2009 Outstanding Alumni Award Recipient, Fairfax

Marthe A. Lewis (BBA ’06-MBA ’09) is a motivational speaker and the founder of the LivvyLove Foundation, a nonprofit organization named after Ms. Lewis’ daughter, Olivia,
that provides assistance and education programs to individuals exiting the foster care system by supporting them through programs and volunteer activities. Ms. Lewis partners with United Methodist Family Services to provide parenting information to prospective foster and adoptive parents.

Ms. Lewis was appointed president of the Virginia chapter of Foster Care Alumni of America in September 2008. She also works with judges in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area to improve the branch of the court system dealing with foster care. She collaborated with the First Lady of Virginia, Anne Holton, to garner support for the national Fostering Connections to Success Act, which mandated improvements to the foster care system.

Ms. Lewis, who entered a foster home at the age of 16, completed high school in three years between three foster homes, two group homes and three high schools. Now, the two-time graduate uses her personal experiences to understand the needs of children living in foster care.