Hala Flores is a civil engineer, environmental professional, gymnast, gardener, world traveler, and music lover.   Hala is a dual citizen of Egypt and the United States and has moved permanently to Maryland almost thirty three years ago.   Maryland and specifically Prince George's County, has been Hala's lucky charm.  It is the State and County where she obtained her civil Engineering degree, met the love of her life, bought her first home, and raised two astounding human beings that she is immensely proud of.  Hala has retired on Jan 2024 as a civil engineer after almost 30 years of working with the federal, state, and local governments providing civil and environmental research, planning, engineering, and construction of public programs and projects.  Hala has been a proud resident of Bowie for the last twenty five years and intends on aging out right in her base camp in Bowie.  She deeply believes that raising mindfulness (the super human ability of being present and aware of where we are and what we are doing) is the key to elevate the consciousness of the collective to manifest prosperous, peaceful and joyful communities.

Hala's favorite past time is to walk or bike in her community in Bowie.    

Over the last five years, it has been impossible to walk without noticing, which quickly evolved to compulsively picking, of the litter (a never ending job).  She would also notice the invasive plants take over and destroy what remains of the forest cover.  She has also seen numerous families who worked and raised their families in Maryland retire to other states looking for greener pastures.  With mindfulness, we can have the greenest pasture there is, right here where we live.   

Service and volunteerism have long played an integral role in Bill's life, and in many ways, formed the foundation that led him to joining the Mindful Maryland team.  After graduating college, he served in the Army and earned his MBA.  He parlayed this combined experience with a career in the federal government in which he was fortunate to hold positions with increasing levels of responsibility.  In his final position, he led and mentored a talented staff who successfully accounted for and disbursed billions of dollars of federal debt payments annually.  

As challenging and professionally rewarding as his federal career was, he found most rewarding his experiences outside of work.  He relocated to Bowie in the late 1980’s, met and married his wonderful wife, and helped raise a loving family.  During this time, he was very active volunteering in the community, including serving on his children’s school PTA, serving on the neighborhood HOA Board, and being a commissioner and director on the Bowie Boys and Girls Club.  He coached multiple sports at the intramural (City), Prince George’s County, and select (State) levels for more than 15 years, and some of his fondest memories are from coaching children and watching them grow up in Bowie.  These strong ties to the Bowie community and Prince George’s County have him excited to help advance the Mindful Maryland mission.

Dr. Djenaba Kai Jones is a physician, dancer and yoga instructor.  Inspired by the belief that mindful living is integral to optimal wellness, Dr. Jones strives to help people cultivate more peace, fun, and joy.  A creative at heart, she fuses her medical background with her artistic leanings in order to curate experiences that revitalize the body, soothe the mind, and elevate the spirit.  Whether facilitating a dance workshop, teaching a yoga class, or leading a group meditation, nothing delights her more than helping people tap into their bliss.  

Dr. Jones is a graduate of Spelman College and the National University of Health Sciences.  She is a proud resident of Bowie, Maryland, where some of her favorite past times include discovering new foods, going for long walks, and trying (often unsuccessfully) to carry a tune.   

Stephen was born and raised in Bowie and is a recent graduate of the University of Maryland, College Park (UMD).  He earned his B.S. degree in Information Science with a minor in Sustainable Studies.  At UMD, he was a College Park Scholar and was awarded a citation in the Environment, Technology, and the Economy Program.  This unique two-year program explored the interesting cross section between the Environment, Technology, and the Economy, which he now sees as being very relevant to Mindful Maryland.  

Stephen was excited to learn in school about the expanded and important role that sustainability is playing in businesses of all sizes, but he believe this is only the start.  By raising awareness and by engaging with the community and establishing strong working relationships with the various levels of government, we are empowered to do so much more.  He is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Cybersecurity and working part-time.  Stephen looks forward to bringing his recent academic experiences, knowledge, and perspective to Mindful Maryland. 

Drum Circles