Officers

Alisa Valudes Whyte is the CEO and Senior Partner of Merritt Group. She joined Merritt Group in 1997 and helped to shape and grow the agency since its founding. She builds marketing, creative, PR and demand generation campaigns on a national scale for clients in technology – from venture-funded startups to established market leaders. For nearly 30 years, Alisa worked in the technology sector in areas including cloud, AI, cybersecurity, 5G, telecom, networking, government IT, digital health, and more. Her clients have included Microsoft, Samsung, Booz Allen Hamilton, Monster, LexisNexis, Deloitte, Check Point Software Technologies, Corvis, Avizia, Yodlee, GoHealth Urgent Care, U.S. Pharmacopeia, and others.

In 2025, Alisa was named a finalist in the Heroines of Washington awards hosted by the March of Dimes for her professional accomplishments and community leadership. In 2023, Alisa was named “Woman of the Year” by Washington Women in PR (WWPR). In 2019, Alisa was honored with a Silver Award for “Female Executive of the Year” in the annual Stevie Awards for Women in Business. In 2015 and 2016, she was named a finalist for DC Inno‘s “50 on Fire” and, in 2016, a finalist in Women in Technology’s (WIT) Annual Leadership Awards. Alisa is a champion of Merritt Group’s culture, recognized as a “Great Place to Work” by both Washingtonian and Washington Business Journal. She currently serves on the Boards of several organizations including Northern Virginia Technology Council, Neighborhood Health and Capital Caring.

Prior to joining Merritt Group, Alisa worked at Ruder Finn in Washington, D.C., where she conducted media relations and public affairs for a wide range of clients including Citibank Mid-Atlantic and the law firm of Shaw Pittman. She also worked at the international architectural firm of Leo A. Daly as part of the marketing team.

She graduated with a BA from Dickinson College and spent a semester studying Economic Policy at American University.

Anthony Gitalado is a veteran, entrepreneur, and civic leader with experience spanning public service, technology, and community engagement. A self-described “vet-repreneur,” he has founded and led ventures in technology and real estate and recently returned to entrepreneurship with Nova Strategies LLC, an AI advisory startup focused on governance, risk, and public interest technology.

Anthony has been deeply involved with the Democratic Business Council of Northern Virginia, previously serving as a Board Member and former Treasurer. He has served in the U.S.. Army, U.S. Navy, Defense Intelligence Agency, Internal Revenue Service, and the Pentagon, including a deployment to Afghanistan, and later continued service in the Virginia Army National Guard.

Anthony has a strong record of public leadership and civic appointment. He has been appointed to statewide advisory and trustee roles, including service with the Virginia Veteran Services Foundation, and currently serves as a citizen member of the Information Technology Advisory Council, advising the Commonwealth on technology strategy, cyber security, and emerging technologies.

Active with the Stafford Democratic Committee, Anthony supported efforts that helped flip Stafford County’s School Board, Board of Supervisors, and House District 64 in 2025. He has worked on local, state, and national elections and currently serves as a Legislative Aide to Joshua Cole. Anthony holds a B.S. in Computer Engineering from Virginia State University and is pursuing an M.S. in Artificial Intelligence Management and Policy at Purdue University.

Vacant

Milan runs Tiger Hill Partners (THP), an Alexandria-based consulting firm focused on government relations and public affairs, where he helps clients navigate complex legislative, regulatory, and political issues.

Prior to founding THP, Milan served in Congress in for eight years, most recently as Senior Economic Advisor to Senator Mark Warner, advising on financial reform, tax, and trade issues, and helping to develop the Senator’s initiatives for workforce development and addressing the “future of work.”  During his time in the Senate, Milan served as one of the Senator’s principal liaisons to the Commonwealth’s business community, frequently traveling throughout Virginia to meet with small businesses, trade associations, unions, and government officials.  It was during this time that Milan first became familiar with DemBiz and its mission, and was greatly honored to be elected to the Board upon his departure from the Senate at the end of 2017.

During his tenure on the Board, Milan has taken particular interest in programming and helping to find speakers who can grow our membership and create more interest in DemBiz’s mission.  This year, he hosted Sen. Warner and Rep. Wexton for virtual events, and engaged with several Democratic presidential candidates to try to secure appearances.  With the gubernatorial and House of Delegates elections approaching next year, Milan hopes to augment our terrific events with more frequent engagement with Democratic candidates for state office.  Furthermore, coming off of a presidential election with heightened youth interest, he would like to focus on expanding DemBiz’s membership with a younger demographic.

Beyond DemBiz, Milan is also active in the community as a volunteer, including providing pro bono legal services to the indigent; has served as Vice President of the South Asian Bar Association; and serves as a Truman National Security Fellow and a Member of the Atlantic Council.  Milan also enjoys teaching and has guest lectured at New York University, Boston University School of Law, American University, and the U.S. Naval Academy.