Areas of Expertise
Strategic Planning, Board Development, Management Consulting
“Sandi was excellent with whom to work. When we explained our expectations and background on our organization, she carefully listened and developed a workshop which addressed our needs. She even changed her personal travel plans to accommodate our time frame. I highly recommend Sandi and Capacity Partners.”
– Sue Tempero, former Region II Vice President and Governance Chair for The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America
Sandi Marra | Partner Consultant
Sandi Marra has been appointed the CEO of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and is not accepting new clients.
Experience
Sandi Marra offers expertise in facilitating strategic planning and implementation, as well as board development and creating positive board staff interactions. Having led organizations in both executive staff and board chair roles, Sandi understands the importance of respecting cultural norms and traditions while creating the impetus for bringing about needed organizational change. She was the chief operating officer of St. Coletta of Greater Washington, guiding the strategic growth of the organization from $5 million to $20 million in operating budget. In a volunteer role, she is the chair of the board of directors of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, a $10 million national nonprofit membership organization.
Education & Certification
Sandi has a bachelor’s degree in English from Rowan University and an MS in Human Resource Management from the School of Public Affairs, Kogod School of Business, American University. She holds a Certificate in Conflict Resolution Processes from the Institute for Conflict Analysis & Resolution, George Mason University.
Clients
National Society of Colonial Dames of America, C & O Canal Towns Partnership, St. Coletta of Greater Washington, Primary Care Coalition, Montgomery Coalition for Adult English Literacy, Central Pennsylvania Conservancy, Loudoun County Abused Women’s Shelter (LAWS), Community Foundation of Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties, Ice Age Trail Alliance
Community Service
A Volunteer to the Appalachian Trail for over 25 years, Sandi is currently Chair of the Board of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. She is on the board of the Harpers Ferry-Bolivar Historic Town Foundation and is the Bolivar WV representative to the Harpers Ferry Water Commission Utility. She also volunteers her time at the local food pantry.
Get to know me
Sandi has hiked over 1,200 miles of the Appalachian Trail and she and her husband, Chris “Trailboss” Brunton, oversee three miles of the AT in northern Virginia. Sandi and Chris live in the historic town of Harpers Ferry, WV, where they can walk out their back door and be on the Trail in just a few minutes. Their 166-year-old home has graffiti in the attic from when Union soldiers were billeted in the house. Cat Sweetie Pie often chases ghosts through the rooms.
Favorite Quote
“Life is not measured by the number of breaths you take but by the moments that take your breath away.” –– Maya Angelou