The new executive director of INMED Family and Youth Opportunity Center on how her organization helps Loudoun families in need and how the community can pitch in.
Tell us about your prior career.
My work was with the startup or the venture capital industry. It’s all-hands [on deck], starting from scratch, grassroots. I enjoy working in different facets, especially in the development stage: going in, learning it and building it from the ground up. I know that fundraising is not for everyone. There is a lot of rejection involved. I happen to thrive in that kind of environment.
What types of problems are families in Loudoun dealing with?
The programs and activities that we serve to the low-income community [address] healthy families, homeless prevention, career development, after-school academics, financial literacy, language classes. We provide positive initiatives and healthy practices for both the children and the parents and try to develop wholesome family dynamics that will assist them in their future success and help them to build productive communities.
Describe a rewarding moment in your career.
For me, there’s no one single moment. If you can leave a situation better than you found it, you’ve made a small contribution to that. But basically, it’s a collaborative effort. I bring forth my strength and my skill set to the table, but without—especially the programs team and the administrative team, our board of trustees—without that kind of dedication and commitment and participation, it just doesn’t work.
What are ways that community members can help?
We rely heavily upon private volunteers. Volunteers come in and fill the gaps. I’m always surprised when you have a situation and there’s sort of a rally or a call to arms. And individuals get it—they just show up [and] do it, and then they leave only because they knew that they could make a contribution.
Quick Hits
Neighborhood: Reston
Where you’d live if not Virginia: Tuscany
Current book: The Good Earth, Goodnight Moon and The Giving Tree
Inspiring people: Warren Buffett. I don’t know why, but I just think as a philanthropist, he gets it. You acquire a certain stature and wealth, and then you give it all away. He’s very unassuming. You don’t need to be in the limelight; I prefer to be in the background. Just do what you can, and then step back.
Favorite films: Sing. It’s a feel-good movie.
Dresses or pantsuits: [Laughs] I would probably go with pantsuits.
