Press Release: Mayor Bowser Announces Key Appointments  

By Press Release On Apr 7, 2023 Last updated Apr 7, 2023

News Release — Executive Office of the Mayor

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:     

April 7, 2023

CONTACT:      

Susana Castillo (EOM)

(WASHINGTON, DC) – Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser announced transitions of executive leadership in the Cabinet and appointed positions.

Natasha Dupee – Executive Director, Mayor’s Office on Women’s Policy and Initiatives (MOWPI)

Natasha Dupee is appointed Executive Director of the Mayor’s Office on Women’s Policy and Initiatives. A fifth-generation native Washingtonian, she is committed to processes that create and defend policies supporting increased access to a quality life. In 2022, Director Dupee joined MOWPI as Associate Director, overseeing the office’s policy, economic empowerment, and stakeholder engagement portfolio. She led with the 5th annual National Maternal and Infant Health Summit curating 46 speakers, 24 exhibitors, and over 1,500 attendees as well as the #BeTheMovement Women’s Policy Bootcamp in partnership with 14 presenting organizations on the topics of leadership, advocacy, and civic engagement. Director Dupee’s focus on shifting economic power manifested in hosting the first #ObviouslyDC Ladies Night and InnovateHERs convening to increase women entrepreneurs’ access to capital. Additional signature programming includes the Washington Women of Excellence Awards, Women’s Equality Day, WorkSmart Wage Negotiation Workshops and Financially Fit DC Women. She also serves as Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner for single-member district 7E04. A Stephen Joel Trachtenberg Scholar, Director Dupee is a double alumna of the George Washington University with a bachelor’s in women’s studies and a master’s in public health policy. She additionally holds a master’s in secondary education from the University of Missouri-St Louis.

Thennie Freeman – Interim Director, Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR)

Thennie Freeman is appointed Interim Director of the Department of Parks and Recreation. Director Freeman has more than 15 years of experience leading teams and executing large-scale social service programs for youth and young adults. She started her District government service as an Out-of-School Time Coordinator for the DC Public Schools . From 2012 to 2022, she served as Associate Director for the Office of Youth Programs at the Department of Employment Services. During her tenure, she helped increase the program’s productivity and enhanced services provided to serve youth overall in District communities. Director Freeman is known for her leadership and engagements to enhance the District’s Marion Barry Summer Youth Employment Program , increasing host sites and expanding the offering to a new cohort of young people. In late 2022, she joined DPR as Deputy Director of Recreation Services, overseeing the direction and management of the agency’s recreation program portfolio and operations of all recreation centers, parks, and aquatics facilities.

Nancy Hapeman – Interim Chief Procurement Officer, Office of Contracting and Procurement (OCP)

Nancy Hapeman is appointed Interim Chief Procurement Officer at the Office of Contracting and Procurement. A longtime District government employee, CPO Hapeman began her District government career as an attorney with the Office of the Corporation Counsel, where she worked for 10 years. From November 1997 to October 2017, she served as OCP’s General Counsel providing legal advice to the Chief Procurement Officer and procurement staff, served as the FOIA Officer and the Ethics Officer, and helped formulate policies and procedures for the agency. CPO Hapeman most recently served as Deputy Chief Procurement Officer, helping oversee OCP’s operations across government sectors.

Michael Rupert – Interim Chief Technology Officer, Office of the Chief Technology Officer (OCTO)

Michael Rupert is appointed Interim Chief Technology Officer at the Office of the Chief Technology Officer (OCTO). CTO Rupert’s experience has spanned the public and private sectors with concentrations on corporate communications, multimedia content creation, digital communication strategy, marketing, and event logistics. From 2014 to 2022 he served as OCTO’s Communications Director, during which he helped expand citizen outreach and city-wide digital communication strategies. His efforts have been featured in dozens of national publications including CNN, New York Times, Washington Post, and USA Today. CTO Rupert recently served as OCTO’s Associate Chief Technology Officer for Customer Experience.

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