Meet Our New Employee, Annie!

We are excited to welcome our new Events & Development Assistant, Annie, to the NAMI Northern Virginia team! She sat down with us and answered some questions to help us all get to know her a little bit better. Read on for the full conversation with our newest team member.

What is your favorite quote:
“You must be the change you wish to see in the world” –Mahatma Gandhi 

What is something that drew you to NAMI Northern Virginia?
I was drawn to NAMI Northern Virginia because of what do they do for individuals with mental illness and their loved ones.  I also have had a personal experience of losing someone I love to suicide. 

What's the most inspiring part of your job?
The most inspiring part of my job is knowing that what I do directly impacts and supports individuals with mental illness and their loved ones.  

What did you want to grow up to be when you were a kid?
I wanted to be a nurse when I was a kid because my grandma and mom, as well as my sister, who was in nursing school when I was applying to college. 

What do you enjoy doing when you are not working?
When I am not working, I enjoy skiing, doing anything outside, and watching movies and Jeopardy. 

What’s your background?
I grew up and still live in Loudoun County. I graduated from James Madison University in August 2021 with a Bachelor of Science in Communication Studies with a concentration in Health Communication Studies and a minor in Chronic Illness. I have a sister who is three years older than me, and an eight-year-old cockapoo named Teddy. 

Website you visit the most?
The website I visit the most is Google because I don’t like not knowing the answer to something. 

Your top 3 favorite Podcasts/Books?
All American Boys by Brendan Kiely and Jason Reynolds 
Office Ladies (podcast with Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey)
My Own Words by Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Any other interesting things you’d like to share?
When I was younger, I was always told that I looked like Shirley Temple. 

​We hope you enjoyed getting to know Annie as much as we did. Look forward to hearing more from her about all NAMI Northern Virginia upcoming events and activities!