“I not only walk the walk, but talk the talk.” Andi Saylor Lights the Way.
Walking through the Mount’s Seton Center, students may notice a quote on the wall; “For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required” Luke 12:48. This verse of the Bible calls for those who have achieved much to give much — To exercise great responsibility and be a beacon for others. Andi Saylor '18, one of the Mount’s very own alumni, fully embodies Luke 12:48. Andi is a lifelong philanthropist, and has joined the women of Impact 100, a nonprofit, grant-giving philanthropic organization that unites women from around the world to provide high-impact grants to local charities. As Membership Co-Chair of Impact 100, Andi exudes charismatic and forward-thinking leadership, demonstrating she can not only “...walk the walk, but talk the talk.”
One of Andi's earliest and most impactful experiences with volunteerism was with the steel drum band of her high school, Clark Montessori. The steel drum band, which Andi was a member of, had the opportunity to travel to New York to perform for students there.
“Many students had hearing impairments, so the vibrations of the drum and loud sound were enjoyed by all,” explained Andi.
She added that the steel drum band also visited students with visual impairments, who could play by feeling the shapes of the steel drum as each note has a large raised bump. Andi cites her experience with the Clark Montessori steel drum band as something that fueled her passion for volunteering, and led her to recognizing the commonality in humanity.
“While the students we worked with had different experiences playing the steel drums,” noted Andi, “we all enjoyed the music.” The commonality in humanity that Andi Saylor recognized as a result of her experience encouraged her to foster humanity’s common soul, and led her deeper into volunteering and philanthropy.
The Mount's Influence: Nurturing a Passion
A Sociology major at the Mount followed by a Northern Kentucky University College of Law degree, Andi is currently a portfolio and trust administrator for PNC Bank alongside her volunteer work. She describes how the Mount enriched her passion for service, elaborating that the Mount kept her engaged in the community. Service learning opportunities, planning for the Mount’s annual service day, and participating in the yearly Christmas present drive are all Mount events that Andi attributes to enriching her passion for service.
Her philanthropic drive was nurtured by the Mount and its professors, including Dr. Peter Robinson, Dr. Jim Bodle, and Dr. Elizabeth Barkley, who Andi recalls “not only having provided education, but also having served as a reminder to engage with the world around us.”
Andi provides a special shoutout to Dr. Stephen Craig, formerly the Dean of Campus Activities and Leadership, who she feels made a lasting impact on her. “He gave me guidance and autonomy while also challenging me to be the best I could be," she says. "My personal philosophy on leadership is to encourage everyone’s best talents while also nurturing their developing skills, which is exactly what he did.”
By setting a great example, Dr. Stephen Craig influenced Andi into becoming the current leader she is.“I strive to lead as he led me,” she reflects.
Andi’s favorite volunteering experience through the Mount was during service learning, when she worked with Churches Active in Northside’s (CAIN) Choice Food Pantry. She enjoyed volunteering for CAIN so much that she continued volunteering their after her service learning had ended, and Andi states that her time with CAIN opened her eyes to how we treat our neighbors needing an extra hand. “Just because someone is experiencing a tough time, it does not mean that their humanity should be any less valued … Any time we make assumptions about our neighbors, we devalue them. Instead, showing empathy and valuing humanity helps our community.” Andi’s experience with CAIN was a key exploration of what service means to her and provided a valuable testament to the power of cherishing our communities.
Impact 100: Women Empowering Change
Now, graduated from the Mount, Andi does philanthropy alongside the women of Impact 100. She had wanted to become a member of Impact 100 since she was in her teens, upon hearing her dad talk about the good work of Impact 100. “I remember thinking that one day I would become a member,” remarked Andi, “Now fulfilling that is so rewarding!” She was drawn to Impact 100 because she values the impact women have in the community, and rejoices in the kind and intelligent women in Impact 100.
In Impact 100, Andi has served on the organization’s Grant Review Team and has recently obtained the role of Membership Co-Chair. She has aided in determining what charities Impact 100 rewards its grants to, and has acted as a leader in the organization’s annual educational event: “While we are still working on this year’s event, past events have focused on individual and family legacy, understanding poverty in Cincinnati, and hearing from authors such as Rebecca Skloot, author of The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks.” Through these educational events, as well as Impact 100’s “Young Philanthropist” program, Andi with her peers in Impact 100 educates a new generation of young philanthropists. With her contributions to Impact 100, Andi is fulfilling her goal to lead as she has been led.
With an aspiration to give back to the community, Andi has come full circle in her philanthropic leadership. Last year, she worked on the planning committee for an annual charity event held by People Working Cooperatively (PWC), a local nonprofit that strives to keep people in their homes by providing critical home repairs and accessibility modifications, Andi and her peers in PWC raised almost $400,000 for PWC. Andi exclaims, “Hearing this number was so exciting after dedicating so much time to an event and knowing that others dedicated even more time and effort to making this event a success,” and additionally notes that “This impactful amount would not have been possible without the support from individual and corporate philanthropy.”
This magnificent feat achieved while working with PWC was a full circle moment, as Andi had interned at PWC during her time at the Mount through a summer internship program. “Now, ten years later,” expressed Andi, “I serve as the Vice President of PWC’s Emerging Leadership Board.”
Andi has been and still is involved in a wide range of philanthropic volunteer work, and is a shining example for everyone in the Mount community. Discussing Luke 12:48, Andi stated, “It reminds me that embracing neighbors and using resources to help others is core to the Catholic faith.” Andi has embraced her neighbors time and time again, and certainly, much has been given. “Catholicism is not a selfish religion; it is a service-focused way of living.” And, of course, Andi made it known that she can not only “...walk the walk, but talk the talk.” I feel that everyone can agree that Andi has proved this time and time again.
If you are wanting to get involved in philanthropy, Andi has made it clear that philanthropy can be whatever you want it to be. “It can be reading up on the impact of trust-based philanthropy. It can be donating $5 to a friend in need through crowdfunding. It can be taking part in the Mount’s Christmas present drive. It can be taking a student philanthropy course or joining an organization such as Impact 100.” The first step to becoming a great philanthropist like Andi is just getting involved in whatever way you’d like. Andi also wanted to make it known that, “It can also be shooting me an email at asaylor@impact100.org to get started!”
So, if you’d like to become an involved philanthropist, just get started!