Campagna Center Celebrates 80th Anniversary With Gala
President and CEO Tammy Mann bids farewell
ALEXANDRIA, VA-Amid toasts to a banner year of service to the Alexandria community, board members and numerous supporters bid farewell to Dr. Tammy Mann, who has served as the president and CEO of Campagna Center, at its “Lighting the Way 80th Anniversary Gala” held at historic River Farm on Friday night (May 9).
With warm smiles and tears, Mann greeted the board members, guests, and family members who all expressed sincere appreciation to the long-serving leader as she stood on the front lawn overlooking the placid Potomac River.
Board Chair Stephanie Wiggins praised Mann for her energy and ambition throughout Mann’s 13 years of service to Campagna Center while gala guests listened and rose for a standing ovation.
“As Dr. Mann prepares to transition from her role, the Board is deeply grateful for her leadership and service,” said Wiggins. “The organization is well positioned financially and otherwise to move our mission forward given the impact of her work.”
Following those heartfelt remarks, Mann stood and took the microphone, returning the gratitude expressed by others throughout the event.
“No CEO succeeds without the support of a strong board of directors,” Mann said.“We are Campagna strong at 80 because of your support and energy!”
Campagna Center has enjoyed growth and expansion under her leadership. When she joined, the organization had just integrated New Neighbors – a program supporting immigrants and refugees to learn English – into its fold.
During her tenure, Campagna Center established a network of family child care providers to expand the availability of infant and toddler care for under-resourced families. In 2017 the agency integrated Wright to Read, a literacy program aimed at helping elementary students become proficient readers, One year later, the Early Learning Center opened to expand access to preschool through a partnership with AHC Inc.
Last year the Center supported 2,495 children, a 66% increase over its reach in 2012. One of Mann’s most significant accomplishments involved restoring the place Campagna has called home since 1981. Renovations were made possible through Forward Together, a $6.7 million capital campaign.
Many of the attendees shared that has the outgoing CEO has always been deeply committed to the power of collaboration. They saluted her for understanding that achieving great things for children and youth requires collective effort – something she has demonstrated that commitment by by participating in city initiatives.
Mann served as the first Chair of the Collaborative Commission on Children, Youth, and Families. This commission created the city’s first Children and Youth Master Plan. She helped make early care and education more accessible to families in our community by serving on Alexandria’s Early Care and Education Work group. That entity became Kids’ First Years; she proudly serves on its board
In addition to local efforts, Mann also maintained her involvement in state and national initiatives. In 2018 she was appointed to serve on the Virginia Board of Education. In 2020 the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce named her Business Leader of the Year.
“As I prepare to step into my next chapter, I am beyond grateful for the many wonderful people I have met along the way,” said Mann. “Any measure of success I have realized during my time with Campagna has been possible because of the village–my board, the staff, supporters, and community partners–that embraced my leadership and my heart for service. For that I will always be forever grateful.”
A Brief Interview
Zebra: What do you identify as the most significant of your accomplishments?
Dr. Mann: Persisting through the ups and downs of what it takes to really strengthen the capacity of the organization to have impact. I am especially grateful that we were able to succeed in renovating our headquarters to have the ability to deliver services from a historic facility that what was in desperate need of repair.
Zebra: Describe some high and low points of your tenure.
Dr. Mann:
Among the High Points:
Seeing and hearing directly from parents who talked about the difference our programs were making in the lives of their children – both for our youngest learners and those moving through elementary, middle and high school
Learning about the stories of staff members who started out as children we served and who made the choice to come back and become a Campagna Team member because of the impactful experiences they had with our staff.
Connecting with other nonprofit leaders for the benefit of making it easier for parents to access preschool services.
Low Point:
Covid without question was one of the hardest moments to lead through. Campagna has always had an incredible village of support and it would have been extremely difficult to get through that moment without that village.
Zebra: Finally, how do you view your legacy as you part Campagna Center?
Dr. Mann: To be honest, I have not thought much about my personal legacy. I hope that as people think about me and the time that I have spent at Campagna they will see me as someone who believed deeply in the mission of the organization, and as someone who worked tirelessly to help inspire and engage others to do the same. My hopes for Campagna is that she will continue to soar, just as we did when we faced a worldwide pandemic and found a way to pivot to ensure that those we served had access to the tools and resources needed to thrive.
This report was updated on May 13.
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