Council For Court Excellence

Washington, DC · Founded 1982

Advancing justice, equity, and accountability in DC legal systems

Primary audience
General public
Work area
Research
Topic
Community development
Contact
Misty Thomas Zaleski
Website Contact

About Organization

Based in Washington, DC, the Council for Court Excellence brings people together to conduct research, educate, and advocate to make the District's unique legal systems more just, equitable, and accountable to the community. Founded in 1982, the organization employs 14 staff and mobilizes 195 volunteers, generating $1.8 million in annual revenue while promoting systemic reform and transparency in courts and justice agencies.

What They Focus On

Mission Delivery

Implementing core programs that directly advance organizational purpose.

Capacity Building

Strengthening infrastructure through strategic planning and resource development.

Community Impact

Creating measurable outcomes that benefit populations served.

Financial Information

Form 990 data showing organizational financial health and growth.

Revenue (2024)

$1.8M

+51% vs 2023

Expenses (2024)

$1.5M

+6.7% vs 2023

Assets (2024)

$1.9M

+19% vs 2023

Employees (2024)

14

+16.7% vs 2023

Year Revenue Expenses Assets Employees
2024 $1,793,865 $1,497,190 $1,922,217 14
2023 $1,187,870 $1,402,901 $1,615,280 12
2022 $1,367,218 $1,138,841 $1,689,297 9
2020 $1,030,190 $870,844 $1,076,256 6
2019 $956,162 $934,793 $907,874 6
2018 $750,358 $622,749 $774,770 9

Source: IRS Form 990 filings. All figures in USD.

How They Work

Learn more
  • 01

    Identify Needs

    Assess community priorities through stakeholder engagement and analysis.

  • 02

    Plan Initiatives

    Design strategic programs and allocate resources to address needs.

  • 03

    Execute Programs

    Implement services through trained staff while maintaining quality standards.

  • 04

    Evaluate Results

    Measure outcomes and gather feedback to assess impact and improve.

Programs and Initiatives

Services and programs offered by Council For Court Excellence

26th Annual 2023 Justice Potters

Grant-funded initiative supporting organizational mission and community needs.

General Support

Grant-funded initiative supporting organizational mission and community needs.

Support Services

Comprehensive assistance programs addressing diverse community needs and priorities.

Team & Leadership

Meet the people behind Council For Court Excellence.

MT

Misty Thomas Zaleski

Executive Director
Full-time
Compensation: $147,141
EO

Elisa Ortiz

Deputy Director
Full-time
Compensation: $116,022
TV

Tracy Velazquez

Policy Director
Full-time
Compensation: $112,089
AB

Abigail Blomstrom

Business Director
2 hrs/week
AP

Abram Pafford

Law Firm Director
2 hrs/week
AF

Alec Farr

Law Firm Director
2 hrs/week
AB

Allyson Baker

Law Firm Director
2 hrs/week
AM

Amit Mehta

Judicial Director
2 hrs/week
AN

Amy Neuhardt

Law Firm Director
2 hrs/week
AG

Andrew Glass

Civic Director
2 hrs/week
AG

Andrew Goldstein

Law Firm Director
2 hrs/week
AK

Ann Keep

Civic Director
2 hrs/week
AC

Annelise Corriveau

Law Firm Director
2 hrs/week
AE

Anthony Epstein

Judicial Director
2 hrs/week
AH

Athena Hemphill

Civic Director
2 hrs/week
BC

Barry Coburn

Law Firm Director
2 hrs/week
BH

Benjamin Horowitz

Law Firm Director
2 hrs/week
BR

Benjamin Razi

Law Firm Director
2 hrs/week
BH

Brandi Howard

Law Firm Director
2 hrs/week
BA

Brian A Hill

Law Firm Director
2 hrs/week
BK

Brian Koosed

Civic Director
2 hrs/week
BR

Bruce Reid

Business Director
2 hrs/week
BM

Bryan Moser

Business Director
2 hrs/week
CJ

Carmen Johnson

Business Director
2 hrs/week
CB

Carol Bruce

Law Firm Director (Thru November)
2 hrs/week
CM

Carol Melamed

Civic Director
2 hrs/week
CL

Caroline Lee

Business Director (Thru June)
2 hrs/week
CM

Caroline Mehta

Law Firm Director
2 hrs/week
CF

Cary Feldman

Civic Director
2 hrs/week
CF

Chantel Febus

Law Firm Director
2 hrs/week
CB

Charles Blair

Law Firm Director
2 hrs/week
CC

Christopher Costa

Judicial Director
2 hrs/week
CG

Christopher Glaser

Law Firm Director
2 hrs/week
CW

Colin Watson

Law Firm Director
2 hrs/week
CR

Cortney Robinson

Civic Director
2 hrs/week
CI

Craig Iscoe

Judicial Director
2 hrs/week
CW

Cynthia Wright

Civic Director
2 hrs/week
DM

Darrell Mottley

Law Firm Director
2 hrs/week
DC

David Cox

Civic Director
2 hrs/week
DC

David Cynamon

Civic Director
2 hrs/week
DL

David Levie

Law Firm Director
2 hrs/week
DM

David Mills

Law Firm Director
2 hrs/week
DR

Deborah Robinson

Judicial Director
2 hrs/week
DF

Destiny Fullwood-Singh

Law Firm Director
2 hrs/week
DB

Diane Brenneman

Judicial Director
2 hrs/week
DH

Diona Howard-Nicolas

Law Firm Director
2 hrs/week
DS

Donald Santarelli

Law Firm Director
2 hrs/week
EO

Eleni O'Donovan

Business Director
2 hrs/week
ES

Elizabeth Scully

Law Firm Director
2 hrs/week
ES

Elizabeth Selmo

Law Firm Director
2 hrs/week
TV

Tracy Velázquez

Policy Director
SA

Sarah A. Baczewski

Director of Development
KM

Katie McConville

Policy Counsel
MT

Magdalena Tsiongas

Policy Manager
SL

Sharon L. Terrill

Operations Manager
AB

Aayushma Bastola

Policy & Education Associate
GS

Gene S. Downing

Policy & Education Associate
TH

Tariq Hardiman

Open Horizon Fellow
CJ

Crystal Jones Nieves

Open Horizon Fellow

Milestones

1982

Organization Founded

1982

Council For Court Excellence was established to address community needs and advance its mission.

1990

Leadership Development

1990

Strengthened governance with expanded board and executive team.

2022

Program Expansion

2022

Significant growth in organizational capacity and service delivery.

2024

Community Impact

2024

Demonstrated effectiveness through measurable program outcomes.

Associated People

Board members, advisors, and key contributors

Board of Directors

DR
Debra R Belott Secretary 2.00 hrs/week
JA
Julia A Matthews Treasurer & Finance Committee Chair 2.00 hrs/week
KE
Karen Evans Nominating Committee Chair 2.00 hrs/week
MP
Marianela Peralta Chair 2.00 hrs/week
JS
Jelahn Stewart Chair
PE
Paulette E. Chapman President
PM
Patrick McGlone, Immediate Past President
KA
Kevin A. Chambers Vice President
JB
Joshua B. Bernstein Bernstein Management Corporation
AB
Abigail Blomstrom Monumental Sports and Entertainment
MB
Marcus Bullock Flikshop
KE
Karen Ellis Carr Arent
HE
Hon. Eric S. Glover Superior Court of the District of Columbia
PS
Paul S. Lee Steptoe LLP
JM
James McLaughlin The Washington Post
HH
Hon. Heidi Pasichow Superior Court of the District of Columbia
NS
Natalie S. Walker Webster, Fredrickson & Walker PLLC
CP
Colin P. Watson Covington & Burling LLP
TW
Tami Weerasingha-Cote Children’s Law Center
CG
Cynthia G. Wright Civic Director
JL
Joanne L. Zimolzak Dykema Gossett PLLC
HA
Hon. Anna Blackburne-Rigsby Chief Judge, District of Columbia Court of Appeals
TN
Thomas N. Faust Director, D.C. Department of Corrections
HM
Hon. Milton Lee, Jr. - Chief Judge, Superior Court for the District of Columbia
HN
Heather N. Pinckney Director, Public Defender Service of the District of Columbia
HB
Hon. Brian L. Schwalb Attorney General of the District of Columbia

Information compiled from IRS Form 990 and organizational materials.

Executive Compensation

Top compensated officers & key employees from IRS Form 990

Total Reported (2024)

$412K

Highest Paid

$154K

Misty Thomas Zaleski

Compensated Officers

3

Name Title Base Other Total Hrs/Wk
Misty Thomas Zaleski Executive Director $147,141 $6,600 $153,741 40
Elisa Ortiz Deputy Director $116,022 $14,093 $130,115 40
Tracy Velazquez Policy Director $112,089 $15,842 $127,931 40

Source: IRS Form 990 filings. Compensation includes base and other reported compensation.

COVID-19 PPP Loans

Paycheck Protection Program (2020-2021)

Fully Forgiven

Total Approved

$198K

Total Forgiven

$200K

101% forgiven

Jobs Retained

13

Loan Details 2 loans

$100,830
Forgiven
Forgiven: $101,609 100%
Approved Apr 30, 2020
Lender EagleBank
Jobs Reported 7
Forgiven On Feb 4, 2021
$97,310
Forgiven
Forgiven: $98,022 100%
Approved Feb 24, 2021
Lender Loan Source Incorporated
Jobs Reported 6
Forgiven On Nov 24, 2021

Source: Small Business Administration • Paycheck Protection Program (2020-2021)

Partners & Funders

Grant funding relationships from IRS Form 990 filings

$425K Grants Received
2 Organizations

Top Funders

2 total
GW
Greater Washington Community Foundation 2 grants
$417K
PC
Perkins Coie Foundation
$8K

Source: IRS Form 990 Schedule I filings. Amounts may span multiple tax years.

Contact

Get in touch with Council For Court Excellence

Phone

(202) 785-5917

Social

Visit Website
999 E Street NW 603 Washington, DC 20004