engageDC - Leaders
engageDC - Meet Our Leaders
Sanjana Anand (Latin American Youth Center) is a senior majoring in Neuroscience with minors in Creative Writing and Biology. She is a co site-leader for the Latin American Youth Center where she started working her freshman year. Sanjana is passionate about making an impact in DC communities through a shared enthusiasm and passion for civic engagement and can't wait to continue her role as an engageDC leader for this school year.
Lorena Basabe (Latino Student Fund) is a sophomore majoring in International Affairs with a concentration in International Politics from Dallas, TX. As a first-generation student, she is passionate about creating spaces of support and belonging for others navigating new environments. Lorena serves as the site leader for the Latino Student Fund, where she helps connect GW students with opportunities to support local youth. She has loved engaging in community-centered work and is eager to continue supporting connections between GW students and the broader DC community!
Marco Cortina (Latin American Youth Center) is a Senior majoring in Political Science from Brownsville, Texas- a border town that has shaped his interest in immigration policy and migrant advocacy. As a Mexican American, he is especially focused on supporting underrepresented communities and exploring how alternative spaces can serve at-risk youth outside of traditional systems. Marco hopes to pursue a career in immigration law to help create more just and accessible pathways for migrants. He prefers agua de jamaica over horchata.
Grace Dillon (AnBryce) is an incoming Freshmen from Chicago. She is majoring in Public Policy with the hopes of becoming an attorney and potentially holding a political position in the future. Grace is excited to join AnBryce, and can't wait to be increasingly engaged in the DC community!
Thara Ellsworth (Life Pieces to Masterpieces) is a junior majoring in Political Science with a Public Policy Focus, with an additional minor in Economic and Human Services and Social Justice. She is excited to be a co-site leader with Life Pieces to Masterpieces, as she has been volunteering with them since her freshman year. She has a specific interest in policy development and community empowerment and aims to bring those two passions together through service work. She is so excited to work alongside other students to lead initiatives and work with the students of LPTM.
Savannah Hagen Ohbi (Miriam’s Kitchen) is a senior majoring in Criminal Justice and Human Services & Social Justice from Asheville, NC. She has absolutely loved every second of her work with Miriam's Kitchen since her involvement began at the start of the 2022 fall semester. Savannah is passionate about Black Feminist Abolition theory and how it can inform her approach to service work! She is a strong advocate for community led service and very excited to support GW students in becoming more involved in their local DC community!
Garima Khatiwada (ArtReach) is a junior majoring in Psychological and Brain Sciences with a concentration in Cognitive Neuroscience and a minor in Marketing. She is on track to apply to GWU's 5-year BA/MA program to earn a Masters of Arts in Art Therapy. Garima is passionate about innovative mental health care, mental health awareness, and the intersection between art and psychology. Outside of work and academics, Garima enjoys painting, reading, and exploring D.C.!
Henry Kurtz (Little Friends for Peace) is a fourth-year student majoring in International Affairs with a minor in Arabic. He is the co-site leader for Little Friends for Peace through EngageDC. Henry has worked with Little Friends for Peace his entire time at GW, serving at numerous different sites across the DC area. Henry is dedicated to working to create peace in all its forms, and he hopes to incorporate his Arabic studies into a position working towards lasting peace in the Middle East.
Emily Mahler (A Wider Circle) is a senior studying Public Health with a minor in Nutrition. Originally from New Hampshire, she loves all things nature, birds, and books! Wanting to get more involved in the local DC community, she began volunteering for A Wider Circle in the Fall of 2023. She is thrilled to be back this year, leading the team of volunteers to give back to the AWC community.
Gabriela Martin (Little Friends for Peace) is a sophomore majoring in Political Science with a minor in Spanish. As a former member of Civic House, she has become passionate about civic engagement and making a difference in her surrounding communities. She has also loved serving with Little Friends for Peace and can’t wait to continue serving as the co-site leader through EngageDC. After GW, Gaby hopes to find a career where she can continue making a difference through the humanitarian sector of government.
Brooke Moses (Life Pieces to Masterpieces) is a senior majoring in Exercise Science with a minor in Entrepreneurship & Innovation with a micro-minor in Health Equity. She is passionate about making an equitable environment for all while placing an emphasis on character-building. Brooke’s volunteer experience as The George Washington University student leader for “Life Pieces to Masterpieces” has allowed her to pour into adolescent males - while simultaneously planting seeds that will cultivate their character and build leadership skills for the future.
Amanda Valenzuela (ECDC) is a third-year student studying international affairs with a special regional interest in Latin America. She is originally from Chicago and her favorite thing to do is spend the day exploring new neighborhoods in her city. In her first year of college, she worked as a tutor with Reading Partners and looks forward to working with the Nashman Center again as an engageDC student leader with the Ethiopian Community Development Council.
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