Andrew Schneider said he grew up in a home in Arlington which was already very community oriented. His mother worked for Habitat for Humanity. Both parents had a long history of commitment to community development. He attended Yorktown High School, and The College of William and Mary, which has a tradition of service and community involvement. But his eyes were really opened by Leadership Arlington.
The Arlington Thrive Board of Directors appointed Schneider as Arlington Thrive’s new executive director, effective March 2.
“With his breadth of experience, enthusiasm, and commitment to the Arlington community, Andrew Schneider is a great fit for Arlington Thrive,” said Candace Fowler, president of the board of directors, “and under his leadership we will further our mission: to deliver same-day emergency funds to our neighbors in crisis, so they can be secure in their jobs, health, and homes and thrive in a caring community.” Schneider replaces recently retired Geraldine Shannon, who led Thrive since 2007.
Most recently director of the College of William & Mary’s Washington Area Alumni Business Alliance, an organization he helped to create, Schneider also has wie experience in strategic planning, marketing, fundraising, and public policy. He has a record of involvement in the Arlington community, including service on the Arlington Transportation Commission, the Board of Community Residences, and the Yorktown Civic Association.
A 2011 graduate of Leadership Arlington, Schneider received its “40 Under 40” leadership award in 2014. He holds an MBA from the University of Maryland and earned a BA from the College of William & Mary in 1998. Schneider also ran for the County Board last year. He and his wife have two children, 9 and 11, who attend Arlington schools.
“I am so excited to be joining Arlington Thrive and to help continue Thrive’s important and vital mission in our community,” said Schneider. “For over 40 years Arlington Thrive has helped those in our community who need it the most at their greatest moments of need. I look forward to working with the rest of the Thrive team, including our partners throughout the community and our generous supporters,” he said.
In addition to Schneider’s hiring, Shandra Niswander has been promoted to the position of director of development of Arlington Thrive.
In 2015, Arlington Thrive provided $730,000 in direct emergency financial assistance to 1,474 Arlington households. Among those assisted, Thrive prevented the eviction of 326 households and most of those households were families with children. Incorporated in Arlington as a 501(c)(3) organization 1975, Arlington Thrive now has an operating budget of $1 million and is the only organization that provides same-day emergency financial assistance to Arlington County residents. To learn more, visit www.arlingtonthrive.org and “Like” Arlington Thrive on Facebook.