Meet the Leadership Team

Amra Kandic is a Bosnian refugee whose early experiences of displacement, scarcity, and resilience have shaped her commitment to expanding opportunities and strengthening communities. Amra has extensive experience in communications, strategic planning, and stakeholder engagement. Her work has focused on building cross-sector collaborations, mobilizing action, and creating data-driven solutions to complex challenges. Amra was instrumental in the development of the Bergel Institute’s programs, and her research and organizational design skills position her well to lead the Institute forward. Amra holds degrees from the University of Connecticut, Dartmouth College, and Syracuse University.

Derek Pruitt played a key role in the establishment of The Bergel Institute. His personal and professional experiences informed many aspects of the Institute, as Derek has seen up close the impact of industries moving out of areas, as well as the devastating effects of economic neglect by local and federal government. For more than a decade, Derek has been a leader in the private and nonprofit sectors. His skills and insights position The Bergel Institute to be a source of education and critical thinking for people of all ages. Derek attended the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith for Communications.

Dr. Katherin Ross Phillips brings a long and distinguished career in research, analysis, and program development to The Bergel Institute. Previously, Katherin worked for many years studying the reach and effectiveness of policies that support low-income working families. Immediately preceding her Institute role, Katherin co-founded The Shared Humanity Project, where she developed a community-based plan to eradicate poverty, a plan that served as the forebearer of the Bergel Institute’s poverty initiatives. Katherin has written and taught on myriad aspects of poverty, including the impact of the Earned Income Tax Credit, welfare participation and outcomes, and the challenges faced by working families seeking to rise out of poverty. All of Katherin’s research and professional experiences have been fundamental in setting the course for The Bergel Institute’s efforts. Katherin received her Bachelor’s degree from Johns Hopkins University and her Masters and Doctoral degrees from Syracuse University.

Ms. Lisa Stransky was fundamental in the founding of The Bergel Institute and serves as its Director of Fellowships. Prior to this work, Lisa has been involved in the development of multiple nonprofit organizations focusing on poverty eradication. Lisa’s career in education, advertising, and real estate has led to consistent recognition in the Wall Street Journal, Washingtonian Magazine, and many other publications. Over the past 25 years, Lisa has been a top producer in the Washington area residential real estate market and has been recognized as one of the top 1000 agents in the country. Lisa earned a Bachelors from Miami University and a Masters from American University.

Dr. Mark Bergel has founded and led programs that have served more than 500,000 children and adults. He is the only individual inducted into both the Business Hall of Fame and the Human Rights Hall of Fame in his former home of Montgomery County, MD. He has been honored as Washingtonian of the Year and received numerous other regional, national, and international awards. Mark has worked intensively with individuals and organizations in urban, suburban, and rural areas. He has more than 40 years of leadership experience in education, poverty work, government relations, and health-related initiatives. Mark received his Bachelor’s degree from Northwestern University and his Masters and Doctoral degrees from American University, where he also taught for 15 years.