Meet Danielle

I am a second-generation Washingtonian, shaped by this region’s communities, challenges, and the promise of what government can deliver when it works. That perspective led me into public service just across the line in Maryland, where I was elected Commissioner At-Large in Cottage City and served two terms. In Cottage City’s commission form of government, commissioners are the town’s highest governing authority, responsible for setting policy, managing budgets, and overseeing municipal services.Cottage City isn’t DC. It’s small, it’s close-knit, and when something goes wrong, residents don’t file a ticket and wait—they knock on your door. That accountability shaped everything about how I lead. Infrastructure decisions determine whether a neighborhood feels safe or neglected, and budget conversations mean every dollar has to justify itself.

I passed appropriations and oversaw investments that kept streets paved, sidewalks reconstructed, public infrastructure maintained, and I spearheaded the rebuilding of a community playground. I expanded senior transportation services and worked to ensure residents had reliable access to basic services.

Public safety was a priority. I helped maintain a fully staffed police department, supported community policing focused on children and families, and ensured resources were directed where they were needed most. During my tenure, Cottage City maintained one of the stronger public safety records in the region.

When American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)—the American Rescue Plan Act—funds became available, I ensured they directly supported residents and small businesses, providing $1,000 per household for utilities and mortgage assistance and $5,000 for small businesses to stay open and operational.

Professionally, I’ve worked at the intersection of policy, people, and complex systems—developing energy workforce programs in the oil and energy sector and supporting medical research tied to helping military service members return to active duty. My work has focused on building practical pathways from training to opportunity and from research to real-world outcomes. I hold a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a minor in French, and that training reinforced a simple discipline I carry into every role: look at the evidence, understand the system, and act.

That’s the experience I’m bringing back to DC—focused on results, not rhetoric.