CAN Structure & Leadership
Interim Executive Director
CAN's executive director stepped down, effective June 2024. As CAN searches for a new ED, we are excited to announce that Rev. Julio Hernandez has been appointed interim executive director, effective July 8.
Rev. Julio is a Baptist pastor who has served on the CAN board for several years, and is the vice chair of the board of the Virginian Interfaith Center for Public Policy. He has more than 20 years of experience in ministry, focusing on cross-cultural missions and outreach among children, youth and families. These skills will be critical in his role as interim executive director.
Julio’s dedication to CAN is driven by heritage and faith: “As a son of Salvadoran immigrants, this work is not only vital for me, but personal. My faith informs my work. I see that newcomers to this country deserve to be treated with respect and compassion.”
As CAN looks toward its future, the organization is committed to continuing to mobilize faith communities and people of faith throughout the DC metro area to advocate and organize for immigration rights. CAN believes our communities should be welcoming places for everyone, no matter where they're from, and our goal is to ensure immigrants have access to housing, healthcare, education, food, and legal protections. Our work will continue to be driven by immigrants from our faith communities as well as trusted and experienced immigration advocacy partners.
CAN Board of Directors
CAN's Board of Directors is made up of leaders dedicated to CAN's mission. :
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Audrey MillerHallett, president, member of Foundry United Methodist Church, Washington, DC
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Mary Lareau, vice-president, director of communications, Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fairfax, VA
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Jerry Kickenson, treasurer, congregant at Adat Shalom Reconstructionist Congregation
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Martha Wells, member of Iglesia Episcopal San Mateo, Hyattsville, MD
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Claudia Quinonez, States Organizing Director at United We Dream
CAN Cluster Structure
The Washington, DC, Metro region spans the District as well as the Maryland and Virginia suburbs. Each of these jurisdictions has its own government and community structures. Because much of CAN's work is local - within each of these communities - the Network has formed four congregational clusters to most effectively act in solidarity with immigrant communities and individuals.
The four clusters and cluster leaders are as follows:
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Washington, DC - Audrey MillerHallett
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Montgomery County (MoCo), MD - Jerry Kickenson
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Prince George's County (PG), MD - Martha Wells
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Northern Virginia (NOVA) - Mary Lareau
Photo by Brian Barger