A social worker and educator with extensive experience in secure and community-based settings, Mark Hecker has dedicated his career to serving teenagers with significant academic and social challenges. Following his graduation from Duke University and the University of North Carolina School of Social Work, Mark moved to Washington DC to work with adolescents in the District of Columbia’s foster care system. Due to his high-quality clinical interventions and tireless advocacy, Mark was named the Consortium for Child Welfare’s Outstanding Social Worker of the Year – the youngest person ever given the honor. The idea for Reach Incorporated was born through Hecker’s work with DC youth, so he left social work to gain knowledge as a classroom teacher in a transitional school for students exiting the juvenile prison system.
After working as a classroom teacher, Mark attended Harvard’s Graduate School of Education as a student in the School Leadership Program. At Harvard, he gained the practical and theoretical knowledge necessary to launch Reach Incorporated, which he did in 2009. Since his graduation from Harvard, Mark has led the organization’s innovative after-school program and guided Reach through its first expansion. Recognized by Echoing Green as one of the world’s most promising leaders of early-stage social ventures, Mark has guided Reach to a position of financial strength and organizational promise.
Jusna Perrin – Program Associate for Evaluation & Improvement
Jusna is a 2011 graduate of the University of Massachusetts Commonwealth Honors College. While in college, she lauched FAMUS, an organization aimed at increasing the college completion rates for under-served communities. During the summer of 2010, Jusna was an Intern at DC Public Schools. She worked in both data analysis and program implementation. During her final year at UMass, Jusna completed a Senior Thesis. Her advisor explains, “She examined first the history of public education in the United States, with an emphasis on how its purpose has been articulated, and then the range of current reform movements, their connections and implications for democratic education.” Jusna’s advisor generally works only with graduate students, but was impressed enough with Jusna to work on an undergraduate thesis. The advisor concludes, “Reach Incorporated will be fortunate to have Ms. Perrin’s commitment, critical thinking and work ethic as part of your team and to be the place where she starts what promises to be an active, thoughtful and meaningful career in education.”
Board of Directors
Leslie Adler
Choice Hotels
A strategist and business developer, Leslie brings her corporate experience to our growing nonprofit organization. Ms. Adler will use her experience in strategic planning, business development, and brand management to effectively position our organization in a crowded market. Leslie’s keen business sense will contribute to our conversations about growth planning and program development.
Lanae J. Holmes LICSW
National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
A social worker with experience in clinical work and non-profit administration in the DC Metro Area, she brings with her a full understanding of the issues confronting students in The District. Ms. Holmes will use her knowledge to ensure that Reach, Inc. appropriately addresses social issues to ensure that our students can fully access the academic skills necessary for future success.
Karin Johanson
Dewey Square Group
An experienced leader in the world of electoral politics, Ms. Johanson brings extensive skills in organization building and networking development. Her keen mind and attention to detail will help Reach, Inc. build the organizational support structures necessary for future success.
Dianne Samuelson
Samuelson Educational Consulting, LLC
An educational scholar with expertise in learning challenges, Ms. Samuelson has worked in education as well as management consulting. Ms. Samuelson’s analytical skills and research background will ensure that Reach, Inc.’s growth is driven and supported by the most recent educational research.
Irwin Sentilles
Shady Hill Studios
A professional designer with significant experience in new business development, Mr. Sentilles will provide guidance regarding finance and technology. Mr. Sentilles’ ability to develop creative solutions to design issues will allow Reach, Inc. to create structures with the capacity to handle future growth.
Meghan Walters
CB Richard Ellis
A rising star in the world of commercial real estate, she brings her energy and enthusiasm to Reach, Inc.’s efforts to raise funds and create awareness. In the future, Ms. Walters will assist Reach, Inc. in the procurement of office space, a source of difficulty for many educational non-profits.
Mike Young
Independent Nonprofit Consultant
A seasoned nonprofit professional, Mr. Young brings 25 years of experience in program management and nonprofit administration. His leadership experience with For Love of Children (FLOC) and Hope and a Home will prove valuable in guiding organizational growth and development.
Our Team
Staff
Mark Hecker LICSW, Ed.M – Executive Director
A social worker and educator with extensive experience in secure and community-based settings,
Mark Hecker has dedicated his career to serving teenagers with significant academic and social challenges. Following his graduation from Duke University and the University of North Carolina School of Social Work, Mark moved to Washington DC to work with adolescents in the District of Columbia’s foster care system. Due to his high-quality clinical interventions and tireless advocacy, Mark was named the Consortium for Child Welfare’s Outstanding Social Worker of the Year – the youngest person ever given the honor. The idea for Reach Incorporated was born through Hecker’s work with DC youth, so he left social work to gain knowledge as a classroom teacher in a transitional school for students exiting the juvenile prison system.
After working as a classroom teacher, Mark attended Harvard’s Graduate School of Education as a student in the School Leadership Program. At Harvard, he gained the practical and theoretical knowledge necessary to launch Reach Incorporated, which he did in 2009. Since his graduation from Harvard, Mark has led the organization’s innovative after-school program and guided Reach through its first expansion. Recognized by Echoing Green as one of the world’s most promising leaders of early-stage social ventures, Mark has guided Reach to a position of financial strength and organizational promise.
Jusna Perrin – Program Associate for Evaluation & Improvement
Board of Directors
Leslie Adler
Choice Hotels
A strategist and business developer, Leslie brings her corporate experience to our growing nonprofit organization. Ms. Adler will use her experience in strategic planning, business development, and brand management to effectively position our organization in a crowded market. Leslie’s keen business sense will contribute to our conversations about growth planning and program development.
Lanae J. Holmes LICSW
National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
A social worker with experience in clinical work and non-profit administration in the DC Metro Area, she brings with her a full understanding of the issues confronting students in The District. Ms. Holmes will use her knowledge to ensure that Reach, Inc. appropriately addresses social issues to ensure that our students can fully access the academic skills necessary for future success.
Karin Johanson
Dewey Square Group
An experienced leader in the world of electoral politics, Ms. Johanson brings extensive skills in organization building and networking development. Her keen mind and attention to detail will help Reach, Inc. build the organizational support structures necessary for future success.
Dianne Samuelson
Samuelson Educational Consulting, LLC
An educational scholar with expertise in learning challenges, Ms. Samuelson has worked in education as well as management consulting. Ms. Samuelson’s analytical skills and research background will ensure that Reach, Inc.’s growth is driven and supported by the most recent educational research.
Irwin Sentilles
Shady Hill Studios
A professional designer with significant experience in new business development, Mr. Sentilles will provide guidance regarding finance and technology. Mr. Sentilles’ ability to develop creative solutions to design issues will allow Reach, Inc. to create structures with the capacity to handle future growth.
Meghan Walters
CB Richard Ellis
A rising star in the world of commercial real estate, she brings her energy and enthusiasm to Reach, Inc.’s efforts to raise funds and create awareness. In the future, Ms. Walters will assist Reach, Inc. in the procurement of office space, a source of difficulty for many educational non-profits.
Mike Young
Independent Nonprofit Consultant
A seasoned nonprofit professional, Mr. Young brings 25 years of experience in program management and nonprofit administration. His leadership experience with For Love of Children (FLOC) and Hope and a Home will prove valuable in guiding organizational growth and development.