Chris has been a member of Encore Learning since 2010. She recently joined our Board of Directors as Chair of the Community Advisory Council. The Council helps Encore Learning stay connected with the diverse and ever-changing community of Arlington.  

Chris initially joined our Community Advisory Council in 2009 while serving as the Chair of the Board of the Arlington Community Foundation (ACF). In her fourteen years as a board member there, she played myriad roles - from fundraiser to grant reviewer to Scholarship Chair - all the while learning and contributing to our community.

 

Service to ACF was an outgrowth of her pre-retirement commitments to organizations that worked to strengthen American philanthropy. She volunteered at the National Board of Independent Sector and played a leading role in creating the American Legacy Foundation, now known as Truth Initiative, as part of the  1998 Master Settlement Agreement  between major U.S. tobacco companies and 46 U.S. states, the District of Columbia and five territories.

 

Chris has a long history and passion for higher education issues. She served as General Counsel of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities for fifteen years. In Virginia, she was appointed by Governor Warner and then again by Governor Kaine to serve and then chair the State Council of Higher Education.

 

A native New Yorker, Chris came to Washington to major in Sino-Soviet relations but a lack of language aptitude switched her career path to law. Having retired, she has indulged her passion for foreign policy with several excellent courses offered by Encore Learning. In addition to courses, she has enjoyed the special events regularly offered. Throwing a pitch in the Nationals bullpen as part of an Encore Learning tour was definitely a highlight!

 

On more a personal note, Chris enjoys travel, tennis and reading. Louise Penny is her favorite mystery author, although the lighter Agatha Raisin books have their place. A Gentleman in Moscow was the last standalone novel she read and she says it deserves its good reviews. The Gatekeepers: How the White House Chiefs of Staff Define Every Presidency, is her current "serious" read.

 

Chris knows the extraordinary effort it takes to run a voluntary organization that caters to "curious minds." She says, "Encore Learning has created a community of learners that deepens and enriches the social fabric of our community. As a grateful beneficiary, I felt I needed to give back." She is looking forward to being of service this year.

Check out the following stories on our  website:

Travel Club Trip Report: Malta, Italy's West Coast, and Rome

Woodlawn, Pope-Leighey House Tours

Tour Guide Jessie McCarthy speaking on the tour of the Pope-Leighey House, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Photo courtesy of Steve Spangler.

Staff Corner

What do I do when I want to....

Drop a class?

Cancel my special event reservation?

Join a club?

Change my email address in Member Account Manager?

The answer to all of these questions is: Email the office. You can reach us at info@encorelearning.net. We are constantly checking email during business hours and will typically respond no later than the following business day.

Photos, Photos, Photos!

Help Spread the Word

We're often referred to as the "best kept secret in Arlington."  New members join mostly because they hear about Encore Learning from a friend. Do you have time to help spread the word about our wonderful organization?

Refer a friend. When joining online, new members may enter a "Referred by" name. We look forward you to thanking you here in the newsletter - see below!