3rd Change Makers Panel Discussion

"Born and raised in DC, I live in Cambridge, Massachuetts now. I started my theatrical career in the 1st grade playing Hansel in Hansel and Gretel, and continued pursuing the arts at Gonzaga High School, college and trade schools in the late 1900’s, studying music, dance and theatre. I am newlywed to my husband Steve, and we are fathers to our 19-year-old son, Sang, who was adopted at 8 months from Vietnam. I am the brother of 7 siblings and (don't tell them) pretty sure I’m the favorite child of Dorothy and James. My ancestry is predominantly black, but also includes white and indigenous ancestors. I am an arts leader, educator, playwright, director, choreographer, arts and anti-racist advocate."

A director, choreographer and playwright, Michael is also an exceptional leader and a past EXCEL Award winner. He served as the Artistic Director at the Adventure Theatre-MTC in Maryland for twelve years, piloting the organization into a respected theatre/training company in the DC region, as well as a nationally influential professional Theatre for Young Audiences. He led a merger with Musical Theater Center, increased the organizational budget and audience, commissioned new works by noted playwrights, transferred two shows to Off-Broadway, built an academy, and earned dozens of Helen Hayes Award Nominations, garnering eight wins.

Michael gained experience in nonprofit arts management by training at Harvard Business School’s Strategic Perspectives in Nonprofit Management, The National Arts Strategies Chief Executive Program, and Cornell University’s Diversity and Inclusion Certification Program. He has served as an Associate Professor of Theatre at Boston Conservatory at Berklee and volunteered on numerous nonprofit boards, including Non-Profit Village, Maryland Citizens for the Arts, Leadership Montgomery, Weissberg Foundation, Watertown Public Art Commission, and ArtsBoston. On February 1, 2021 he joined Mass Cultural Council as Executive Director, becoming the highest-ranking cultural official in Massachusetts, but still remains involved with the DC region.

"I am a community development practitioner focused on supporting communities of color to access and rebuild wealth. My experience in working with local economic development projects in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, including infrastructure investment strategies in Iraq and Zambia for the United Nations, has given me an international perspective and broader approach to solutions. I believe that there is a future for BIPOC that, although birthed from oppression, is ultimately one of freedom, self-determination and empowerment."

Dekonti is an economic and community development practitioner having worked on the ground in the country’s most distressed communities. Prior to joining JP Morgan Chase, she served as the Director of Policy at the Center for Community Progress, a national nonprofit based in Flint, Michigan that equips communities with the tools and resources needed to effectively address abandonment, blight and vacancy. Additionally, Dekonti served as a Deputy Director at the Detroit Land Bank Authority, the country’s largest land bank, and as a fellow with the White House Strong Cities, Strong Communities initiative embedded in the City of Detroit.

She brings international experience and best practices to her current grant-making role having previously worked on local economic development projects in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, including infrastructure investment strategies in Iraq and Zambia for the United Nations and community development projects tied to the 2012 London Olympics. Dekonti holds an MSc from the London School of Economics in Urban Regeneration and Affordable Housing, a Juris Doctor from Georgetown Law Center, and a BA from University of Miami in International Studies and Economics.

"I am an Ecuadorian immigrant looking to affect change in the region’s food system. I have personally had to navigate the culture of exclusion in my professional career and that experience is shaping a deep commitment to change at FRESHFARM. I am an ecologist by training. And I am passionate about food, family and soccer."

Hugo brings 20 years of experience working for nonprofit organizations covering a range of issues from food systems to sustainability to biodiversity conservation. Previous to his role at FRESHFARM, he was the Executive Director of Finding Species, an international nonprofit organization. Hugo has deep experience in NGO management, planning, development, outreach, and stakeholder engagement, particularly in multicultural settings.

A native of Ecuador, Hugo is fluent in both English and Spanish. He has a Bachelor of Science in biology from the Catholic University of Quito, Ecuador and an Executive Master’s degree in Natural Resources and Leadership for Sustainability from Virginia Tech.