Diversity & Inclusion Board

William Whitfield is an operations professional for the District government. He has over 18 years of professional experience managing projects from $3M to over $300M in scope from his time in both the public and private sectors. William started his professional career in the field of architecture with ten years of architectural experience and over eight years of operations management experience in the non-profit and government sectors. William has extensive knowledge in workforce development, procurement, budget and financial management, program management, project management, as well as people management. William is also a bit of a nomad, having lived in Phoenix, AZ, Chicago, IL, Brooklyn, NYC, and now Washington, D.C. He enjoys meeting new people and cultivating community wherever he goes.

William obtained his undergraduate degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies. He obtained his Master of Business Administration degree from Benedictine University with a concentration in Marketing.

Chris Parkison is the Group Fitness Manager at VIDA Fitness at the Yards, Gallery Place, and City Vista locations. He practiced law for ten years in the District of Columbia before becoming a full-time fitness instructor and Personal Trainer and has worked at VIDA Fitness since 2013.

Francisco Durán serves as Superintendent of Arlington County Public Schools. Dr. Durán has a diverse background in education, having been a special education paraprofessional for thirty years and teaching Spanish, social studies, and language arts. He’s also served in various other positions, such as an activities director, athletics director, assistant principal, principal, regional superintendent, superintendent, and Chief Equity Officer. He has been an adjunct professor for 18 years, teaching diversity, equity, and Inclusion courses.

Dr. Durán is a former Virginia State Board of Education member, President of the Board of Directors of the Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents (ALAS), and the Chair of the Human Rights Commission for the City of Alexandria.
Dr. Durán earned a Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of New Mexico, a Master of Arts in Educational Administration from San Francisco State University, and a Master of Education and a Doctorate in Organization and Leadership from Teacher’s College, Columbia University.

Samantha “Sam” Hawkins is the CEO and Founder of Hawkins CPA Solutions, LLC, an accounting firm based in Maryland, where she focuses on providing solution-driven services to assist her clients with meeting their personal and business goals.  She holds both a B.S. in Accountancy and an M.S. in Taxation from The American University in Washington, DC. She is a licensed certified public accountant (CPA) in DC, MD, and VA. With more than 20 years of professional and leadership experience, Samantha shines in the areas of leading the efforts of organizations and mentorship.

Samantha is an active National Association of Black Accountants, Inc. (NABA) member and has held various positions within the organization, including serving on the Eastern Region Leadership Board.  She was recently appointed to serve as the Treasurer of the Missouri Acres Homeowners Association, Inc., where she will be responsible for fully implementing an accounting system and processes.

In addition to being a full-time entrepreneur and caregiver for her mother, she enjoys working out at VIDA (The Yards), spending time with her family and friends, volunteering, traveling, and focusing on self-care.

Known for her tenacious energy, ambition, and commitment to physical fitness, Michaela Brown is a Regional Group Fitness Manager at VIDA Fitness, Inc., where she empowers the company’s culture, operations, and community impact. A veteran of the fitness industry with over 20 years of experience as an athlete, coach, personal trainer, and group exercise instructor, her success in the field comes as no surprise. Before joining VIDA’s team, Michaela was a successful entrepreneur, having run a popular women’s fitness studio for 12 years in Washington, DC. Her certifications include NASM-CPT, AFAA Group Exercise, Barre Fitness, Les Mills Advanced Bodypump Instructor, TRX, and Pilates Mat, to name a few. With a proven track record in driving organizational excellence and steering positive collaborative environments, she serves as Chairwoman of VIDA Fitness, Inc.’s first Diversity and Inclusion Board, lending a wealth of vision and experience to the organization’s mission.

Michaela earned her bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Georgetown University, with dual minor degrees in Japanese Language and Communications. She also takes great pride in being the first Black letter-winner and captain of the university’s Women’s Field Hockey team. Michaela served two terms as the President of Georgetown’s Collegiate NAACP Chapter, and one term as the Vice President of the Nu Alpha Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., so chairing VIDA’s Diversity and Inclusion Board feels like a return back to her true roots of public service, social justice, and activism. It is with this energy and passion that Michaela seeks to use her knowledge, resources, and platform to blaze trails for the next generation of diverse fitness professionals.

Vin Testa began his journey with VIDA Fitness as a Front Desk Team Member in December 2018, as a part-time job while teaching in DC Public Schools. When the pandemic hit in 2020, and he needed to step away from the classroom, Vin explored management positions within the VIDA family, serving as Assistant General Manager and General Manager at City Vista and as General Manager at The Yards.

Vin received his B.A.S. in Mathematics and Secondary Education from Salve Regina University (Newport, RI) and his M.A. in Special Education – Learning Disabilities from American University. Throughout his nine years of teaching, Vin also served as an LGBTQ Liaison in DC Public Schools, providing professional development to colleagues on the school level around serving LGBTQ-identifying youth. Since leaving the classroom, he has continued providing that training at conferences and summits nationwide.

Despite reentering the world of education in August 2023 as Student Affairs Manager at Duke Ellington School of the Arts, VIDA (and the entire UAC family) continues to hold a very special place in Vin’s heart, and he looks forward to serving the community again in this new capacity on the Diversity & Inclusion Board.

Caroline is the studio program manager at Vida Reston, where she is dedicated to fostering a culture of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. With a deep commitment to creating spaces of belonging, Caroline strives to build an environment where all feel valued.  As a lifelong learner, Caroline continuously seeks new insights to advance DEI efforts that positively impact her community, celebrate differences, and uplift everyone. Beyond her work, Caroline enjoys a balanced and active life with her family.  She loves spending quality time with her husband, three daughters, and dog, while also pursuing her interests in powerlifting, yoga, and music!

Hansen Mak is a national security professional currently serving as the U.S. Deputy Assistant National Cyber Director, focusing on national strategy and policy implementation to secure cyberspace and ensure the United States is in the strongest possible position to realize all the benefits and potential of our digital future. He has also been a VIDA group fitness instructor since 2010, coaching a variety of strength and cardio formats. In his spare time, Hansen is a DEIA advocate focused on promulgating legislation, executive orders, accessibility of underrepresented communities and demographics to Federal resources, and promoting understanding and awareness against implicit bias. He has led and organized DEIA initiatives within the Federal government, think tanks, and political campaigns; helping to shape meaningful impacts and deliver results. In addition, he is also an adjunct professor where he teaches a variety of courses focused on national security and foreign policy decision making.

Brittney Rae is a dedicated advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion, with over 14 years of experience in brand marketing and 10 years in culturally competent health and wellness coaching. She co-founded FIT & NU®, Colorado’s first fitness and nutrition club for women of color, to address the lack of representation in the health and fitness industry and create a culturally sensitive environment that combats racial biases. This work earned FIT & NU national recognition, including being honored as a National Small Business Hero by the U.S. House Committee on Small Business in 2019. Brittney’s impact extends to national initiatives, such as consulting on the CDC’s 2022 National Diabetes Prevention Program Campaign, where her focus on culturally attuned messaging led to an exceptional increase in enrollment.

In addition to her work with FIT & NU, Brittney has consulted with health and wellness programs nationally to enhance culturally competent coaching and create inclusive, accessible support for diverse communities, including seniors and individuals from underserved populations. At VIDA Fitness, she is a certified personal trainer, group fitness instructor, and a new DEI board member. Brittney is eager to leverage her expertise to foster a more inclusive and equitable environment, championing diversity, promoting accessibility, and creating spaces where everyone feels welcome and empowered.

Ali Rocha began her journey with VIDA Fitness in 2021, initially joining the Sales team at VIDA City Vista and later advancing to an Assistant General Manager role. She currently balances her responsibilities at VIDA with her graduate studies, allowing her to engage with VIDA Fitness team members and guests, as well as partner brands, in a variety of settings.

Ali holds a BA in Drama with a minor in Music from Catholic University, where she honed her skills as a designer, builder, and painter on projects centered on social impact. Her time at Catholic was marked by numerous independent projects that emphasized inclusion and representation. Inspired by her experiences at VIDA and her passion for impactful storytelling, Ali is now pursuing an MFA in Themed Entertainment Design, aiming to create accessible and inclusive experiences for all.

Ali’s blend of operational and creative expertise fuels her dedication to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion. She is honored to bring her insights and passion to the DEI Committee at UA Companies, where she looks forward to furthering an inclusive and empowering culture.

Dr. Jamie R. Riley has worked as a racial justice and social change agent in higher education and/or non-profit administration for two decades. Currently, Jamie serves as the Chief Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Officer for the Center on Budget & Policy Priorities (CBPP), a national, non-partisan economic policy and research think tank based in Washington, DC. Within his role, Jamie leads internal and external strategies that help CBPP center equity, inclusion, justice, and belonging in its internal operations and external-facing policy, research, and advocacy efforts. Most recently, Jamie served as the National Director of Race & Justice for the NAACP. Within this role, Jamie supported the association’s advocacy, mobilization, research, and coalition-building efforts focused on racial justice, criminal justice reform, and economic inclusion. Additionally, Jamie leads his own diversity and strategic planning consulting company, Engaging U, LLC, and previously served as the Director of Racial Equity for the Center for Law & Social Policy (CLASP), a national anti-poverty policy non-profit in Washington, DC. Before his role at CLASP, Jamie served as the Executive Director for Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., the first African American Intercollegiate Fraternity. Jamie has also served as a faculty member, teaching courses on racial and social justice, at various colleges and universities, including the University of Georgia, the University of California, Berkeley, the University of Maryland, and Howard University. As a published researcher, he identifies as a critical race theorist and investigates the systemic role of race and racism within American culture, systems, and institutions. A native of Cincinnati, Ohio, Jamie attended Tennessee State University, the state’s only public Historically Black College or University (HBCU), where he received a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration & Planning, as well as a Master of Education in Education Leadership & Administration. Jamie also received his Ph.D. in Counseling & Human Development from the University of Georgia.

Paul Adams is a passionate advocate and leader in diversity, inclusion, and belonging, with over nine years’ experience driving transformative change across the public and private sectors. He possesses a Leadership and Development Certificate in Diversity and Inclusion from Cornell University. Paul co-founded the first LGBTQIA+ Employee Association for intelligence professionals in the Department of Homeland Security. He served as President of DHS Pride, a 501c organization, and oversaw the forming of the African American, Hispanic and Latin American, Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander, persons with disabilities, and the neurodivergent community affinity groups. As a trained diversity dialogue facilitator, he trained hundreds in inclusive best practices and moderated critical conversations. Paul has a demonstrated success for collaboration across the for-profit, nonprofit, and public sector partnering with Out & Equal, the Trevor Project, Capital Pride, New York Pride, and the D.C. Mayor’s Office LGBTQIA Program Office. Paul’s consulting firm, PMA Consulting LLC, is a member of the D.C. Equality Chamber of Commerce, and he serves as the External Engagement Lead for Buddies Spa: DC’s Queer Spa. He is also the Director of Diversity Programming for Trek Long Island and organized several during World Pride 2025. Paul received the 2023 Secretary of Homeland Security Award for “Champion of Equity.” Paul is a retired intelligence officer, resides in Washington, D.C., with his husband, and has been a member of the VIDA Fitness family since its first location opened in 2006.

Shanelle Oliver currently serves as the Director of Advocacy and Outreach at Voices for National Service, where she leads efforts to strengthen support for AmeriCorps and national service across the country. She has worked in the policy and advocacy sphere since 2010, with a deep commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout her career. A Michigan native and graduate of Michigan State University (Go Green!), where she earned her degree in Social Relations and Policy, Shanelle moved to Washington, D.C. to expand her work in policy and public service. She has proudly called the District home for more than a decade and has been part of Welcome Team at VIDA Fitness Navy Yard since 2018. As a young disabled woman who has recently learned to embrace her identity while navigating new and complex health challenges, Shanelle brings a personal understanding of accessibility, inclusion, and representation to all her work. She is eager to contribute her experience in advocacy, DEI, and community engagement—as well as her perspective as both a staff member and active gym user—to help shape the future of VIDA through the Diversity and Inclusion Board.

Dr. Danielle M Gilliam is a distinguished health care professional and public health advocate, recognized for driving diversity, equity, and inclusion across the healthcare landscape. With a career spanning over two decades, Dr. Gilliam has held pivotal roles at leading organizations, including Novo Nordisk Inc, where her current role is as a Portfolio Executive Medical Liaison. In this capacity, she champions clinical trial diversity, fosters partnerships with medical professional organizations, and advances CardioKidneyMetabolic research through evidence generation and scientific communication. Dr. Gilliam has led strategic initiatives in diabetes, obesity, and CVD, developing national education curricula and facilitating inclusive corporate culture programs. Her expertise extends to research grant review, team leadership, and scientific exchange with key opinion leaders at major academic institutions. Beyond corporate roles, Dr. Gilliam is deeply committed to community service, previously holding leadership positions with organizations such as Chandler4Change, the Arizona Obesity Organization, American Diabetes Association and the NAACP. Her advocacy has resulted in historic conservation efforts, health education programs, and initiatives to address disparities in chronic disease care. Dr. Gilliam holds a Doctor of Pharmacy and Master of Public Health from the University of Illinois, alongside certifications in health disparities, lifestyle coaching, medical editing/writing, and cardiometabolic health. Dr. Gilliam is the proud parent of two daughters and often accompanied by her service dog, Isaac Charles.

Patty is an accomplished business leader and entrepreneur with more than 25 years of experience in building strategic partnerships, leadership development, and inclusive growth. Throughout her career in global technology, she has led cross-functional teams that champion equity, innovation, and collaboration across multiple sectors. Patty has been an active member of employee resource groups and corporate programs supporting underrepresented employees. She brings this same commitment to her work with VIDA Fitness, where she strives to foster authentic inclusion, community representation, and equitable opportunity for all members and staff. Originally from North Carolina and now residing in Washington, D.C., Patty is dedicated to strengthening local connections and helping VIDA expand its outreach to underrepresented communities across the region. Outside of her professional and board work, she enjoys building meaningful relationships, traveling, working out, and spending time with family and friends.

Maryam has worked in arts and media for over 20 years and currently serves as a director in community media. She believes art and media are an integral form of community activism. Having attended her first protest at the age of four, she was raised in a collectivist environment centered on community, social unity, and the power of diversity. Her belief in the power of the people and access to education and resources for all naturally led her to a career in community media and arts. She believes public media serves as a platform for advocating for the inclusion of the cultural diversity and abundance of our surrounding community. As an advocate of global diversity, equity, and inclusion, she is committed to ensuring everyone has a voice in their own story. She continues to be involved in the arts and community activism by working on collaborative projects that cultivate the belief systems she holds paramount. This includes editorial photography she has done in collaboration with a BIPOC, woman-owned brand that aims to make wellness accessible to communities that have been traditionally marginalized and neglected by mainstream industries. Maryam is a graduate of George Mason University with a Bachelor of Arts in Studio Arts and a Bachelor of Arts in Communications. Maryam is currently a Master of Arts candidate in Arts Management at GMU’s College of Visual and Performing Arts.

Ladan Manteghi is a champion of social good with business results. Driving social and economic bottom-lines is the guiding principle of her career in the private, public, philanthropic and nonprofit sectors. Currently, she is Senior Advisor and Adjunct Professor at Georgetown University’s Business for Impact Initiative where she previously served as the founding Executive Director. She also leads ManteghiGlobal, a private consulting practice.

As a leader and builder who dwells inside and outside “the box”, Manteghi is known for asking “What if…?” She invokes trust and new thinking, inspiring leaders to go beyond the status quo when advising business and philanthropy on social investment and impact strategies, government executives on public-private partnerships and economic opportunity, and when teaching current and future executives corporate responsibility strategy, leadership and nonprofit revenue models. With expertise across start-up and well-established organizations, her focus includes corporate responsibility, cross-sector partnerships, economic mobility, data culture, politics and advocacy, stakeholder engagement, and nonprofit income models.

In her executive roles, Manteghi is recognized for building high performing, diverse teams who break new ground. Prior to Georgetown, she led global policy and membership reciprocity focusing on health, economic security and the age 50+ market as AARP’s Senior Vice President of International Affairs and President of the AARP Global Network (formerly an AARP affiliate organization). In public service, she served on various political campaigns and elections and held positions as a presidential appointee in the White House, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Interior. At the local level, Manteghi has served and advises mayors and city executives around the country.

As a board director and officer, she has helped shepherd organizations to their next phase of growth, diversity and opportunity. Her service includes as Vice Chair of KABOOM!, past Chair for PYXERA Global, and member of the University of California at Davis Regional Alumni Board.

She is a sports and fitness enthusiast and is obsessed with fitness data. She holds a B.A. in political science/public service from the University of California, Davis, and resides in Washington, DC area or wherever the next flight lands.