Welcome from Board Chair Devanshi Patel
Change touches everything. It reshapes our county, our institutions, and the rhythms of everyday life. It challenges us to think differently, act boldly, and come together with purpose.
In moments of uncertainty, it is not policy alone that guides us. It is people. It is the strength of our relationships, built on trust, dialogue, and shared commitment, that gives us the power to shape the future we want to see.
For more than 70 years, Advance Arlington has been that gathering place. A space where neighbors become collaborators. Where questions lead to insight. Where ideas are not just heard—they are valued.
Advance Arlington is where ideas take root and community takes action.
We do not endorse candidates. We elevate voices.
We do not take sides. We build bridges.
We do not debate each other. We ask the important questions.
Residents from across Arlington come together. Not to agree, but to engage.
To gather.
To think.
To shape our future.
We are more than a meeting space. We are a movement, grounded in respect, guided by curiosity, and inspired by the power of dialogue to shape what comes next.
On behalf of Advance Arlington, welcome to the 2025–2026 program year.
Stay connected.
Learn more.
Join the conversation.
The future of Arlington is not written by one person. It is written by all of us, together. We look forward to learning, questioning, and growing with you.
Welcome to the 2025-2026 Program Year
The Advance Arlington Board offers several opportunities for combined in-person and virtual hybrid programs throughout the year. See current and future program updates, as well as a video recording of our most recent program, below.
Viewers can also find recordings of all of our previous events at our "Past Programs" tab as well.
Save the date
Beyond Market Changing Benefits, Lasting Impact: What Medicaid and SNAP Cuts Mean for Arlington
🗓️ November 12, 2025 | 6:45 PM
📍In Person: Fairlington Community Center
3308 South Stafford Street, Arlington, VA 22206
💻 Virtual: Join via Zoom
Federal cuts to Medicaid and food-assistance programs are expected to deepen challenges for Arlington’s most vulnerable residents and the local systems that support them. In fiscal year 2024, more than 29,000 Arlington residents relied on Medicaid, and nearly 10,000 received SNAP benefits to meet basic food needs. With recent policy changes, many families may face increased barriers to healthcare and nutrition, creating ripple effects across the community.
Join Advance Arlington for a timely conversation with local and state leaders as we explore how these federal cuts are affecting Arlington, what safety nets remain in place, and how our community can work together to close the gaps.
Leslie Daigle, Arlington Free Clinic’s Chief Executive Officer since January 2024. As only the third leader in AFC’s 30-year history, she has led staff through a key transition to continue AFC’s mission to provide high-quality, whole-person healthcare to uninsured Arlingtonians.
Did you miss our OCTOber program?
Beyond Market Rate: What It Takes to Make Housing Truly Affordable in Arlington
What makes housing truly affordable, and for whom? Our October program unpacked the layers of affordability in Arlington, from market-rate to deeply affordable homes, and examined how past policies continue to shape today’s housing challenges.
Samia Byrd, Director of Community Planning, Housing, and Development, provided a powerful framework for understanding Arlington’s affordability gap. A dynamic panel featuring Nicholas Cumings, Walsh Colucci, Marta Hill Gray, Culpepper Garden, Brian Marroquin, Arlington Community Foundation, and Haley Norris, True Ground Housing Partners, shared insights on real-world strategies, partnerships, and innovations that define affordability in practice.
The evening concluded with a recap of Ranked Choice Voting, including information that addressed participants’ questions about how the process works and its role in the upcoming County Board election.
🎥 Watch the full program below to revisit this timely and thought-provoking conversation on housing, equity, and community in Arlington.
Samia Byrd, Director of Arlington’s Department of Community Planning, Housing, and Development, provides strategic vision and leadership for the next generation of land use regulations, plans, development policies and practices, housing initiatives, and community and neighborhood planning programs.
Nicholas Cumings, Shareholder at Walsh Colucci, shapes Arlington’s dynamic housing landscape by providing legal expertise on affordable housing opportunities, development costs, and innovative policy solutions.
Marta Hill Gray, Executive Director of Culpepper Garden, champions affordable housing solutions that serve Arlington’s most vulnerable senior residents.
Brian Marroquin, Director of Grants and Initiatives at the Arlington Community Foundation, leverages collective action and philanthropic impact to expand affordable housing and strengthen thriving, equitable communities across the region.
Haley Norris, Director of Real Estate Development at True Ground Housing Partners, advances affordable housing across the DMV by leading complex developments, structuring public financing, and expanding strategic acquisitions.
have your say!
Take our quick survey and help shape this year’s Advance Arlington programs. We want to know what topics, ideas, and conversations matter most to you.
DID YOU MISS ANY OF OUR PAST PROGRAMS?
join the conversation - Become a Member
Your membership fuels inclusive, engaging discussions on the issues that matter most in Arlington. With four accessible membership levels, you’ll enjoy full access to programs, exclusive benefits, and opportunities to connect with neighbors shaping our community’s future. Join us and the conversation!
powering conversations together
The support of our donors and sponsors power the conversations that matter most, connecting neighbors online and in person to explore ideas, spark dialogue, and shape Arlington’s future.
2025-2026 Board of Directors
Welcome New Board Members!
We are thrilled to introduce our new Board officers and five stellar new Board members for the 2025-26 program year.
Board of Directors Officers
Chair: Devanshi Patel
CEO, Center for Youth and Family Advocacy
Vice Chair: Tony Weaver
Managing Partner, Olsen Weaver LLC
Treasurer: Jay Miranda
Global Affairs Advisor
Secretary: Jeanne Broyhill
Immediate Past Chair
New Board Members
Monique "Moe" Bryant
Executive Director, Challenging Racism
Sandy Chesrown,
President, Waverly Hills Civic Association;
Board Member, Arlington Artists Alliance
Chris Concepcion
Management and Program Analyst
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
John Musso
Government Affairs Manager, Arlington Chamber of Commerce
Mohsin Syed
Former Chief of Staff, U.S. Department of Transportation
Thank You Outgoing Board Members!
We extend our deepest thanks to the departing board members who have served and provided our organization with such dedication and invaluable leadership.
Sherry Delaney
2024-2025
Gerry Laporte
2019-2025
Chuck Morley
2012-2025
Margarita Muzzall
2024-2025
John Vihstadt
2022-2025