Leadership & Board

Philip Ward became a board member in February 2021 and currently serves as the president. He is Senior Counsel, practicing general business law at Williams and Connolly. He received his J.D., magna cum laude, from Harvard Law School, where he was Development and Notes Editor, Harvard Law Review. Philip has served on the Washington Advisory Council of the Lawyers Committee for Human Rights (now known as Human Rights First), the Board of Directors of CARA at Georgetown University, the Board of Governors of the John Carroll Society, and the Board of Directors of Carroll Publishing.

Kris Ritter joined the L’Arche board in April 2022 and currently serves as the vice president. Kris has more than 20 years of experience as a human resources professional and consultant, working primarily with nonprofit organizations. Originally from Michigan, Kris earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Michigan State University and her Master’s Degree from Central Michigan University. She also holds a Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certification from HR Certification Institute.

F. Chapman Taylor joined the board for a second time in April 2022 and currently serves as treasurer. He is an equity portfolio manager at Capital Group. He has 31 years of investment experience and has been with Capital Group for 27 years. Before joining Capital, he worked as a consultant with SRI International and Strategic Planning Associates. He holds an MBA in finance and strategic planning from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, and a bachelor’s degree in physics and theology from Tulane University. Chapman and his wife Grace, have 3 children – Crawford, Jade, and Jarman – live in Falls Church VA, and worship at Dulin United Methodist Church.

Mike Clemente joined the L’Arche board in December 2020 and currently serves as the secretary of the board. He is a practicing attorney at Latham & Watkins, LLP in Washington, DC. Previously he clerked at two U.S. Courts of Appeal and the Supreme Court. Mike is a former Assistant at the L’Arche community in Clinton, IA. He graduated from the University of Notre Dame and Yale Law School.

Shawn Gremminger joined the board in February 2024. Shawn has a lot of experience in Health Care, with nearly 20 years in health care policy and advocacy. He is the President and CEO of the National Alliance of Healthcare Purchaser Coalitions. Before joining the National Alliance, he worked with the Reservoir Communications Group as their Senior Vice President. He also worked as Director of Health Policy, Senior Director of Federal Relations, and Director of Legislative Affairs for numerous organizations such as Purchaser Business Group on Health, Families USA, and America’s Essential Hospitals. Shawn is an alumnus of Mary Washington College and earned a Master’s in Public Policy from the George Washington University in Washington, DC.

Hanifa Monawer joined the L’Arche board in April 2025. With over 15 years of experience in financial strategy, governance, and risk management, she has advised board members and executive leadership across global organizations. She is currently a Senior Financial Consultant at The World Bank Group, where she provides guidance on financial governance, operational efficiency, and sustainable financial practices. Previously, as Managing Director, Head of Finance & Treasurer at GEAPP, she led the development of a strong financial infrastructure for a global non-profit focused on addressing energy poverty. Hanifa holds an MBA in Management from Strayer University, a BA in Political Science from Marymount University, and an Advanced Accounting Certificate from the University of Maryland, University College.

Nadine Reid has been a member of the board since December 2020. Nadine is a finance professional with extensive budgeting, accounting and auditing experience and has worked in audit, banking, and multilateral agencies in Jamaica and in the United States. Nadine has worked at the World Bank Group for the last twelve years. Previously, she was the Chief Accountant at the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Jamaica office for eight years.

Carolyn Rumer, Esq., has been a board member since January 2017. Carolyn is an attorney and former L’Arche GWDC Assistant. Carolyn attended law school at the University of Virginia. Before law school, Carolyn completed a B.S. in Anthropology and Honors History at the University of Notre Dame.

Colleen Short joined the Board in April 2025. She brings over 20 years of experience in Early Childhood and Special Education. Colleen has been active in her community and her church, holding several volunteer positions in leadership roles. One volunteer experience that was quite meaningful to her was Jill’s House in McLean, VA, where she provided respite care for families of children with special needs. In addition to her degree in Early Childhood Education, Colleen holds a degree in Business from Auburn University and is a Certified Financial Planner, with a background in the insurance industry.

William (Will) Tyson joined the board in February 2025. He has over thirty years of experience in commercial banking and in residential and commercial real estate finance industries. During his long career, he held several positions as Director, Senior Vice President, and Manager at numerous financial institutions in Washington, DC and Bethesda, MD. Most of his initial work in banking involved loan origination, but the later years of his career were focused on loan work-out, asset management, and disposition for real estate finance companies. Will volunteered at L’Arche GWDC for a year, supporting the work of the Finance and
Operations team, and also spent about a year volunteering at the Africa Faith and Justice Network (AFJN) in Washington, DC. Will earned an MBA in finance from the University of Maryland.

Sherri Weil recently retired after 40 years advancing the mission and messages of educational institutions in the MDV area. She raised funds and the profiles of the following: the Smithsonian Institution’s National Portrait Gallery, Georgetown University, Johns Hopkins University, The Catholic University of America, and other non-profit organizations. Prior to her career in fundraising, she was an Intern Manager/Job Coach for 100+ students of the Washington Center for Learning Alternatives, a Researcher for the National Institute of Education of the US Department of Education, and a teacher at Annunciation School in Washington, DC, where she taught reading, writing and religion.

Katherine (Kate) Wright became a board member in April 2025. She is a Vice President – Communications, Pharmaceutical Solutions and Services at McKesson with 19 years of experience in communications and advocacy in the healthcare industry. Before joining McKesson, Kate worked at Medtronic as their Sr. Manager, Grassroots Advocacy & Communications. She also held positions of Manager, Grassroots Advocacy for American Diabetes Association in Alexandria, VA and subsequently Grassroots Senior Account Manager for Aristotle International in Washington, DC. Kate started her career in advocacy work as an Assistant Account Executive working for Winning Strategies Washington in Washington, DC.

Kate earned her B.A. in Political Science from St. Joseph University in Philadelphia, PA and her Master’s in Political Management from The George Washington University in Washington, DC.