Patience shapes, implements, and oversees all aspects of Flamboyan’s strategic impact efforts in DC and across the country. As Executive Director, she maximizes the impact of our education work by building and sustaining an equity-focused, high-functioning team that produces catalytic and sustainable results, and helps guide the overall direction of the organization.
A native Washingtonian from southeast DC, Patience has nearly 20 years of experience in nonprofits, philanthropy, and the public sector. Before her appointment to DC Executive Director, she served as the Senior Managing Director of External Affairs at Flamboyan where she oversaw communications, product development, and public affairs. Before joining Flamboyan, she was appointed by Mayor Muriel Bowser’s Administration to serve as the Director of Communications and Community Engagement at DC’s state education agency, the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE). Prior to OSSE, Patience was Vice President of Communications and Creative at the national poverty-alleviation organization, LIFT, where she built a communications domain from the ground up. She has also worked in fundraising communications at The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids; ran grant programming for hunger alleviation funder Share Our Strength (No Kid Hungry); and began her career in sales for the global healthcare and higher education consulting firm, Advisory Board Company.
Outside of her role at Flamboyan, Patience strives to “be the change you wish to see” by philanthropically supporting local and national charities committed to making communities stronger. She is Vice Chair of New Futures, an organization working to end generational poverty in the DC region, and a Board Member at The Homeless Children’s Playtime Project, which cultivates resilience in children experiencing homelessness by providing access to transformative play experiences. She also mentors young Black women as they navigate college and begin their careers.
With a strong village of support, she graduated from Hampton University with a B.S. in Marketing and later received her master’s degree in Global Strategic Communication from Georgetown University. Patience’s most important and fulfilling roles are as a mom to two young girls, Peyton and Sidney, and as a partner to her husband Dan.
Connect with her on LinkedIn.
Who was your favorite teacher in school? My 8th grade English teacher. She recognized, cultivated, and encouraged my hustle and entrepreneurial spirit. From encouraging me to give speeches in front of the school and submit pieces for writing contests, to helping me apply – and get into – one of the best high schools in D.C., she watered my innate strengths and helped me obliterate self doubt. Her encouragement and opportunities changed the trajectory of my life.