorite book, activity, or shout-out a friend.
I’m fortunate to be quarantining with my easiest family members! I love them all, but the three sons who are with us for this pandemic they get along with each other so well, it’s possible to forget we’re not allowed to leave each other. My husband took over a room that had been used by a son who’s staying with his girlfriend, and him having separate office space makes all the difference. And aside from my Council work, I’ve been able to dedicate my time to making masks and getting more volunteers to make masks for Prince George’s Hospital. We’re making cotton masks for workers whose primary work is not with patients, and surgical masks. The doctors and nurses had been using the same surgical mask as long as a week! Awful. And some of the nurses had come up with a pattern and material to make some, themselves. My group is focusing more on surgical masks, now, and we’ve gotten their supply ahead of demand. I feel like that’s something concrete I can focus on, that makes an actual difference in saving lives.
What is your typical daily routine like right now?
I spend most mornings driving around to drop off materials and pick up finished masks. These drives have gotten longer, with every additional volunteer, especially with some getting much further away than I like. I’ve gotten a volunteer to help out on days that are too far-flung. While our quality control person had to seriously quarantine for about a week, I took over her duties, which meant I was also washing all the cloth masks before sending them to the hospital, and that requires special handling so they aren’t touched without gloves, once they go into the dryer. And some days I’m also the delivery person to the hospital. On Council days I have to actually put on makeup and sit in front of my laptop for hours, for our online meetings. I’ve been cooking a lot more, with 5 adults home for all meals. One of our sons has done a good share, and my husband likes to cook, so cooking hasn’t been a burden. The days evaporate, and I don’t know where they go! We like to watch tv together at night and have discovered “Kim’s Convenience” on Netflix.
How has your Class helped out during this time?
The Platinum Mindtrust has gotten together via Zoom and we’ve texted each other, as well. Knowing what Lupi’s organization does is helping me connect her with the plans the County is making to help with people housing and food. I was glad to be a part of Lisa’s efforts, as well.
Tom Bartlett
20 Degrees
What is helping you get through this pandemic? Share a link, a favorite book, activity, or shout-out a friend.
Audible - listening to The Water Dancer right now. That and my daily walks with the kids.
What is your typical daily routine like right now?
Working for 5 hours and then watching two kids under 4 for the next 5 hours. Dinner, more work, rinse, repeat. Everyone is healthy tho, so I'm grateful.
How has your Class helped out during this time?
Work opportunities, personal mental health.
Alicia Greer
The Innovation Network
What is helping you get through this pandemic? Share a link, a favorite book, activity, or shout-out a friend.
I have been taking the time to enjoy my whole family being home! My husband usually has a busy travel schedule and I am usually consumed by work and coaching and shuttling my kids from one event to the next. Having everyone at home does test my patience at times, but overall has been great for re-focusing us as a family.
What is your typical daily routine like right now?
Wake up, work out, get kids on their virtual learning, log onto work, eat lunch as a family, work/help kids manage their afternoon, eat dinner as a family, family time (movie or board games), time with husband (usually that lasts about 5 minutes before we both fall asleep).
How has your Class helped out during this time?
Our Mindtrust has been meeting and it's just nice to speak with professionals that are not intertwined within the organizations we are working in. This is also the first time I feel like I haven't been on the front lines for a major "conflict/war," so it is hard taking a back seat. Our class has helped identify ways we can contribute that directly assist those spearheading the efforts for recovery.
Gabby Alfonso
Dynamic Concepts, Inc.
What is helping you get through this pandemic? Share a link, a favorite book, activity, or shout-out a friend.
I hate to admit it but, I’m still going into the office at least 3 times a week and that’s keeping me sane.
What is your typical daily routine like right now?
Again, I’m still working pretty much as normal.
How has your Class helped out during this time?
I haven’t really connected, not for the lack of proposed opportunities from my classmates, it’s just a timing issue.
Lis Driscoll
Bank of America Private Bank
What is helping you get through this pandemic? Share a link, a favorite book, activity, or shout-out a friend.
My 3000 piece Star Trek jigsaw puzzle.
What is your typical daily routine like right now?
Get up, work, cook dinner, watch a little Killing Eve on BBC On Demand and then go to bed. Occasional walking.
How has your Class helped out during this time?
Zoom get together 2x so far.
Bettina Stern
Chaia Tacos
What is helping you get through this pandemic? Share a link, a favorite book, activity, or shout-out a friend.
Continuing to work - and to feel essential (at least to the financial wellbeing of my skeletal crew) and relevant (eat more plants). Watching good Netflix (incl. "Unorthodox" and "F1"). Reading "Circe".
What is your typical daily routine like right now?
Coffee, news, exercise, work, dinner, tv or book, sleep.
How has your Class helped out during this time?
Bringing insight and genuine caring to all. Love them.
Mary-Frances Wain
National Women's Law Center
What is helping you get through this pandemic? Share a link, a favorite book, activity, or shout-out a friend.
I have continued my regular routine during the week but am way more rigid in "turning off" the office after 6 pm and on weekends in order to create distinct "out of office" times. I also have been getting exercise every single day, and outside as often as possible. Fresh air and ideally sunshine are mood lifters!
What is your typical daily routine like right now?
I have kept the same routine, and actually am even more disciplined about not letting my work time creep into my "off" time. I am significantly less likely to check email, etc during the evenings and on weekends than I have been in 15 years. I am hoping some of that will stick with me.
How has your Class helped out during this time?
The fact that our class continues to meet is so meaningful and important. The LGW experience has been incomparable and keeping the learning and connections going has helped have a sense of normalcy but also continues to be an invaluable investment in myself.
Beyond that, my Mindtrust group continues to "meet" regularly to support each other and to build each other up professionally and personally. We really enjoy each other and have fun together. Game changer!
Adam Rocap
Miriam's Kitchen
What is helping you get through this pandemic? Share a link, a favorite book, activity, or shout-out a friend.
Finding a time to get outside with my kids each day - a walk, a bike ride, or soccer.
What is your typical daily routine like right now?
Helping serve meals at Miriam's Kitchen to guests experiencing homelessness in the morning. Lots of Zoom calls to coordinate with and support our teams. Taking care of my kids and trying to get outside as much as we can. Making our way through all of Disney's movies after an early dinner to make it to the end of the day.
How has your Class helped out during this time?
Class members have been so supportive and inspiring! Just finding ways to connect socially or through class programs helps feeling connected to our wider community. Class members have been tremendously supportive personally and professionally. And hearing what everyone is doing to lead and contribute to our region gives me inspiration and energy to keep going.
Tracy Gabriel
Crystal City BID
What is helping you get through this pandemic? Share a link, a favorite book, activity, or shout-out a friend.
Running, Cooking and baking, music with my kids, Brene Brown’s podcast: https://brenebrown.com/podcast/brene-on-ffts/
What is your typical daily routine like right now?
Groundhog Day.
How has your Class helped out during this time?
The class has inspired me by the work of their organizations and commitment to making a difference during this time. I appreciate the support and fellowship of my Mindtrust.
