Janeese Lewis George
Ward 4 DC Councilmember
jlewisgeorge@dccouncil.us • 202-297-0355
Janeese is honored to serve as the DC Councilmember for Ward 4. She is a third generation Washingtonian, a native of Ward 4, and a proud graduate of DC Public Schools. She grew up in a working-class family that instilled in her the importance of hard work, education, and public service. After graduating college, Janeese completed a year of service providing critical academic support to underserved students with City Year. She then earned her Juris Doctorate from Howard University School of Law and went on to work for Philadelphia’s first African-American District Attorney. She returned to the District to work for DC Attorney General Karl Racine as the Assistant Attorney General in the Juvenile Section of the Public Safety Division. Janeese and her husband Kyle reside in Manor Park with their puppy Sully. Janeese loves spending time with her family, reading, and mentoring.
Lenace Edwards
Chief of Staff
ledwards@dccouncil.us • 202-288-9820
Contact for: General inquiries, scheduling issues, and legislative questions.
Lenace serves as Chief of Staff for Councilmember Lewis George. In this role, she manages the office administrative, legislative, and constituent services work. Before joining the office, she worked at UNITE HERE Local 25 as the Deputy Political Director where she led the successful campaign to increase the minimum wage in Virginia. Prior to her time with Local 25, she served as Political Director for SEIU 32BJ. She spends her free time reading, watching football, and traveling.
Joanna Blotner
Legislative Director
jblotner@dccouncil.us • 202-288-8985
Contact for: Legislative and budget questions.
Joanna serves as Legislative Director for Councilmember Lewis George. She brings 15 years experience in local and federal public policy advocacy to this role, including leading one of DC’s largest recent grassroots campaigns to secure paid family and medical leave for all District workers. When the city reopens, you’ll most likely find Joanna volunteering her free time as an Insect Ambassador at the Natural History Museum. In addition to managing a broad legislative portfolio for the Councilmember, she is happy to assist with all constituent concerns regarding Brood X cicadas.
Will Perkins
Senior Policy Advisor
wperkins@dccouncil.us • 202-316-7862
Contact for: Legislative and budget questions, especially on education.
Will serves as Senior Policy Advisor for Councilmember Lewis George. He is part of the legislative staff responsible for oversight, reviewing items up for a vote, and helping to draft new bills. Before joining the office, he worked at the Office of the DC Auditor and as a teacher in DC Public Schools and in a DC charter school. He spends his free time riding his bike, watching sports, and taking his dog, Dobby, for long walks.
Tamira Benitez
Constituent Services Coordinator
janeese@dcward4.us • 202-724-8052
Contact for: Constituent services requests.
Tamira serves as Constituent Services Coordinator for Councilmember Lewis George. She brings ten years of nonprofit experience helping residents preserve affordable housing, start and grow their businesses, and create communities of opportunity. Tamira has served in leadership positions at the Latino Economic Development Center, the Small Business Development Center, and the Local Initiative Support Corporation. She is originally from El Salvador, where she loved playing soccer barefoot and eating pupusas while watching Sabado Gigante with her family. Tamira moved to DC as a teen looking for a better life and now lives in Brightwood with her wife and their three dogs.
Matt Landrieu
Constituent Services Coordinator
mlandrieu@dccouncil.us • 202-286-6311
Contact for: Constituent services requests.
Matthew serves as Constituent Services Coordinator for Councilmember Lewis George. Prior to joining the team, Matthew attended the Tulane School of Social Work and worked with the Louisiana Center for Children’s Rights – serving on a holistic public defense team in support of children and families navigating the juvenile justice system. Before that, he dedicated five years teaching elementary and middle school, including at Truesdell Education Campus in Ward 4. Community health and wellness is at the center of Matthew’s drive to be in this work. Matthew was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana and currently resides in Petworth with his partner and two dogs.
Aura Cruz Heredia
Constituent Services Coordinator
ACruzHeredia@dccouncil.us • 202-812-4994
Contact for: Constituent services requests.
Aura serves as Constituent Services Coordinator for Councilmember Lewis George. She joins the team from the world of higher-education, with a background in psychology and biological sciences. She’s a fresh community organizer, and has worked with residents across Ward 4 on issues primarily relating to housing, food access, language accessibility, among others. Aura’s service philosophy centers community trust and people power — values she learned from an early age in her hometown of Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. Aura lives in the Petworth neighborhood and enjoys picking up new instruments, finding the best vegetarian grub in the District, and treating her house cat – Maple – like the queen that she really is.
Jomo Graham
Office Manager
jgraham@dccouncil.us • 202-412-2580
Contact for: Scheduling requests and general inquiries.
Jomo serves as the Office Manager for Councilmember Lewis George. His decades of work with community-based organizations, small businesses, and local government agencies reflect his commitment to supporting youth, empowering communities, and fighting injustice. Jomo resides in Ward 4’s Petworth neighborhood with his wife and two children. For fun and relaxation, he enjoys challenging crossword puzzles and samurai sudoku.
Alex Taliadoros
Communications Director
ataliadoros@dccouncil.us • 202-286-5268
Contact for: Press requests and questions related to our website, social media, and newsletter.
Alex serves as Communications Director for Councilmember Lewis George. He fields press requests, updates the office website and social media, and coordinates the Councilmember’s weekly newsletter. Prior to joining Councilmember Lewis George’s team, Alex led organizing and communications for the Kalmanovitz Initiative for Labor and the Working Poor, working to advance the rights of workers, immigrants, and tenants in the District. You can find Alex at your local pickup soccer game, exploring Rock Creek Park, and soon again at a nearby folk concert.
