ThriveDC

Alicia Horton, Executive Director. Thrive DC’s new Executive Director, Alicia Horton, brings 20 years of experience in non-profit management with a special emphasis in public policy, community rehabilitation, crisis response, and social justice. She has a JD from the Columbus School of Law at the Catholic University of America, a MPH from the School of Public Health at Tulane University, and a BS in Microbiology from Howard University. She previously served as Director of Community Mobilization and National Constituencies for the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence and was formerly the Executive Director of Health Education and Enrichment Resources, Inc. Ms. Horton currently serves as Co- Chair of a national non-profit, Teaching for Change, and also sits as the Community Representative on the Institutional Review Board for the Protection of Human Subjects at Howard University.  Fun fact about Ms. Horton: she is an amature potter.

Email: alicia@thrivedc.org

Jessica Macleod, Director of Social Services. Jessica is a native of Delaware and completed a BSW at Salisbury University in Maryland.   After college she joined the Peace Corps and worked with health and sanitization issues in Paraguay.  Upon returning to the US she earned a MSW at Boston University where she began her work with homeless individuals as the manager of a family shelter program in a women’s shelter in Cambridge, MA.   In Wilmington, DE, Jessica managed a drop in center for the homeless and was a therapist in the Delaware Correctional System.  Since living in the DC area, Jessica has been a director of a homeless services program that offered case management, housing, and health and mental health services.  Jessica enjoys warm weather and spends many weekends at the beaches in Delaware with her family.

Email: Jessica@thrivedc.org

Abra Lyons-Warren, Employment Specialist Case Manager. Abra has been passionate about hunger and homeless issues since high school, working on them in St. Louis, Boston, and Anacostia.  She received her BA in sociology and women and gender studies from Brandeis University, with a minor in journalism.  As the Employment Specialist Case Manager, Abra is excited to assist Thrive DC clients with a variety of employment related issues including resumes, cover letters, interview prep, computer skills, job searching, and employment workshops.  Most days, you can find Abra munching on something sweet.

Email: abra@thrivedc.org

Trenett Smith, P.M. Coordinator/Case Manager. Trenett is Thrive DC’s P.M. Program Coordinator and Case Manager.  She has been in the mental health and social services fields for the past 11 years, specializing in homeless, mentally ill, physically disabled, and aging populations.  Trenett also brings experience in crisis intervention, case management, housing, and group counseling. Most recently, she served as a Residential Counselor for Angel Watch Shelter of the Catholic Charities where she worked with homeless victims of domestic violence.  She also gained clinical social work skills during her employment as a Social Worker’s Assistant with Bradford Oaks Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Clinton, MD. In her free time, she enjoys listening to music.

Email: trenett@thrivedc.org

Liz Evancho, Development Manager. Elizabeth Evancho joined Thrive DC in 2007.  Although originally from Buffalo, New York, Liz has considered herself a Washingtonian since 2003.  Liz received her BA in Communications, Legal Institutions, Economics, and Government (CLEG), as well as certification in Advanced Leadership Studies from American University, and she is currently working on an M.P.A. at American University.  Liz has experience working both within the federal government and also with grassroots non-profit organizations.   As the Development Coordinator, Liz works closely with the Executive Director to ensure future funding for Thrive DC.  To relieve stress, Liz loves to tap dance, an activity she has enjoyed for the last 18 years.

Email: development@thrivedc.org

Nathan Mishler, Community and Volunteer Resources Coordinator. Nathan joins the Thrive DC team as the Community and Volunteer Resources Coordinator.  He received his B.S. from Eastern Mennonite University in Business Administration with a minor in Bible and Religion.  Nathan’s roles at Thrive DC include managing volunteers, recruiting in-kind donations, managing community relations, and collaborating on event planning.  Nathan brings experience in coordinating volunteers, public outreach, and special event planning from his work with DC SCORES, a large DC-based youth development program.   He enjoys engaging and interacting with the community through Thrive DC.   In his free time, you can find Nathan outdoors, playing various sports, and spending time with friends.

Email: volunteer@thrivedc.org

Greg Byrd, Security Officer. Greg Byrd is Thrive DC’s Security Officer. He comes to Thrive DC with two years of experience as a security professional. At Grambling State University and Texas Southern University, Mr. Byrd studied biology and was a member of both universities’ football teams. Although he was born in Atlanta, Mr. Byrd grew up in DC. When he’s not keeping the peace at Thrive DC, he loves to work out, bike, and go fishing.

Email: security@thrivedc.org