For Immediate Release: Thursday, October 27, 2022

Rockville, MD – Nonprofit Montgomery is excited to announce the hiring of Josephine Garnem as the new Director of Montgomery Moving Forward, Nonprofit Montgomery’s Collective Impact initiative.

Ms. Garnem brings extensive experience as a leader and collaborator within the county and across the globe. She is highly skilled in community outreach, policy development, and cross-sector engagement strategies.

Ms. Garnem currently works for Montgomery County Government’s Gilchrist Immigrant Resource Center as a Program Manager and was formerly the Continental Africa Liaison for the County Government’s Office of Community Partnerships.

She is also the Founder and CEO of Khalil Garnem Foundation, a nonprofit focused on providing equitable health care, education, and economic development to underprivileged communities in Sierra Leone. She leads volunteer diaspora medical, surgical, and training initiatives.

Ms. Garnem currently sits on the boards of The Michael and Mauritia Patcha Foundation, the Healey International Relief Foundation, and Carpe Diem Arts and is on the national council for Pax Christi, USA.

Given Ms. Garnem’s experience with a wide variety of organizations, businesses, government, and funders, she is well suited to build on the foundation of the cross-sector work of Montgomery Moving Forward. Ms. Garnem will assume her role as Director of Montgomery Moving Forward on November 14, 2022.

“Josephine is exactly the kind of leader we need as Montgomery Moving Forward enters its second decade,” said Executive Director Lavontte Chatmon. “With her breadth of experience, her skill in bringing communities together, and her knowledge of Montgomery County, she will help us do the critical work of bringing together a broad cross-section of Montgomery County leaders and innovators to address our most pressing challenges. Josephine is both passionate and strategic, and we are very excited to have her join our team.”

Kevin Beverly, Susan Madden, and Kathy Stevens, Co-Chairs of Montgomery Moving Forward, said: “We are happy to welcome Ms. Garnem to the team. Her experience demonstrates she knows that lasting solutions to the challenges facing our community are borne of true cross-sector collaboration—from business leaders to our most recent neighbors. No doubt, with Ms. Garnem’s guidance, MMF will continue to help our county move forward. Finally, we are grateful to Nonprofit Montgomery for their leadership and for managing this important search.”

Please join the Nonprofit Montgomery team and the Montgomery Moving Forward Leadership Group in extending a warm welcome to Ms. Garnem.