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Joe Weedon, Director
Joe Weedon has more than a decade of experience in state, local and federal government relations primarily as an advocate for at-risk youth and families. He began his career as a fellow in the office of Illinois Governor Jim Edgar and moved to DC while on the staff of Illinois Governor George H. Ryan. Joe has spend much of his career working to support early care and education programs and intervention programs for at-risk individuals.
Outside of his work with Defeat Poverty DC, Joe is a vocal advocate for local education reform and has supported efforts to improve access to and the quality of child care and public schools in Ward 6 where he lives with his wife and two children.
Joe obtained his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in political science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He received a master’s in Business Administration (MBA) from the Robert H. Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland – College Park. He currently serves as a member of the District of Columbia Title I Committee of Practitioners and is on the board of directors of multiple non-profit organizations in the District.
Nicole Newman, Associate
- Nicole Newman is a native of Washington DC and graduate of Trinity University with a degree in Political Science and History. She is an AmeriCorps Vista Alum and has spent time working in local non-profits getting hands on experience in providing service, building coalitions and volunteers service, and working in developments and community organizing. She is a proud member of Capital Cause and National Council for Negro Women as well as a Girl Scout Troop Leader.
