Staff

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Tommy Barnes

He//Him
Assistant Director of Administration

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Tommy Barnes has served at the Festival Center since 2008. He holds an associate degree in Computer Science from the University of the District of Columbia. Previously Tommy served…

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Dcs. Lindsay Fertig-Johnson

She//Her
Director of Development & Public Relations

Lindsay Fertig-Johnson is a Lutheran deaconess and fundraising professional passionate about building and sustaining relationships. She is currently the Director of…

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Claire Gholston

She//Her
Administrative and Community Manager

Claire is a people-oriented administrator with a longing to see the hearts of advocates healed and supported as they seek to facilitate justice in their respective areas… 

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Bill Mefford

He//Him
Executive Director

Bill Mefford is the Executive Director of The Festival Center. He is a connector, innovator, and visionary. From living and serving in poor communities in Waco, TX, Lexington, KY, Cleveland, and…

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Walter Taylor Jr.

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Events Specialist

Walter Taylor Jr. has served at the Festival Center since 2017. Previously, Walter served at River Road Unitarian Congregation in Bethesda, Maryland and Masters Hands Home…

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Staff Partners

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Lizbeth Melendez Rivera

She//They
Residential Chef

Lisbeth Meléndez Rivera, MAL, is a 35+ year veteran in social justice movements. Lisbeth has extensive experience organizing and training at the intersections of sexual orientation…

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Joe Ward

He//Him
Artist-in-Residence and Gallery Curator

Joe Ward is a visual artist who blends virtual and traditional creative tools to make drawings, paintings and digital art. In addition to art making, Joe’s practice includes research, writing and outreach for the Souls of A Nation

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