Ginny Thomas 3/7/25 Ginny Thomas 3/7/25

A Day for Feds | Resource Guide

Thank you to all our vendors that helped make “A Day for Feds” possible! This is a list of all the people that made today possible and their contact information.

COFFEE

Agape Coffee Co, Mobile espresso cart catering

REAL ESTATE

Paige Payne
A licensed real estate salesperson affiliated with LONG & FOSTER representing buyers and sellers in Montgomery County. My team services clients in all three jurisdictions (Maryland, DC and Virginia).
I specialize in first time home buying, rentals, relocating and home sales for those who are leaving their current property. Reach out for any of your real estate needs and I am happy to help.
301.787.0045
paige@janefairweather.com

Sophia Ferderer, Jennifer Vo, Jen Vo Property Group
sjuferd@kw.com

Lorraine Gottlieb, Re/Max Real Estate
lorrainegottlieb20854@gmail.com

Kerri Murphy, Kerri is Key
@kerriiskey

CAREER and Coaching ADVISE

Brian Stauber, Stauber Coaching and Consulting
Career and wellbeing coach dedicated to being an authentic partner on your journey through life. My practice is centered on helping clients create space to look within themselves, understand their values and needs, create actionable plans, and achieve long-lasting results that create a better life for themselves and the world around them. Areas of expertise include career transitions, stress and burnout, fostering healthy habits, and more. Session rates offered on a sliding scale to those in financial need.
brian@staubercoaching.com

Bri Semmel, The Semmel Group
brianna@semmelgroup.com

Sofi Gonzalez, SMG Partnerships
sofi@smgpartnerships.com

Kate Juhl, local university career advisor
Kate has worked in higher education career services for nearly 20 years, including 13+ years in the DC area.
bourdowk@gmail.com

Karen Chopra, Chopra Careers
karen@chopracareers.com

Ellyn McKay, CEO Vision
ellynmckay@ceovisionllc.com

Bonnie Lessans, Flex Professionals
Bonnie@flexprofessionalsllc.com

Michelle Manassah, Pull the Focus
Executive Coach supporting leadership and job transition
michelle@pullthefocus.com | 202-841-9624
Michelle is an executive coach supporting professionals in high-conflict, high-ego, high-stress environments with career transition, expanding leadership skills, confident negotiating, overcoming burnout and helping pull their big dreams into focus. She sends a monthly-ish newsletter providing leadership, job transition and confident negotiating tips and she's always open for LinkedIn connections. Newsletter sign up and LinkedIn

Valerie Fleming, career/leadership coach
vfleming6@gmail.com

Deborah Cohen, DFC Consulting
resume builder/linkedIn tips
dfccounsulting.llc@gmail.com

Lauren Albright, writer and editor
Le.albright15@gmail.com

Shakshi Stylist
styleshiftwithsakshi@gmail.com

FINANCE

Kara Fransted, CFP® KMH Financial Services, LLC
kara.fransted@lpl.com

Maria Cantoni, Financial Empowerment Center
Mjcantoni@britepaths.org

Legal

Professor Alan Blakley
General legal questions/resource afbmont@gmail.com

Mental Health

Elissa Lopez, Ellie Mental Health
ELopez@elliementalhealth.com

Special Thanks to our Extra Hands during the day-of: Marcia Torres-Sawyer, Cherrelle Morrison, Cathy McCarthy, Nicole Holland, Ki-yong Park, Lisa Schneider, Jenn Zussman, Paola Kocerha

DONATIONS

Sophia Ferderer and Jennifer Vo provided Bagels from Bethesda Bagel
Coffee Cart courtesy of Agape Coffee Cart
Sportrock Climbing Center (Rio)
Fantasticks Gelato
Nando's Rio
Fit4Mom, @fit4mommoco - Fitness + community for every stage of motherhood
Kentlands & Lakelands Living magazine (Jenn Zussman)
Pop for a Cause
Pearl and Rose, redefining mid-life
Peterson Companies (property management of Rio, Gaithersburg)

OTHER RESOURCES

FedBrain.ai- consultancy turning federal institutional knowledge into data and workflow intelligence for AI and GovTech innovators.
Free Coaching by Van Waes Coaching
Montgomery County Library Job Board
MPDU (Moderately Priced Dwelling Unit): fixed rent for those that are under a certain income limit.
Gaithersburg Resource for Federal Workers
Montgomery County resources for Federal Workers
Reddit thread for Fed Workers (not endorsed, so please fact check)

Ginny Thomas 2/19/25 Ginny Thomas 2/19/25

A Day for Feds | Free headshots, makeup and more

I’ve been overwhelmed by the positive response to the free headshots I offered last week, and it got me thinking—how can we do more? So, on March 14th, we’re turning our scheduled Headshot Marathon into a free event for impacted federal employees. Alongside Valerie Hammer and Locally Crafted, we’re offering headshots, makeup touch-ups, career services, legal and real estate guidance, crafting, and a supportive community—because sometimes, we just need to know we’re not alone. No cost, no appointment—just a space to feel seen, supported, and encouraged. If you or someone you know has been affected, join us. Let’s lift each other up. 💙

I've been overwhelmed with the positive response from the free headshots I did last week, so Valerie Hammer and I have decided to pivot our March 14th headshot marathon to a free event for impacted federal employees. And Locally Crafted in Gaithersburg has generally donated their event space.

So many have reached out to ask how they can help—so we’re creating a Day for Feds to offer even more support beyond headshots.

On Friday, March 14th, we’re gathering at Locally Crafted Workshop from 10 AM - 2 PM to offer:

Free Headshots (@ginnyfiler)– because a strong, confident image matters.
Photo-Ready Makeup Touchups (@mizchynuhdoll)– to help you look and feel your best
Career Services & Guidance – resume help, job search support & more.
Real Estate Guidance – if job shifts have impacted your housing plans.
Legal Advice - there will be a few lawyers there willing to provide advice
Crafting & Community (@createatlocallycrafted)– because sometimes we just need to create & connect.
Free Hugs – because support is more than just resources.

No cost. No appointment. Just a space to feel seen, supported, and encouraged.

If you or someone you know has been impacted by the recent and pending federal layoffs, please stop by. Whether you need a fresh headshot, career advice, or just a space to breathe, we’re here for you.

And if you’d like to donate your time, expertise, or resources, we’d love to have you join in this effort to support our federal community. Let’s lift each other up.

The event is free, but if you think you’ll attend, please register so we can get an idea of how many people to expect. But don't let that stop you from just showing up. Makeup and photography sessions will be held on a walk-in basis.