Board Of Directors
Marlene Thomas
Board Chair
Marlene Thomas is Chair of the CCGHF Board. She is a former Senior Executive and Chief Financial Officer for several Federal and State agencies, and is currently President and CEO of Thomas Management Consulting. Marlene has over 30 years’ experience working in diverse businesses and industries, in both public and private sectors. She is a Master facilitator and certified professional coach with extensive consulting experience in coaching, training, communications, organizational development and facilitation experiences.
Marlene’s passion and commitment to her community extends to her involvement with several non- profit organizations which help those less fortunate. She was the past Chair of the Board for Outside the Walls Ministry which feeds the homeless, and serves on the board of None Suffer Lack Federal Credit Union. In addition, Marlene has been a volunteer with the Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Mid-Atlantic for over 20 years.
Marlene Thomas holds a B.A. and M.A. from the University of Maryland and certificates from Harvard University, and the Federal Executive Institute in addition to numerous awards and recognitions.
Niambie M. Stewart
Secretary To Board
Niambie M. Stewart (Nia) is the Secretary for Carolyn Community Group Homes Foundation Inc. Nia has a diverse background and experience working in the Performing Arts, Design, and Hospitality Industries. She earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Industrial Design from Savannah College of Design (SCAD), Savannah, Georgia in 2011, where she worked on several design projects with local and international companies. In 2007, while working at the Shakespeare Theatre Company (STC) in Washington, D.C., she was selected by the Director of Marketing to collaborate with the (STC) Board of Directors on generating new educational programs and marketing ideas that would increase the young adult audience demographic.
In her present role as Event Sales Associate with Hyatt Hotels, she supports the Senior Event Sales Manager in planning government, corporate, and social events. She has provided quality service and exceptional performance which has contributed to the success of VIP events, including: Women’s Leadership Conference, hosted by Democratic National Committee that included the 2016 Democratic Presidential Candidates with President Barack Obama as closing speaker.
Nia considers it an honor to serve on the CCGHF Board because it allows her to give back in a positive way to the community she lives in and loves by helping women veterans and children. When not working, she enjoys traveling, listening to live music, painting, drawing and spending time with her family and friends.
James A. Dula, PhD.
Senior Advisor
James A. Dula, PhD, is an internationally recognized entrepreneur, civic, community and military leader. He is CEO of James Dula Consulting, a firm that addresses growth and development for CEO’s and managerial teams. He also serves as Commissioner for Small Businesses for the State of Maryland.
A retired military commander, he is a Vietnam veteran who served in the Pentagon Air Force Intelligence and The Air Force District of Washington. He served as Director of Administration and Executive Officer at Andrews Air Force Base in the Presidential Wing, which required interaction with the White House and high ranking U.S. government officials.
After 30-years of military duty, from 2002-2006, Dr. Dula served as the Health and Human Services Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Prince George’s County. HE lead the effort to open six new health centers, strategically placed health, youth and family centers in schools and communities, and created additional programs that enhanced the quality of life for more than 865,000 residents who depended on the County’s health and social services.
Dr. Dula is also credited with the Veteran Services Center to address the needs of the 80,000 veterans in the county, which has the largest concentration of veterans in the State of Maryland. He also was responsible for opening the first Women’s Resource Center in Prince George’s County and serving as the former President of the Prince Georges Chamber of Commerce transforming the growth and development of small businesses within the county.
Dr. Dula spent nearly four decades as a senior manager and public administrator at various locations world-wide. As a commissioned officer and organization leader, Dr. Dula has overseen the planning and implementation of various administrative programs. He also has received numerous awards for his work with children, families, communities and women’s organizations.