After the death from brain cancer of his late wife, Barbara McDowell, in 2009, Jerry Hartman established the Barbara McDowell Foundation to commemorate her life and passion for social justice. Since then, he has served as the Foundation’s President and Board Chair, guiding it to a nationally recognized charitable institution.

Bob retired from the partnership at Latham & Watkins in June 2020. During his 18 years at Latham, Bob was a member of the firm’s Litigation Department focused on white collar criminal defense and investigations, served on a number of firm management committees, and received the Robert M. Dell Prize for Extraordinary Pro Bono Service.

Bill retired from the partnership at the Jones Day law firm in 2019. He was in the Business and Tort Litigation Practice, with a focus on antitrust, class actions, consumer protection, and other complex litigation. After 20 years at Jones Day (including practicing with Barbara McDowell during her time at the firm), Bill left to serve from 2006-2008 as Chief Counsel and Staff Director for the Ethics Committee of the United States House of Representatives.

Danielle manages the operations and administrative functions of the Barbara McDowell Public Interest Law Center including external relations, internal systems, and board management. Danielle holds her Master’s degree in Social Work with a Community and Policy focus from Temple University, and has over 10 years of experience in the nonprofit sector.

Wyndy leads our development team and comes to us with fifteen years of experience in fundraising, communications, and strategic development. She holds her Master’s in Fundraising and Philanthropy from New York University and her Bachelor’s in Advertising from The University of Texas

Aaron focuses on special projects that support the administration, staff, and executives of the Barbara McDowell Public Interest Law Center. Aaron holds his Master’s in Nonprofit Studies from Arizona State University and has more than 15 years of experience working in the nonprofit sector.

With a Master's in Business Intelligence, Belinda excels at building brands from scratch. Over the past 3 years, she has worked with startups and multiple organizations, crafting tailored engagement strategies and using analytics to optimize content, fostering growth and sparking online conversations. Passionate about blending analytics with creative storytelling, Belinda enhances online presence and drives impactful results.

Gia is a seasoned brand marketing manager with 15 years experience in the dynamic and fast-paced advertising industry. Throughout her career, she had the opportunity to work in diverse and vibrant locations such as Dubai, Beirut, and the San Francisco Bay Area. Passionate about equality, Gia joins us as our Social Media Administrator to create powerful storytelling and engaging visuals. She aims to amplify voices, spark conversations, and drive meaningful change.

Ghazaleh functions as a Research and Administrative Coordinator at The Barbara McDowell Public Interest Law Center, contributing to essential functions that support the organizations mission. With a dedication to social justice, and a commitment to making a difference, Ghazaleh brings a passion for community engagement to her role. She holds a BFA in Integrated Media from The Ontario College of Art and Design University.