Connecting is important — to meet new people, to learn new things, to get to know more about professions you might be interested in, and possibly even to help you gain an internship or job. Sit down in small, group settings with top, area professionals to learn more about their professions and career path.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Stefanie Thomas, Managing Director of Zeal Capital Partner, a mission-driven, venture capital firm based in Washington, D.C. that aims to bridge the wealth, skills, and opportunity gaps that exist in this country. Zeal invests in early-stage technology businesses with diverse management teams and a focus on education, employment pathways, financial wellness, and health equity. Stefanie is responsible for spearheading the firm's strategic growth in pre-seed investments. She oversees the firm’s expanded commitment to Inclusive Investing™ with a goal to propel the next generation of Black-led companies by providing critical early-stage capital and support to select high-growth technology companies. Stefanie is a Potomac School alum.

PANELISTS

Jacob Aladejobi, VP of Technology Operations, JP Morgan Chase, where he provides strategy and support to the Global Technology department while participating in student recruitment, interviewing & speaking engagements at partner universities and organizations. Prior to JP Morgan Chase, Jacob was a student and employee at Howard University. As an IT Supervisor for Desktop Operations, he led a team of engineers providing support across the campus and Tech Liaison for executives in the University. He spearheaded multiple campus-wide projects, bringing transformation and impact. 
Jacob majored in computer science at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University and has an MBA from Howard University. 

LinDon Harris, Director of Transactions, Inspiration Mobility.  Inspiration is the world's first purpose-built investment and asset management platform exclusively focused on accelerating the electrification of transportation in North America. LinDon leads pricing, structuring, and fundamental credit analysis for electric vehicle leasing and charging infrastructure opportunities to achieve targeted, risk-adjusted financial returns. As part of his job he also drafts, reviews, and presents structured financial models, investor pitch decks, term sheets, and other tools and documentation to facilitate asset-level and corporate capital raising efforts. LinDon attended Sidwell Friends School and Columbia University, where he was a defensive end on the football team.

Macharva Housley, Talent Development Director, Boston Consulting Group.  For BCG, Macharva drives complex strategic and operational processes for performance and development functions, partners with employee leaders to support their individual career development and is a core member of the North America Business Services People Team, helping to shape the company’s employee support strategy. Macharva has 25 years of diverse experience of managing operational leadership, talent development and career coaching, and consulting, across the fields of healthcare technology, revenue cycle management, and education. She holds an MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business and a BA in Organizational Behavior & Communication from New York University. 

Russell Roache, Math Teacher at The Potomac School. Russell has more than 11 years of experience planning, developing, and delivering high quality math instruction to diverse populations.  As a teacher one of his goals is to create and deliver effective and dynamic lessons using the latest technology and research-based instructional strategies. He enjoys mentoring, collaborating, managing projects, and public speaking. In addition to teaching, Russell’s mission is to help young adults conquer their personal struggles so that they can exceed their own limitations.  He is passionate about an organization he belongs to, “Young Men Teach,” which encourages men of color to become teachers. Russell has a Bachelor's of Science in mathematics from Nova Southeastern University, where he was on the Dean's List, and he earned a Master of Education from Florida Atlantic University.