
Derek Ford
President & CEO
biography
Derek Ford serves as the Partnership’s President & CEO, where he leads efforts to promote business attraction, retention, and expansion, positioning DC as a global hub for innovation and investment. Since taking the role in November 2023, Ford has redefined WDCEP’s priorities to elevate business retention, connecting with over 1,100 companies in 10 months to strengthen DC’s commercial landscape and inform policy. A seasoned leader with experience in neighborhood revitalization, global economic development, and affordable housing, Ford previously served as WDCEP’s Senior Vice President of Neighborhood Development and as Chair of the DC Housing Finance Agency Board, where he oversaw $670 million in affordable housing investments. He also leads DC’s activation at the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) conference, expanding the city’s retail footprint. A Ward 7 resident, Ford serves on the boards of AAREP-DC, CFLS, and Bright Beginnings, and holds a B.S. in Accounting from North Carolina A&T State University along with executive leadership certifications from The George Washington University and the Wharton School of Business.

Chad Shuskey
Executive Vice President of Retail Attraction & Market Intelligence
biography
With more than 20 years of economic development experience, Chad has successfully implemented business recruitment and retention programs, research projects, and the underlying strategies supporting these initiatives. Chad has facilitated more than four million SF of real estate transactions, including recruiting tenants such as Apple, Atlantic 10 Conference, Lidl, Planet Fitness, Tesla, Walmart, and Wegmans. In addition, Chad oversees the WDCEP’s research program, driving a strategy that complements the organization’s program goals. The DC Development Report and the DC Neighborhood Profiles have been recognized with an International Economic Development Council (IEDC) Excellence in Economic Development Award, and ESRI has given WDCEP’s economic development maps a Special Achievement in GIS award. As COO, he collaborates with the CEO and other leadership, such as Operations, DMPED, and the Board, to set the strategic direction of WDCEP. Chad is also active in numerous local professional organizations, including DCBIA, ICSC, and ULI.

Suzanne White
Executive Vice President of Corporate Attraction
biography

Chris Ahn
Executive Vice President of Economic Development & Strategy
biography

Kevin Morgan
Senior Vice President of Tech Sector Attraction & Retention
biography
Kevin Morgan is a dedicated leader and entrepreneur in the tech and innovation space with more than 25 years of experience in the tech sector. As WDCEP’s Vice President of Tech Sector Attraction & Retention, Kevin is responsible for the attraction, retention, and expansion of tech companies in the District across all verticals, including securing the expansion of significant District tech unicorns such as Magbox, Afiniti, and FiscalNote, as well as supporting emerging tech companies like CaryHealth (INC 5000 #1 in DC, #2 for AI, and #82 overall), Sorcero, Everfi, and more. Kevin is also an active angel investor.
Kevin is an appointed member of Mayor Bowser’s Information & Technology Inclusion Council, Board Chair of BlockShop DC – DC’s first blockchain incubator, and Founding Member and Board Chair of the DC Tech & Venture Coalition, which runs DC Tech Meetup, written up by Inc. Magazine as the world’s biggest meetup group with over 28,000 members.
Previously, he led turnaround initiatives at tech and startup companies in San Francisco and on the East Coast, led project turnarounds on Capitol Hill, served as a nuclear energy analyst, and worked on Global Governance & Anti-Corruption initiatives at the World Bank. With a B.S. from the Georgia Institute of Technology and an M.S. in Foreign Service from Georgetown University, Kevin leverages his extensive expertise to promote global innovation and support the tech ecosystem through his entrepreneurial ventures and nonprofit activities.

Jez Kline
Vice President of Marketing & Communications
biography

Casey Kelley
Creative Director
biography

Kathrine VanLiew
Senior Director of International Business Attraction
biography

Sarah Bashir
Senior Manager of Operations
biography
- (202) 661-8670
- sbashir@wdcep.com

Angela Cordovez
Business Development Manager
biography
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