Board of Directors

Mary Ann Burstein is a dedicated local and global REALTOR® known for delivering  results to homebuyers, sellers, and property investors. A Northern Virginia resident for nearly three decades, Mary Ann leverages her deep market expertise and an extensive professional network to ensure seamless transactions whether maximizing a sale price or navigating a competitive purchase.

Her commitment to her clients extends well beyond the closing table. As President of the West End Business Association (WEBA) and a member of the Board of Directors for Virginia REALTORS® (VAR), Mary Ann’s industry leadership translates into unparalleled insight and influence. Her roles as an RPAC Disbursement Trustee and a member of the Public Policy Committee for the Northern Virginia Association of REALTORS® (NVAR) keep her at the forefront of the local policy and community development trends that shape real estate investments.

Mary Ann Burstein is more than an agent; she is a strategic professional partner built on three pillars: Collaboration, Advocacy, and Results.

James lives and works in Alexandria. He moved to the City 10 years ago because it was a diverse, vibrant and dynamic community where neighbors know and care about each other. Alexandria has been an ideal home for James because the City attracts civic-minded people who embrace progressive values and support policies that reflect those ideals.

He graduated from William & Mary and went on to earn a Masters in Strategic Studies at the U.S. Army War College. After college, he worked with underprivileged youth, leading them in conservation projects to improve city parks. He is a former Capitol Hill staffer with experience crafting progressive legislation.  Now, he works in health care advocacy, fighting to reduce the cost of prescription drugs.

James has been active in Democratic politics for years. He’s served as an Alexandria Democratic Committee Precinct Captain for Lyles Crouch (South Old Town) and was President of the Virginia Young Democrats during the 2017 elections. During that cycle, he helped Democrats win all statewide offices and make tremendous gains in the House of Delegates. He’s also been a leader in the national party, managing policy and issue advocacy for the Young Democrats of America.

Marco M. Cooper is a native of Washington D.C. and has over 30 years of federal government experience as a Senior Budget Analyst/Financial Specialist. Marco holds a B.S. degree in business management from Bowie State University.

Marco became an independent business owner in 2012 with ACN Global Essential Services Marketing Company.  ACN serves the nation with residential/business essential services such as: Mobile, Identity Theft Protection, Energy/Gas, 5G Internet, Home Security, Health Share, Merchant Services, ADP Payroll Services, and more.  In addition, he serves as a Business Consultant with FLP Global, a facilities management company.

In addition, Marco is a community leader, having served as a Treasurer with the Board of Directors in Prince George’s County, MD.  He also coached for over 25 years with private Catholic high school football teams.  Marco joined WEBA in 2021 to build strong relationships with the Alexandria community and make long-lasting connections.

Paul Friedman is Founder/Executive Director of Safer Country, a gun violence prevention 501(c)(3) organization.

Paul has served six years on Alexandria’s Budget & Fiscal Affairs Advisory Committee (BFAAC) and six years on the Board of Agenda: Alexandria.

Prior to Safer Country, Paul served as Executive Director of the Virginia Tech Victims (VTV) Family Outreach Foundation, during which time he worked with the City of Alexandria and Virginia Tech’s local graduate schools to create a tree grove in Chinquapin Park to honor the victims and survivors of the April 16, 2007 massacre.

Paul is a graduate of New York Law School and Brandeis University.

Rob is the founder and lead Digital Strategist of Gazz Digital, a digital marketing agency located in Alexandria VA, serving business and non-profits both in the DMV and nationwide for over 20 years. His diverse experience covers developing and implementing digital marketing campaigns for many small and medium sized businesses throughout the US and Canada, as well as speaking marketing industry events and serving in leadership roles in several Northern Virginia business associations.

Rob is a native of Arlington, VA, having attended Gonzaga College High School, Bucknell University and Thunderbird: The Amercian Graduate School of International Management. When Rob isn’t strategizing with clients, speaking to or volunteering with local groups, you’ll likely find him on the tennis court or coaching soccer for his two children.

After 41 years as a New York Life Insurance agent, using Life Insurance, Investments, Retirement Products, and Long Term Care Insurance, we help provide financial security and peace of mind for individuals, their families, business owners, and their employees.

Mark F. Werblood, is a 40-year resident of the West End of Alexandria and a Law Partner at Tesler and Werblood. Mark concentrates on Wills, Trusts, Taxation, Small Business, and related litigation. A graduate of New York University, JD, and LLM, Mark strongly believes in being engaged in and giving back to the Community.

Mark’s previous nonprofit service includes 10 years on the Board of Directors of the Greater Falls Church Board of Directors and 6 years on the Board of Directors of PRS, Inc., a Northern Virginia-based mental health and suicide prevention and mental health nonprofit. Mark is in the 8th year of service on the Board of Directors of Creative Cauldron, a small musical and learning theater.

Executive Director George Hanson brings many years of experience in the symphonic world to his position with ASO. After several decades of an active conducting career in the U.S. and Europe, George turned his attention to management and administration, completed graduate coursework at the University of Arizona Eller School of Management, and took the administrative helm as Director of the Tucson Desert Song Festival. George grew the festival’s financial support and expanded the collaborative organization’s list of partners, while raising its national profile through the engagement of major artists and composers. His focus at ASO is to create a solid financial and organizational foundation to support the community mission of the orchestra and Maestro Jim Ross’ artistic vision.

Lynn is co-owner of Taqueria Picoso alongside her husband, Tom Voskuil. They opened the restaurant in January 2020 with a mission to bring truly authentic Mexican cuisine to Alexandria. Serving as the creative force behind Taqueria Picoso, Lynn crafted the restaurant’s brand, curated its interior space, and manages all brand and marketing initiatives.

Prior to opening the restaurant, Lynn dedicated 30+ years in Old Town Alexandria with Grafik Marketing Communications, an award-winning creative branding agency. Throughout her tenure with Grafik, Lynn played an integral role in shaping brand narratives, devising creative strategies, and leading client service operations until her retirement as a co-owner in 2021. Today, Lynn continues to provide strategic and creative consultation for select clients while stewarding Taqueria Picoso’s brand.

A DC native, she grew up in Cleveland Park and Potomac, MD, and graduated from the Philadelphia College of Art with a BFA in Graphic Design. Her extensive experience has been instrumental in the success of her ventures, blending artistic vision with strategic business acumen.

Kendra Pena-Collazo is the founder and owner of Movement in Science, a small business located in Alexandria’s West End neighborhood. Movement in Sciences works with people recovering from injury and anyone who needs to move better and live pain-free. In addition to managing a business, she is an advocate for other small businesses and has been active in the West End Business Association since 2024. She mentors new business owners and supports other Alexandria businesses because she believes that strong local businesses make for a strong community.

Pena-Collazo’s unique approach to healing embraces her heritage and intuitive healing abilities and combines this with scientific knowledge to promote holistic, human-centered wellness. Born in a small Cape Verdean community in New England, Pena-Collazo grew up in a household of healers. Her mother practiced cupping and herbal remedies, her grandmother was a naturopathic healer, and her great-grandmother was a midwife. Her journey to becoming a healing practitioner began in 2009 when she became a personal trainer while her husband was in the military. She has a passion for working with active service members and veterans, helping them live stronger, pain-free lives. She also teaches workshops and partners with local companies, providing corporate wellness solutions that engage their customers and clients.

Ms. Ayers joined ALIVE! as its Executive Director in August 2019.

Prior to joining ALIVE! she was an independent management consultant with 25 years of nonprofit management experience. Her firm, JL Ayers Consulting, LLC helped organizations implement new strategies to improve operational efficiency.

Jennifer Ayers was the Executive Director of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE) from 2006 -2012. She has worked for several other nonprofits at the Executive Level including the Professional Landcare Network, National Association of Addiction Professionals, New York City Parks Foundation, and the Pasadena Council of the Boy Scouts of America.

Ayers holds a Master of Public Administration from the University of Southern California and a Bachelor of Arts in Policy Studies from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, and English Textual Studies from Syracuse University.

She resides in Alexandria, VA where she volunteers her time with various local organizations and spends time with her family and beagle. She is an active member of Fairlington United Methodist Church, and Past President of Living Legends of Alexandria and served with several other local organizations as a volunteer or board member.

Bio coming soon!

Bio coming soon!