Confession time – ever since my first Spring2ACTion experience with ACT for Alexandria, I’ve secretly wanted to be on their board. Before I opened the stores, I was in nonprofit fundraising and marketing.  It’s where my passion is, and I wanted to be on a board that has the greatest impact on Alexandrians. In my opinion, no one makes a bigger impact than ACT for Alexandria.  So, three years ago, when I got an email from Heather Peeler, ACT’s President and CEO, to have coffee, I was very excited. When we met for coffee with the current Board Chair, Molly Dahl, I played it cool. I didn’t want them to think I was a crazy woman. But, inside, I was thinking, “Yes, I finally made it!”

I’ve already pointed out the most obvious thing that ACT does for Alexandria. (You all know how much I love Spring2ACTion, right?  It’s my favorite day of the year, except when it’s an election year, then my favorite day is the first Tuesday in November.) This event has redefined what it means to fundraise. If you can make $40,000 in one day, just by asking your donors to give and not have to put on a labor-intensive auction, why wouldn’t you?  

The multiplying effect of what ACT does is tremendous.  Spring2ACTion is just one way ACT benefits Alexandria.  Here are several others... 

• Connecting donors with causes they are passionate about, and working with nonprofits to optimize resources and impact through donor advised funds.  

• Supporting nonprofits with bequests through the newly launched Think Ahead Alexandria, a community-wide Legacy Giving campaign.

• Hosting the IMPACT Forum, a biennial community forum that gathers nonprofit, business, City, board, and philanthropic leaders to discuss strategies to increase and strengthen the capacity of Alexandria’s nonprofits.

• Convening stakeholders and thought leaders around critical issues such as Racial Equity and Economic Mobility.

• Providing Racial Equity training to nonprofits and their leaders.

• Distributing $5.76 million in grants to 131 nonprofits through the Alexandria Resilience Fund during the pandemic.

• Reaching 20,000 Alexandrians through Sleeves Up, ALX – a vaccine outreach partnership with the Alexandria Health Department.

• Championing proven and innovative ideas like ARISE, the Guaranteed Income Program, that provides no-strings-attached cash payments of $500 to 171 families for 24 months.

I could go on and on. This is just the tip of the iceberg.  But, the real reason I’m here is to introduce you to the woman at the helm of it all, Heather Peeler – ACT’s President and CEO. Heather was meant for this work, and she is the right person, at the right time, to do it.  Recently, we had coffee and she lit up when she talked about her work.  It’s clear that service is part of her essential makeup. She has the passion for helping people and she has the leadership chops and MBA to put that passion to good use. What I think I most admire about her is that she thinks big, but acts measured. She sees Alexandria’s potential to enact real change for its people and to be a model for other communities, but knows that it requires smart and incremental steps. She knows that it will take time, money, and thoughtful partners to make it happen.  She is a wonderful steward of this city and, frankly, a truly delightful human being. It has been an absolute pleasure to work with her and her amazing team, and an incredible learning experience – one that I will be forever grateful for.

Before I go, I want to ask that you consider an end-of-year donation to ACT for Alexandria. I guarantee that a donation to ACT will have a massive ripple effect across Alexandria. So, please join me by giving a gift of $10 to $10,000. Every amount helps!  

And, now, it’s my genuine pleasure to introduce you to a woman I admire very much, Heather Peeler.

Photography credit: Renée C. Gage Photography.

Samantha is styled by The Hive.

ABOUT YOU

Neighborhood: Tenleytown, Washington, D.C.

What is your hometown? Ellicott City, MD

What would surprise people about you? Although I love and care deeply about Alexandria, I don’t live in Alexandria.

Favorite book or movie: Krick, Crack by Edwedge Danticat. She is my favorite author.

Guilty Pleasure: Doughnuts! I was so sad to see Elizabeth’s Counter close.

Latest binge-watch: The Great British Bake Off

Bucket list travel destination: Ghana

STYLE

The go-to piece in your wardrobe: Dresses in the spring/summer and black pants in winter.

Favorite trend: Ruffles

Beauty product you can’t live without: Lipstick

Boots, sneakers, or sandals? Sneakers – all day everyday. I’m so glad it’s more common to see women wear sneakers with dresses and suits.

WELLNESS

Go-to way to de-stress: A long run – the longer the better!

Most fun way to stay active: Meeting up with a friend for a walk.

Wellness goal: I’m working at becoming more flexible.  Sadly, as a life-long runner, I can’t touch my toes. I know flexibility is key to healthy aging. 

Want to try: Tennis and pickleball. I have friends who love both, and I’ve been reluctant because I don’t have good eye-hand coordination.

Proudest wellness achievement: Climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro. I did a seven-day hike with friends. Summiting is one of the most physically challenging things I’ve ever done.

HOME

Favorite room in your home: I love our back deck. We invested in our  outdoor living space during the pandemic. You’ll find me, every weekend spring through fall, on my back deck in my favorite rocker with a good book.

Antiques, modern, or a mix? I like the clean lines of Mid-century modern design. We’ve purchased both vintage and contemporary pieces for our home.

Last item bought for your home: A new rug for our living room. We purchased it from a local rug shop. The owners spent a lot of time with us talking about the region it was from, the materials used, etc. It feels like a special addition to our home. That’s the beauty of shopping at local small businesses!

Favorite way to entertain: On our front patio with neighbors for a casual drink.

Clutter-free or well-lived in? I aspire to be clutter-free, but the reality is well-lived in.

Next planned purchase: My next home project is to create a creative studio in my basement, so I can have dedicated space for my painting and sewing projects.

ALEXANDRIA

What do you love about Alexandria Stylebook? It’s a great way to get wellness tips and to stay on top of the latest trend and events around town!

Last purchase in Alexandria: Holiday cards from Penny Post.

Best food spot: Barca! I love all the restaurants from our friends at Alexandria Restaurant Partners, but having lunch or dinner at Barca makes me feel like I’m on vacation!

Favorite local organization: ACT of course! In truth, it’s hard to pick just one organization. Alexandria has so many creative, high-impact nonprofits. I feel very fortunate to be able to work with and support amazing nonprofits and leaders everyday at ACT.

Favorite annual Alexandria event: Spring2ACTion is my favorite Alexandria event. It’s a celebration of everything that makes Alexandria a special community. The energy, the sense of common purpose, the generosity, and love of community are on full display.  A close second is Art on the Avenue.