Washington D.C. Staff
Updated: September 8, 2010See a complete staff list on our Philadelphia site here.
Anne Mahlum, Founder and President, Shoe Size 8
Click here to read Anne's story Email Anne
Autumn Campbell, DC Executive Director, Shoe Size 7.5
Autumn is a longer-than-most-time runner in and resident of the District who learned about Back on My Feet after one of her fellow University of Missouri classmates told her about the organization.
“He told me about the Runner’s World Magazine photo shoot he did for Back on My Feet. That was summer 2008. The next day I made a phone call and asked how I could help – from DC.”
More than two years later Autumn is joining the team as the DC Director of Corporate Communications and Special Events. “People come to DC to change the world. Five years after my arrival I am finally figuring out how I can help make a real difference.”
Andrew Dawson, Director of Special Events, Shoe Size 11.5
Sports have always been a passion for Andrew. Growing up he played everything from tennis to hockey to golf. After playing basketball competitively in high school, he graduated from Appalachian State University where he fell in love with running. Since then he has participated in numerous races and is doing his first marathon, NYC, this fall. He recently graduated with a Master’s in Sports Industry Management from Georgetown University.
"Several years ago I read an article in Runner’s World about Back on My Feet and thought to myself what an amazing way to make a positive impact in peoples’ lives. Little did I know that a few years later I would be working for this amazing organization. After being informed of the DC Chapter opening I immediately applied to volunteer. The experience of meeting and forming relationships with such amazing people that I might otherwise not have was and is extremely rewarding."
Gretchen Gates, DC Program Director, Shoe Size 8.5
Hailing from Cincinnati, OH, Gretchen first joined the Back On My Feet family as Team Leader for Emery House in DC. After only a few weeks in, she realized two things about her experience: one, she just had to find some way to make this organization an even bigger part of her life, and two, she was really good at waking up the neighborhoods of Northeast DC.
Gretchen graduated from the University of Dayton with a dual degree in International Studies and Communications. Her dreams came true when she excitedly accepted the program coordinator position in April 2010, as it was the perfect marriage of her two passions: running and social justice.
"Back On My Feet has forever changed my life. My experience in the first few weeks alone was enough to hook me for a lifetime. This is a true testament to the power of the human relationship," she said.
Robert Brown, DC Program Coordinator, Shoe Size 8.5
Despite being slightly suspicious about the 5:45am start time, Rob started out as a volunteer with Emery House on the first day of Back On My Feet – DC and was instantly hooked.
“I ran the first Monday and Wednesday with Emery House, and took that Friday off, and I remember all day feeling like something was missing. It took me a second to realize that it was running with my new friends in the morning that really helped set the positive tone for the rest of my day. After that I knew I wanted to be a part of this organization in any way that I could.”
Rob graduated from Mary Washington College with a degree in sociology and has worked several years in the DC area doing special events and audio production.
“I’ve wanted to work for an organization committed to social justice and community development for a long time now, and I’m truly lucky to get to work with such an amazing group of volunteers.”
Keith K. Blackman, Pro Bono Media/PR services, Principal of Blackman Media Solutions (BMS)
Keith formed BMS in December 2009 to provide communications counsel to corporate and non-profit organizations. He also provides targeted media placement and media training with a focus on helping clients select media opportunities that most effectively achieve their communications objectives.
From 2005 to 2009 Keith served as a director in the media practice of Burson-Marsteller’s Washington, D.C. office providing media and crisis counsel for a wide range of corporate, association and non-profit clients including Duke University, Shell Oil, Intel, Ford Motor Company and Hope for Vision. Prior to joining Burson-Marsteller he spent nine years at NBC News Washington where he served as a producer for the Today program, Nightly News with Tom Brokaw and MSNBC. He also spent four years as a White House producer, producing correspondent packages and live shots on domestic and international presidential trips and events.
He lives in Washington, D.C. with his wife Laurence and his children Camille and Cyril.
