Easterseals DC MD VA Leadership Team

Easterseals DC MD VA is led by a team of professionals with decades of experience in nonprofit and industry work. They are united in their commitment to enriching lives and expanding opportunities for all children and adults in our communities, including people with disabilities and military backgrounds.

 

President and CEO

Jon HorowitchJonathan Horowitch

Jon Horowitch was appointed President & CEO of Easterseals DC MD VA in 2017, after serving as the organization’s COO for five years. Jon leads a 250-person team that provides critical, direct services to the most vulnerable members of our community: children and adults with disabilities, low-income families, and veterans and military family members.
To realize Easterseals DC MD VA’s Vision of creating a hopeful, inclusive community where all people realize their potential and live meaningful lives, Jon emphasizes a values-based approach. He focuses on ensuring that each team member understands the organization’s Mission and Vision, recognizes his or her individual leadership potential, and embraces the Core Values of Respect, Responsibility, Innovation, Integrity, and Care. He also demonstrates these values by working to position the organization as a best place to work, with competitive pay and benefits and where employees can grow while building their career.
As an entrepreneurial leader, Jon works with the Easterseals team to create solutions for the community’s most pressing and emerging needs. Since Jon joined, Easterseals has more than doubled in size and scope, having added vital Head Start children’s services, as well as mental health and employment services.
Jon Horowitch Nation's Finest 50 AwardJon joined Easterseals from the financial services industry. He first served Easterseals as a member of its Board of Directors when he was an executive at Capital One Financial Corporation, where he helped facilitate the transition from an $80 billion credit card company to a $200 billion diversified financial services firm. Before joining Capital One, Jon was an executive in the telecommunications industry and, before that, an investment banker. In 2018, Jon was named a Scholar in the George W. Bush Institute’s Stand-To Veteran Leadership Program. In 2023, he received a Nation’s Finest 50 Award for his leadership in nonprofit services to veterans.
Jon holds an MBA from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College and a BA in Math and (with honors) History from Williams College. He is married with three daughters.

 

Senior Leadership Team

Larry Bram   Larry Bram | Senior Vice President, Innovation & Program Development
Larry has more than 40 years of experience working in both the for-profit and not-for-profit sectors for mission-based organizations. His experience spans a broad array of skills, including marketing, business development, negotiations, publishing and digital solutions.  He is known as an innovative thinker who can envision solutions and engage partners to bring them to market. In his current role, he is responsible for developing sustainable new programs and social enterprise businesses that meet vital community needs.
Prior to joining Easterseals DC MD VA in 2012, Larry spent 15 years in educational publishing and has been at the forefront of the use of digital technologies in early childhood education. He has a degree in British Literature from the University of Michigan and an MBA from the Stanford University Graduate School of Business with a Certificate in Public Management.
Larry’s passion for his work at Easterseals is fueled by his 29-year-old daughter, who has a rare brain malformation and cerebral palsy, as well as a college degree and a job and lives independently.
     
Grace Caulfield   Grace Caulfield, LCPC, LPC (DC), LPC (VA), CAC-AD | Vice President & Clinic Director, Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic
Grace has worked in the field of addiction for over 24 years. She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience with both adolescent and adult populations, as well as a strong background in family therapy.
She holds a Master’s in counseling psychology and is a licensed professional counselor in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC. In addition, Grace holds her Certified Associate Counselor, Alcohol and Drug (CAC-AD) credential through the Board of Professional Counselors of Maryland.
As Clinic Director and Easterseals Vice President, Grace oversees operations, continuously enhancing services and collaborating with many community partners while supporting the development and management of the clinical team through clinical supervision, case consultation, and mentoring in CBT and other time-limited interventions. In addition, she still maintains a small caseload, providing evidence-based treatment to veterans, particularly those who served in Iraq and Afghanistan wars, their families, and active-duty military personnel referred by their branch.
     
Brad Freedman   Bradley Freedman | Chief Financial Officer
Bradley joined Easterseals DC MD VA as Chief Financial Officer in 2022. In this role, he is responsible for the management and leadership of Finance & Accounting, Information Technology, and Risk Management.
Prior to transitioning to the nonprofit arena, Bradley accumulated 15 years of institutional investment management experience at some of the most respected global financial organizations. Before joining Easterseals, he worked at The Salvation Army National Capital Area Command, where he oversaw the organization’s operations and directly supervised the Finance & Accounting, Property & Procurement, Information Technology, and Human Resources functions.
Bradley attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance. He also earned a Master of Business Administration in Finance from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
     
Paula Moore   Paula Moore | Vice President, Communications & Marketing
Paula joined Easterseals DC MD VA in 2021, bringing 20 years of experience in the nonprofit sector. As Vice President of Communications & Marketing, she is responsible for all strategic communications, including media relations, marketing and advertising, digital media, and more.
Paula began her career as a writer and editor in the trade press, before moving into the nonprofit sphere. She is especially passionate about using the power of communications to effect positive change. As such, she has extensive practice in creating and executing communications plans that use integrated messaging to bring meaningful results. In 2023, her team earned a gold medal Merit Award for its effective social media work.
A native Philadelphian, Paula earned her undergraduate degree in journalism from Temple University and a master’s in Emerging Media from Loyola University Maryland.
An avid traveler, she and her family are busy planning their next overseas adventure.
     
James Smith   James B. Smith, Ph.D. | Vice President, Development
James was named Vice President of Development in 2021. He brings over 30 years of nonprofit management to Easterseals DC MD VA. James is responsible for devising and executing private-sector fundraising strategies to support the Annual Fund and special campaigns.
James’s career began in higher education and his passion for education and community engagement pulled him into the nonprofit sector. James served as the CEO of three different organizations (in human services, adolescent education, and behavioral sciences). He has a vast depth of experiences that serve him well in his role as Vice President of Development.
A native Baltimorean, James has earned several academic credentials: a bachelor’s degree in biology; a bachelor’s degree in social sciences; a master’s degree in public administration; and a doctorate in public policy and public administration. James also is credited with several published academic articles.
James is currently writing two books – an exploration of the intersectionality of faith and public policy and a personal narrative on the African American male resiliency in pursing and earning a doctorate.
     
Kathy Torrence   Kathy Torrence, SPHR, SHRM-SCP | Vice President, Human Resources
Kathy joined Easterseals DC MD VA in 2019, bringing over 30 years of experience in human resources across a variety of industries, including technology, government contracting, and financial services. She and her team are responsible for all aspects of human resources, including talent acquisition, compensation, benefits, employee relations, leadership development, training, and more.
Kathy began her career in merchandising before moving into human resources. She is especially passionate about coaching and advising leaders to be the best they can be in the engagement and development of their teams. She brings experience as an executive coach, helping leaders develop and implement plans to improve their day-to-day skills.
A native of Detroit, Michigan, Kathy earned her undergraduate degree from Michigan State University and completed coursework toward a master’s in Human Resource Management from the University of Maryland. Kathy attained a Senior Professional in Human Resources certification from HRCI and a Senior Certified Professional certification from SHRM. A lifelong learner and avid reader, Kathy has attained other certifications throughout her career.
An avid dog lover, she and her husband are pet parents of two Pembroke Welsh Corgis.
     
Carol Watson   Carol Watson | Senior Vice President, Programs
Carol Watson joined Easterseals DC MD VA as Senior Vice President of Programs in 2016. She manages adult and senior service programs, early childhood education, early intervention, and respite services.
Prior to joining Easterseals, Carol worked for nearly 20 years at the national and local levels in public health, philanthropy, education, research, and entrepreneurship. Much of this experience has involved working across the public and private sectors to ensure that individuals, families, and communities have access to the information, tools, and other resources that they need to make informed decisions and have an improved quality of life.
A native of the District of Columbia, Carol earned her undergraduate degree in Human Development, with a specialty in childhood and adolescence, from Howard University. She earned her Master of Public Health degree from the University of Pittsburgh.