At-large members:
Roberta Biegel (Bradmoor) has advised and lobbied on health policy for several decades. Most recently, she has been a consultant and prior to that, she was the senior lobbyist and policy advisor for two national health organizations. Earlier in her career,she was on the legislative staff of the U.S. Congress. Roberta joined the BHV Board in 2017, co-chaired and served on several committees and enjoys participating in the BHV book and garden clubs. She was President of BHV for two years.
Betsy Carrier (Bradmoor) retired from a long career working for a hospital trade association and, in retirement, has worked with local programs that focus on improving access to health care for low-income individuals. In 2022, Betsy was appointed to a two-year term as a Commissioner on the Montgomery County Commission on Aging. Together with the late Eva Cohen, Betsy is a founder of BHV. She has served as Board Treasurer, co-chair of the Planning the Future team, lead for the BHV Events team, and served as Board President in 2023.
Maggie Dittemore (Huntington Terrace) retired from federal service after spending several decades as a librarian with the Smithsonian Institution. As a member of BHV,she enjoys both its book and garden clubs and assisting with planning for speakers and other social events. She has served on the Board since February 2020.
Gail Douglas (Edgewood) is a retired social worker and worked at Montgomery County Child Welfare, as well as Montgomery County Adult Services. Gail originally joined the BHV Board in 2016 and has been volunteer coordinator, worked on the garden club committee, walking group and Events team.
Lora Farnstrom (Hillmead): Lora has retired from a 40 year career teaching English in various private schools across the country: boarding schools (seven years as dorm mother!), all girls, coed, and all boys. She taught Journalism, arts and crafts for middle school, writing classes for elementary, middle school, and upper school students, American Literature, British Literature, Humanities, a variety of senior electives, and a pre-school class of four year olds in summer camp. She was Department Chair for six years at Landon and headed committee work on curriculum and gender. She looks forward to working with the BHV, forging opportunities for connection and friendship. 2024 will be Lora’s first year serving on the BHV Board.
Erna Silberstein (Woodhaven) is retired from a company she founded in 1975. The company provided social activities, tours, and events primarily for convention groups who met here in Washington, D.C., and evolved into also providing activities for small groups of visitors, senior and school groups touring in the D.C. area. Erna also volunteered for social justice causes and political groups. She joined the BHV Board in February 2021.