Board of Trustees

Professional Background: Emmanuel is Chairman & Chief Executive Officer of Vital Services Corporation, Inc. (VSC), a Gaming system, Operation & Management company founded in 2009. His company has direct overall vendor management responsibility for the District of Columbia Sports Wagering, Lottery and Related Systems contract, managing a $250 million annual book-of-business. Emmanuel is the only minority operator of a State GSE Lottery Central System contract in the $87 Billion U.S. Market. In 2023, VSC was awarded a Sports Wagering Mobile Operator’s License by the State of Maryland, becoming the first unanimously approved Licensee by the Maryland Sports Wagering Application Review Commission (SWARC).

Emmanuel has over 25 years combined experience in Finance & Banking, Secondary Mortgage Finance, Human Resources, Information Technology, and Lottery & Gaming Systems Management. Prior to founding VSC in 2009, Emmanuel served as a Vice President of Fannie Mae, holding multiple business and line positions during his 15-year career. Emmanuel served on the Board of Safe Shores - The DC Children ’s Advocacy Center; the Greater Washington Urban League; past Executive Board Committee Member of the Greater Washington Boys & Girls Club of America; and past Chairman and President of the Board of Directors for the Kevin Durant Charity Foundation. Emmanuel currently serves on the Board of the D.C. Chamber of Commerce. Emmanuel holds a B.A. from Eastern Kentucky University and an MBA from the University of Maryland Robert H. Smith School of Business.

Professional Background: Laura is the creator of She Said/She Said, a multimedia content platform and top-rated podcast dedicated to intentional leadership and meaningful influence. Through She Said/She Said, Laura also provides workshops, public speaking, and targeted mentorship.

She currently serves on the board of the Sandberg-Goldberg-Bernthal Family Foundation—home to LeanIn.org, Option B, and the Goldberg Scholars Program—initiatives dedicated to leadership, resilience, and equity. Laura also serves on the advisory board of Texas A&M’s Bush School of Government & Public Service and the board of The Policy Circle. At Bullis, Laura has mentored students in the Entrepreneurship Capstone program and, along with other parents, has helped to co-found the Bullis Hockey Boosters, reflecting her commitment to cultivating values-driven leaders through both academics and athletics.

A veteran executive and communications leader with more than 30 years of experience across government, business, non-profits, and media, Laura was a member of PwC’s executive team for more than a decade and previously held senior roles at the U.S. Treasury Department, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, and on Capitol Hill. She served for nine years as an independent board director of CoStar Group (NASDAQ: CSGP) and almost five on the board of The Hunt Companies. 

Recognized by Washingtonian Magazine as one of the “100 Most Powerful Women in Washington,” she holds an M.A. in Journalism from American University and a B.A. in Journalism and Government from the University of Texas at Austin. Laura, her husband Joel, and their two Bullis high schoolers live in Chevy Chase, MD.

Professional Background: Talia began her career working on the Administrative team for one of the nation's Premier co-ed overnight camping programs in Maine. In the off-season, she ran the operation's recruiting program and hired a team of 300 seasonal professionals from around the globe. During the camping season, she was the Director of Girls' campuses, overseeing 250 campers between the ages of 7 and 15 and managing a seasonal staff of 150.

Talia is currently a member of the Board of Governors at Hillel International and a member of the Avenel Homeowners Association Modifications Committee. She was previously on the Executive Board of B'nai Tzedek Congregation in Potomac, MD, as Vice President for Education and Community Engagement. Talia served as the Primary Day School Parent Association President from 2016-2019 and the Greenzaid Early Childhood Parent Association President from 2011-2013. She's a former member of the American Camp Association, a former Admissions Ambassador for McGill University, and is a primary fundraiser for novel clinical trials in the treatment and prevention of Retinoblastoma in partnership with Columbia University Irving Medical Center. 

Talia graduated from McGill University in Montreal, Canada, receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics.

A devoted mother of 3 children, two currently attending Bullis, she resides in Bethesda, MD, with her husband Darren.

Professional Background: Melissa currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer for Piney Branch Motors, a company she joined in 2021 as the Chief Marketing and Business Development Officer. Melissa previously worked in marketing and creative media for over two decades, with clients including The World Bank, The Cheetah Conservation Fund, Main Street Connect, and Marriott International. Melissa began her career with CNN, National Geographic, and Discovery Communications Inc., notably producing and writing for Animal Planet’s annual upfronts, publicity events, and shows including The Crocodile Hunter, Corwin’s Quest, Puppy Bowl, and Blue Planet.

Melissa currently serves on the board of directors of the Capital Jewish Museum and is a former board member of both the Bullis Alumni Board and Congregation Beth El in Bethesda, MD. Melissa recently served two years as the Treasurer for the Bullis Parents Association Board, and will serve as the new Bullis Parents Association President for the upcoming school year.

Melissa graduated with a BA in English from Emory University and with distinction from the School of Communications at American University with an MFA in Film and Media. She is also a proud Bullis alumni, Class of 1997. Melissa and her husband, Josh, live in Potomac, MD, with their three daughters.

Professional Background: Brad is a partner at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, representing clients in complex litigation, internal investigations, regulatory enforcement actions, and compliance matters. He has been recognized in Chambers Global, Chambers USA, and Chambers Asia-Pacific, in addition to being named one of Lawdragon’s 500 Leading Global Litigators and 500 Leading Litigators in America. He speaks fluent Mandarin Chinese and is a former Fulbright Scholar. Brad and his wife, Ting Xu, are proud parents of two Bullis students.

Professional Background: Helen opened her company in 1989— just months after the start of her career in the staffing industry following her 1988 graduation from the University of Florida (UF). In 2008, she was accepted as a member of the prestigious Young Presidents’ Organization and served on the executive team as her chapter’s membership chair, making her the chapter’s first female chairperson. Helen was also chosen as a member of The Committee of 200 (C200), a membership organization of the world’s most successful women entrepreneurs and corporate innovators.

A dedicated member of the UF Foundation, Ms. Moreau is also a member of the State University System (SUS) Undergraduate Dean’s Council for the College of Journalism and Communications. In 2015, she was inducted into the Gator100, honoring the fastest-growing, Gator-owned or Gator-led businesses in the world.

Helen is a fierce champion for women around the world. In 2007 and 2008, she was awarded “Board Member of the Year” for her involvement with Rachael’s Women’s Center, helping local women in DC step up and out of homelessness. She was also a member of the Zonta Club, empowering women across the nation through service and advocacy. In addition, she serves as Vice Chair of the Studio Samuel Foundation, ensuring vulnerable girls in Ethiopia overcome endless obstacles to complete their education. Helen’s involvement guarantees each girl will receive healthcare in addition to the life skills she learns while attending Studio Samuel.

Professional Background: Rob is InterDigital’s EVP, Chief Communications and Public Policy Officer, responsible for creating, developing, and implementing InterDigital’s public policy, marketing, communications, and public relations engagements.

Rob joined InterDigital in 2014 with more than 15 years of experience in law, government, and the telecommunications and technology industries. Prior to joining InterDigital, he served as Vice President and General Counsel for Artemis Strategies, advising Fortune 500 companies on government relations and strategic communications. Before Artemis, Rob was Director of Congressional Affairs for SAP America, where he worked closely with senior executives and government officials to address U.S. policies and regulations of interest to SAP and developed relationships with key industry associations and coalitions. From 2001 to 2005, he served as a counsel and Deputy Chief of Staff to the U.S. 

Representative Lee Terry (R-Nebraska) is a senior member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, where Rob gained extensive experience in government operations and key policy issues.

Rob received his law degree from the Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law, and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Florida. He is admitted to practice before the Maryland Court of Appeals, the District of Columbia Court of Appeals, and the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.

Professional Background: Christian began his tenure as head of Bullis School on July 1, 2020. A native of England, Christian holds a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Durham, a master’s degree in educational management from the University of Bath, and a master’s degree in independent school leadership from Columbia University.

During his career, Christian has served as an administrator and teacher at independent schools in England, Kenya, Virginia, Connecticut, and Washington State. Bullis is his third headship, following ten years as head of Annie Wright Schools in Tacoma, WA. An active community leader, Christian has served on the boards of the Northwest Association of Independent Schools, the Washington Federation of Independent Schools, St. Paul’s School, WA, and Tacoma’s Museum of Glass.