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MURIEL BOWSER
MAYOR
February 14, 2025
The Honorable Phil Mendelson
Chairman
Council of the District of Columbia
John A. Wilson Building
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Suite 504
Washington, DC 20004
Dear Chairman Mendelson:
In accordance with section 2 of the Confirmation Act of 1978, effective March 3, 1979, D.C. Law 2-
142; D.C. Official
Code § 1-523.01, and pursuant to section 4 of the Commission on the Arts and
Humanities Act, effective October 21, 1975, D.C. Law 1-22, D.C. Official Code § 39-203, I am pleased
to nominate the following individual:
Ms. Cecily Habimana
Hansberry Court, NE
Washington, DC 20018
(Ward 5)
for reappointment a s a membe r with specific intere st, abilit y, or experience in a rts or humanities
education of the Commission on the Arts and Humanities, for a term to end June 30, 2028.
Enclosed, you will find biographical information detailing the experience of the above-mentioned
nominee, together with a proposed resolution to assist the Council during the confirmation process.
I would appreciate the Council’s earliest consideration of this nomination for confirmation. Please
do not hesitate to contact me, or Steven Walker, Director, Mayor’s Office of Talent and
Appointments, should the Council require additional information.
Sincerely,
Muriel Bowser
Mayor
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ClrnirmanPhilMendelson
at the request of the Mayor
A PROPOSED RESOLUTION
IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
To confirm the reappointment of Cecily Habimana to the Commission on the Arts and
Humanities.
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this
resolution may be cited as the "Commission on the Arts and Humanities Cecily Habimana
Confirmation Resolution of 2025".
Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia confirms the reappointment of:
Cecily Habimana
Hansberry Court, NE
Washington, DC 20018
(Ward 5)
as a member with specific interest, ability, or experience in arts or humanities education of the
Commission on the Arts and Humanities, established by section 4 of the Commission on the Arts
and Humanities Act, effective October 21, 1975 (D.C. Law 1-22; D.C. Official Code§ 39-203),
for a term to end June 30, 2028.
Sec. 3. The Council of the District of Columbia shall transmit a copy of this resolution,
upon its adoption, to the nominee and to the Office of the Mayor.
Sec. 4. This resolution shall take effect immediately.
CECILY STEWART HABIMANA
EXPERIENCE,
SEW CREATIVE LOUNGE ‘MountRainier,MD
ChiefExecutiveOfficer!Owner July2017topresent
‘* Setcompanyvisionandgoals
© Managea staffof12employeesandcontractorsinordertomotivatethemtoattainteamgoals,
‘© Createanenvironmentthatpromotesgreatperformanceandpositivemorale
‘© Overseethecompany’sfiscalactivity,includingbudgetingandreporting
SIMPLYCECILY Washington,DC
FashionDesigner February2013toJune2019
© Designawomen’sclothingfeaturingafallandspringcollection
© Overseeproductionofallmerchandiseandcustomizedclothinglines
‘©ProduceandparticipateinvasioustrunkshowsandfashionshowsthroughouttheUS
© Managerelationshipswithstakeholders
MCNEIL CREATIVE ENTERPRISES Adlington,VA
CreativeDevelopmentAdvisor ‘May2019toSept2022
© Consultwithartsorganizationstohelpseinvigorateprogramoperationsandignitegrowththatwill
dtiveengagementoftheartsincommunities
© Createdevelopmentassessmentsforartsorganizationsthatincludesidentifyingprospectfundersand
creatingfundingcalendarsandplans
* Developstrategiesandtimelineforincreasinganorganization’sdonorbase
UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND College Park, MD
AssistantDirectorofInstitutionalGiving July2015toJuly2019‘+Managecorporate,governmentagency,andfoundationfundraisingactivitiesofTheClarice
SmithPerformingArtsCenter,SchoolofMusicandSchoolofTheatre,DanceandPerformance Studies
‘+DevelopstrategicplanstoincreasegrantfundingforTheClatice’soperationsandanyrelated
programpertainingtotheperformingartsattheUniversity‘= Supportadvocacyfortheperformingartssectoratthestateandlocallevel
+ Conductandcoordinateresearchofpotentialfundingsources;manageproposalwritingand
submissionprocess‘© Solicitgiftsfrominstitutionalprospects;securegrantsandcorporatesponsorships
= Stewardandmanagecommunicationwithcutrentinstitutionalfunders
ATLASPERFORMING ARTSCENTER Washington,D.C.
ManagerofInstitutionalandMajorGifts February2011toJune2015
© Preparefoundation,governmentandcorporateproposalsandreportsthathasresultedinmore
than$500,000insupportannually
© Manageaportfolioof30majordonorsandprospects
© Preparevationscorrespondencetoinstitutionaldonorsandprospectsandcoordinatefollow-upactivities
© SupporttheExecutiveDirectorandDirectorofDevelopmentinidentifyingandcultivating
relationshipswithdonorsandotherpotentialsupporters
© ManagedeadlinesandotherresponsibilitiesinDonorPerfectandPatronManager
GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY Washington DC
Admissions Counselor – School of Nursing August 2007 to June 2011
Executive Coordinator- Clinical Management & Leadership Dept.
• Academically advised over 300 graduate students in the Clinical Research Administration Program
• with information regarding curriculum, course requirements, University policies and procedures,
and graduation clearance
• Managed data of a research trial by managing involved staff and established audit procedures to
ensure accurate data
• Developed database and virtual filing systems to transition the department from a traditional filing
system to a paperless department which improved overall efficiency and workflow
• Coordinated the application process for the School of Nursing with over 500 applicants
SENEGALESE AMERICAN BILINGUAL SCHOOL Senegal, West Africa
Business Consultant/Teaching Fellowship December 2009 to July 2010
• Taught American studies and English classes in primary, secondary and high school
• Developed curriculum for American studies courses for the American primary school program and
Science Vocabulary courses for the French high school program
• Developed a marketing plan for the school's new Environmental Science Station in Senegal
THE DANCE INSTITUTE OF WASHINGTON Washington, D.C.
Assistant to the Artistic Director June 2005 to August 2007
• Managed business affairs for The Washington Reflections Dance Company including negotiated and
wrote contracts for company dancers and guest choreographers, organized transportation and
coordinated the company rehearsal/performance schedule
• Formulated project budgets and organized logistics for single and multi-city tours
• Developed marketing materials for the professional company including press kit, performance
proposals and promotional videos
OTHER PROJECTS
Compass Consulting Project – Howard University School of Communications – September 2010
to June 2012 Worked with a team of consultants to develop a 3-5 year strategic plan which identified
initiatives that would bring a substantial amount of major resources to support the development of stellar
students.
Sustainable Tourism Development Consulting Project in Guatemala – May to June 2009 Consulted
with the Guatemalan tourism commission to develop marketing strategies in order to increase tourism to
Lake Atitlan, Guatemala. Analyzed 45 websites of similar destinations to identify best practices resulting in
the creation of a mock website. Made presentations and wrote final report for the tourism commission.
Planned Giving Program at Strathmore Hall in Bethesda, MD – January – May 2009 Researched
and analyzed planned giving programs of nonprofit organizations and made recommendations on ways to
increase awareness and contributions to the Strathmore Hall Planned Giving program. Also, created new
marketing materials for print and web.
Shange Dance Productions (2008) and Digitally Innovative, LLC (2004) Consulted with both
businesses to determine the most appropriate legal structure. Prepared business formation documents
including the Articles of Incorporation and IRS Form SS-4. Also filed the Application for Recognition of
Exemption - Section 501(c)(3) for Shange Dance Productions.
Kankouran West African Dance Company in Washington DC – August to December 2009
Developed and implemented an annual appeal fundraising program to solicit the organization’s
constituents.
BOARD MEMBERSHIPS/PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
Member of Nsaa Dance Ensemble Advisory Board 2005 to 2010
Assistant Secretary of the Atlas Performing Arts Center Board of Directors 2012 to 2014
Member of the National Black MBA Association – Washington DC Chapter 2007 to 2011
Member of Young Nonprofit Professionals Network 2008 to 2012
Member of 2472 Alabama Ave Condominium Association 2007 to 2011
Member of Hunter Dance Theatre Advisory Board 2007 to 2010
EDUCATION
GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY, School of Business Washington D.C.
Masters of Business Administration December 2009
HOWARD UNIVERSITY, School of Business Washington D.C
Bachelor of Business Administration, Management December 2004
INTEREST
Sewing, crafting, fluent in French, dance (specifically ballet, salsa and West African dance) and travel.
Executive Office of the Mayor – Mayor’s Office of Talent and Appointments
John A. Wilson Building | 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, Suite 600 | Washington, DC 20004
Cecily Habimana
Ms. Cecily Habimana is the founder and owner of Simply Cecily, a
contemporary women’s clothing line that fuses African fabrics with an
American aesthetic. The line is known for its use of rich vibrant fabrics
and amazing silhouettes, representing a lot of women today who want to
express their true selves through their clothing.
Ms. Habimana formerly served as Assistant Director of Institutional
Giving for the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center at the University of
Maryland, College Park, where she was responsible for the C enter’s
corporate, government agency, and foundation fundraising activitiesShe
also served as Manager of Institutional and Major Gifts at Atlas
Performing Arts Center, where she managed a comprehensive portfolio
of foundation and government donors who supported annual operations and programs. Prior to
that, she was an Executive Coordinator and Admissions Counselor at George Washington
University's School of Medicine and Health Sciences.
From 2005 to 2007, Ms. Habimana served as the Assistant to the Artistic Director of the Dance
Institute of Washington, where she managed their professional dance company. It was in this
position that she was inspired to obtain her MBA with a concentration in nonprofit management
from George Washington University. Following her passion in dance and desire to learn to speak
French fluently, she accepted a teaching fellowship in Senegal, West Africa in 2010. Additionally,
over the years she has worked as a con sultant for organizations such as the Howard University
School of Communications, Guatemalan Tourism Commission, and Kankouran West African
Dance Company. These projects have rounded out her understanding of the nonprofit sector and
allowed her to utilize her skills in other ways.
A Ward 5 resident, Ms. Habimana earned her Bachelor of Business Administration from Howard
University and her Master of Business Administration from the George Washington University.
GOVERNMENT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Executive Office of Mayor Muriel Bowser
Office of the General Counsel to the Mayor
______________________________________________________________________________
The John A. Wilson Building • 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW • Suite 300 • Washington, D.C. 20004 • Office (202) 724-7681
To: Kimberly A. Bassett, Steve Walker
From: Betsy Cavendish
Date: February 13, 2025
Subject: Legal sufficiency review of a resolution reappointing Cecily Habimana as a
member of the Commission on the Arts and Humanities
This is to Certify that this office has reviewed the above-referenced resolution and
found it to be legally unobjectionable. If you have any questions in this regard, please do not
hesitate to call Michael Porcello, Deputy General Counsel, Executive Office of the Mayor, at
202-727-0872, or me at 202-724-7681.
______________________________
Elizabeth Cavendish