Alumni Stories

Leadership Arlington gave Helen Saks, owner of Striking Media and LA Class of 2022 alum, insights into the area where she is building her business.

Sam Wolbert (LA ’19) didn’t waste any time waiting to jump into Leadership Arlington. Within a week of beginning as the President & CEO of the Animal Welfare League of Arlington (AWLA), he was in touch with the Leadership Center for Excellence (LCE) to explore applying to the program. He was enthusiastic about connecting with…

Siarra Foster (Ignite ’20) was the General Manager of Bowlero Arlington in Crystal City when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, shutting down the country and causing shockwaves through the hospitality industry. Siarra was expected to lead her location in a way that no one in Bowlero, or any other part of the industry had ever had…

For more than 25 years, Edson Bravo (LA ’22) has led and supported Arlington’s teenagers through his work with Arlington County’s Parks & Recreation Department. As the Teen Programmer, he makes sure that local students have exciting and fulfilling opportunities to grow, safe places to be after school, and a community to support them. Edson…

Civic engagement is a passion for Bill Fogarty (LA ’11), and he isn’t one to turn down an opportunity to make an impact. While many people in the local community know Bill for his 35-year legal career as a shareholder at Walsh, Colucci, Lubeley & Walsh or his numerous community leadership roles, they might not…

Mary Ellen Payne’s (LA ‘11) personal and professional life has always been dedicated to mentorship and service. Although she is now retired after a successful career as an executive at Verizon, Mary Ellen has never stopped her work to serve community needs or to grow the next generation of leaders. If you talk to Mary…