Staff

John Bradshaw became the Executive Director of DACOR and the DACOR Bacon House Foundation in February 2019. He is a former Foreign Service Officer and has spent a number of years managing non-profit organizations. Prior to coming to DACOR, Bradshaw was the Executive Director of the National Security Network, a foreign policy think tank, and also Executive Director of the Enough Project, an anti-genocide advocacy project of the Center for American Progress. Previously, during his 14 years as a Foreign Service Officer, he served in Maracaibo, Venezuela, Sao Paulo, Brazil, and Rangoon, Burma as well as in Washington where he was assigned to the East Asian (EAP) and Human Rights (DRL) bureaus. Bradshaw also worked as a Foreign Policy Advisor to two U.S. Senators, Paul Wellstone and Robert Torricelli, both members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.  He began his career as a Peace Corps volunteer in the Philippines. Bradshaw currently serves on the Board of Directors of Disability Rights International. He has a B.A. in Political Science from Yale University and a J.D. from New York University School of Law.   He lives in Washington, D.C. with his wife Jennifer Windsor and son Jackson. 

Extension 114

Meg commenced work at DACOR in March of 2013, shortly after returning from a posting to Mexico. Meg has had the opportunity to represent the United States Government at receptions and events throughout Latin America and Europe. While posted in Mexico City, Meg worked at the U.S. Embassy, one of the largest missions overseas. Meg worked in the Management Section and Human Resources, providing support to State Department employees and their family members at post. During her time overseas, Meg has volunteered with Operation Smile and the Red Cross, coordinating their volunteers during fundraising events. She has worked for over 20 years in the food and catering industry, from small restaurants to organizing elegant balls for over a thousand people.

Abdul Raheem Raheem (Goes by Raheem)
Director of Finance

Abdul Raheem Raheem (goes by Raheem) joined DACOR and DACOR Bacon House Foundation in August 2022. He and his family migrated from Afghanistan in 2021 shortly before the unfortunate regime change. Raheem has predominantly worked for the public financial sector such as Central Bank of Afghanistan and the Ministry of Finance. In his most recent occupation, he served as the finance and administrative manager for the largest state utility company. In addition, he worked for international organizations such as USAID, Adam Smith International, and Deloitte in various finance-related capacities. He has a deep passion for teaching and taught many courses as adjunct faculty at the American University of Afghanistan. Raheem holds an MBA in finance and banking from University of Birmingham (UK) and was a visiting scholar to Evans School of Public Affairs at the University of Washington. At DACOR, Raheem manages activities such as financial management, accounting, human resources, and other administrative tasks. After relocating from Maryland, Raheem lives with his wife and three kids in McLean, Virginia. He enjoys watching tennis, news and political debates and is devoted to continuous learning.

Extension 116

Christine Skodon
Director of Communications and Programs

Christine began working at DACOR in October 2014 as the Administrative Assistant. In May of 2015, she took on the role of Communications and Programs Manager and at the start of 2019 she was promoted to Director. She coordinates speaker programs, receptions and the Annual Conference, manages the Education committee's execution of six scholarship and fellowship programs, helps develop membership recruitment and retention strategies and materials, and maintains the website. She is also the editor and designer for The DACOR Bulletin.

Seou Park (pronounced Sue)

Administrative Assistant

Seou graduated with a B.A. in Public Policy and Foreign Affairs with a concentration in East Asian Relations at the University of Virginia. Prior to her employment at DACOR and Dacor Bacon House Foundation, she was a Program Coordinator for a Non-Profit in Northern Virginia. She helped plan and oversee the low-income K-12 academic/peer mentoring program, mental health services, and helped compose and submit local, federal, and international grants for the organization.

Seou joined the team in March 2024. She hopes to use her experience as the secretary of Liberty in North Korea at UVA and Language Intern through the State Department to help to the growth of the community and success of DACOR and Dacor Bacon House Foundation.

Alexandra Pizzi

Staff Accountant

Alex grew up outside of Philadelphia and graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 2022 with a B.S. in Environmental Science. She began her career by joining an accounting team in Philadelphia, before joining DACOR as the Finance Assistant in November 2024. She is excited to join the team and is eager to learn more about foreign affairs through the rest of the DACOR staff and members.

Responsibilities include processing, reviewing and monitoring payments and donations; reconciling DACOR's bank accounts; following up with members and businesses to ensure invoices are paid; helping with payroll; and assisting the finance director as needed.

Sylvia took on the Events Assistant position in June 2018 after having worked at DACOR as Accountant Assistant and part of the "front of house" team. Sylvia was born and grew up in Chile and is part of the Foreign Service family as the spouse of a Foreign Service Officer.  She believes that raising their four children in different countries taught them discipline and a sense of community.

Audrey Straw
Program Intern

Audrey is a first year International Development M.A. candidate at George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs, with a concentration in Inclusive Development and Conflict. She was born and raised in Springfield, Massachusetts and completed her undergraduate degree in International Relations with minors in Anthropology, Public Policy, and Theater at the University of Massachusetts Boston. She was the president of her university’s Model United Nations team. In addition, Audrey was a Public Policy and International Affairs fellow at Princeton University in 2021.

Alba has been in the DACOR Kitchen as the Assistant Chef since 1996. In 2016, she took on the new role of Front of House Manager. Instead of staying in the kitchen, she is now in charge of making sure everything is setup when needed, manages event staff and maintains the appearance of the DACOR House. Alba is also responsible for the bar stock and training the bartenders. She is always ready to talk to guests about their needs and help bring something special to events at DACOR.