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Member spotlightOur members bring tremendous energy and expertise to the Anne Arundel Women Giving Together (AAWGT). Meet the members and learn about their contributions to Anne Arundel County and beyond. Stacey FitzSimmons
Stacey FitzSimmons joined Anne Arundel Women Giving Together in 2021 after moving to Annapolis from Bethesda following a 40-plus-year career as an epidemiologist. Her professional career spanned national health organizations, public health departments, and research institutions, including the National Institutes of Health, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and Stanford Research Institute. With an MPH in Health Care Administration and a PhD in Epidemiology, Stacey focused on behavioral medicine, chronic disease prevention, and racial and gender disparities in health. Stacey's commitment to service and equity made AAWGT a natural fit. She began on the Grant Making Committee, helping streamline the grant application process and serving as a grant award team leader. She later joined the Grantee Liaison Committee and now serves as Co-Chair, helping lead plans for the Grants Showcase. She also participates in the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Access, and Belonging (DEIAB) and Equity Study Group and values AAWGT's emphasis on women's leadership. A lifelong Quaker, Stacey has always been drawn to service and social justice. Today, she volunteers with Maryland AARP, the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, and STAIR: Start the Adventure in Reading - Annapolis, supporting efforts ranging from caregiving and fraud prevention to environmental research and literacy. Stacey brings an infectious enthusiasm to the people she meets and the work she takes on, approaching both with curiosity, energy, and optimism. Outside of volunteering, she enjoys orchids, kayaking on the South River, reading, listening to the cello, and cooking for family and friends. She especially treasures people who make her think and laugh, qualities that make her such a wonderful addition to AAWGT. Roxana Rodriguez
When Roxana Rodriguez talks about community, one word keeps coming up: connection. A relatively new member of Anne Arundel Women Giving Together, Roxana had long admired AAWGT on social media before friends encouraged her to join. She was immediately drawn to the idea of women coming together to share their time, talents, experiences and resources. "I love the idea of women coming together with a purpose," she says. "We can accomplish so much more when we share what we have with each other." Roxana knows something about bringing people together. As the owner of Caliente Grill in Annapolis, she has created much more than a restaurant. Born in California and raised in El Salvador, Roxana says becoming a restaurant owner brought together three things she loves: food, culture and people. At Caliente Grill, families celebrate, friends gather, cultures meet, local artists share their work and organizations hold events. "I never wanted it to be just a place where you come, eat and leave," she says. "I wanted it to feel welcoming." That same welcoming spirit extends to her community work. Roxana is passionate about Latino leadership and making sure the next generation sees themselves at the table—whether in business, education, government or nonprofits. She puts that belief into action by opening doors and connecting young people, not only Latinos, with opportunities through Leadership Anne Arundel and Anne Arundel Community College. "Being invited to the table is important—but helping someone else get there is even more important," she says. Her own leadership has been shaped by faith, family, mentors and the lessons that come from building businesses and serving others. Today, she sees her role in AAWGT as another opportunity to connect people, cultures, businesses and resources. "I think one of my strengths is connecting and motivating people," she says. "Sometimes the most valuable thing you can do is say, 'I know someone you should meet.'" That philosophy is at the heart of our Next Gen Committee's Give Back Night at Caliente Grill on November 4, 2026. Roxana hopes the evening will encourage women—especially younger women—to discover that giving back doesn't have to wait for "someday." "You can start today," she says. Her advice to women who want to get involved? Start small. Mentor someone, volunteer a few hours, make an introduction, recommend a local business or simply show up when someone needs you. And if you're looking for a way to connect over good food, Roxana has that covered, too. Her favorites at Caliente Grill include soups, Peruvian ceviche and tacos with guacamole, but pupusas will always have a special place in her heart. "For a first-time guest, my recommendation is simple: come hungry and bring friends!" she says. "Order a few dishes for the table and share." It sounds like the perfect invitation from someone who believes that food, friendship and giving back are always better when shared. |