June 7, 2023
Dear Chairman Mendelson:
ser
MURIEL BOWSER
MAYOR
Enclosed you will find biographical information detailing the experience of Ms. Habimana,
together with a proposed resolution to assist the Council during the confirmation process.
I would appreciate the Council’s earliest consideration of this nomination for confirmation.
Please do not hesitate to contact me, or Steven Walker, Director, Mayor’s Office of Talent and
Appointments, should the Council require additional information.
In accordance with section 2 of the Confirmation Act of 1978, effective March 3, 1979 (D.C.
Law 2-142; D.C. Official Code § 1-523.01), and pursuant to section 4 of the Commission on the
Arts and Humanities Act, effective October 21, 1975 (D.C. Law 1-22; D.C. Official Code §
39-203), I am pleased to nominate the following person:
The Honorable Phil Mendelson
Chairman
Council of the District of Columbia
John A. Wilson Building
1350Pennsylvania Avenue,NW, Suite 504
Washington, DC 20004
*
for appointment as a member with specific interest, ability or experience in arts or humanities
education, replacing Mary Ann Miller, to serve the remainder of an unexpired term ending June
30, 2025.
Ms. Cecily Habimana
Hansberry Court, NE
Washington, DC 20018
(Ward 5)
Sine j
Mur si Bo A PROPOSED RESOLUTION
IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia confirms the appointment of:
as a member with specific interest, ability or experience in arts or humanities education of the
Commission on the Arts and Humanities, established by section 4 of the Commission on the Arts29
and Humanities Act, effective October 21, 1975 (D.C. Law 1-22; D.C. Official Code § 39-203),30
replacing Mary Ann Miller, to serve the remainder of an unexpired term ending June 30, 2025.31
Sec. 3. The Council of the District of Columbia shall transmit a copy of this resolution,32
upon its adoption, to the nominee and to the Office of the Mayor.33
Sec. 4. This resolution shall take effect immediately.34
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To confirm the appointment of Ms. Cecily Habimana to the Commission on the Arts and
Humanities.
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this
resolution may be cited as the “Commission on the Arts and Humanities Cecily Habimana
Confirmation Resolution of 2023”.
Ms. Cecily Habimana
Hansberry Court, NE
Washington, DC 20018
(Ward 5)
Chairman Phil Mendelson
at the request of the Mayor CECILY STEWART HABIMANA
EXPERIENCE
Mount Rainier, MD
July 2017 to present
Washington, DC
February 2013 to June 2019
ATLAS PERFORMING ARTS CENTER Washington, D. C.
Manager of Institutional and Major Gfts February 2011 to J une 2015
• Prepare foundation, government and corporate proposals and reports that has resulted in more
than S500,000 in support annually
• Manage a portfolio of 30 major donors and prospects
• Prepare various correspondence to institutional donors and prospects and coordinate follow
up activities
• Support the Executive Director and Director of Development in identifying and cultivating
relationships with donors and other potential supporters
• Manage deadlines and other responsibilities in Donor Perfect and Patron Manager
SIMPLY CECILY
Fashion Designer
• Design a women's clothing featuring a fall and spring collection
• Oversee production of all merchandise and customized clothing lines
• Produce and participate in various trunk shows and fashion shows throughout the US
• Manage relationships with stakeholders
MCNEIL CREATIVE ENTERPRISES Arlington, VA
Creative Development -Advisor May 2019 to Sept 2022
• Consult with arts organizations to help reinvigorate program operations and ignite growth that will
drive engagement of tire arts in communities
• Create development assessments for arts organizations that includes identifying prospect funders and
creating funding calendars and plans
• Develop strategies and timeline for increasing an organization’s donor base
UNIVERSITY OF MARATLAND College Park, MD
Assistant Director of Institutional Giving July 2015 to July 2019
• Manage corporate, government agency, and foundation fundraising activities of The Clarice
Smith Performing Arts Center, School of Music and School of Theatre, Dance and
Performance Studies
• Develop strategic plans to increase grant funding for Tire Clarice’s operations and any related
program pertaining to the performing arts at die University
• Support advocacy for die performing arts sector at the state and local level
• Conduct and coordinate research of potential funding sources; manage proposal writing and
submission process
• Solicit gifts from institutional prospects; secure grants and corporate sponsorships
• Steward and manage communication with current institutional funders
SEW CREATIVE LOUNGE
Chief Executive Officer/ Owner
• Set company vision and goals
• Manage a staff of 12 employees and contractors in order to motivate them to attain team goals
• Create an environment that promotes great performance and positive morale
• Oversee tire company’s fiscal activity, including budgeting and reporting OTHER PROJECTS
Shange Dance Productions (2008) and Digitally Innovative, LLC (2004) Consulted with both
businesses to determine the most appropriate legal structure. Prepared business formation documents
including the Articles of Incorporation and IRS Form SS-4. Also filed the Application for Recognition of
Exemption - Section 501(c)(3) for Shange Dance Productions.
Compass Consulting Project - Howard University School of Communications - September 2010
to June 2012 Worked with a team of consultants to develop a 3-5 year strategic plan which identified
initiatives that would bring a substantial amount of major resources to support the development of stellar
students.
Sustainable Tourism Development Consulting Project in Guatemala — May to June 2009 Consulted
with the Guatemalan tourism commission to develop marketing strategies in order to increase tourism to
Lake Atitlan, Guatemala. Analyzed 45 websites of similar destinations to identify best practices resulting in
the creation of a mock website. Made presentations and wrote final report for the tourism commission.
Washington DC
August 2007 to June 2011
THE DANCE INSTITUTE OF WASHINGTON Washington, D C.
Assistant to the Artistic Director June 2005 to August 2007
• Managed business affairs for The Washington Reflections Dance Company including negotiated and
wrote contracts for company dancers and guest choreographers, organized transportation and
coordinated the company rehearsal/performance schedule
• Formulated project budgets and organized logistics for single and multi-city tours
• Developed marketing materials for the professional company including press kit, performance
proposals and promotional videos
Planned Giving Program at Strathmore Hall in Bethesda, MD — January — May 2009 Researched
and analyzed planned giving programs of nonprofit organizations and made recommendations on ways to
increase awareness and contributions to the Strathmore Hall Planned Giving program. Also, created new
marketing materials for print and web.
SENEGALESE AMERICAN BILINGUAL SCHOOL Senegal, West Africa
Business Consultant/Teaching fellowship December 2009 to July 2010
• Taught American studies and English classes in primary, secondary and high school
• Developed curriculum for American studies courses for the American primary school program and
Science Vocabulary courses for the French high school program
• Developed a marketing plan for the school's new Environmental Science Station in Senegal
GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
Admissions Counselor — School of Nursing
Executive Coordinator- Clinical Management Cy Leadership Dept.
• Academically advised over 300 graduate students in the Clinical Research Administration Program
• with information regarding curriculum, course requirements, University policies and procedures,
and graduation clearance
• Managed data of a research trial by managing involved staff and established audit procedures to
ensure accurate data
• Developed database and virtual filing systems to transition the department from a traditional filing
system to a paperless department which improved overall efficiency and workflow
• Coordinated the application process for the School of Nursing with over 500 applicants BOARD MEMBERSHIPS/PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
EDUCATION
INTEREST
Sewing, crafting, fluent in French, dance (specifically ballet, salsa and West African dance) and travel.
Kankouran West African Dance Company in Washington DC - August to December 2009
Developed and implemented an annual appeal fundraising program to solicit the organization’s
constituents.
HOWARD UNIVERSITY, School of Business
Bachelor of Business Administration, Management
Washington D.C.
December 2009
Washington D.C
December 2004
GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY, School of Business
Masters of Business Administration
Member of Nsaa Dance Ensemble Advisory Board 2005 to 2010
Assistant Secretary of the Atlas Performing Arts Center Board of Directors 2012 to 2014
Member of the National Black MBA Association - Washington DC Chapter 2007 to 2011
Member of Young Nonprofit Professionals Network 2008 to 2012
Member of 2472 Alabama Ave Condominium Association 2007 to 2011
Member of Hunter Dance Theatre Advisory Board 2007 to 2010 Cecily Habimana
From 2005 to 2007, Cecily served as the Assistant to the Artistic Director of the Dance Institute
of Washington, where she managed their professional dance company. It was in this position that
she was inspired to obtain her MBA with a concentration in nonprofit management from George
Washington University. Following her passion in dance and desire to speak French fluently, she
accepted a teaching fellowship in Senegal, West Africa in 2010. Additionally over the years,
Cecily has worked as a consultant for organizations such as Howard University School of
Communications, Guatemalan Tourism Commission and Kankouran West African Dance
Company. These projects have rounded out her understanding of the nonprofit sector and allowed
her to utilize her skills in other ways.
A Ward 5 resident, Ms. Habimana received a M.B.A. from George Washington University and a
Bachelor of Business Administration from Howard University.
Executive Office of the Mayor - Office of Talent and Appointments
John A. Wilson Building | 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, Suite 600 | Washington, DC 20004
Cecily Habimana is founder and owner of
Simply Cecily, a contemporary women’s
clothing line that fuses African fabrics with
an American aesthetic. The line is known for
its use of rich vibrant fabrics and amazing
silhouettes, representing a lot of women
today who want to express their true selves
through their clothing.
★ ★ ★
WE ARE
WASHINGTON
Ms. Habimana formerly served as Assistant
Director of Institutional Giving for The
Clarice Smith Perfonning Arts Center at the
University of Maryland, College Park, where she was responsible for the center’s corporate,
government agency and foundation fundraising activities and the performing arts schools that
partner with The Clarice during the academic year. She also served as Manager of Institutional
and Major Gifts at Atlas Performing Arts Center, where she managed a comprehensive portfolio
of foundation and government donors who supported annual operations and programs. Prior to
that, she was an Executive Coordinator and Admissions Counselor at George Washington
University's School of Medicine and Health Sciences. Elizabeth A. (Betsy) Cavendish
To:
From:
Date:
Subject:
Office of the General Counsel to the Mayor
GOVERNMENT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Executive Office of Mayor Muriel Bowser
★ ★ ★
WE ARE
Tommy Wells, Steve Walker
Betsy Cavendish
March 6, 2023
Legal sufficiency review of Resolutions nominating Maggie Fitzpatrick, Cecily
Habimana, Carla Sims, and Hector Torres as members of the Commission on the
Arts and Humanities
This is to Certify that this office has reviewed the above-referenced resolutions and
found them to be legally unobjectionable. If you have any questions in this regard, please do not
hesitate to call Vanessa Careiro, Deputy General Counsel, Executive Office of the Mayor, at
202-724-1303, or me at 202-724-7681.
The John A. Wilson Building • 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Suite 300 • Washington, D.C. 20004 ■ Office (202) 724-7681