The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation (Cafritz Foundation), in partnership with the George Washington University Center for Excellence in Public Leadership (GW CEPL), recognized outstanding D.C. government employees at the 22nd Annual Cafritz Awards Gala.
The event is the signature program of the Cafritz Foundation and is a celebration of leadership and innovation in public service. It was held June 3 in the University Student Center’s Grand Ballroom featuring a dinner and an awards ceremony.
The Cafritz Awards were established in 2000 by Calvin Cafritz, a prominent D.C. philanthropist who remained deeply involved with the program until his passing in 2023.
Each year, individual employees and project teams are selected through a rigorous nomination and review process. Winners are chosen based on innovation, measurable impact and their ability to inspire others. Individuals receive a $7,500 cash prize. Team awardees share a $15,000 prize.
GW President Ellen M. Granberg welcomed the award winners to the event, after first noting the long-time partnership between GW and the Cafritz Foundation.
“We are honored to host this evening’s event and to help spotlight the extraordinary public servants—five individuals and two teams—whose work uplifts every corner of the city,” Granberg said. “You’ll hear their stories tonight, and trust me, they are inspiring.
“As a D.C. resident and the president of the George Washington University where our entire community is deeply committed to public service, I’m especially proud to celebrate these honorees. Their dedication, creativity and tireless effort make our city a better place to live, work and serve.”
Natalie Houghtby-Haddon, executive director of CEPL, which is housed in GW’s College of Professional Studies, said this year’s honorees did outstanding, important work that benefited many across D.C.
“One thing about this year's class of award winners is that they represent such different facets of life in the District,” Houghtby-Haddon said. “And so for residents, for people who work in the District, for people who visit, the winners have done things that have a ripple effect to make the experience of people who live, work and visit the District and the nation's capital, be safer, be able to access things they might not otherwise be able to do. And I’m just really proud of all of them.”
This year’s winners made significant strides in public health and social services, including launching innovative programs that provide peer support for individuals experiencing homelessness and pioneering emergency medical interventions that increase survival rates during critical care in the field.
“These are examples of people who go above and beyond in their day-to-day lives to be creative and to be innovative,” Houghtby-Haddon said. “They think about how they can help others have a better quality of life. And that helps our community be better.”
The 22nd Annual Calvin Cafritz Awards Individual Winners:
Jessica Marie Bress
Strategic Projects Advisor to the Chief of Police of the Metropolitan Police Department
Created and directed the D.C. Police Leadership Academy, a nationally recognized program addressing the leadership gap in mid-level law enforcement. Bress also oversaw the training of over 280 officers from more than 40 U.S. and international law enforcement agencies, including MPD, the FBI and Secret Service.
Anwar Mahmood
ADA Architect D.C. Office of Disability Rights
Initiated accessibility assessments of over 230 parks, 82 schools and numerous polling places across the District, resulting in key ADA compliance improvements. As the government’s sole in-house accessibility expert, Mahmood provides citywide training, technical reviews and capacity-building initiatives that have reduced costs and advanced inclusion in public spaces.
Dr. Kofi Onumah
Pharmacist DC Health
Led the District’s COVID-19 mass vaccination rollout by launching eight clinics in underserved areas of the city, co-authored and implemented the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program to combat opioid misuse and rebranded the city’s continuing education platform for healthcare providers to promote evidence-based training.
Phillip Walker
Chief of Recreation for D.C. Department of Parks and Recreation
Transformed the Marion Barry Youth Leadership Institute by incorporating mentoring to over 100 youth annually and launched the Global Education Program. He created the RECreator’s Academy to train more than 150 Department of Parks and Recreation staff in leadership and professional development. During the pandemic, Phillip ensured continuity of citywide youth training programs, keeping thousands of young participants engaged and supported.
Gashaw Woldehanna
Cluster Controller, Government Operations Cluster Office of the Chief Financial Officer
Implemented financial system overhauls across 39 District agencies, including launching an online rent collection platform that resolved long-standing audit findings and improved payment tracking. Woldehanna automated the direct voucher process and redesigned year-end accruals, boosting accuracy, speeding closeouts and strengthening internal controls District-wide.
Peer Case Management Institute (PCMI) Team
Lindsay Curtin, Rachel Pierre and Miati Taliaferro, D.C. Department of Human Services
The PCMI Team launched a groundbreaking workforce development program that empowers individuals with lived experience of homelessness to become case managers. The 40 participants selected from over 500 applicants achieved an 88% graduation rate. Twenty-two graduates were supported in securing employment as case managers assisting others experiencing homelessness. With a dedicated team of just three members, they built strong partnerships leading to immersive training and internships and earned national recognition for their person-centered model. Now funded for a second year, the PCMI is serving as a blueprint for similar programs across the country.
Low Titer O Whole Blood Program Team
Holly O’Byrne, Ryan Elborne, Gabriel Gan, Jeffrey Lenard, David Vitberg DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department, and Timothy Hutchison, DC Office of the Chief Technology Officer
The Low Titer O Whole Blood Program Team implemented the first prehospital whole blood transfusion program in the District, administering nearly 170 units of blood in the first seven months. The program achieved a 93% survival rate for critical trauma patients, most of whom were treated east of the Anacostia River. The team built a real-time tracking and chain-of-custody system to ensure precision, safety, and equity in care delivery. Their innovative, data-driven approach is transforming emergency response and saving lives in D.C.’s most underserved communities.
