Staff and Board
Staff Leadership
Najla Wortham, MA LCPC
President
As the President of The Rock Creek Foundation, Najla Wortham brings over 16 years of experience in the fields of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) and severe and persistent mental illness. Najla has been instrumental in leading Rock Creek’s mission to empower individuals to reach their full potential.
Under Najla’s leadership, Rock Creek has expanded its reach and impact, providing vital support and resources to the most vulnerable populations. Through innovative service delivery models and a commitment to evidence-based practices, Najla has led the organization in achieving positive outcomes, transforming lives, and building healthier, more resilient communities.
Najla is a proud alumna of two prestigious Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Howard University and a Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from Bowie State University. Since becoming a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in 2012, she has been deeply committed to ensuring that all individuals, regardless of their background or circumstances, have access to comprehensive support and resources to thrive.
Najla is a staunch advocate for mental health and disability rights, actively participating in countless advocacy efforts to promote policy changes and raise awareness about the importance of accessible and equitable services. Additionally, Najla serves on several advisory boards and committees, contributing expertise and insight to drive meaningful systematic change and inspire others to join in the journey towards a more inclusive and equitable future.
Najla made history as the first African American and woman to assume the role of President at Rock Creek. Her leadership is grounded in the fundamental belief in the inherent worth and potential of every individual.
Joanna Miller
Chief of Operations
A Montgomery County native and graduate of Walter Johnson High School, Joanna Miller has served as Chief of Operations at Rock Creek since 2023, and manages events, staffing, internal policy updates and organizational benchmarking. Previously, she worked at Graham-Pelton Fundraising Consulting and the Montgomery County Covid Rent Relief Program, where she managed $59 million in federal funds to protect 9,000 area families from homelessness.
Earlier in her career, Joanna served in fundraising roles at a variety of educational and other nonprofit institutions, including Round House Theatre. Joanna earned her B.A. from the University of Michigan and Masters from the University of Sydney. She is an alumna of Leadership Montgomery.
Amir Malek
Chief Operating Officer
A senior leader with more than thirty years of experience, Amir has overseen the financing and modernization of multiple organizations across the east coast, including Wordsworth Academy in Philadelphia, The Foundation Schools in Prince George’s County and Gorfine, Schiller & Gardyn in Owing’s Mills. With focused experience in consulting, legal, accounting and healthcare institutions, he leverages knowledge of best practice across industries to benefit all organizations under the umbrella of Affiliated Santé Group, including the Rock Creek Foundation. Amir holds a B.A. from Dickinson College and hales from Baltimore.
Jennifer Alldredge
Senior Compliance and Quality Assurance Manager
Now working remotely from New Hampshire, Jennifer Alldredge has been part of the Rock Creek Foundation team since 2004 and has been promoted as the organization has grown. As the Senior Compliance and Quality Assurance Manager, Jennifer monitors, trains, and evaluates RCF programs, with the stated goals of regulatory compliance and continuous quality improvement. She holds a degree in Business Management from Montgomery College and the University of Maryland.
Britt Mobley
Director of Mental Health Services
Britt Mobley is a human services professional with 25 years of experience providing community-based residential and outpatient services. After graduating from North Carolina Central University, Britt began his career in mental health working with adolescents as a high school special education teacher in Wake County Public Schools. His work at the Rock Creek Foundation, which he joined in 2019, sees Britt managing care and programming for individuals with behavioral health challenges.
Prior to joining RCF, Britt worked as a frontline staff member in a secured treatment facility with individuals with co-occurring disorders and oversaw the day-to-day operations of several day treatment and residential programs throughout central North Carolina. He is now based in Southern Maryland.
Cheri Olivar
Director of Developmental Disability Services
Originally from Santiago, Chile, Cheri was raised in Silver Spring, MD, and is a graduate of Springbrook High School, Montgomery College and the University of Maryland Baltimore Campus. She joined the Rock Creek Foundation in 2003, and her work involves providing exceptional residential and day-habilitation services, as well as community-based employment for adults with intellectual disabilities and severe and persistent mental illness.
Cheri is a champion for community integration and person-centered concepts for all staff and supported individuals. She has also worked with the Family Preservation Unit for Prince George’s County, obtained her Pharmacy Technician Certification, and is a member of the Maryland Responds Reserve Corps of Prince Georges County.
Jennifer Weaver-Baldon
Consumer Entitlement and Benefit Specialist
Jennifer joined the Rock Creek Foundation in 2022 with over 10 years in the social service field and a vast knowledge of Social Security Benefits Planning, Maryland State and county programs and direct service care and coordination. In 2017, Jennifer was awarded Excellence in Direct Support by the Maryland Association of Community Services (M.A.C.S) for her community-based efforts with individuals diagnosed with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (I/DD), and severe and persistent mental illness. Originally from Kentucky, Jennifer obtained her master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from the University of Kentucky in Lexington, Kentucky and holds a certification from Virgina Commonwealth University as a Community Partner Work Incentives Counselor. One of her favorite quotes is, “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”
Board
Gabrielle Bezou is a master’s level Special Education Teacher at Montgomery County Public Schools. Her work ensures that individuals with developmental disabilities have the opportunity to live meaningful lives.
Bruce Casner has a long history of community service which includes Chairmanship on several diverse boards. He is a co-founder of the Affiliated Santé Group; a sister organization of the Rock Creek Foundation.
Fred Chanteau is the former Chief Executive Officer of the Affiliated Santé Group. He is a 40-year veteran of the behavioral health services field and a pioneer in community-based services for those with severe and persistent mental illness and developmental disabilities.
Christopher Flynn is a partner in Crowell and Moring’s Washington, D.C. office and is co-chair of the firm’s Health Care Group. Mr. Flynn regularly represents health care organizations and industry associations in various litigation, investigations, and regulatory matters.
Renee Gaona is a Montgomery County native and graduate of Winston Churchill High School. Renee works at the Federal Courthouse, became involved with the Rock Creek Foundation in 1996 and joined the board in 2020.
Dr. Daman Harris is a career educator and administrator, having served as an Assistant Principal in Montgomery County Public Schools, Manager of Professional Development in Anne Arundel Public Schools and teacher at Baltimore County Public Schools. Dr. Harris is a published author, having written The Antiracist School Leader: What to Know, Say and Do. He is also a cofounder of the Building Our Network of Diversity (BOND) program, which seeks to support and retain male teachers of color, especially African-American and Latino males. He holds a PhD from the University of Maryland and an MA from Goucher College
Margaret Parrott is an Instructional Specialist at Montgomery County Public Schools and has worked at MCPS for over 30 years. Margaret works to assist families of students with special needs to ensure a seamless and successful transition into the adult world.
James Winslow has served on the RCF board of directors for several years. He is Senior Director, Government Affairs at the Sumitomo Corporation of Americas and is also a co-founder and president of the Salute Military Golf Association, an organization that brings the rehabilitative benefits of golf to post-9/11 wounded veterans. Mr. Winslow received his BA and MBA from The George Washington University and Masters Certificates from the Columbia Business School and Cardean University. He has served as a guest lecturer at GWU on Corporate Social Responsibility and Issues in Cross-Cultural Management and has judged several international MBA case competitions. Mr. Winslow has also lectured on the history of Japanese trading companies at American University.