Advisory Council
DR. JAMILA MARCUS
Dr. Jamila Marcus Potter is a co-owner and practicing pediatrician at Silver Spring Pediatrics (SSP), where she serves as the primary care pediatrician to children aged newborn to late adolescence. She works collaboratively with families to prevent illness and injury and identify developmental and mental health disorders.
Dr. Marcus began her career as a Pediatric Clinical Associate at Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, DC. She served as a consultant to the Department of Education’s Office of School Health, promoting equitable access to learning environments for students with neurobiological disabilities. She was later recruited by the University of Virginia’s Department of Pediatrics as an Assistant Professor. While living in New York, she worked with the New York City Juvenile Justice department, providing medical care for detained youth and implemented protocols to decrease health disparities.
Dr. Marcus graduated from Spelman College, received her Doctorate of Medicine from Howard University School of Medicine, and completed her pediatric internship and residency at Emory University and Johns Hopkins Medicine, respectively. She whole-heartedly values community-focused organizations, regularly investing efforts and finances into programs that create opportunities for children from inequitable systemic circumstances.
TANIA SHAND
Tania Shand is the General Deputy Assistant Secretary for Congressional and
Intergovernmental Relations for the Department of Housing and Urban Development
and has over 25 years of federal policy and legislative experience. Prior to her role at
HUD, she significantly contributed to the D.C. District Public Schools by ensuring
modernized school designs met high standards, including opening DCPS’; first Net-Zero ready, WELL certified school. She also served in legislative affairs for the D.C.
Department of General Services.
Mrs. Shand served as Director of Congressional, Legislative and Intergovernmental
Affairs for the Office of Personnel Management, where she was recognized by
President Obama for furthering the congressional and legislative goals of the agency.
She worked as a professional staff member on the House Committee on Oversight and
Government Reform, Civil Service and Agency Organization Subcommittee, and as
staff director for the Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, Postal Service, and the
District of Columbia and was key to the passage of the Organ Donor Leave Act, The
Long-Term Care Security Act, and, legislation that reversed personnel and pay policies
that had a negative impact on a legislative agency and its employees.
Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, Ms. Shand lives in Washington, D.C. with her husband
and two children. She is a grade parent at Holton-Arms School. Ms. Shand holds a
Bachelor of Arts degree in Policy Studies, and advanced degrees in Public
Administration, and Interior Architecture and Design.
Bryan Whitford
Bryan Whitford is a world language educator passionate about teaching the inseparable connection between language and culture. In the classroom, he highlights the voices and stories of the people who inhabit these cultures, allowing them to acquire language through the unique and diverse perspectives. Additionally, Bryan works with student groups to develop a sense of belonging by helping them understand their identities and sharing them with the wider community.
Bryan graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish and a certificate in Integrated Liberal Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. After graduation, he joined the Peace Corps, where he volunteered for two years in Paraguay, working with his community on various local development projects. More importantly, during his service, he learned the importance of listening to someone else’s story and the value of viewing the world through others’ eyes. His experiences in South America inspired him to earn a Master’s in Latin American Studies to study more about the rich cultures, identities, and experiences of the region.
