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Steve Abraham, President and founder of WILL, is a Washington, DC native. In 2003, Steve left the practice of law to bring his vision for WILL to high school students in Washington, DC. His passion for young people is evidenced by his volunteer activities with programs at high schools and tutoring and coaching throughout his career. Among his many community involvements, Steve currently serves on the Boards of the Multi-Cultural Intern Program, The Aaron Straus & Lillie Straus Foundation, and The Camp Airy and Camp Louise Foundation, and previously served on the Boards of the Washington and Lee University Alumni Association and the Decade Society. On June 6, 2008, Steve was presented the Amigo of the Year Award by Principal Maria Tukeva at the Bell Multicultural High School’s 23rd Annual Scholarship Benefit Gala. In May 2011, Steve was honored by his selection as a member of the Leadership Greater Washington Class of 2012. (2003 to present)

Jim Vines, Chair of the Board, is a partner in King & Spalding’s Tort and Environmental Litigation Practice in the Washington, DC office where he serves as the office’s E-Discovery coordinator. Jim has had a distinguished legal career—he clerked for The Hon. William H. Rehnquist, the late Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court; held a leadership position in a global manufacturing firm, taught at the Vanderbilt Law School; and served for five years as the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee. Prior to attending law school, Jim worked for several years as a CPA and financial analyst. (2008 to present)

John (Grif) Johnson, Vice-Chair of the Board & Secretary, is a retired attorney who practiced law in the District of Columbia for 33 years between 1976 and 2010 with several law firms, most recently at the firm of Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker LLP. Grif graduated from Princeton University in 1972 and from Georgetown University Law Center in 1976. His practice concentrated in the representation of television and radio broadcasting companies before the Federal Communications Commission, and in advising institutional investors in electronic media enterprises. In retirement, Grif has been active in community-based volunteer work, including teaching English as a second language to adults through Language Etc.; tutoring at a local DC elementary school under the auspices of For Love of Children; and delivering meals to homebound clients of Food and Friends. (2011 to present)

Brian Foster, Treasurer, is a Managing Director in the Corporate Executive Board’s IT Practice with responsibility for all product marketing, web, and consulting operations. Prior to joining the Corporate Executive Board, Brian held positions in business development and strategic planning at Excite@Home in Silicon Valley and as a research director in the Financial Service practice of the Advisory Board Company. Brian holds a BA from Williams College and an MBA from The Tuck School of Business Administration at Dartmouth. Across his a career, Brian has been actively engaged in multiple youth development programs and was the founder and head instructor of Francis Junior High Karate Academy, an after-school martial arts program for inner-city youth in Washington, DC. (2010 to present)

Melissa Maxfield serves as Senior Vice President of Federal Government Affairs for Comcast Corporation, responsible for all legislative and political activities for the company in Washington, DC. In 2009, The Hill newspaper named Ms. Maxfield as one of the “Top Corporate Lobbyists in Washington, DC.” Prior to joining Comcast in 2003, Melissa worked for Senator Tom Daschle, serving as his top political staffer in her position as Director for DASHPAC (1999-2003). From 1996 to 1998, she worked on Senator Daschle’s re-election campaign and served as his political liaison at the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC). Prior to that (1991-1996), Melissa worked for Senator Bob Kerrey of Nebraska. (2010 to present)

Graham McLaughlin is a Senior Director with the Advisory Board Company. Graham leads the firm’s corporate responsibility and employee volunteer program, “Community Impact.” Prior to joining the Advisory Board, Graham was a management consultant specializing in sales and marketing strategy at Fortune 500 technology firms as well as a revenue cycle consultant with hospitals and health care organizations. Graham’s work with youth includes experience as a wilderness therapy field instructor, a current volunteer with incarcerated and low income youth, and Chair of the Board of DC Alliance for Youth Advocates. (2013 to present)

Manica Ramos, is a doctoral candidate at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County and a Senior Research Analyst at Child Trends, Inc. Manica’s areas of expertise and interests include: scale development, research design, program evaluation, parental involvement in education, and indicators of positive youth development. She has extensive experience working and conducting research with underserved minority communities. As an alumnus of many programs which diversify the experiences and improve the lives of low-income inner-city youth, Manica is excited to be on WILL’s Board and is committed to assisting WILL continue to positively impact the life trajectories of its participants. (2012 to present)

WILL thanks with heartfelt gratitude and appreciation the dedication and service of prior members of the WILL Board.

Sandra Baker
Jack Bauer
Steve Best
Cathi Coridan
Ann Emery
Lisa Fitzpatrick
Leah Galvin
Nicole DuPont Latimer
Felda Looper
Mark Ruhe
Dave Starnes