The Children’s Guild District of Columbia Public Charter School named Chris Zimmerman chair of the school’s board of directors. In addition, Imani Samuels was named as a board member.

Chris Zimmerman has served on the school’s board since December 2014. Professionally, he is director for Diligent Corp. in Washington, D.C., which provides corporate governance and collaboration solutions for boards and senior executives. Previously, he was associate director for CrossCountry Consulting, director for FTI Consulting and management consultant for Accenture in Washington, D.C.

He holds an MBA in strategy and finance from Washington University in St. Louis and a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from the University of Notre Dame.

Imani Samuels is member benefit communications director for AARP, where she also held the positions of manager and analyst. Previously, she was a freelance marketing strategist, account manager for Arnold Worldwide, account executive for Porter Novelli and account executive for McCann/Campbell Mithun. Her clients have included Amtrak, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., TRESemmé and General Mills.

She holds a master’s degree in public communication from American University and a bachelor’s degree in journalism and advertising from Howard University. She also studied political science at Stellenbosch University in South Africa.

The Children’s Guild D.C. Public Charter School uses the Transformation Education philosophy to prepare the accelerated learner, struggling learner and child with special needs for college, career and citizenship by developing critical thinking, creative problem-solving skills, self-discipline and a commitment to serving others. The school serves students in kindergarten through eighth grade.

The TranZed Alliance is a nonprofit organization serving children, families and child-serving organizations and is dedicated to transforming how America educates and cares for its children through education, behavioral health and national training and consultation services. Affiliates of the TranZed Alliance include The Children’s Guild, Monarch Academy Public Charter Schools, The Children’s Guild D.C. Public Charter School, The Upside Down Organization, the National At Risk Education Network, the TranZed Alliance Conference Center and The National Children’s Guild Fund. (www.childrensguild.org)