Executive Leadership Team

Luke Smith began his journey in L’Arche when he was 13 and his calling to join L’Arche was realized in 2010 as one of the founding assistants of L’Arche GWDC’s fourth home, located in Arlington, Virginia. In 2011, Luke spent four months living in L’Arche London (England) before returning to Greater Washington to take on a leadership role in the Virginia homes. Luke is Irish, and grew up in England, and hails from a diverse and multi-cultural hometown of Wolverhampton. Luke studied geography in Aberystwyth (Wales) focusing on the development of communities and the geography of disability. Prior to coming to L’Arche, Luke was active with Faith and Light (L’Arche’s sister organization), taught high school students with disabilities in New Jersey, and worked at Myddelton Grange, a retreat center in the North of England.

Alice Felker started at L’Arche as a volunteer in 2017 after her freshman year of college, and she loved L’Arche so much that she never left! Alice had the unique experience of moving into L’Arche Highland House in March 2020 at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic when her senior year at Notre Dame was unexpectedly moved online. Alice graduated in May 2020 with a degree in Psychology and Applied Mathematics, and she is the only known person to have her Notre Dame diploma bestowed by Fritz Schloss, a longtime member of L’Arche! Since then, Alice has held several roles in L’Arche, including live-in assistant, Home Life Leader of multiple homes, and most recently, as the Virginia Program Coordinator and Interim Human Services Leader. Alice also held responsibilities of the Service Team Leader role in 2018 and helped launch L’Arche’s new Community Connections Program in January 2024. Inside and outside of her role at L’Arche, Alice has advocated for better quality services for people with IDD through her work on the Prince William County Human Rights Committee, her work on L’Arche GWDC’s MyVoice project, and her independent study on day programs funded by Notre Dame in 2018.

Jitta Banya came to L’Arche GWDC in 2021. Before coming to L’Arche, Jitta worked in a private institution (Bread and Chocolate) as Finance and Payroll Manager and also in the health field as a Lead Direct Service Provider.  Jitta also worked in the finance and human resource section at BBC Media Action in her home country of Sierra Leone. Jitta likes to spend free time reading, catching up on news, and being with friends and family.

Caitlin Smith joined L’Arche as a member in our DC homes in 2009 after graduating from the University of Notre Dame. In 2010, Caitlin moved to Virginia and was a founding member of 6th Street house. Over the years, Caitlin has held a number of roles in our homes and in our leadership teams, stepping into the role of Director of Human Resources in the Spring of 2017. Caitlin also has played an active role in the development and leadership of the L’Arche Diversity Commission.

Sarah Moore first joined L’Arche GWDC in 2012 after graduating from Messiah College. She worked in a number of roles including assistant and Home Life Leader, before becoming the Director of Development and Communications in 2017. Sarah brings a commitment to the people and mission of L’Arche and oversees donor relations and L’Arche GWDC’s fundraising and outreach initiatives.

For questions about donating to L’Arche, email us at info@larche-gwdc.org