OUR TEAM
STAFF
Kim Schofield
Executive Director
Kim Schofield has advocated for people with disabilities for the last 26 years. She had to advocate for teachers, doctors, and other caregivers to find a better way to fulfill her daughter’s and the whole family’s needs. When she found ways to improve life for her daughter and the family, she would share the information with others so they could benefit from her advocacy.
Kim has volunteered in varied leadership roles including hosting meetings, organizing events, and bridging professionals, hobbyists, and the public together for a common goal.
Kim is president of her college sorority alumni association. She sat as president and acting treasurer for the Capital Cichlid Association for 4 years. For more than 10 years, Kim sat on the membership committee with a local business networking group, vetting new members, and ensuring the members follow professional business protocol. For 15 years, she led a Girl Scout troop, leading young girls into adulthood and is proud that most of that troop stayed together throughout the 15 years. All attended college, including her daughter that is a member of our community. Kim joined ArtStream board full time in the fall of 2021, coming from a volunteer and as an active parent of an adult participant in the ArtStream program.
Kim has an AAS in Graphic Design and a BS in Fine Arts.
Professionally, Kim worked in sales and marketing helping local businesses reach their target audience successfully with print, digital marketing, and social media.
Kim brings a drive and ability to make things happen and to achieve goals. She never says no to a challenge and welcomes the opportunity to make another person’s life a little bit easier.
Kim sees taking on the role of Executive Director for the Spirit Club Foundation as an opportunity to extend her love for supporting people with disabilities and her love to keep people connected.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Tigest Alemu | State Director of Maryland, Community Options, Inc.
Board Secretary
Tigest Alemu is the State Director of Maryland at Community Options, Inc., a national nonprofit that develops housing and employment supports for people with disabilities
She has over 15 years of experience working in the adult disability services industry, with specific expertise in managing community engagement, quality assurance, and housing operations initiatives. Tigest previously served as the Director of Program Support services at the Jubilee Association of Maryland and as the Community Options Executive Director in Rockville.
Tigest was born in Ethiopia and grew up in Delaware, where her parents reside. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Baltimore and a Master's in Business Administration in Healthcare and Finance from Wilmington University. She is also a graduate of 2018 Leadership Montgomery's Emerging Leaders, a graduate of the University of Delaware's National Leadership Consortium on Developmental Disabilities, and a certified interviewer for the Council on Quality and Leadership.
Tigest is a member of the National Black MBA Association of Washington, D.C. and Young Ethiopian Professionals.
Matt Lowe | Partner at Lowe Tillson Insurance
Board Member
Matt’s career has focused on risk management, financial protection, and
client relations.
His career started in 2011 in sales of personal and commercial insurance products, and client
retention/relations at Lowe-Tillson Insurance and Associates. Lowe-Tillson is a family-owned
independent agency that has been based in Rockville since 1973. Given his success, his responsibilities
and role in the company have grown to Co-Owner and Vice President. In addition to insurance sales, as a
small business owner, his responsibilities have grown to include finances, human resources, project
management and customer retention. He currently manages the insurance portfolios of over 1500
personal and business insurance clients both local and national. He brings with him extensive knowledge
in risk management and a strong personal and professional network.
Matt graduated from Elon University with a BA in Philosophy. He has strong ties to Maryland and
Montgomery County community, having grown up in Darnestown. He runs his family business with his
brother and lives in North Potomac with his wife and two daughters.
Susan Hoffmann | Communications Manager, Montgomery County's Office of Community Partnerships
Board President
Susan is the Communications Manager of Montgomery County's Office of Community Partnerships. She is the founding producer of the Silver Spring Jazz Festival, the Montgomery County Thanksgiving Parade, and producer of the Silver Spring Summer Concert Series. Before joining the Office of Community Partnerships, Susan worked on the redevelopment of downtown Silver Spring, serving as Marketing Manager in the Silver Spring Regional Center. Susan joined Montgomery County as a Legislative Liaison in the Office of Intergovernmental Relations working during the legislative sessions in Annapolis.
Susan is also the former Mayor of Rockville, Maryland. As a three-term member of the Rockville City Council, Susan was a leader in the redevelopment of Rockville’s Town Square and surrounding downtown.
In addition to the Spirit Club Foundation Board, and continuing her interest in public service, Susan has been active with many organizations over the years, and currently serves on the Judicial Inquiry Board of the Maryland Commission on Judicial Disabilities, the F. Scott Fitzgerald Literary Festival, and formerly served as President of the Jubilee Foundation Board of Directors, and Vice President of the D.C. Special Olympics Board.
Susan was named one of Maryland’s Top 100 Women and is the recipient of the Betty Mae Kramer Community Service Award. She was president of the Montgomery County Chapter of the Maryland Municipal League and vice president of the Maryland Mayors Association. A graduate of Temple University, her Bachelor of Science degree is in Communications. She came to the DMV to work on the Capitol Hill staff of U.S. Representative Peter H. Kostmayer of Pennsylvania. She has lived in Montgomery County since 1978 and currently resides in Rockville. Susan is most proud of her daughter and son, and two grandsons.
Sam Smith | Fitness Trainer, SPIRIT Club
Board Member
Sam Smith is a fitness trainer at SPIRIT Club. He holds a physical fitness certification from Berkshire Community College and is a certified running coach through the Road Runners Club of America (RRCA). Sam has run six Marine Corps Marathons and one New York City Marathon. A proud man with autism, Sam has been working for SPIRIT Club since its inception.
Sam lives in Rockville, Maryland. In addition to being a fitness enthusiast, he is an avid musician.
Jared Ciner | Founder & Director, SPIRIT Club
Board Member
Steve Allen | Founder & Past Executive Director of The Spirit Club Foundation
Board Vice President
Steve served as the founding executive director and, under his five-year tenure, Spirit Club Foundation provided more than 750 scholarships, purchased equipment, provided financial assistance to and from gyms, funded training and certification for health and fitness professionals, awarded the achievements of athletes and those who support them, and provided technology grants to help people connect to virtual fitness at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Gary McPherson, ll | Senior Managing Partner, McPherson Financial Partners
Board Treasurer
Gary’s work in the financial industry spans 18 years. Today, he is the Senior Managing Partner of McPherson Financial Partners, LLC (MFP), a comprehensive financial services firm in Bethesda, Maryland.
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He also serves on the board of the Community Education Resource Group in Washington, D.C. Gary partners with AFEA, a North Carolina non-profit, to deliver financial education to the Bethesda community. Since 2014, Gary has volunteered and provided financial literacy to African American student-athletes and young adults with disabilities. In addition to a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Pittsburgh and a bachelor’s degree in business management with a minor in financial planning from Towson University, Gary holds the following certifications: Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA), Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF®), and Certified Long-Term Care (CLTC).
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Gary and his wife, Amy, live in North Carolina with their two children.
Jared Ciner is SPIRIT Club’s Founder and Director. He holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Maryland, is a National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) certified fitness trainer, and is certified by the Maryland Department of Health’s Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) to work with people of all abilities.
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Jared lives in Maryland, with his wife and three children.
David Godoy | Fitness Trainer, SPIRIT Club
Board Member
For over a decade, David has dedicated himself to serving as a front desk greeter and co-trainer, guiding individuals through various exercise routines. Additionally, David is proudly serving as a member of the Spirit Club Foundation board. Davis is delighted with the achievements we've made together. Through perseverance and commitment, seeing Spirit Club flourish and succeed. David is eager to continue contributing his best efforts moving forward.
Christine Fleming | Fitness Enthusiast and Advocate
Board Member
Christine Fleming is a lifelong fitness enthusiast and advocate for inclusive opportunities for community members with disabilities. She holds a firm belief in the importance of continued education and growth — and accessible opportunities for both— throughout the lifespan for all humans.
Christine has a background in writing and editing, teaching, and exercise science, and holds degrees from Rutgers and Miami University. In recent years she taught yoga for SPIRIT Club, Sunshine Projects, and CorePower Yoga, and directed a dance program for young adults with disabilities. She has volunteered or coached for Special Olympics since 1985. Recently, Christine embarked on the role of full-time support person for her daughter with Down syndrome. She also serves on the Board of Directors of the Down Syndrome Network of Montgomery County.
Christine lives in Bethesda with her husband, three children, one dog, and a yard full of beloved wildlife. She enjoys creative writing, music, movement of all kinds, and being outside. Christine looks forward to building connections and illuminating Spirit Club Foundation’s mission more broadly in the health and fitness community.
Narisha Sookdeo | Vice President / Branch Manager III
Board Member
Narisha Sookdeo has been in the banking industry for over 20 years, gaining extensive experience from customer service roles to leadership management. What she loves most about her career is the opportunity to help clients meet their financial goals by saving and investing their money. Additionally, Narisha is deeply passionate about community service, actively participating in back-to-school drives, food drives, and financial literacy programs. Serving communities has always been a crucial aspect of her corporate social responsibility within the banking sector.
Narisha is also known for her compassion for people with disabilities, advocating for their inclusion and support within the community. She is particularly excited to join the Spirit Club Foundation board, where she looks forward to contributing to initiatives that enhance the well-being and opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
As a member of several networking groups, including the Greater Bethesda Chamber of Commerce, President, and Board member of the 270 Networking, and a member of the Montgomery Small Business Association, Narisha has built strong relationships and developed trust with Centers of Influence. These connections allow her to collaborate effectively and bring substantial benefits to the community through each group's efforts.
Gerard McDaniel | Business Banking Relationship Manager
Board Member
Gerard McDaniel, a native of Baltimore and a proud alumnus of Salisbury University, is dedicated to community service and fostering inclusive communities. Currently serving as a Business Banking Relationship Manager at PNC Bank, Gerard leverages his financial expertise to empower local businesses.
Gerard's commitment to community service is exemplified by his active involvement with the Spirit Club Foundation, where he has recently been appointed to the board. Inspired by the foundation's mission to provide fitness and wellness opportunities for individuals with disabilities, he has been a passionate volunteer, particularly during their annual Fall Fitness Festival.
Recognized as a champion for the cause, Gerard uses his network to strengthen and expand the foundation's impact, seeking partnerships to further its reach. At 37, Gerard brings youthful energy, fresh perspectives, and a wealth of experience to the board. His background in business banking, combined with his dedication to community service and personal connection to the Spirit Club Foundation's mission, makes him a valuable addition to the board, where he continues to make a positive impact.