The American Experience Foundation benefits from the support of the entire Destination DC team and professionals at its 1,000 member businesses.
AEF Board of Directors
Chair - Michael Akin, President, LINK Strategic Partners
Vice Chair - Greg Casten, Co-Chair, President, Oceanpro Industries
Secretary - Gail Smith-Howard, General Manager, Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill
Treasurer - Stacy Eacho Smith, Associate Director for the Division of State Initiatives, DC Department of Employment Services
At-Large Members
Nizam Ali, Co-Owner, Ben's Chili Bowl
Lajja Ashar, Area Manager (Boston, DC, Charlotte), Booking.com
Michael Borris, Director of Global Accounts, Encore
Jake de Boer, DC Area Account Lead, Booking.com
Elliott L. Ferguson, II, President & CEO, Destination DC
Abby Himmelrich, Teacher, McLean School
Tanisha Lewis, Vice President for Diversity, Inclusion and Social Impact, Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority
James MacGregor, VP Local Markets, American City Business Journals, Inc
John McDonnell, President, Clyde’s Restaurant Group
Thomas Penny, President, Donohoe Hospitality Services
Michael Riley, General Manager, Big Bus Tours DC
AEF Student Advisory Board
Lauren Brown, Howard University Class of 2022
Jazzmen Morant, Howard University Class of 2024
Zoe Roberts, George Mason University Class of 2022
JP Roberts, Wilson High School Class of 2022
Anura Sharma, Columbia Heights Educational Campus Class of 2022
AEF Staff
Claire Carlin
Executive Director, American Experience Foundation
VP, Partnerships & Alliances, Destination DC
202-789-7048
[email protected]
Lisa Waldschmitt
Senior Foundation Manager
202-789-7065
[email protected]
Christen Miller
Partnerships Manager
202-789-7009
[email protected]