Our Team
Mae Green
Founder, Chief Operating Officer
Mae Green has been organizing and convening educational programs for DC youth since late 1997. Since her mother's passing at 96, she has constantly poured into her community for six years by creating platforms to empower our youth. She worked alongside educators by creating innovative lesson plans to highlight students' retention in a presentation. The lessons learned over the years are that we are more alike than different while looking for the best in people and life by planting seeds. Advocates 4 History Inc. events were, held at the University of the District of Columbia, Bethesda Naval Medical Center (now known as Walter Reed National Military Medical Hospital Center), and Paul Lawrence Dunbar High School of Washington, DC. These events have given back to the community and decreased the gap between history and the present by capturing students' and adults' attention, imagination, and talents in sharing our inclusive history.
Lisa Smith
Program Director
Lisa Smith is a 40+ year military family member of both the Army and Air Force. Mrs. Smith grew up in a diverse military culture her whole life. She was educated in the Department of Defense, DOD, school system in Europe from late elementary through her high school graduation. Mrs. Smith went to the University of Maryland, Munich Campus in Munich, Germany and earned an Associates of Arts degree. She received her undergraduate degree in psychology from the University of Maryland in College Park, MD. Mrs. Smith worked 14 years in the mortgage banking industry. She joined Advocates 4 History Inc because she saw the opportunity to engage and educate the youth of all ages and ethnic backgrounds about our United States Military personnel and their part in history past and present by way of The James Phillip Smith project (late husband).
Kissa Robinson
Board Secretary
Born and raised in Washington, DC, Kissa is the Infection Prevention and Control Director with Unity Health Care, Inc. (Unity). This primary healthcare organization provides health services to the underserved, uninsured, and working-poor residents of the District of Columbia. She has been employed at Unity for almost twenty years and has assumed positions with increasing responsibility. Her current position is in the correctional health center, where she implements and monitors the health center's infection prevention and control program. Before her current position, she worked as the staff development manager, case manager, and urgent care coordinator. Kissa has also practiced as a medical/surgical nurse, oncology nurse, and sexual assault nurse examiner. Kissa holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Coppin State College and a Master of Science in Health Care Administration and Business Administration from UMUC.
Derek Strand
Board Treasurer
Derek is a retired Army veteran with multiple health care and human resources management degrees. Derek oversaw and managed the opening of the first Walmart store in Washington, DC, then became the Operations Manager for Reagan National Airport. He was responsible for several retail establishments and warehouses in the airport and the Comptroller and Human Resources offices.
From there, Derek moved into the building and materials industry, working as a Commercial Building Materials Specialist for a major corporation. He manages large jobs for schools, government buildings, retail stores, and colleges. He is the father of seven children and a self-proclaimed car enthusiast.
Lisa Harwell
Vice President
Lisa Harwell has worked as a telecommunications specialist/engineer for over thirty years in private industry, academia, and as a federal contractor. Ms. Harwell has an undergraduate degree in Communication Studies from UMUC, and a graduate degree in Early Childhood Studies, specializing in administration, management, and leadership.
Ms. Harwell is the CEO of Redbaby Publishing, Inc., founded in 2019. The author of several books, a podcast producer, and a host. She uses her platform on YouTube and various podcast services to uplift and motivate her community. In addition, Ms. Harwell is a contract tutor working with elementary-age children in language arts.