Project Description

LM Class year: 2015

Hometown: Potomac, MD

Title/Company: Executive Director – The Rocksprings Foundation

Describe what your company does: The Rocksprings Foundation is the Davenport Family’s foundation, whose mission is to uplift communities by investing in financial, educational and work force development opportunities for children, youth and their families. We primarily support non-profits in the Washington Metropolitan region.

Describe what you do in your role at the company: As Executive Director, I am responsible for conceptualizing and implementing the Founder’s vision by establishing the grant making focus and priorities. I led a change in key strategic focus for the foundation to have greater impact, by growing its constituent base while retaining our level of giving. I seek public and private partnerships to leverage our collective resources to better serve the community.

Describe your community involvement: I feel passionately about helping underserved youth and their families. I was recently appointed to the Maryland Governor’s Commission on Service and Volunteerism to highlight the important work of volunteers throughout our great state. I also serve on the Advisory Council for Ascend at the Aspen Institute, which is a national hub for breakthrough ideas and collaborations that move children and their parents to economic security. I have also served on the Boards of the National Park Trust, Washington Area Women’s Foundation, Washington Tennis and Education Foundation, The Madeira School for Girls, St. Andrews Episcopal School and the Black Student Fund.

Favorite LM memory: It’s all about the great people that make up my class. My favorite memories are the numerous opportunities we bonded at our monthly meetings, while increasing our knowledge of the wonderful county in which we reside and/or work.

Favorite way to spend your free time/recharge: I love creative writing and am now enrolled in a weekly writing workshop, where I’m working on a book.

Name a leader that inspires you: Dr. Dorothy Height, who was a civil rights and women’s rights activist. She led the National Council of Negro Women for 40 years and was an advisor to many presidents. I had the pleasure of knowing her and admired her quiet leadership that inspired others.