Meet the GWA Steering Committee

Erika Cohen-Derr

Chair Emeritus, Georgetown Women’s Alliance
Associate Vice President, Student Affairs & Director, Center for Student Engagement

In more than fifteen years at Georgetown University, Dr. Cohen Derr (pronouns: she/her) has been on the front lines for a wide variety of student programming, involvement and activism. Her research interests grew from the experience of accompanying students on their leadership journeys, through self-exploration, navigating relationships, and developing a sense of purpose. She has advised students on a wide variety of programs and experiences, from campus-wide entertainment, to provocative speakers, to artistic collaboration, to outdoor adventure and immersion experiences. She is passionate about student engagement, leadership, and identity.

Lynn Screen

GWA Chair, Leadership Development & Mentoring
University Director, Organizational Development | UHR

Lynn (pronouns: she/her) has been a Georgetown University community member for close to 15 years and has held positions in the Center for Language Education & Development, the Office of Global Services, the Institute for Transformational Leadership at SCS, and currently leads University Learning and Organizational Development in the Department of Human Resources. She is committed to tapping into the wisdom among us to empower women at Georgetown to be confident and authentic leaders. She is a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, and holds an MA from George Washington University and an Executive Master’s in Leadership from MSB at Georgetown.

Roberta Paul

GWA Chair, Leadership Development and Mentoring
Senior Director of Employee and Labor Relations | University HR

Roberta has been a Georgetown University community member for over 15 years and currently works to oversee labor and employee relations issues for University staff. Roberta holds an MBA and has more than 20 of years experience designing, planning, and implementing human resources programs and policies. Roberta enjoys exploring the outdoors on her bike and with her dog.

Maria Snyder

GWA Chair, Grants
Associate Dean | GSAS

Maria has been with Georgetown since January 1998. She began her career in the Walsh School of Foreign Service (publications, public affairs) and later the College of Arts & Sciences before joining the Graduate School in 2004 where she oversaw research development for faculty and graduate students
for ten years. After directing the Office of Graduate Fellowships & Awards
for five years, she was promoted to associate dean in 2019.  Her academic and professional training is in the humanities and health sciences, and she is a nationally certified research administrator and professional editor. A native of Portugal, Maria is a proud first-generation immigrant and professional and a Hoya (Class of 2028) parent.

Lauren Poteat

Co-Chair, Events and Programming
Associate Director, Editorial | Office of Advancement

ILauren (she/her/hers) is the associate director, editorial for the Office of Advancement. She also serves as an office EcoRep, Sustainability Ambassador and as a Hoya Harvest volunteer, helping Georgetown to gather all things produce. Lauren is an award-winning journalist and children’s book author whose first publication “Giraffes Don’t Talk to Ants” was honored with an award at the 2021 New York Book Festival. Lauren is an active member of the NAACP and the Junior League of Washington, DC, where she serves as co-chair of community relations for their Tossed & Found committee, which serves as the League’s largest annual fundraiser that grants scholarships and supports community members most in need. 

Briyon Ransome

Co-Chair, Events and Programming
Senior Assistant Director, Marketing and Communications | MBA Admissions

Briyon (she/her/hers) (pronounced bree-yawn) is the senior assistant director of MBA Admissions, Marketing and Communications and a member of the MBA Admissions Committee at the McDonough School of Business. She leads the recruiting and marketing strategy for the Flex MBA Online program. Briyon received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Fashion Design and Marketing. Prior to joining Georgetown McDonough, she worked as an Assistant Director of Admissions for recruitment at Johns Hopkins Carey Business School. She also serves as a volunteer for visitor experience at the Walters Art Museum.

Emily Dixon

GWA Chair, Finance
Associate Director of Digital Marketing and Analytics | MSB

Emily has been at Georgetown University since 2019 and currently works as the Associate Director of Digital Marketing and Analytics within the McDonough School of Business. She is also a part-time student in the Flex MBA program and will be graduating in May 2023. As the Finance Chair, her goal is to ensure the missions of GWA are sufficiently funded and resources can be made available to the communities GWA aims to serve. Outside of school and work, she enjoys painting, plant care, hiking, biking, and playing soccer. 

Gwendolyn Pearson

GWA Human Resources Liasion
EA to the Office of the Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer | UHR

A native of Virginia Beach, VA, Gwen (pronouns: she/her) has been a Human Resources Professional for over 25 years. In her current role at Georgetown, she has executive responsibilities within the Human Resources department in the areas of scheduling, finance, and document review. Before Georgetown, Gwen spent the majority of her career as an Executive Team Leader for Target Corporation. She served as a chief spokesperson for diversity and inclusion and represented the company on both the new employee corporate orientation video and career website. Building bridges between the company and community to enhance awareness of company diversity initiatives was the chief focus for Gwen for many years. Gwen lives in Silver Spring, Maryland, with her wife and children. When not working, she enjoys gardening, traveling, and working with the Capitol Pride Organization.

Lisa Krim

GWA Founder and Senior Advisor

Senior Advisor to the President for Faculty Relations | Office of the President

Lisa Krim serves as senior advisor to the President for faculty relations at Georgetown University. In this role, she leads efforts to develop University-wide faculty policy and supports and collaborates with campus and school faculty and administrators on a full range of faculty affairs issues, to advance the University’s mission, goals and strategic priorities. She also develops programs and resources to support faculty to be effective leaders in administrative and governance roles. Her portfolio also includes university-wide gender initiatives, including serving as chair of the Advisory Board for the Georgetown Gender Justice+ Initiative and a member of the Gender Equity Task Force.

Rosemary Kilkenny

Liaison, President’s Office
Vice President for Institutional Diversity & Equity | Office of Institutional Diversity, Equity & Affirmative Action