Mark Hecker

Executive Director

Since its launch in 2009, Mark has been the Executive Director at Reach. His background in social work provided him with extensive experience in secure and community-based settings, working primarily with teens who face social and academic challenges. With a bachelor’s degree from Duke University, and master’s degrees in social work and education from the University of North Carolina and Harvard University, respectively, Mark’s efforts in the community have not gone unnoticed. Formerly the D.C. Social Worker of the Year, he has been recognized by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and the Aspen Institute. 

Devery Manier, Jr.

Site Manager: Anacostia, Eastern

Devery is the Site Manager at Anacostia and Eastern. An Ohio native and Bowling Green State University alumnus, he has worked with organizations such as City Year and Faunteroy Community Enrichment Center, encouraging youth to succeed in both academics and social/emotional development. Devery is passionate about educating youth and helping them understand that life has many directions; it’s up to them to choose their path. He aspires to create a space where youth--especially those that identify as black and brown boys--can flourish and be themselves without societal constraints.

Suling Miller

Deputy Director for Development

Suling brings over ten years of fundraising experience to her role as the Deputy Director for Development.  She is responsible for leading all of Reach's fundraising efforts, including writing grants, managing special events, and engaging donors.  Prior to joining Reach, Suling honed her fundraising skills at Food & Friends, the National Kidney Foundation, and HandsOn Bay Area, where she also gained extensive experience working with volunteers.  Originally from Southern California, Suling is a graduate of Wellesley College.

Kenya Johnson

Site Manager: Beacon House, Coolidge, Dunbar

Kenya is the Site Manager at Beacon House, Coolidge, and Dunbar. A graduate of Howard University, she holds a BS in Community Health Education. Through her work, she has developed a love of program development and program evaluation, and she enjoys using data to make informed programming decisions. Kenya brings skills in system management and leadership development, and she values the importance of building trust to enrich communities. It is her hope to empower Reach’s teen tutors and program instructors and to help them identify their why, act with intention, and actualize their potential. 

Akailah Jenkins McIntyre

Deputy Director for Programs

Prior to joining the team as the Deputy Director for Programs, Akailah served as a contributor and co-author on education research projects and taught at public high schools in Baltimore and the district. More recently, she served as the Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at independent girls' schools. Akailah is a graduate of Vanderbilt University, where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology and American Studies and a Master of Education Degree in Learning, Diversity & Urban Studies. She is currently enrolled in a doctoral program at the University of Southern California. Akailah is passionate about youth activism, and is particularly interested in fostering environments where Black girls feel like their most authentic selves.

Charles Walker

Charles joined Reach as a Site Manager for Ballou and H.D. Woodson in August 2019. Most recently he served as a Program Coordinator with Urban Alliance D.C, where he strengthened his skills in case management, team collaboration and facilitation. Charles also has experience as a Baltimore City Public School teacher and tutor with Life Pieces to Masterpieces through American University's DC Reads Program. As a Site Manager, Charles's goal is to provide intentional support to students, Reach's Program Instructors, our school partners and the community at-large. Charles graduated from American University with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a minor in Education Studies.