Thrive’s mission to provide emergency financial assistance to those in need is fueled by the dedication and passion of our board members. Susan Cappellini, Arlington Thrive’s Treasurer, joined our board in 2018. We recently caught up with Susan to learn more about her journey in accounting and finance; a journey that led her to support Thrive’s critical work across our community.
Susan and her family relocated to Arlington in 2017. As her daughter started kindergarten, Susan looked for ways to get involved in the community and make a difference. She learned about Arlington Thrive from a co-worker and was drawn to the organization’s mission to address disparities in wealth, access, and prosperity within the county. Susan joined Arlington Thrive’s board in 2018 as a member of the Finance committee and expanded her role to Treasurer in 2019.
For Susan, the work she does as a Thrive board member is deeply meaningful. She is proud to contribute to the financial stability of Arlington Thrive, knowing that the organization’s emergency funding has a direct impact on the lives of neighbors in critical need. She highlights the crucial role that Arlington Thrive played throughout the pandemic, disbursing millions of dollars and providing resource navigation to families facing crisis. She is proud of the way the organization has evolved, stating
“Thrive now has a team of case managers who have direct access to those needing assistance. That direct access is a powerful link to institute positive change.”
With her background in accounting and finance, Susan understands the importance of financial literacy in creating meaningful, sustainable change. She believes emergency funding can address immediate stressors but may not change the long-term situation. Susan notes that Arlington Thrive’s case managers, who hold the financial social work certification, have a unique opportunity to provide financial literacy education to marginalized community members, and believes that
“having direct access to families in crisis is a door wide open to initiate meaningful change.”
Outside of her work and volunteering, Susan is a dedicated mother, cheering at her daughter’s soccer games and spending time with her 15-year-old dog Finnegan. She also enjoys yoga and quiet walks around the neighborhood with her husband. Susan Cappellini’s deep commitment to eliminating racial disparities, uplifting community-led solutions, and promoting financial literacy make her a valuable asset to Arlington Thrive’s board. Her expertise in finance and her dedication to making a difference in the lives of Arlington residents facing crisis have been instrumental in furthering the organization’s mission. We are grateful for Susan’s unwavering support and dedication to Arlington Thrive!
