Meet The Team

Dr. Katina Polk, commonly referred to as Dr. Katt, is the founding CEO of the Within Reach Development Collective. With over 20 years of experience as a social scientist, she specializes in neighborhood revitalization and community development, emphasizing the intersection of aging, health, and housing. Additionally, Dr. Katt is the owner of Dynamic Solutions for the Aging, LLC, a research and development firm boasting over 40 years of experience in designing and implementing aging-in-place concepts tailored for the 50+ population and the businesses that cater to them. Her work has received national and global acclaim for improving health services, creating affordable, age-friendly housing, and developing inclusive communities. Dr. Katt holds a Master’s Degree in Public Policy and Administration and a Ph.D. in Public Policy with a focus on Aging Health Services. She is also a mayoral appointee to the Age-Friendly DC Taskforce and an Executive Council Member of AARP DC.

Ashante՛ Yussuf is the founder and CEO of Prive՛ Demeure, Inc. (PDI), a real estate development and management company specializing in purposeful, sustainable, and high-quality living and working spaces. A Civil Engineer by training, she earned her degree from Penn State and later obtained a Master’s in Engineering from the University of Maryland, along with certifications in interior design, home staging, and construction management. Passionate about community revitalization and luxury development, she has led projects ranging from commercial storefront improvements to full-scale residential renovations while balancing life as a wife, mother of five, and avid outdoor enthusiast.  

Tia is a dedicated community engagement specialist, real estate development consultant/investor, and urban farmer committed to revitalizing underserved communities. As the founder of Our Mother's Land, she trains youth and returning citizens to assist with home repairs and landscaping for low-income families. With certifications in real estate appraisal and construction management, Tia provides expert guidance in housing development and property rehabilitation. Her focus is on solution-based housing for low- to median-income families, ensuring access to stable and affordable homes. She also integrates urban farming initiatives to address food insecurity in food desert communities. Through her work, Tia is transforming neighborhoods by fostering economic empowerment and sustainability.

Dr. Sanders Thach, President of Faith + Community Development, LLC, has 16 years of collegiate-level teaching on community and economic development and 8 years of being a certified planner building communities one neighborhood and one block at a time. She is an advocate of development without displacement and believes in the role of faith-based organizations as anchor institutions to catalyze neighborhood redevelopment. She is a founding member of Within Reach Development Collective. She lives in the DC metro area with her husband, Kevin, and their dog, Mikey.

An environmentalist at heart, Veronica Owens established Monarch Butterfly Enterprises with a sustainability approach to revitalizing properties in the City of Baltimore. As an interior design assistant for over 20 years, she has transformed senior apartment buildings, low-income housing, vacant homes and community development projects.

April Contee is the Managing Real Estate Broker and a founding member of Within Reach Development Collective (WRDC). With over 18 years of experience as a REALTOR®️ and Principal Broker-Owner of a boutique real estate firm since 2015, she holds licenses in both the District of Columbia and Maryland. April is passionate about community-driven growth, leveraging her expertise in real estate development to support WRDC’s mission of fostering sustainable development in underserved neighborhoods. Her leadership is essential in steering the collective toward creating lasting, positive change.

LaQuida Chancey is a seasoned entrepreneur and co-owner of Xavier Estates, LLC. In 2018, she founded Smalltimore Homes, an equitable housing nonprofit that provides transitional housing. Passionate about grassroots development, LaQuida engages neighborhoods in discussions on redlining, leads volunteer-building activities, and holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science with a Mathematics minor from Spelman College.

Maria Fletcher has over 20 years of experience bridging people, processes, and technology to drive meaningful change. Her expertise in Organizational Development, Project Management, and Change Management has supported corporations, nonprofits, and government agencies in navigating growth, transformation, and operational efficiency. She is the CEO of Marision Business Solutions, LLC, a management consulting company that delivers sustainable solutions to strengthen organizations, optimize workflows, and foster collaboration across businesses and communities. Maria is dedicated to community revitalization and is committed to rebuilding communities through innovation and collaboration, one block at a time.

Karrima Muhammad is a results-driven leader with over 20 years of experience in program management, data analysis, and community development. As the Director of Development Planning and Resident Impact at Enterprise Community Development, she bridges real estate development, and resident services to enhance the living experience for communities undergoing redevelopment. With a background in computer science and strategic planning, Karrima has spearheaded innovative resident engagement initiatives, developed data-driven outreach strategies, and advanced policies that promote housing stability and community resilience. Her expertise in stakeholder collaboration spans federal agencies, nonprofits, and grassroots organizations, ensuring equitable and impactful development solutions.