Karthik Balasubramian

Dr. Karthik Balasubramanian is broadly interested in real-world optimization, especially as it is applied to base-of-the-pyramid business strategy in Sub-Saharan Africa and voter turnout among traditionally marginalized urban communities in the United States. Karthik earned a Doctorate of Business Administration from Harvard Business School, where his dissertation focused on the optimization of inventory management for mobile money agents in Tanzania, Kenya, and Zambia. Over the past 15 years, Karthik has conducted high-impact strategic analytics for the World Food Programme, the American Red Cross, the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, corporate clients as a consultant with the Boston Consulting Group, and many political campaigns.

Elizabeth (Lizzy) Ragan

Lizzy is a public health professional with expertise in global and domestic program implementation and translational and epidemiologic research. Most recently, she served as a White House Fellow from 2022-2023, for which she was placed at the Office of Science and Technology Policy. Lizzy now works at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. She is a peer mentor with the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation and a former appointee to the Oregon Health Authority’s Health Equity Committee. Elizabeth lives with a spinal cord injury and is a wheelchair user. She is passionate about the intersection of disability with other social determinants of health and supporting individuals with disabilities in the workforce. Ms. Ragan enjoys being a D.C. resident with her husband and their canine companion. In her “free time”, she is a watercolor artist and a cyclist.

Kelly Mack

Salifu Kamara

Salifu Kamara—widely known as Sal—is more than a public servant. He is a compassionate educator, a relentless advocate, and a leader whose life story is powerful and deeply inspiring. With over a decade of experience in healthcare, disability services, workforce development, and international humanitarian work, Sal brings a rare combination of lived experience, strategic vision, and heart-centered leadership to every role he serves. Sal is a proud graduate of American University’s School of International Service in Washington, D.C., where he served in student government and focused his studies on global development, economics, and inclusive policy. Professionally, Sal has served in pivotal roles such as Project Analyst at the World Bank, Program Manager, Data Analyst, and Independent Living Specialist, where he has led initiatives that advance accessibility, equity, and inclusion for underserved communities. His expertise includes case management, Medicaid and public benefits navigation, compliance auditing, data systems, team building, and disability-centered program design. 

Naomi Hess

Peter Stephan

Office of Disability Rights (ODR) Designee

peter.stephan@dc.gov

Zachary Smith

District Department of Transportation Designee

zachary.smith1@dc.gov