Catching Up With Lucy von Fahnestock of Together We Bake

Over a latte at La Pluma, I caught up with Lucy von Fahnestock to hear what’s new at Together We Bake — the local nonprofit turning cinnamon granola and chocolate chip cookies into tools for empowerment. Lucy shares how TWB is transforming lives, helping women overcome barriers and reclaim their futures with confidence, purpose, and community.

Can you share the origin story of Together We Bake? What inspired its founding?

Together We Bake was founded in 2012 by Stephanie Wright and Tricia Sabatini—two Alexandria moms who became close while coaching Girls on the Run. Stephanie had a background in social work; Tricia ran a small baking business. During marathon training, they dreamed up a way to empower women in need of a second chance, combining their passions into a unique program blending baking with life and job skills. The first cohort launched in 2013. Today, Tricia Allen serves as our Executive Director.

What’s Together We Bake’s core mission, and how do you bring that to life day-to-day?

Our mission is to empower women overcoming barriers to employment—those formerly incarcerated, unemployed, in recovery, or facing trauma. We provide hands-on job training, life skills, and emotional support through a structured 8–10 week program. Classes run three days a week and cover kitchen work, fulfillment, and empowerment. It's about building confidence and preparing for long-term success, not just landing a job.

When did you join the TWB team?

I graduated college in 2018 with a degree in Communications, concentrating in Public Relations, Human Rights, and Political Science. I started as an intern at TWB, and after a few months, I took a chance and asked for a job. Thankfully, they said they were hoping I would! I now serve as Director of Development.

I’m one of five kids, and my dad was in the Army. My family eventually settled in Alexandria. I went to high school near Annapolis and college at the University of Dayton—an 8-hour drive! I love Penny Post, grabbing coffee at Tatte, and walking to the waterfront on weekends.

What does a participant’s journey look like—from day one to graduation and beyond?

Each cohort begins with a morning meeting centered around an empowerment quote. Participants rotate between baking (we make cinnamon pecan granola and chocolate chip cookies), fulfillment, and business tasks. Alongside this, they learn vital life and job skills—everything from teamwork to conflict resolution. Our products are sold online, at Whole Foods in Old Town, and at a few local retailers.

Why is this holistic approach so central to your success?

Because technical skills alone aren’t enough. Without soft skills—like conflict resolution, communication, and teamwork—success can be hard to sustain. Many women come to us after years of being discouraged or overlooked. We help them rebuild self-esteem and learn how to thrive in the workplace and in life.

What kind of impact have you seen the program make? Any standout stories?

So many. One woman from our winter 2024 cohort came to us experiencing homelessness and had previously been incarcerated. She graduated with renewed confidence, enrolled in a master’s program in social work, and got a job as an administrative assistant at a law firm. She was able to move herself and her son out of Carpenter’s Shelter and into stable housing.

We now have over 330 alumni. Keeping in touch with them is a top priority. Our team member, Hanna, leads alumni outreach, and we’re building an advisory committee to maintain that support network long after graduation.

How has TWB evolved? Any new services or partnerships?

We’ve grown strategically. While we originally focused on helping women find jobs in food service and hospitality, we’ve broadened our scope. Not all women can work nights or weekends, especially those with children. That’s why we implemented career counselors to help women set realistic goals, create resumes, job hunt, and build LinkedIn profiles.

We also fund our work through a mix of individual donations, grants, and product sales. Spring2ACTion is one of our biggest fundraising days.

How can the community support your mission beyond buying your cookies and granola?

We’re always looking for volunteers—especially job counselors. Donations are crucial too. And our annual Empowerment Breakfast is a great opportunity to learn more and support us. This year’s event will be held Friday, September 12, from 8–10am at the Westin in Old Town. It’s open to the public, and we’d love to see you there!

What’s next for Together We Bake?

We’ve just launched our 2030 Strategic Plan, which charts our vision for growth and deeper impact. By 2030, we aim to double the number of women we serve annually while expanding our product sales and direct employment opportunities.

A key part of that is launching The Women’s Blueprint, a capacity-building program to help TWB grads start their own businesses.

Together We Bake is more than job training—it’s a community, a safe space, and a launching pad. And we’re just getting started.

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