A shared vision, years in the making.
295 Open Spaces began with a friendship and a question: What if we could bring together the people, experiences, and resources that make life richer, and make them more accessible to everyone?
For more than 30 years, founders Stephanie Reich and Paulette Francois built careers in public service, education, human services, and community engagement. Along the way, they discovered a shared talent for connecting people, solving problems, and helping others discover opportunities they might never have found on their own.
They had talked for years about creating something together. Eventually, those conversations became 295 Open Spaces.
Even the name reflects their beginnings. Route 295 connects their communities in Washington, DC, and Maryland. Open Spaces reflects their belief that everyone deserves room to explore, learn, connect, and grow.
Today, 295 Open Spaces brings that vision to life through shared experiences, meaningful conversations, and a community where everyone has something to contribute.
Because sometimes the most valuable thing you discover is something you didn't know you were looking for.
Stephanie Reich, Co-founder & President
Stephanie is a lawyer by training who built her career in public service, government relations, and public policy. She spent approximately 15 years working in and out of DC government, followed by private-sector roles focused on government relations, policy, and building professional networks.
Paulette Francois, Co-founder & CEO
Paulette is a therapist by training whose career began in mental health and substance abuse services. She subsequently transitioned into education, workforce development, and human services, working across multiple levels of government before moving into consulting.
Cher Motta, Director of Anchor Spaces & Chief Circle Keeper
Marullus Williams, Board Member
Cher leads our Anchor Spaces Circles as a trained facilitator, holding space for honest, confidential conversation so everyone is heard. Full bio coming soon.
Marullus is a technology leader focused on business transformation, software solutions, business process automation, and program leadership, with a longstanding commitment to youth apprenticeship and early-career talent development. He holds a master's degree from Carnegie Mellon University's Information Networking Institute.
OUR MISSION
Community through experience.
295 Open Spaces is an experience-led membership community where people connect, learn, explore, and grow together. You don't have to arrive with a specific problem to solve or identity to fit. Come curious. Come as you are.
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Through events, conversations, programs, and membership, we make it easier to meet people, discover something useful, and explore what's possible next.
OUR VISION
More access. Less figuring it out alone.
We believe in a world where every individual and community has the space, support, and opportunity to learn, grow, and begin again. We envision a community where people can discover useful knowledge, resources, experiences, and meaningful connections without needing to know exactly what they're looking for first.
WHY 295?
Every number tells a story.
2 is connection: you don't have to build your life alone.
9 is community and giving back: we make room for everyone.
5 is growth: curiosity, change and the courage to try something new.
ADD IT UP
2 + 9 + 5 = 16. 1 + 6 = 7.
Add up our name and you get 7, the number of the seeker: someone who keeps learning, asking and exploring. Connect. Learn. Grow. It's in our name.
Come find your people.
Access to meaningful experiences shouldn't depend on knowing "the right people." 295 Open Spaces is a space to learn, grow, and begin again.
Join our email list to be the first to hear about our events and experiences.