Meet Our Board of Directors
Robin Portman
Board Chair
Robin is a former CEO for a health-services firm, and retired as the Chief Growth Officer for Booz Allen Hamilton, a Fortune-500 company headquarters in Tysons Corner. Robin is the current Chair for Belong!’s board of directors, where she has served since 2018. As chair, her efforts focus on strategy, partnerships, and development. Her deep passion for inclusive communities where all of its members can live healthy, productive, and joyful lives has led her to become an active member of Vienna Presbyterian Church (VPC), serving as a Deacon and an Elder, and teaching adult English classes for VPC’s ESOL program. Additionally, Robin serves on the Advisory Board for the Elizabeth Dole Foundation and until recently, served as Board Chair for Easterseals of MD, DC and VA. She has also served on the University of Maryland’s College Park Foundation Board, the Capital Hospice Board of Trustees, and the boards for Service Source and Psych Armor Institute. A graduate of the University of Maryland (BS & MS), Robin lives in Vienna with her husband, her 91-year-old mother-in-law and their dog Creedence. Robin enjoys all things outdoors—hiking, biking, swimming and skiing.
Mark Forde
Board Treasurer
Mark Forde is a recent addition to the Belong! board and serves as Treasurer of the organization. His initial connection with Belong! was through participation in our College Career Program. Mark recently retired after a 30-year career with RSM US LLP where he led the firm’s Washington Metro tax practice. An accountant and attorney, he is a graduate of William & Mary and the University of Richmond Law School. He is a long-standing member of the Mason Accounting Programs Board at W&M and previously served on the board of Langley Residential Support Services. Mark and his wife Mary have lived in the Vienna area since 1995 and have two adult children.
Kelly L. DeSenti, PhD
Board Secretary
Dr. Kelly L. DeSenti has 30 years of professional experience working in higher education within the university and community college settings. She engages staff and faculty to provide holistic student support and foster a culture of care among students, faculty, staff, and community members. Originally from Brockton, Massachusetts, Kelly earned a B.A. in English from the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth; an M.S. in Counseling and Psychological Services from Springfield College, MA; a post graduate certificate in counseling from Marymount University; and a PhD in Education, with a Higher Education and Policy focus from George Mason University. Her work at Northern Virginia Community College, over the past ten years, has highlighted the transformative opportunities for a diverse range of students seeking to advance their skills and talents, through the community college experience.
Karen Mokate
Board Member
Karen Mokate represents Vienna Presbyterian Church’s Session of Elders on the Belong! Board. She is an active member of VPC, participating in Women’s Bible Study and Growing Your Soul, serving in the past as a Deacon and currently as an Elder. She teaches in the church’s ESOL program and serves on the team that supports Afghan refugees. Karen started her career as an Economics professor and then worked in International Development, focusing particularly on work with Latin America and the Caribbean. She is originally from the Chicago area and lived twelve years in Bogota, Colombia. When she moved to the Washington DC area, she became passionate about support to immigrant and underserved families. Karen and her husband brought up a son and a daughter in the Vienna community and continue to live in Vienna. Karen loves to spend time with her family and enjoys running, biking and water sports.
Bill Browning
Board Member
Bill Browning is currently Manager of Workforce Innovations with Fairfax County’s Department of Family Services. Bill brings diverse perspectives about learning and workforce development drawn from management experiences in many different types of organizations. Prior to joining Fairfax County in 2021, these included corporate training in the banking industry, regional nonprofit job training programs in Northern Virginia, a community college (NOVA), and a national workforce development research and policy organization.
John Joseph
Board Member
After a successful career as a senior financial consultant, providing CFO-level support to a variety of businesses, John retired at the end 2022 and had a calling to give back to the community. He approached Ignatian Volunteer Corps (IVC) to help him find an organization that would be a perfect fit for him and his skills. John was drawn to Belong immediately because of our focus on underserved children and their families.
Ken Balbuena
Board Member
After a successful career as a senior financial consultant, providing CFO-level support to a variety of businesses, John retired at the end 2022 and had a calling to give back to the community. He approached Ignatian Volunteer Corps (IVC) to help him find an organization that would be a perfect fit for him and his skills. John was drawn to Belong immediately because of our focus on underserved children and their families.
Brian Heath
Board Member
Brian Heath and his wife Kristin have lived in Vienna for over 25 years. Brian is an amateur photographer who enjoys photographing sports, as well as stage theater and public events. Brian has been very active in Troop 152, the Boy Scout Troop sponsored by VPC. As part of his work with the Troop, he enjoys backpacking, camping and other activities while helping to mentor the boys as they learn to be good leaders, citizens, and people. Brian is an Executive Director for CACI where he leads the business systems group for the internal IT organization.
Adrian Rodriguez
Board Member
Adrian Rodriguez has served on the Belong! Board since 2026, bringing a deep commitment to building inclusive communities where people feel welcomed, valued, and connected. He currently serves as the Associate Pastor for Missions and Outreach at Vienna Presbyterian Church, where his work centers on building relationships, serving others, and connecting people with meaningful opportunities to engage in their communities. With 12 years of experience in youth ministry, including work with Young Life and serving as Director of Youth Ministry at First Presbyterian Church in Arlington, Texas, Adrian brings a relationship-centered approach to leadership and community engagement.
He holds a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies, focusing on Urban Planning and Minority Studies with a minor in Spanish, from The University of Texas at Arlington, and a Master of Divinity from Fuller Theological Seminary, with a concentration in Leadership in Times of Change.
Born in Puerto Rico and raised in an Army family, Adrian’s experiences across diverse communities have shaped his appreciation for connection and belonging. He and his wife, Alecia, have three children and affectionately call their family the “A-Rods.” Outside of ministry and board service, Adrian enjoys spending time with his family and cheering on the Philadelphia Eagles—Fly Eagles Fly!
Meet Our Staff
Lynn O’Connoll
Executive Director
Lynn
Karen Covell
Program Manager
Karen
Brian Cusack
Administrator
Having grown up in Vienna, Brian brings both personal insight and a deep passion for the community to our team. He holds a B.A. in Marketing from James Madison University and has a long history of volunteering with Vienna Youth Incorporated and Special Olympics Virginia. Inspired by the mentors who have supported him throughout his life, Brian is excited to help provide those same kinds of meaningful experiences and guidance to others. Outside of work, he enjoys playing and watching sports, listening to music, and participating in any activities that bring his family and friends together.
Holly Seibold
Communications Manager
Holly Seibold is a former educator, nonprofit founder, and community leader with extensive experience bringing people together, building partnerships, and connecting individuals and families with resources and opportunities. Her work is rooted in the belief that everyone deserves to feel valued, supported, and connected—a mission that aligns closely with Belong’s commitment to fostering meaningful relationships and stronger communities.
Jennifer Delacruz
Program Manager
Jennifer Delacruz joined Belong as the newest program manager for the youth mentoring program. She is excited to manage the evening programs at Jim Scott Community Center and Marshall High School in the fall. She and her husband, Ed, are both UVA alums (go hoos!) and she has her masters degree from Georgetown University. Her background is in psychology and human resources development and she previously worked in HR for several small IT contractors before making the jump to stay at home with her three boys. She looks forward to being able to bring her background and skills to Belong! by building on the program and increasing the focus on social and emotional learning. Jennifer resides in Arlington and has three boys- Braden (8), Christopher (5), and Max (3). Prior to joining Belong, she was involved in the boards at her sons' preschools, and served on the Executive team for the Cardinal Elementary PTA. She also helped found and participated in the youth mentoring program for the first organization she worked at, and found the experience very meaningful. In her free time, she enjoys gardening, swimming and travelling.