MURIEL BOWSER
MAYOR
October 22, 2024
The Honorable Phil Mendelson
Chairman
Council of the District of Columbia
John A. Wilson Building
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Suite 504
Washington, DC 20004
Dear Chairman Mendelson:
In accordance with section 2 of the Confirmation Act of 1978, effective March 3, 1979 (D.C. Law
2-142; D.C. Official Code § 1-523.01), pursuant to section 204 of the Clemency Board
Establishment Act of 2018, effective December 13, 2018 (D.C. Law 22-197; D.C. Official Code §
24-481.04), I am pleased to nominate the following person:
Dr. Indira Henard
Connecticut Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20015
(Ward 3)
for reappointment as the member with a background in victim’s rights of the Clemency Board of the
District of Columbia, for a term to end February 10, 2029.
Enclosed, you will find biographical information detailing the experience of the above-
mentioned nominee, together with a proposed resolution to assist the Council during the
confirmation process.
I would appreciate the Council’s earliest consideration of this nomination for confirmation. Please
do not hesitate to contact me, or Steven Walker, Director, Mayor’s Office of Talent and
Appointments, should the Council require additional information.
Sincerely,
Muriel Bowser
Mayor
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~ Phil Mendelson
at the request of the Mayor
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6 A PROPOSED RESOLUTION
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10 IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
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15 To confirm the reappointment of Dr. Indira Henard to the Clemency Board.
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17 RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, that this
18 resolution may be cited as the "Clemency Board Dr. Indira Henard Confirmation Resolution of
19 2024".
20 Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia confirms the reappointment of:
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22 Dr. Indira Henard
23 Connecticut Avenue, NW
24 Washington, DC 20015
25 (Ward 3)
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27 as the member with a background in victim's rights of the Clemency Board, established by
28 section 203 of the Clemency Board Establishment Act of 2018, effective December 13, 2018
29 (D.C. Law 22-197, D.C. Official Code§ 24-481.03), for a term to end February 10, 2029.
30 Sec. 3. The Council of the District of Columbia shall transmit a copy of this resolution,
31 upon its adoption, to the nominee and to the Office of the Mayor.
32 Sec. 4. This resolution shall take effect immediately.
Dr. Indira Henard, Dsw, Msw
Washington, DC H
Executive Summary
Mission-centric and strategic leader with 20+ years of experience in gender-based violence and a heart for leading and living a life of
public service centered around non-profit and advocacy work. A compassionate and committed national thought leader proven to
prosper in times of adversity in executive leadership roles, consultative relationships, and corporate board member positions with
countless awards for impacting the communities served. Recognized as a trusted advocate dedicated to influencing international
organizations that empower and support others.
CORE STRENGTHS Notable Honors & Recognition
• Crisis Management Washington Business Journal, Women Who Mean Business Award, 2021 | People on
• Social Work the Move, 2020 | 40 under 40 Award, 2019
• Organizational & Board Washingtonian of the Year, 2020
Leadership Wheaton College, Alumni Social Impact Award, 2021 | Inducted into the Chad Yowell
• Strategic Planning Athletic Hall of Fame, 2017 | Athletics All Community Team, 2000 | Ruth Capers McKay
• Public Policy Leadership Award, 2003 | Patricia King Leadership Award, 2001
• Mentoring & Coaching
Presented by Mayor Muriel Bowser, Washington Women of Excellence Award, 2020
• Servant Leadership
• International Consulting RALIANCE Honors, Community Leader of the Year, 2019
• Fundraising & Donor Relations The Marquis Who’s Who Publication Record, Who’s Who in America, 2019
• Training & Speaking Essence Magazine, African American Women on the Ground doing Sexual Violence Work, 2018
Engagements People Issue Washington City Paper, Named 1 of 20 people in DC making a difference, 2018
• Program Development
Catholic Univ., Alumni Achievement Award, National Catholic School of Social Service, 2018
• Community Relations
Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences, National "Victim Impact Award", 2015
Bishop’s Award-Unity Fellowship Church Movement, 2015
EDUCATION
University of Southern Professional Experience
California, Los Angeles, CA DC Rape Crisis Center 2008 - Present
Doctorate of Social Work Executive Director 2016 - Present
Interim Executive Director/Deputy Director/Director of Policy & Advocacy/Counseling
Catholic University of & Advocacy Program Manager, 2008 - 2016
America, Washington, DC Joined the organization as a Counseling Manager after serving as a volunteer, achieved multiple
Master of Social Work, promotions over tenure, and ultimately selected to serve as the Executive Director of the oldest
• Concentration: Social Change/ rape crisis center in the country. Fostered an engaging and motivating environment for a team
Macro Social Work Policy of 25 employees and 65 volunteers.
• Lead a transformational effort for an underperforming agency, developing and executing strategy
Wheaton College, Norton, MA for the repositioning efforts across finance, operations, diversity funding, and community relations.
Bachelor of Arts, Major: • Cultivated a positive workplace culture and led the organization to be recognized as a 2019
Political Science and 2020 recipient of the Best Places to Work by the Washington Business Journal, Best of
• Minor: Legal Studies Washington Award in 2019, 2020, and 2021, including the Business Hall of Fame, and the 2019
Agency of the Year Award by the National Association of Social Workers.
• Spearheaded the vision, strategy, and execution to achieve success in ongoing program,
Certifications policy, and project initiatives, annual and ongoing fundraising development, project planning,
Substance Abuse and Mental program planning, capacity building, sustainability, and change management.
• Influenced decisions on Capitol Hill by monitoring and analyzing activity, disseminating it
Health Services Administration
across similar organizations, developing and implementing strategies for advancing policy
Screening, Brief Intervention goals, and issuing briefs and policy papers.
and Referral to Treatment for • Promoted awareness through advocacy and community development by enhancing relationships
Substance Abuse Disorders with civic, social, and community organizations aligned with the Center's mission and values.
(SBIRT) • Participated in events and built brand engagement through digital marketing tools, and social.
• Leveraged strong social work expertise to provide individual and group counseling to sexual
abuse survivors, including hotline and hospital advocacy to support women in crisis.
Page 1 of 2
Dr. Indira Henard, Dsw, Msw
Washington, DC H
Professional Experience (continued)
National Catholic School of Social Service, Catholic University, Adjunct Faculty 2018 - Present
Collaborated with university leadership to support programs in the School of Social Work. Developed curriculum and facilitated courses
and discussions to students in a higher-education classroom setting in classes focused on Diversity and Social Work Response to Trauma.
Independent Executive Consulting, Gender-Based Violence Consultant, International Program Development 2016 - Present
Provided advisory services, including training, program development, and capacity building for clients to create the foundati on to
effectively respond to the needs of gender-based violence victims.
• Selected to serve and advise Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III and the US Office of the Secretary of Defense, as a highly qualified expert,
through an independent review commission on military sexual assault ordered by President Biden.
• Led international engagements in collaboration with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to develop programs for gender-based violence.
• Orchestrated the strategy and execution of the efforts to open the first rape crisis center in Lagos, Nigeria.
• Guided a coalition of international NGOs, alongside Code Innovation, in developing a mobile application to aid refugee workers
supporting sexual assault victims.
• Played an integral role in developing the USAID Bersama Program in Papua, Indonesia, as part of the Winrock International initiatives.
• Contributed to the Odyssey Impact as a consultant for the Recy Taylor Film, a documentary production exposing the legacy of p hysical
abuse of black women.
Office of the Honorable John R. Lewis, US Rep., Georgia 5th District, Congressional Social Work Fellow 2015 - 2016
Provided support to constituents in correspondence response, informational tours, and legislative inquiries at the state and national levels.
• Developed policy papers, briefings, and other documents for congressional staff.
• Conducted legal research, developed, and issued briefs on varying policy topics.
United States Senate Office of Barack Obama D-IL, Special Assistant to the Deputy Director & Chief Counsel 2007 - 2009
Obama for America Presidential Campaign
Liaised across multiple levels of government, including the Legislative, Judicial, and Executive branches, on various researc h, projects,
meetings, and policy issues.
• Collaborated with senior officials in various inter-governmental affairs offices in the development and implementation of special projects.
• Researched legislation and provided briefing papers to the Senator on topics of interest.
• Articulated the Senator’s position on policy issues on his behalf at meetings and events.
Executive Office State of Illinois, Federal and State Liaison 2004 - 2005
Served as a Member of the National Governor’s Association Education, Early Childhood and Workforce Committee. Oversaw policy
development, legislation monitoring, and federal appropriations processes.
• Drafted the policy and legislation for the No Child Left Behind Act in collaboration with other agencies to develop state policy positions.
• Monitored legislation on immigration, welfare reform, disability, women’s health, healthcare, and education.
• Aided in the procurement of $200M in funding for NGA’s education programs and the overall federal investment in education.
Board & Commission Leadership Affiliations
UBER Safety Advisory Board, Board Member, 2021 - Present Member, Chief (private network
Leadership Greater Washington, Board Member, 2021 - Present that supports and connects other
women executive leaders)
Wheaton College Norton, MA, Board of Trustees, 2020 - Present
National Catholic School of Social Service-Catholic Univ., Board Member, 2018 - Present Leadership Greater Washington,
Class of 2021
National Alliance to End Sexual Violence, Board Member, 2018 - Present
DC Anti Sexual Harassment Commission, Member, 2018 - Present Washington, DC Executive Circle
President’s Commission, Wheaton College Norton, MA, Member, 2018 - 2020 Movement Maker, Move to End
DC Crime Victims Compensation Advisory Commission, Member, 2017 - Present Violence
DC Crime Victims Compensation Appeals Board, Board Member, 2017 - Present National Association of Social
Women at Risk International Fdn., Lagos, Nigeria, Advisory Board Member, 2016 - Present Workers (NASW)
Page 2 of 2
 Executive Office of the Mayor – Mayor’s Office of Talent and Appointments
John A. Wilson Building | 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, Suite 600 | Washington, DC 20004
Dr. Indira Henard
Dr. Indira Henard is the Executive Director of the District of Columbia
Rape Crisis Center (DCRCC). Dr. Henard has been involved in the
violence against women movement for 20 years. Her expertise in
gender-based violence is rooted in an anti-oppression, feminist theory
and survivor centered model. Dr. Henard’s direct service experience in
various gender-based violence programs has helped to inform her policy
analysis that has led to coordinating public policy initiatives, organizing
and planning space for survivor-led advocacy and educating local and
international communities around civic participation within the violence
against women movement.
Prior to joining the DCRCC, Dr. Henard served as a Senate Aide for Senator Barack Obama (D-
IL) on Capitol Hill, as well as Special Assistant on his Presidential Campaign. Additionally, Dr.
Henard has deep ties within the policy sector having served as a Ralph Bunche Institute Fellow at
Duke University, a Congressional Truman Fellow on Capitol Hill, and a Charles Hamilton
Houston Fellow at Georgetown Law Center.
Dr. Henard’s high-level training and technical assistance provided to local nonprofits and
international NGOs has resulted in the repositioning of the sexual assault coalition in the District
of Columbia, opening the first rape crisis center in Lagos, Nigeria, as well as a coalition of
international NGOs developing a mobile app to aid refugee workers who are working with sexual
assault victims. Dr. Henard has been recognized locally, and nationally, for her contributions to
the violence against women movement to include, but not limited to receiving the 2020
Washington Women of Excellence Award presented by Mayor Muriel Bowser of Washington,
DC.
A Ward 3 resident, Dr. Henard earned her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Wheaton
College, her Master of Social Work degree from Catholic University of America, and her
Doctorate of Social Work from the University of Southern California.
 GOVERNMENT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Executive Office of Mayor Muriel Bowser
Office of the General Counsel to the Mayor
To: Kimberly A. Bassett, Steve Walker
From: Betsy Cavendish
Date: October 7, 2024
Subject: Legal sufficiency review of a resolution reappointing Dr. Indira Henard as a
member of the Clemency Board
This is to Certify that this office has reviewed the above-referenced Order and found
it to be legally unobjectionable. If you have any questions in this regard, please do not hesitate
to call Michael Porcello, Deputy General Counsel, Executive Office of the Mayor, at 202-727-
0872, or me at 202-724-7681.
______________________________
Elizabeth Cavendish
______________________________________________________________________________
The John A. Wilson Building • 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW • Suite 300 • Washington, D.C. 20004 • Office (202) 724-7681