MURIEL BOWSER
MAYOR
J
anuary 02, 2024
The Hon
orable P hil Mendelson
C
hairman
Council of the District o
f Columbia
J
ohn A. Wilson Building
1
350 Pennsylvania A venue, NW, Suite 50 4
Wa
shington, DC 20004
Dear Chairman Mendelson:
In
accordance wit h section 2 o f the Con firmation Act o f 1978, effective March 3 , 1979 (D.C . Law 2-
1
42; D.C. Official C ode§ 1-523.01), and p ursuant to se ction 4 o f the Homeless S ervices R eform Act
o
f 2005, e ffective October 22, 200 5 (D.C. Law 16-35; D.C. Official Cod e§ 4-752.01), I a m pleased
to nominate t
he following person:
Ms
. Karen C unningham
Kenyon Street, NW
Washington, D
C 20010
(Wa
rd 1)
fo
r appointment as a representative of an adv ocacy organization for the Dis trict's home less population
m
ember o f the Interagency Coun cil on H omelessness, fil ling a va cant seat previously hel d by J.
Chapman Tod
d, for a term to end May 1, 2 025.
En
closed you will find biographical i nformation deta iling the experience of t he above-me ntioned
no
minee, together with a proposed resolution to a ssist the Council d uring the confi rmation process.
I would appr
eciate the Council' s earliest consideration of this n omination for confirmation. Pl ease
do not
hesitate to contact me, or S teven Walker, Director, M ayor's Office of Talent and
A
ppointments, should the Council require addit ional i nformation. 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
airman Phil Mendelson
at the request
of the Mayor
A PROPOSED RESOLUTION
IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
13 To confirm the appointment of Ms. Karen Cunningham to the Interagency Council on
14 Homelessness.
15
16 RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this
17 resolution may be cited as the "Interagency Council on Homelessness Karen Cunningham
18 Confirmation Resolution of 2024".
19
20 Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia confirms the appointment of:
21
22
23
24
25
26
Ms. Karen Cunningham
Kenyon Street, NW
Washington,
DC 20010
(Ward
1)
27 as a representative of an advocacy organization for the District's homeless population member of
28 the Interagency Council on Homelessness, pursuant to section 4 of the Homeless Services
29 Reform Act of 2005, effective October 22, 2005 (D.C. Law 16-35; D.C. Official Code§ 4-
30 752.01 ), filling a vacant seat previously held by J. Chapman Todd, for a term to end May 1,
31 2025.
32 Sec. 3. The Council of the District of Columbia shall transmit a copy of this resolution,
33 upon its adoption, to the nominee and to the Office of the Mayor.
34 Sec. 4. This resolution shall take effect immediately.
35 KarenE.Cunningham,Esq.
HHKenyonstrect,NWI©Washington,DC20010«A »a
Experience
EveryoneHomeDC Washington,DC
ExecutiveDirector Nov.2013-Present
*LeadershipandManagement.Motivateanddevelopprofessionalmanagementteam;hire,superviseand
evaluatestaff;coordinateworkwiththeBoardofDirectors,volunteers,andpartnerorganizations.
+Fundraising.Overseeallfunddevelopmenteffortsincludinggovernmentcontracting,foundationfundraising,
individualdonorcultivation,andspecialevents;managedonorstewardshipefforts.
+FiscalManagement.Developandmanageannualbudgetandfinancialreports,maintainfinancialcontrols,
superviseexternalbookkeeper,andcoordinateannualauditandpreparationoftaxfilings.
+StrategicPlanningandExecution,DevelopandexecuteannualactionplansinconjunctionwiththeBoardof
Directorstoimplementtheorganization'sstrategicplan.Workwithstafftodevelophigh-quality,culturally
competent,client-centered,andinnovativeprogramsandservicestomeettheneedsofhomelessindividualsand
familiesintheDistrictofColumbiaandpursuetheeliminationofhomelessnessintheDistrictofColumbia.
EqualJusticeWorks Washington,DC
Consultant,FederalPrograms&StrategicInitiatives ‘Aug-Nov.2013
‘+AssistwithmanagementoftheEqualJusticeWorksAmeriCorpsLegalFellowshipProgramservinghomeless
andlow-incomeveterans,militaryfamilies,anddisastervictims.Recruitpresentersandorganizeworkshopsfor
LeadershipDevelopmentTraining.Preparetrainingcurriculaongrantmanagementandcomplianceissues.
+Updateweb-basedpublicrelationsmaterialstoreflectchangesinprogrammingforlawstudentvolunteers
participatinginAmeriCorpJD.
*Createoutreach“toolkit”forfellowsandvolunteersconductingoutreachtohomelessandlow-incomeveterans.
+AssistinthemanagementandgrantreportingfortheIllinoisForeclosureFellowshipsProgramandthePublic
DefenderCorps.
‘TheNationalLawAidandDefenderAssociation(NLADA) Washington,DC
Consultant,CivilLegalServices Aug.-Nov.2013
+Workwithnationalexpertstoorganizeworkshopsoncutting-edgeissuesinlegalservicesforNLADA’s
AnnualConference.
‘+EnsuretimelysubmissiontoNLADAofworkshopinformationandtrainingmaterials.Assistconference
planningteamwithstayingontaskandondeadline.
TheNationalLawCenteronHomelessness&Poverty Washington,DC
LegalDirector 2010-2013
*ProgramManagement.ProvidedvisionanddirectiontotheLawCenter'simpactlitigation,publiceducation,
andpolicyinitiatives.Ledprogramplanning,workingcloselywithseniormanagementteamtoensureLawand
PolicyDepartmentgoalswerecoordinatedwithotherdepartments”goalsandimplementedoverall
‘organizationalobjectives.Supervisedstafftodevelopandimplementindividualworkplansnecessaryto
achievedepartmentgoals.Createdandimplementedevaluationprocessesandreportedregularlyonprogress
‘againstgoals.Identifiedandpursuedopportunitiesforprogramgrowth.Effectivelyleveragedprobonosupport
toadvancelawandpolicygoals.Establishedandmaintainedinternalpoliciesandprocedures.Workedclosely
withDevelopmentandCommunicationsDirectortoshapefundingrequests,preparegrantreports,andpursue
mediaandcommunicationsstrategiestoincreasevisibilityandachieveorganizationalobjectives.Workedwith OperationsDirectortodevelopprogramandorganizationalbudgets.ParticipatedinandassistedExecutive
DirectorinpreparingformeetingsoftheBoardofDirectorsandtheBoard’sStrategicPlanningCommittee.
Servedontheseniormanagementteam.
‘+SupervisionofLegal&PolicyStaff.Providedleadership,supervision,andsupporttoalllawandpolicystaffin
‘arangeoflitigationmatters,publiceducationprojects,andlocal,nationalandinternationalpolicyinitiatives
relatingtothecivilandhumanrightsofpeoplewhoarehomeless,theeducationrightsofhomelesschildren,
housingprotectionsfordomesticviolencesurvivors,therightsoftenantslivinginforeclosedproperties,and
federalsurpluspropertyprograms.Cultivatedacultureofexcellence,integrity,creativityandcollegiality.
‘Attendedtojobsatisfactionandprofessionaldevelopment,andevaluatedstaffperformance.Managed
recruitment,hiring,andorientationofnewstaff,andthesmoothexitsofdepartingstaff.Activelyparticipatedin
therecruitment,hiring,andorientationofdirectorlevelstaff.
*Education&Training.RepresentedtheLawCenteratoutsidemeetingsandconferencesandtolocal,national
andinternationalprofessionalnetworks.Participatedinconferenceplanningandservedasamoderatorand
‘traineratnationalandinternationalconferences.Providedvision,guidanceandeditorialsupporttothe
developmentandproductionofreportsandtrainingmaterials.
2009-2010
DirectorofProBono
+ProgramManagement.DirectedandexpandedProBonoProgram.Cultivatedandnurturedpartnershipswith
‘majorlawfirmsandcorporatelegaldepartments.Maintainedregularcommunicationwithlawfirms,public
interestlawgroups,individualattorneys,andfunders.Workedwithstafftoinitiate,develop,andsupportpro
bonoprojects.Maintainedandimprovedprobonodatabase,andreportingmechanisms.Plannedandfacilitated
probonorecognitionandotherspecialevents.WorkedwithExecutiveDirector,DevelopmentManagerand
BoardofDirectorstocreateandimplementinitiativestomaintainandincreaselawfirmfinancialsupport.
*SupervisionofLegal&PolicyStaff.Recruited,hired,andsupervisedfellowsandinterns.
+Education&Training.Presentedatlawfirms,conferences,andothervenuestogainsupportforLawCenter
projects.Servedasamoderatorandtraineratconferencesonprobonoservicesandlegalassistancetothepoor.
WomenEmpoweredAgainstViolence,Inc.(WEAVE) Washington,DC
DirectorofLegalServices 2006-2009
*ProgramManagement.Directeddomesticviolence,familylawandimmigrationpractice.Assistedwith
fundraisinganddevelopment.Managedgovernmentandfoundationgrantsandbudgets.Preparedgrantreports
andcommunicatedwithfunders.CollaboratedwithWEAVE’scourt-based,counseling,andeducation
programsconsistentwithourmissiontoprovideholisticservices.ProvidedleadershipasmemberofWEAVE"s
seniormanagementteam.Strengthenedprograminfrastructurebyimplementingnewpoliciesandprocedures,
improvingdatamanagement,andusingtechnologyeffectively.Increasedprogramcapacitybydevelopingone
ofthepremierprobonoprogramsintheDCarea,generatingnearly$2millionperyearinin-kindservicesto
WEAVEandourclients.Addressedunmetneedsbyexpandingintonewandinnovativepracticeareas.
+Supervision.Managedstaffofnineandnumerousvolunteerinternsandattorneys.Supervisedstaffon
casework,systemicadvocacy,andsupervisionofotherstaff.Conductedperformanceevaluationsandworked
withstafftodevelopprogramandperformancegoals.Assistedstaffinidentifyingandpursuingprofessional
developmentopportunities.Mentoredprobonoattorneysandprovidedtechnicalassistanceontheircasesand
researchprojects.
+LegalRepresentation.Providedlegaladviceandreferralsinwalk-inclinics.Supervisedprobonoattorneys
whostaffednearly100cliniesperyear.Supervisedstaffattorneysincourtandstoodinforhearings,as
necessary.
‘+Education&Training.Oversawcreationoftrainingcurriculaandeducationalmaterialsinnewpracticeareas
andtheimprovementofprobonoattomeytrainingsprovidedtomorethan350volunteerlawyersannually.
Developedandpresentedtrainingsondomesticviolence,teendatingviolence,andfamilylawinlocaland
nationalforums.
*Policy&SystemicAdvocacy.Pursuedlawandpolicyreformtoimproveaccesstojustice,services,andlegal
protectionsfordomesticviolencesurvivors.Createdworkinggroupthatdraftedlegislationtoextendlegal
rightsandprotectionstoteensurvivorsandcreateaccountabilityforteenperpetratorsinage-appropriateways.
Workedwithavarietyofstakeholderstonegotiatetermsofintroducedbillandamendmentspriortopassage
Director,TeenDatingViolenceProgram 2003-2006
EqualJusticeWorks(formerlyNAPIL)Fellow 2001-2003
‘+ProgramManagement.FoundedWEAVE'sTeenDatingViolenceProgramandprovidedlocalandnational
leadershipontheprovisionoflegalservicestoteensurvivors.CoordinatedservicesforteensacrossWEAVE’s
programs,Grewprogramtoincludemultiplestaffprovidinglegal,counseling,andeducationalservicesto
thousandsofteensandadultseachyear.Managedbudgetandgrantreporting.
‘+Supervision.Hired,trained,andsupervisedprogramstaff,interns,andprobonoattorneysoncasework,
systemicadvocacyprojects,andoutreachandeducationactivities.
+LegalRepresentation.Representedteensurvivorsofdatingviolenceincivilprotectionorder,divorce,custody
andchildsupportcases.Advocatedforclientsinrelatedcriminalandjuvenilejusticeproceedings.
+Education&Training.Creatededucationalmaterialsandcurricula.Conductedlocalandnationalworkshops,
trainings,andconferencesforteensandyouthservicesproviders,teachers,police,andothers,Servedonthe
ABA’sTeenDatingViolencePreventionInitiativeNationalAdvisoryBoard.
+Policy&SystemicAdvocacy.Ledlawandpolicyreformefforttoensureteens”accesstolegalprotection,
datingviolenceeducation,shelter,andcounseling
DistrictofColumbiaConsortiumofLegalServicesProviders Washington,DC
Co-Chair 2008-2009
*PartneredwithmemberorganizationstoestablishConsortiumagendaconsistentwithitsmissiontocoordinate
thedelivery,expandtheavailability,andimprovethequalityoflegalservicesandadvocacyforpoorand
disadvantagedpeopleandgroupsofpeopleintheDistrictofColumbia.Providedleadershiptomove
Consortiumagendaforward.
+RepresentedConsortiumandmemberorganizationstotheDistrictofColumbiaCourts,Council,Mayor's
Officeexecutiveagencies,AccesstoJusticeCommission;andthemedia.
+SupervisedConsortiumcoordinatorandfacilitatedConsortiummeetings.
Education
GeorgetownUniversityLawCenter,Washington,DC
JD,magnacumlaude,May2001
Honors:FrederickB.AbramsonMemorialFoundation2001PublicServiceFellowshipAward
ElectedtotheOrderoftheCoif,
Dean’sCertificateforoutstandingservicetotheLawCentercommunity
Clinic:DomesticViolenceClinic,CertifiedLawStudent,Jan.1999-May2000
*Representeddomesticviolencesurvivorsincivilprotectionordercases.
Journal:‘TheGeorgetownJoumalofGenderandtheLaw,foundingmember
*Co-Author,ViolenceAgainstWomenAct,1GEO.J.GENDER&L.711(2000)
Activities:EqualJusticeFoundation,BoardMember,2000-2001
‘SexualAssaultandHarassmentPolicyDevelopmentStudent-FacultyCommittee,Member1999-2001
Women’sLegalAlliance,Co-Chair1999-2000,Member1998-2001
‘TheUniversityofMichigan,AnnArbor,Michigan
BA,withHighDistinction,inSociologyandWomen’sStudies,HonorsProgram,May1998 kkke
WEARE
Wasmncron
aj
ExecutiveOfficeoftheMayor-Mayor’sOfficeofTalentandAppointments
JohnA.WilsonBuilding|1350PennsylvaniaAvenue,Suite600|Washington,DC20004
KarenCunningham
KarenCunninghamhasbeentheExecutiveDirectorofEveryone
HomeDCsince2013.Ms.Cunningham’sleadershiphasgrown
EveryoneHomeDC’sbudgetfromslightlyunder$1millionto
nearly$3million,morethandoublingthenumberoffamiliesand
individualsserved.Sherecentlyledtheorganizationthrougha
racialequityassessmentandtheCOVID-19pandemic,which
requiredadjustingalmosteveryaspectofservice-deliveryand
organizationaloperations.PriortothepandemicMs.Cunningham
ledaninclusive,ambitious,andrewardingstrategicplanningand
rebrandingprocess.Additionally,Ms.Cunningham’sforesight
wasinstrumentalinEveryoneHomeDC’sselectionasoneofonly
fourorganizationstolaunchtheDistrict’sFamilyHomelessness
PreventionProgram;creatingtheinnovativevolunteerstreet
outreachopportunity-HomelessAssistanceResponseTeam
(HART);andrefreshingthefocusofEveryoneHomeDC’s
systemicadvocacyworktocenterthevoicesofpeopleexperiencinghomelessness.Notably,Ms.
Cunningham’sfavoriteaccomplishmentatEveryoneHomeDChasbeenbuildingahealthy,
collaborative,andsupportiveorganizationalculturewithanexceptionalteamoftalentedand
compassionateindividuals.
PriortoEveryoneHomeDC,Ms.CunninghamwasapracticinglawyerthatworkedatWomen
EmpoweredAgainstViolence(WEAVE).AtWEAVE,shetirelesslyrepresentedteenandadult
survivorsofdomesticviolenceinprotectionorder,familylaw,andimmigrationmatters.Shelater
movedontoTheNationalLawCenteronHomelessnessandPovertywheresheledimpact
litigationandpolicyworkonbehalfofpeopleexperiencinghomelessness,particularlyaroundthe
criminalizationofhomelessnessandothercivilandhumanrightsmatters,andhomelesschildren’s
educationrights.
AWard1resident,Ms.CunninghamearedherBachelorofArtsinSociologyandWomen’s
StudiesfromtheUniversityofMichiganandherJurisDoctorfromGeorgetownUniversity. GOVERNMENTOFTHEDISTRICTOFCOLUMBIA
ExecutiveOfficeofMayorMurielBowser
kk
WEARE
WASHINGTON
al
OfficeoftheGeneralCounseltotheMayor
TommyWells,SteveWalker
BetsyCavendish
September20,2023
LegalsufficiencyreviewofResolutionsnominating9membersoftheInteragency
CouncilonHomelessness
ThisistoCertifythatthisofficehasreviewedtheabove-referencedresolutionsand
foundthemtobelegallyunobjectionable.Ifyouhaveanyquestionsinthisregard,pleasedonot
hesitatetocallErikaSatterlee,DeputyGeneralCounsel,ExecutiveOfficeoftheMayor,at202-
724-1303,ormeat202-724-7681
Opensnt
izabethA.(Betsy)Cavendish
‘TheohnAWilsonBuilding»1350PennsylvaniaAvenueNW>Suite300+Washingion,DC20000+Office(202)724-7681