Profile: Anne S. Garmey
Director of Institutional Advancement Hearth, Inc. Ending Elder Homelessness
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 What motivates you to do your best work?
The homeless elders and residents we serve, as well as the dedicated staff at Hearth motivate me every day. I am so inspired by the commitment of Hearth’s staff, who no matter what it takes, help elders navigate some extremely challenging situations. Hearth’s staff is often the only “family” many of these elders have and the team will jump through hoops for them the way we would for our own parents or grandparents - no hurdle is too big. And the elders we work with are incredible people from all different backgrounds who have ended up homeless for a wide variety of reasons – people often judge and make assumptions about the homeless too quickly, but the reality is it could happen to anyone and it is our obligation as a society to support this vulnerable group.
- What attracted you to your current position?
I have been working in fundraising for 20 years but had always been in education. I intended to stay with what I knew and loved. A friend who was on Hearth’s board asked me to consider Hearth and I was very hesitant – but here I am. It was definitely a leap, and the work is much more challenging because we don’t have a natural constituency – no alumni or parents - but again, I am incredibly inspired by this well run organization that deserves so much more attention and support!
- What book are you currently reading?
I just started "Outlander" by Diana Gabaldon.
- What is the book you go back to the most?
"Pride and Prejudice" – whenever life seems a little heavy that book is my best escape!
- Are you a morning or night person?
A night person.
- If a spaceship landed outside your office right now, would you get in it and where would you ask it to take you?
If they promised to make a large gift to Hearth, I would definitely get in. I would have it take me to President Obama and land on the White House lawn so we could make a splash and get elder homelessness on the national agenda. As a high-impact, results-oriented program that should absolutely be replicated across the country, in my opinion we are a great fit for Obama’s newly proposed “Social Innovation Fund”!
- Are you a cat person or a dog person?
A dog person – we have a Soft Coated Wheaton Terrier named Duff who is crazy, but the most loving guy – only happy when everyone is home. He gives everyone who enters our house the most exuberant greeting!
- What is your greatest personal challenge when connecting with new donors?
Finding a concise way to convey Hearth’s work and have people understand why, on so many levels, it is such a no-brainer to support.
- What’s the worst job you ever had? What’s the best?
My worst job was my first – filling out state Blue Sky Law compliance forms at a mutual fund company. Though there are definitely stressful moments when I think that it might be the worst – my best job is my current job at Hearth.
- What scares you?
Nothing scares me more than this economy and worrying that we won’t successfully reach out to enough people, corporations and foundations to raise what we need for Hearth’s team to not only continue doing their important work, but to also grow. There is so much uncertainty out there and there are a lot of people depending upon Hearth.
- What’s your favorite beverage?
Coffee is what I drink the most, but my true favorite is a Dark and Stormy on a summer evening.
- What is your greatest personal accomplishment?
Can I say my children? I am not sure it is really an “accomplishment” other than giving birth to them, but I am very proud of them. My daughter is 15 and my son is 12 and they are both very caring, as well as interesting people. They are also both very funny, which I love.
- What is your passion outside of work?
My family.
- Are little white lies a necessary aspect of getting along with others?
That is a tough one but I do think being diplomatic sometimes requires little white lies that can help one make a point more gently than the cold, hard truth might.
- Is your glass half-full or half-empty and why?
Always half-full - I actually can’t imagine a glass half-empty fundraiser. I feel very fortunate to be a naturally optimistic person because I think having that state of mind is part of our make-up rather than a choice. It definitely makes life a lot brighter and full of possibilities.
- If you had a time machine what time period would you go to and why?
In an unrealistic way I have always thought living in Jane Austin’s time, in the right situation, would have been fun but realistically I probably would have been dead of appendicitis in my teens, would have had horrible buck teeth (thank goodness for braces) and would have been very frustrated by being a female in that era.
- What can you say about your organization that would convince someone to donate?
What resonates certainly depends upon who you are talking to, but if it is someone who hasn’t ever thought about the issue, it is never enough to simply tell people how dedicated the staff, cost effective the program, and how successful we are with our clients. We have to help people to connect with the problem on an emotional level because first and foremost they need to care.
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