UPO Corporate

The United Planning Organization was established on December 10, 1962 to plan and implement social services for the entire Metropolitan Washington, D.C. area. With the advent of 1965's War on Poverty, the United Planning Organization became the designated community action agency for the District of Columbia and certain other localities in the area. Click here to learn more about UPO's rich history.

Today, UPO is governed by a 30-member volunteer Board of Trustees made up of representatives of the poor, representatives of elected officials, and representatives of major groups and interests.

The United Planning Organization (UPO) is the Community Action Agency for the District of Columbia, responsible for providing leadership, support and advocacy to advance the welfare of the residents of Washington, D.C. toward self-sufficiency and self-determination.

In cooperation with its delegate agency network, other community businesses and governmental agencies, UPO plans and implements social service programs to assist community residents.

UPO will do this with an emphasis on forming partnerships that can assist in reducing the incidence of poverty. Services provided by UPO, its delegate agencies and partners to meet this end are targeted toward: Economic Development, Employment, Education, Housing, Health and Nutrition, Self-Sufficiency, Emergency Services, Community Organization, Consumer Affairs, and Environmental Development.
--UPO 1995

MEMBERS
Karen McEleveen Bernola
Designated by Mayor of DC

Renee Burr
Elected by Ward 8 Residents

Courtney Davis, Ph.D
Elected by Ward 8 Residents

Diane Lee Hartley
Designated by Mayor of DC

Shirley A. Higuchi, Esq.
Representative of Major Groups & Interests

Cosby Hunt
Representative of Major Groups & Interests

Claudia Lujan
Designated by Mayor of DC

John Oberdorfer, Esq.
Designated by Mayor of DC

Alexander M. Padro
Elected by Ward 2 and 6 Residents

Monique Labeach Poydras
Designated by Mayor of DC

Jacqueline Taylor
Designated by Parent Policy Council

Paul Trantham
Elected by Ward 5 Residents

Lonnie R. Watson
Elected by Wards 1 and 3 Residents

Rhonda White
Elected by Ward 7 Residents

UPO BOARD OF DIRECTORS

OFFICERS
Stanley J. Mayes, Esq.
Chair

Keenan R. Keller, Esq.
Vice Chair

Maria T. Wilson, M.Ed.
Secretary
Elected by Ward 4 Residents

CORPORATE SUPPORT COMMITTEE
J. C. Hayward, Chair
Patricia G. Shannon
Carol Randolph
Thomas Nida

UPO SENIOR STAFF
Chief Executive Officer
Dana M. Jones

Chief Operating Officer
Gladys W. Mack

General Counsel
Monica Scott Beckham

Deputy Executive for Preschool and Day Care
William D. Hughey

Chief Financial Officer
Meseret Degefu

Click here for UPO staff directory

UPO Mission Statement