DC Affordable Law Firm names Chief Operating Officer

We are pleased to share that the DC Affordable Law Firm (DCALF) announced the selection of Lan Nguyen as the organization’s next Chief Operating Officer (COO). To power DCALF’s mission to expand access to justice for DC residents, Nguyen will lead the firm’s operational, people, and organizational effectiveness strategies. Nguyen succeeds retiring COO Wendy Phipps, whose tenure has led to significant growth in DCALF’s impact, internal systems, and financial sustainability.

“In the past year alone, DCALF served more than 850 individual clients, delivering the skilled legal representation and assistance that should never be out of reach for anyone in our community due to their economic status,” said Gabrielle (Gabby) Mulnick Majewski, DCALF’s Executive Director. “As we continue to grow to meet the needs of our neighbors, Lan’s unique expertise in HR strategy, organizational development, and mission-driven leadership will be essential to sustaining and strengthening our impact.”

Before joining DCALF, Nguyen held senior leadership roles at the National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum, FairVote, the National Domestic Workers Alliance, The Health Management Academy, Aptara, and Sidwell Friends School. Across these roles, she strengthened governance and compliance structures, advanced inclusive workplace cultures, established leadership pipelines, and stewarded operations for both 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) entities.

“I am eager to join the leadership team at DCALF and strengthen operations to extend critical legal services to more DC residents,” said Nguyen. “As a first-generation Southeast Asian immigrant, my values and personal commitment to dignity, equity, and expanding access deeply align with DCALF’s mission.”

Nguyen holds a Master of Science in Human Resources Management, and the Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) certification. She advanced through an extensive national search led in partnership with Good Insight, an award-winning, Washington, DC-based executive search firm with an exclusive focus on nonprofits, associations, and foundations. Nguyen begins her new role on December 8.