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.

Loretta Darst

Marketing and Membership Manager

Loretta (nickname “Retta”) has called the Del Ray neighborhood her home for 17 years. She has a deep background in educational publishing for such companies as Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Pearson Education, and Scholastic Inc. Prior to that, she was a teacher. She received her master’s degree in education from the University of Houston. AHA is so glad to have her.

Dara Surratt

Operations Co-Manager

Dara is Operations Co-Manager along with Megan McIntyre. She comes to AHA with 20 years of experience working in the corporate travel management industry. Dara and her husband have twin daughters, Caroline and Emily who are finishing their last year of high school and they are longtime members of the Alexandria community.

Megan McIntyre

Operations Co-Manager

Megan McIntyre is Operations Co-Manager, along with Dara Surratt. She earned her Master of Social Work before leaving the full-time work force to raise her two children Mack and Calum (19 and 17 respectively). Megan has been an active volunteer in the community for Bishop Ireton High School, Together We Bake, and Alexandria Country Day School.