Maria Cardona has more than two decades of experience in the community affairs, government, politics, and public relations arenas. Recognized among the most influential Latinos in the country, and as one of the most sought-after communications and media strategists, Maria Cardona is a Principal at the Dewey Square Group (DSG) and Founder of Latinovations, the Latino Strategies Practice of DSG.

She is a seasoned Democratic Strategist and communications professional who currently serves as a CNN and CNN Español Political Commentator. She was previously the host of the MARIA! Show on El Rey Network. As the head of DSG’s Public Affairs Practice, she combines public policy, communications, coalition building, constituency outreach, government relations, traditional and new media at this premier national public affairs firm.

Maria Cardona has more than two decades of experience in the community affairs, government, politics, and public relations arenas. Recognized among the most influential Latinos in the country, and as one of the most sought-after communications and media strategists, Maria Cardona is a Principal at the Dewey Square Group (DSG) and Founder of Latinovations, the Latino Strategies Practice of DSG.

She is a seasoned Democratic Strategist and communications professional who currently serves as a CNN and CNN Español Political Commentator. She was previously the host of the MARIA! Show on El Rey Network. As the head of DSG’s Public Affairs Practice, she combines public policy, communications, coalition building, constituency outreach, government relations, traditional and new media at this premier national public affairs firm.

Elena La Fulana is a Latin Grammy-nominated instrumentalist, singer-songwriter, and leader of the DC-based, Wammie-nominated, bilingual Latin-folk band Elena & Los Fulanos. Originally from Managua, Nicaragua, Elena identifies as both American and Nicaraguan and her music, which ranges from twangy, heartbreak-themed folk Americana, to soothing, introspective, violin-infused Latin cumbia, reflects this dual identity.

Her band’s second album, Volcán, was hailed as “a bilingual folk album for the resistance” by the Washington City Paper, a publication that also selected Elena for their People Issue 2017 highlighting notable Washingtonians. In 2019 Elena began touring with the Latin-Grammy winning and Grammy nominated band Flor de Toloache, and with whom she performed at the Kennedy Center Honors in 2019 at the Latin Grammys in 2021, and was nominated for a Latin Grammy in 2022. She is the seven-time recipient for the DC Commission on Arts and Humanities Artist Fellowship and the curator for “Pa’lante,” A Latin American Cultural Series out of Joe’s Movement Emporium in 2024.

Elena La Fulana is a Latin Grammy-nominated instrumentalist, singer-songwriter, and leader of the DC-based, Wammie-nominated, bilingual Latin-folk band Elena & Los Fulanos. Originally from Managua, Nicaragua, Elena identifies as both American and Nicaraguan and her music, which ranges from twangy, heartbreak-themed folk Americana, to soothing, introspective, violin-infused Latin cumbia, reflects this dual identity.

Her band’s second album, Volcán, was hailed as “a bilingual folk album for the resistance” by the Washington City Paper, a publication that also selected Elena for their People Issue 2017 highlighting notable Washingtonians. In 2019 Elena began touring with the Latin-Grammy winning and Grammy nominated band Flor de Toloache, and with whom she performed at the Kennedy Center Honors in 2019 at the Latin Grammys in 2021, and was nominated for a Latin Grammy in 2022. She is the seven-time recipient for the DC Commission on Arts and Humanities Artist Fellowship and the curator for “Pa’lante,” A Latin American Cultural Series out of Joe’s Movement Emporium in 2024.

An American of Trinidadian heritage, Sherwin was born into steelpan culture and has lived the art form his entire life. A native of Hyattsville, Maryland, Thwaites has established a reputable career as a steelpan educator and musician, devoting his life to the advancement of steelpan culture. He has toured internationally, performing throughout Europe, Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East, bringing the steelpan to new horizons.

He is a resident steelpan musician and percussionist with Native Deen and has accompanied his classmate and Grammy award winning artist, Esperanza Spalding. Thwaites has also performed alongside steelpan icons, including Len “Boogsie” Sharpe, Robert Greenidge, Ray Holman, Ken “Professor” Philmore, and Andy Narell. He has also helped some of the world’s most notable steel orchestras, such as Phase II Pan Groove, bring home numerous Panorama titles in Trinidad and Tobago. He currently serves as Musical Director and Arranger for Oasis Youth Steel Orchestra in Newark, NJ and Assistant Musical Director for Pan United Youth Movement, based in Washington, DC.

An American of Trinidadian heritage, Sherwin was born into steelpan culture and has lived the art form his entire life. A native of Hyattsville, Maryland, Thwaites has established a reputable career as a steelpan educator and musician, devoting his life to the advancement of steelpan culture. He has toured internationally, performing throughout Europe, Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East, bringing the steelpan to new horizons.

He is a resident steelpan musician and percussionist with Native Deen and has accompanied his classmate and Grammy award winning artist, Esperanza Spalding. Thwaites has also performed alongside steelpan icons, including Len “Boogsie” Sharpe, Robert Greenidge, Ray Holman, Ken “Professor” Philmore, and Andy Narell. He has also helped some of the world’s most notable steel orchestras, such as Phase II Pan Groove, bring home numerous Panorama titles in Trinidad and Tobago. He currently serves as Musical Director and Arranger for Oasis Youth Steel Orchestra in Newark, NJ and Assistant Musical Director for Pan United Youth Movement, based in Washington, DC.

An agent of alternatives, Erik Bruner-Yang creates space.

His Washington DC-based concepts offer an alternative: food and space as commons. There exists a constant dialogue of community, culture and progress. His restaurants are instinctual and contemporary, yet habitual, with a variety of accolades that help recognize such work, including Maketto, which he founded in 2015; and formerly, Brothers and Sisters, Spoken English, and ABC Pony. His latest concept, Providencia, is a neighborhood cocktail bar full of culture in Washington DC.

In 2020, Bruner-Yang started a program called The Power of 10 Initiative that helped facilitate grants for small businesses all across the country in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Distributing over $1.2 million dollars to sixty-five independently owned restaurants to serve over 500,000 meals for communities in need.

An agent of alternatives, Erik Bruner-Yang creates space.

His Washington DC-based concepts offer an alternative: food and space as commons. There exists a constant dialogue of community, culture and progress. His restaurants are instinctual and contemporary, yet habitual, with a variety of accolades that help recognize such work, including Maketto, which he founded in 2015; and formerly, Brothers and Sisters, Spoken English, and ABC Pony. His latest concept, Providencia, is a neighborhood cocktail bar full of culture in Washington DC.

In 2020, Bruner-Yang started a program called The Power of 10 Initiative that helped facilitate grants for small businesses all across the country in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Distributing over $1.2 million dollars to sixty-five independently owned restaurants to serve over 500,000 meals for communities in need.

Rwanda Campbell is active in Arnold & Porter’s extensive pro bono practice, and she has provided pro bono services in the areas of voter protection and assisted at both the DC Superior Court Landlord Tenant Resource Center and the DC Superior Court Family Court Self-Help Center. Rwanda has also provided extensive pro bono service in the area of immigration. She has successfully  represented clients filing their U Visa application.

Rwanda has demonstrated a staunch commitment to Ayuda’s mission and clients through extraordinary partnership as part of Ayuda’s pro bono program. She has always been there when Ayuda’s  pro bono program needs a thought partner. We are particularly grateful for her support in developing special initiatives that has helped us serve more clients.

Rwanda Campbell is active in Arnold & Porter’s extensive pro bono practice, and she has provided pro bono services in the areas of voter protection and assisted at both the DC Superior Court Landlord Tenant Resource Center and the DC Superior Court Family Court Self-Help Center. Rwanda has also provided extensive pro bono service in the area of immigration. She has successfully  represented clients filing their U Visa application.

Rwanda has demonstrated a staunch commitment to Ayuda’s mission and clients through extraordinary partnership as part of Ayuda’s pro bono program. She has always been there when Ayuda’s  pro bono program needs a thought partner. We are particularly grateful for her support in developing special initiatives that has helped us serve more clients.