The former head of Human Resources for the World Bank, Richard Stern has embarked on a new career directing the Partnership for Transparency, a nongovernmental organization that specializes in helping communities root out corruption. Richard described several projects that have been sponsored by PFT, including rooting out corruption in the school system of the Philippine Islands, improving local governments in Africa, and other locations in developing countries.

Matthew Loggan assumed his current position as Executive Director of the Montgomery County Historical Society in November 2014. Throughout his career as an executive, he has built the capacity and effectiveness of small nonprofit organizations in the Washington, DC metro area. Beginning in 1998, he led Potomac Conservancy, a regional conservation group, through a period of rapid and sustained growth. He later founded and served as the first president of the C&O Canal Trust, an official partner of the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park. With the Trust, he developed a series of successful programs, most notably Canal Quarters, which was recognized by the federal Advisory Council on Historic Preservation with its Chairman’s Award for Achievement in Historic Preservation.

Matt co-founded Potomac Riverkeeper, where he served as chairman of the Board of Directors and later as president. He has also served on the Board of Directors of the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, Rock Creek Conservancy, and Acorn Hill School. Matthew holds Master’s degrees in environment/land use planning and United States history. He lives with his son and daughter in Kensington, Maryland.

Last week we heard from Meira Neggaz, the Executive Director at the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding, where she is responsible for the institution’s overall leadership, strategy, and growth. Meira gave an interesting talk describing the widespread gaps in knowledge about American Muslims, including their contributions to medicine, science and education. She described current research on how being born in the U.S. affects the American Muslim experience and current issues such as bullying and poverty.