About
Glitz and Glamour’s Signature Gala events founded in 2024 support selected nonprofit organizations. After event expenses are covered, net proceeds are donated to the designated beneficiaries. Smaller networking and social events throughout the year help us support our operating and marketing expenses and are not charitable fundraisers unless otherwise stated.
Glitz & Glamour combines elegance, world-class entertainment, and philanthropy to create an unforgettable evening of luxury and purpose. Founded by Mrs. DC America 2022 and top-producing realtor Gift Hughes, and Michelle Nguyen, CEO of Timely Partner, Inc. and Director of Business Development at the Asian American Chamber of Commerce.
Meet Our Dedicated Team
Michelle Nguyen
Co-Founder & Strategic Innovator
Gift Hughes
Co-Founder & Visionary Leader
Meganoosh Avakian
Director of Operations
Meet Our Advisors
Pete Erickson
Tien Wong
David Nguyen
Melanie Dua
Catherine Ingenito
Meet Our Ambassadors
Brian Sussman
Rochelle Sabino
Jamal Baadani
Blake Gouhari
Clayton Jones
Tiffany Lancaster
Maria Pauline Laman
Michelle Nguyen
Michelle Nguyen is a passionate community advocate and leader, currently serving as the CEO of Timely Partner, Inc. and Director of Business Development at the Asian American Chamber of Commerce. Her mission goes far beyond business growth—Michelle is committed to empowering local businesses and creating meaningful opportunities that uplift the entire community.
Michelle’s journey began when she and her family immigrated from Vietnam. It was her father, a senior cameraman for CBS News, who instilled in her a deep love for service. Known for his warmth and generosity, her father became a cherished figure in the Vietnamese community, welcoming refugees and offering them the same kindness he extended to countless families in need. His heart for others left a lasting legacy that Michelle carries forward in her work today.
Michelle’s personal story took a poignant turn when she lost several loved ones to cancer, including her beloved father, who passed away from lymphoma. These profound losses ignited a deeper resolve in her to give back and honor her father’s spirit through her own philanthropic efforts. Whether she’s advocating for local businesses or supporting causes close to her heart, Michelle’s dedication to making the world a kinder, more supportive place remains at the core of everything she does.
When she’s not immersed in her work, Michelle finds solace and strength in nature. Hiking and practicing yoga help her stay grounded, allowing her to balance her personal well-being with her devotion to lifting up those around her.
Gift Hughes
As a top-producing Realtor at the Northern Virginia Realtor Association (NVAR) and a member of the Diamond Lifetime Top Producer Club, I have been helping clients achieve their real estate goals since 2013. My approach is highly personalized, focusing on understanding each client’s unique needs and guiding them through the process, whether buying, selling, or investing. Certified in divorce real estate, I specialize in making stressful transactions smoother for my clients.
Growing up in a rice-farming family in Thailand, I learned the value of hard work and perseverance, which has shaped my success in real estate and investment. I’ve sold hundreds of homes, from luxury properties to helping families downsize during life transitions. Real estate is my passion, and I am dedicated to providing tailored solutions that maximize profits for sellers and give buyers peace of mind as they find their dream homes.
Beyond real estate, I’ve held the title of Mrs. DC America 2022, representing married women in the nation’s capital, and I’m passionate about empowering women to live their dreams. Fashion modeling has also been a meaningful part of my life, building confidence and style. After losing my father to liver cancer, I’ve been dedicated to supporting cancer patients and families through The Glitz & Glamorous, a cause close to my heart.
Meganoosh Avakian
Meganoosh Avakian is the founder of Wooynana LLC, a Northern Virginia–based Boutique Web Design and Marketing Studio specializing in custom WordPress and Divi websites for businesses, nonprofits, entrepreneurs and individuals. Wooynana also provides ongoing monthly maintenance plans for existing websites that require monitoring. With over 20 years of experience in digital design and a Bachelor's Degree in Business Management and Marketing from George Mason University, she combines strategy, creativity, and technical precision to build websites that are not only beautiful—but built to perform.
Meganoosh is passionate about helping business owners feel confident online through thoughtful design, strong branding, and long-term website maintenance support. She believes a website should be both a powerful marketing tool and a true reflection of a brand’s personality.
She is excited to be a part of the Glitz and Glamour Team and contribute as the Director of Operations assisting with daily activities including website maintenance and social media among her other responsibilities.
Pete Erickson
As the Founder of Modev and Executive Director of the Tech Ecosystem Institute, Pete has spent over 15 years building influential communities at the intersection of emerging technology and human transformation. A visionary in the tech space, he is pioneering a new model of industry engagement known as Trust Driven Growth—moving beyond traditional conferences to create education-first experiences where learning, mentorship, and authentic connection take center stage.
In 2025, Pete is leading the expansion of a powerful portfolio of global initiatives, including Generate, an international AI upskilling tour, AGENTIC, focused on the future of agentic AI, and the GovAI Summit, uniting public and private sector leaders to accelerate AI adoption. As a producer of AI House at CES and future-forward events spanning Cyber, Crypto, Quantum, Spatial, and Robotics, he is redefining how industries connect, learn, and grow—grounded in the belief that trust, education, and human connection are the true drivers of lasting impact.
Tien Wong
Tien Wong is an entrepreneur, investor, and strategic advisor who partners with experienced founders to raise capital and scale impactful companies. Through his work with Opus8 and CONNECTpreneur, he has helped build a trusted investor ecosystem of more than 310,000 founders, executives, angels, and family offices. He specializes in capital formation strategy, investor positioning, and connecting companies with the right investors.
Tien also serves as a Venture Partner and Investment Advisory Board member for multiple venture capital and private equity funds. Before Opus8, he founded and scaled companies that achieved exits to Microsoft, Mastercard, Xerox, Progress Software, Okta, and Khoros. If you’d like, I can also make a super short 2-sentence version that works really well for Glitz & Glamour advisory board announcements or event materials.
David Nguyen
David T. Nguyen is an innovative technology leader and Founder & CEO of USAI, with over 20 years of experience driving transformative advancements across industries. He is recognized for conceptualizing the Intelligent Computing paradigm, which advances traditional computing into a dynamic, self-regulating ecosystem—enabling businesses to process information faster, adapt more efficiently, and execute ideas with greater precision.
He holds a JD from Antonin Scalia Law School, an MBA from MIT, and multiple degrees from the University of Maryland, along with numerous high-level certifications in AI, cybersecurity, and agile methodologies. David also holds multiple patents in blockchain, artificial intelligence, and intelligent computing, reflecting his role as a pioneer in emerging technologies.
Beyond his professional achievements, David is passionate about mentorship and community impact. He serves as an adjunct professor at the University of Maryland and contributes as a board member for local foundations, focusing on inspiring and empowering the next generation.
Melanie Dua
Melanie Dua is a distinguished community leader, humanitarian, and public servant with over 40 years of experience in government service, community advocacy, and philanthropy. She currently serves as an Administration Coordinator and Manpower Manager supporting military healthcare operations, reflecting more than two decades of dedicated service.
A proud military spouse and mother, Melanie is a passionate advocate for women, children, and military families. Her work spans human rights, cancer awareness, and veteran support, with a focus on creating meaningful, lasting impact both locally and globally.
An accomplished titleholder, she represents the nation’s capital as Mrs. Washington DC Philippines World and has held numerous leadership and ambassador roles across national and international organizations. Her contributions have earned her prestigious honors, including the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award.
Mrs. Dua serves on multiple advisory boards and is proud to be a Board Advisor for Glitz & Glamour, where she continues her mission of giving back and making a difference.
Catherine Ingenito
Catherine N. Ingenito is a distinguished professional and trusted advisor known for her leadership, integrity, and commitment to excellence. She has been recognized in Who’s Who in America (2019–2020), an honor reserved for individuals who have demonstrated exceptional achievement, professional distinction, and meaningful contributions to society.
Throughout her career, Catherine has built a reputation for strategic insight, strong leadership, and the ability to create lasting impact across her professional and community engagements. She is known for her high standards, thoughtful approach, and dedication to advancing initiatives that bring people together and drive meaningful results.
As an Advisor to Glitz & Glamour, Catherine brings a wealth of experience, a refined perspective, and a passion for supporting impactful connections and philanthropic initiatives. Her presence strengthens the organization’s mission to elevate experiences, foster community, and create lasting influence.
Catherine continues to inspire through her work, leadership, and commitment to excellence, making her a respected and valued voice among her peers and collaborators.
Brian Sussman
Brian Sussman is the co-founder of MobilePitch.ai, where he builds simple, effective video-text communication for businesses. At Glitz & Glamour, he works on the messaging so the brand is presented clearly and consistently.
At events, he helps with the flow of the evening, making it easier for guests to settle in, connect, and enjoy the night. His role is to support the hosts and keep the events running smoothly for everyone attending.
Rochelle Sabino
Rochelle Sabino is a dedicated, community-minded professional recognized for her warmth, resilience, and uplifting energy. With a background in administrative and client support within the automotive service industry, Rochelle is known for her reliability, attentiveness, and genuine care for the people she serves.
A proud single mother, Rochelle has worked hard throughout her life while raising her daughter, an experience that shaped her deep empathy, strength, and compassion for others. Having personally understood the challenges many families face, she carries a heartfelt commitment to kindness, generosity, and community support.
Rochelle’s natural ability to connect people, paired with her positive spirit and big heart, makes her a meaningful presence within Glitz & Glamour. As an Ambassador, she proudly supports the organization’s mission to bring people together, create memorable experiences, and contribute to initiatives that inspire connection, joy, and giving back.
Jamal Baadani
I am deeply honored to be selected as an Ambassador for the Gitz & Glamour organization, particularly because of its unwavering commitment to supporting our military veterans. As someone who has worn the uniform and understands the sacrifices made in service to our country, this mission is deeply personal. Gitz & Glamour’s dedication to partnering with charitable organizations that uplift veterans reflects the same values of service, loyalty, and community that have guided my life.
Jamal Baadani is a retired U.S. Marine Corps First Sergeant (E-8) and accomplished talent acquisition executive with years of leadership experience across military and corporate sectors. He currently serves as Director of Talent Acquisition at M.C. Dean, a leading design-build and systems integration firm headquartered in Tysons, Virginia.
At M.C. Dean, he leads enterprise-wide recruitment strategy supporting Engineering & Construction critical infrastructure, focusing on building scalable talent pipelines, advancing workforce development, and leveraging data-driven systems to align hiring with strategic growth.
After 22 years of military service—including global deployments supporting national security missions—he transitioned into senior recruitment leadership roles at Comcast, DynCorp International, and AECOM (Amentum). He holds a Master’s degree in Human Resource Management and founded Achieval Strategies, LLC, a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business focused on workforce and veteran hiring initiatives. He earned the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, and Combat Action Ribbon, to name a few.
Blake Gouhari
Based in the Washington, D.C. region, Blake Gouhari is a strategic connector and business development leader committed to advancing mission-driven organizations and strengthening partnerships across the broader DMV business community. He works closely with nonprofit boards and executive teams to enhance leadership capacity, align talent strategy with growth objectives, and support long-term organizational sustainability.
With more than a decade of executive search and talent advisory experience across nonprofit, GovCon, professional services, biotech, life sciences, healthcare, and technology sectors, Blake brings a cross-industry perspective that connects corporate leadership with community impact. In collaboration with Glitz & Glamour Inc., a company dedicated to helping charitable organizations secure funding and maximize their impact, Blake serves as a Business Development Ambassador for special events and fundraising initiatives.
In this role, he cultivates strategic partnerships and engages corporate, civic, and industry leaders to help nonprofits achieve their financial goals and expand their mission-driven work in support of children’s health, veteran causes, and other vital community initiatives.
Clayton Jones
Clayton Jones is a photographer and visual storyteller whose journey began as a simple curiosity that quickly evolved into a deep and enduring passion.
Born and raised in New Orleans, Clayton’s early path leaned toward computers and design. It wasn’t until a pivotal moment, encouraged by his late best friend Timothy, that he was introduced to photography, an experience that would ultimately shape his creative direction.
After serving in the U.S. Army and relocating to Seoul in 2010, he picked up a Nikon D7000 on impulse. What began as casual experimentation soon developed into a serious pursuit. Over the years, Clayton has dedicated himself to learning, exploring, and refining his craft, developing a distinctive style rooted in both technical precision and artistic vision.
Tiffany Lancaster
H.E. Ambassador Dr. Tiffany Lancaster (Pseudonym: Purify Love) is a multi-award-winning Ambassador, humanitarian, speaker, and former politician recognized for her global leadership in public service and peace building. She is a recipient of the White House President Joe Biden Jr. Lifetime Achievement Award for her humanitarian contributions and was sworn in as a White House Spiritual Diplomat in 2026, where she has advocated for global peace initiatives, including efforts surrounding Ukraine. Ambassador Lancaster has served as a Keynote Speaker at prestigious events such as the Congressional Gold Medal Awards and international diplomatic gatherings, and she holds an appointment as Ambassador and Special Envoy of Public Affairs to the United Nations (ECOSOC) through CICA International. Notably, she is the first Ethiopian elected to official office in Washington, DC, and has held multiple leadership roles, including a three-term Mayoral-appointed Commissioner for the DC Mayor’s Office of African Affairs.
Dr. Lancaster is the CEO and Founder of The Purify Love Movement, a global nonprofit with over 45,000 followers dedicated to unity, love, and truth across all cultures and communities. A published author, poet, and performer, she has written over 400 poems and has appeared at more than 250 venues, including the Apollo Theater, the White House, and the Kennedy Center. She holds an honorary doctorate in Poetry, Philosophy, and Humane Letters and has received numerous accolades, including the National Poetry Award, the DC Mayor’s Highest Art Award, and multiple humanitarian honors. Through her work as a speaker, artist, and advocate, she continues to inspire global audiences with a mission centered on compassion, resilience, and meaningful societal change.
Maria Pauline Laman
Maria Pauline Laman, known as Pauline, was born and raised in the Philippines. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management from St. Scholastica’s College of Manila.
Pauline is a former international flight attendant with Philippine Airlines and began her runway journey during her college years. She trained and graduated from the prestigious John Robert Powers and participated in the first-ever Supermodel competition in the Philippines, where she advanced to the semifinals.
Her professional career has been rooted in the hospitality industry. Since moving to the United States 26 years ago, Pauline has worked in restaurants and hotels and is currently part of the culinary team at Hyatt. She is also a successful entrepreneur and CEO of her own businesses.
For Pauline, hospitality is more than a profession. It is a lifestyle built on passion, genuine care, and a desire to help others.
In addition to her professional accomplishments, Pauline is a proud mother of two, an IT Admin Consultant for online schooling, and a Director of Music at an elementary school.