Volunteer with MHC DC
The MHC DC club is completely volunteer-run. Each year, we elect a new board with members serving 2 year terms. In addition, we rely on volunteers who want to support on an ad hoc basis but may not be able to commit to a full term. We are always looking for enthusiastic and engaged volunteers with new ideas who can expand our network and broaden our outreach to alumnae.
Want to get involved? Email nominating@mtholyokedc.org.
2020-2021 Volunteer Board
Esther Nasjleti ‘92 - President 2022 - 2024
Esther Nasjleti has been in the DC area since college, interning every year and becoming a full time Federal employee after graduating in 1992 with a degree in International Relations. In a plot twist, Esther decided to pursue a career in technology. She has served the DC Club in roles including Recording Secretary, Membership Chair, Nominating Committee member and Nominating Committee Chair. Esther lives in Fairfax, VA, with her lovely supportive husband Dave, two cats who really do not get along, and more yarn than she will knit in her lifetime.
Dr. Carla Lambert ‘88 - Vice President 2021-2023
Carla is a native of St. Louis, MO (Go Cardinals!), but fell in love with the DC area (I love the Nats too:-) on her many Thanksgiving and Spring break visits to Maryland with classmate Cheryl Johnson Vault '88. After graduation, she moved to DC to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming a physician. Currently, she owns a solo Family Medicine practice in Beltsville, MD and lives in Silver Spring, MD with her husband Andrew. When she's not road tripping to Boston to see her daughter Brittany (MHC 2016) or color-coordinating her masks with her work outfits, she can be found hiking in nearby woods, reminiscing about her many peaceful walks around Upper Lake.
Sarah Gerfen ‘77 - Treasurer 2021-2023
Sarah came to Bethesda in 1983 when her husband started at NIH. The 80’ and 90’s was spent raising her 3 children. After working part-time for a small accounting firm she transitioned to Business Manager for a nonprofit in Silver Spring. That was a great experience until it just wasn’t. Now retired, she has spent the last several years ripping out all the invasive plants from her yard (good-bye ivy, Japanese honeysuckle and liriope-sadly some of which she planted) and replacing them with natives. Maybe half way there. She has learned so much about the needs and interaction of our local birds, bugs and plants. Her plan now is to save the world and global warming by upgrading her little plot of land. She might need some help with that. All takers welcome.
Kate McElwee '07 – Secretary 2022 - 2024
Kate recently relocated back to Washington, DC after living in Rome for nearly 8 years. In Italy, she served as the chair of the Italian Mount Holyoke group and represented Italy on the Mount Holyoke European Alumnae Council (2016-2021). Kate holds an MA in International Human Rights Law from SOAS (London) and serves as the executive director of the nonprofit advocacy group, Women's Ordination Conference, where she has worked since 2011. Passionate about travel, vegetables, spiritual activism, and running, Kate is excited to reconnect with the MHC community in the greater Washington area.
Commander Zanethia Eubanks ’94 – Programming Chair 2022-2024
Zanethia is a native Atlantan who was stationed in the DMV area in 2015 but will forever be a southern girl in her heart. She is a mother of two young adults and a dog mom. Her passion is supporting youth in S.T.E.A.M. and finding opportunities for them to share their gifts, natural abilities and talents. She is a Commander in the United States Public Health Service and loves to help share public health education that will connect and heal our communities. Her current duty station is at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) where she serves as an IT Project Manager in the Cyber Security Division (CSD). If you want to Zen (Yoga and Pilates), eat vegan or vegetarian meals, go on nature hikes and frequent the Theatre (movies and/or live performances) she is your girl!
Anne Q. Scott ‘04 - Nominating Chair 2021-2023
Anne is originally from the Boston area and moved to the DC area just after graduation. After many years of living in Alexandria, Anne moved across the bridge to Fort Washington in 2019. Anne worked in historic preservation for a number of years at a historic house museum and then at the National Trust for Historic Preservation. For the last ten years, Anne has worked in government consulting. Outside of work, Anne and her partner are working to foster cats while they are waiting to find their forever home.
Maria Murphy ‘82 - Member at Large 2021-2023
Maria is the daughter and mother of Mount Holyoke alums. She now lives within shouting distance of Nats Stadium after many years in Virginia, and five years in Tokyo. She has held many careers including caterer, stockbroker, community volunteer and blogger, and now works in association management in DC. When she is not hanging out with her grown children (both temporarily in DC due to COVID/grad school), she knits, reads and tends to her demanding deck garden, populated with fussy shrubs and complaining perennials, collective knows as the Deck Girls. She is excited about her new role on the board.
Volunteer Committees
Programming
The program committee is in charge of planning the events that happen throughout the year. This committee organizes both reoccurring events and one-time events. The program committee also works closely with the communications committee to ensure programs are communicated properly across all the clubs various platforms.
Nominating
The nominating committee is in charge of planning the next slate of board and committee members. Roles include curating a list of potential members, interviewing prospective candidates and running the annual voting of the new slate. This committee works to reach out to various alumnae and loves to build the club’s network.
Communications
The communications committee is in charge of publishing messaging and communications across the club platforms. This include sending out monthly newsletters, updating website content and putting announcements on the clubs media platforms. The communications committee also works closely with the programs committee to promote events.
Membership
The membership committee is in charge of managing the list serve and roster of due paying members as well as handling general membership questions. This committee will work closely with the club treasure to manage records of dues and update the list of members.
Open Volunteer Positions
Volunteer for a position that’s a match for your interests and the time you have available. Most do not require specific skills. The Club’s volunteers have terms of two years with about half of the volunteers finish their term each year. This cycle intentionally ensures that there are experienced volunteers to mentor newer volunteers. Being a Member on a Committee does not commit you to attend our monthly Board meeting. Committees often hold phone conferences so that members can most effectively manage their schedules. We also welcome volunteers who have a limited about of time to volunteer such as to help organize a specific event or help manage the website.
Open Positions
Recent Almunae Rep: Serve as a voice for younger graduates in the DMV area; must have graduated less than 10 years ago to be eligable
Communications Chair: Help lead our clubs comms across web, social and our newsletter as well as support ad hoc comms needs for other board needs
Memberships Chair: Help track the size of our DMV membership population and club due payments
DMV Adminission Rep: The college is looking for a DC area admissions rep. Duties include interviewing prospective students and hosting admissions events. Young Alums or those up to date with college events are encouraged to apply. (annlyles@yahoo.com)
General Interest: We are currently looking for alumni to support many of our committees including Programs, Nominating, Communications and Membership. If you have space in your life, e-mail nominating@mtholyokedc.org