Leadership

Dr. Heather Hairston
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

With over 20 years of experience as an educator and leader in DC Public Schools across Wards 5, 6, and 7, Heather provides strategic leadership and oversight for all Girls Inc. DC programming. She manages staff and program operations while coordinating closely with the National Girls Inc. organization. A DC native, Heather holds a B.A. in Sociology, a Master of Arts in Teaching, and a Master’s in Educational Leadership and Supervision. She recently earned her Ed.D. in Education and Organizational Leadership, where her research focused on the experiences of adolescent Black girls, including their sense of belonging and the environments that support their growth. Heather also serves on the board of EcoRise and is a proud member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.

Ebony Edwards
PROGRAM DIRECTOR

As Program Director, Ebony is responsible for leading the development and implementation of programs that align with the Girls Inc. pillars of strong, smart and bold. A graduate of American University with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and a Minor in Health Promotion, Ebony has 10 years of experience, working with scholars from ages 3 to 17. Prior to Girls Inc. DC, Ebony taught first grade at Friendship Public Charter School, where she was a Host Teacher, First Grade Team Lead and also the First Grade Math Lead in the FPCS District. She also coached the middle school girl’s basketball team. Ebony has also published two children’s books — “Fine, You Tell Me Who I Am” and “The Adventures of Zy and Fuzz.”

Aliyah Perkins
RESIDENT PROGRAM FACILITATOR

Aliyah Perkins is an inaugural member of the Black Women’s Leadership Experience (BWLE) Cohort. Aliyah serves as a Resident Program Facilitator leading the programs at Howard University Middle School and community outreach across all wards in DC. Aliyah graduated from Jackson State University with a Bachelor of Social Work with Magna Cum Laude honors. Aliyah’s aspires to obtain her Masters in Social Work with a goal to open her own children’s home. Aliyah is a native of St. Louis, Missouri and in her free time, she enjoys volunteering and spending time with family.

Donna Marie Thompson
DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR

Donna-Marie is a development professional with over 15 years of experience advancing fundraising, donor relations, and strategic engagement within the nonprofit, hospitality and events sectors. Donna-Marie served as the Associate Director of Volunteer & In-Kind Gifts at N Street Village where she managed over 400 volunteers to support homeless and low-income women. Her work continued at the UDC foundation where she created and maintained fundraising initiatives and donor engagement for over 45,000 Alumni.

With a degree in Business Administration, she has built a career dedicated to the art of building connection and purposeful giving. Her work with organizations such as the NFLPA, Amtrak, and Marriott has only strengthened her expertise. She has also served on the Board of The Good News Community Kitchen, a non-profit aimed at fighting hunger one meal at a time. Donna-Marie looks forward to applying her unique background in fundraising, strategic engagement, and relationship-building to deeply connect with the incredible community of donors and partners of Girls Inc. DC

Brandy Williams
FACILITATOR

Brandy Williams is an educator, teacher, mentor, and youth development leader with over twelve years of experience supporting girls as they grow, lead, and thrive. She is deeply committed to creating affirming, girl-centered spaces where young people are celebrated for who they already are and encouraged to use their voices with confidence and purpose.

Brandy holds a Bachelor of Arts in History and Sociology and a Master’s degree in History with an emphasis on women’s history. Her work is grounded in culturally responsive education and a strong belief in the brilliance, leadership, and potential of girls. She has designed and led campus-based and summer leadership experiences that support academic growth, community building, and social-emotional development. Through her work with the Bold Girls Society on the KIPP DC campus and other leadership initiatives, Brandy helps girls access opportunities that expand their sense of possibility academically, socially, and personally.

Brandy has been connected to Girls Inc. DC since 2015, bringing a long-standing commitment to the organization’s mission and a deep understanding of girl-centered programming. A proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, she values service, sisterhood, and legacy. At Girls Inc. DC, Brandy is honored to support the mission of inspiring all girls to be strong, smart, and bold by nurturing environments where they feel seen, valued, and empowered to lead as their authentic selves.

Mahi Ghorakavi
INTERN

Mahi is a sophomore at the University of Maryland majoring in Operations Management, Business Analytics, and Public Policy. She is passionate about making a meaningful impact by applying the skills she has gained in the classroom to real-world challenges. Through her work with Girls Inc. DC, she hopes to help create a space where girls can connect with mentors, opportunities, and resources that support their academic success and career aspirations.