Melwood Welcomes New Board Members from Strategy, Technology & Finance Sectors

October 2, 2023

Tasha Austin-Williams, Deloitte; James Cook, Action to Impact Strategies, LLC; and Sean Hoffman, KPMG, join Melwood’s Board of Directors

UPPER MARLBORO, MD,  September 29, 2023 – Melwood, a leading employer, advocate, and preferred provider for people with disabilities, is honored to welcome Tasha Austin-Williams, James “Jim” Cook, and Sean Hoffman to its Board of Directors. Led by Chair Brad Spencer, Melwood’s Board of Directors plays a vital role in the governance and stewardship of the organization, guiding strategic priorities, investment, and innovation to fuel Melwood’s vision of a world that fully includes people with disabilities.

Tasha Austin-Williams is a Principal in Deloitte’s Risk and Financial Advisory Services business and has nearly 25 years of experience involving commercial and federal financial statement audits, fraud, dispute analysis and investigations, and advanced data analytics. She also currently serves as the leader of Deloitte’s Artificial Intelligence Institute for Government. As a STEM Ambassador, she’s passionate about leveraging her experience to build a more inclusive workforce.

Now CEO at Action to Impact Strategies, LLC, Jim Cook previously led strategic interactions at MITRE with private sector, academia, and other non-profits, associations, and foundations to address public interest challenges. His emphasis on initiatives at MITRE in partnership with the federal government to advance empowerment of people with disabilities, particularly through the Neurodiverse Federal Workforce Pilot, have been recognized as exemplary models for federal employer innovation.

Sean Hoffman is the National Risk Management Partner – Government & Infrastructure at KPMG. With deep experience in identifying strategic, brand, technology, operational, economic, contractual, and compliance related risks, Sean has served clients in both the government and banking sectors, providing consulting services. At KPMG, he has also championed efforts to diversify the workforce pipeline in collaboration with Melwood, prioritizing investment in disability-inclusive training and hiring.

“I am thrilled to welcome our new Directors and look forward to leveraging their experiences and knowledge across the strategy, technology, and finance sectors to grow our organization’s impact,” said Larysa Kautz, President & CEO of Melwood. “These individuals have been longtime champions of Melwood and our work to advance a more inclusive workforce, investing in innovative programs and policies to drive economic empowerment for people with disabilities.”

“The dignity of work cannot be overstated, particularly here at home in the DC metropolitan area,” said Brad Spencer, Chair, Melwood Board of Directors. “Tasha, Jim, and Sean bring some impressive achievements amongst the three of them – but what I appreciate most about each one of them is how they’ve used their platforms, resources, and positions to elevate others and expand opportunities for marginalized groups. I couldn’t be prouder to welcome them to the Board and look forward to leading with them.”