Staff

Cele Garrett

Executive Director

Prior to joining AHA, Cele provided marketing/fundraising copy writing, project management, and media outreach on a freelance basis for both not-for-profit and for-profit clients. Projects include writing a chapter in the book Secrets of Successful Fund Raising, managing a series of workshops geared to science and health journalists, and writing on-air television scripts and national direct mail campaigns. She brings extensive volunteer experience for local nonprofits and causes. Cele spent ten years at the national office of the Public Broadcasting Service, where her work included in-kind fundraising, project management, development training, and member relations.

Dara Surratt

Operations and Member Services Co-Manager

Dara is Operations and Member Services Co-Manager along with Tegan Cohen. She came to AHA with 20 years of experience working in the corporate travel management industry. Dara and her husband have twin daughters Caroline and Emily and are longtime members of the Alexandria community. Dara’s dedicated to providing our AHA members with a quick response to requests and is always a friendly voice when you call the office.  Dara works on Mondays, Tuesdays and alternating Wednesdays.

Tegan Cohen

Operations and Member Services Co-Manager

Tegan shares the role of Operations and Member Services Co-Manager with Dara Surratt. Tegan attended Sweet Briar College and The Theatre Lab School of the Dramatic Arts in Washington D.C. She is pursuing an acting career in the Washington D.C. metro area, which occupies her evenings and weekends. Tegan has recently worked in retail and property management, where she developed her sharp customer service skills. Tegan works on Thursdays, Fridays and alternating Wednesdays.

Loretta Darst

Marketing and Membership Manager

Loretta works with the Executive Director on marketing and membership-related activities. She came to AHA with a deep background in educational publishing for such companies as Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Pearson Education, and Scholastic Inc.  She received her master’s degree in education from the University of Houston, and worked as an elementary school teacher prior to going into educational publishing.

Jenifer Eoff

Volunteer Manager

Jenifer brings a wealth of experience in education and education administration to the newly created role of volunteer manager. She and her partner Kelly (along with their three pups, Buddy, Abbey and Lil) recently relocated from the Seattle area back to the East Coast. Most recently, she served as the interim principal for a charter public school in Tacoma, Washington. Prior to that, she was the director of school operations for that school. She has extensive experience in training and instruction, including with her current role as adjunct professor for the Community College of Baltimore County.