2024 40 Under 40 Winners

Gabby has been an invaluable asset to the LHAAMC Foundation since joining in 2015, showcasing exceptional leadership in annual giving, development communications, and event planning. Promoted to Manager of Special Giving in 2020, Gabby has spearheaded transformative initiatives, including the creation of a Community Response Fund that raised over $1 million during COVID-19. Her strategic prowess is evident in initiatives like doubling annual fund efforts through an in-house phone/mail program and achieving a significant increase in ROI for the signature event, Fish for a Cure. Gabby's dedication to team cohesion and morale has not only fostered best-in-class retention but also strengthened donor relationships crucial for future campaigns. Her multifaceted contributions and servant leadership make her a cherished leader at LHAAMC Foundation, driving both operational excellence and community impact.

My career began at Yale University, and that was my first experience working at a nonprofit organization. From there, I moved to NYC to work at Aperture Foundation, which really solidified my decision to pursue additional opportunities supporting mission-driven work. When my life brought me to Maryland in 2015, I was connected to the wonderful team at Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center and was so grateful to join the Foundation later that year. While the industries I have worked in have changed, I’m so grateful for the many transferable skills I learned along the way!

The pivitol moment for me came when my young daughter broke her leg and was admitted to the hospital where I worked. I saw, firsthand, the incredible work of the care team and the value of philanthropy directly impacting our experience. To see it as a patient opened my eyes in ways sitting in an office across campus never could. The gratitude I felt was transformational and I want to help ensure that every patient feels the same way when leaving our hospital. 

In 2023, I was tasked with taking the lead on our largest fundraiser, Fish for a Cure. Previously, I had only been very peripherally involved in the event, so at the time it felt like a very daunting task. With the support of our incredible team and some new creative ideas, we were able to host the most successful Fish for a Cure event in its 17-year history, raising over $650,000 in support of our cancer survivorship program at LHAAMC. After nine years with my organization, that was an incredible boost of confidence that reaffirmed my passion for my work, my gratitude for my team, and my belief in myself. 

My greatest passions are my family and my community. My husband and I are both from the northeast so moving to Maryland felt overwhelming, but now, ten years later, we’re both so grateful for our friends and colleagues who made this place feel like home. Being able to raise our kids in such a nurturing, supportive environment is such a blessing, and one I’m thankful for every day. 

Learn! And then go learn some more! I work at a relatively small healthcare system and even nine years in, I’m still learning every single day. There are always new advances in technology, trends in philanthropy, and clinical breakthroughs that will impact your community and donor base. Embracing the change and thinking creatively can be a challenge but also a huge benefit to your work.