Sheila Riggs, Chair of the Award Selection Committee said “Sana and Andy Brooks are being honored for their incalculable contributions to society and for having touched countless lives.”

 

In her opening remarks, Sana said “This award has made me pause and reflect, and that is always good—to reflect on what you do… I’ve been searching for that one word to explain what our community needs and why I give. It’s complicated and can’t really be summed up in one word, but I came up with ‘connectedness.’ If you feel connected—truly connected—then you’ve shared stories …really listened to one another, and from that, people feel a sense of passion and purpose. Then they are engaged, and the circle is complete and keeps going.”

 

Sana most recently served as a Co-Chair for Calvert’s Building on Strength Campaign, helping to raise over $20 million for the School, the most successful fundraising campaign in Calvert’s history. She has also helped raise money for her high school alma mater, Garrison Forest, as well as chairing the Parents Advisory Council for GBMC. In 2014, Andy served as the Tocqueville Chair for the United Way of Central Maryland, where he has helped increase leadership giving to record levels for the organization. He currently serves as the Board Chair for the Chesapeake Bay Outward Bound School, where giving has doubled under his leadership.

 

Sana closed with a quote from William James, “Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.”

 

Both Sana and Andy have a long history of philanthropic leadership in Baltimore, and we are proud to have them as members of our community.