My Red Cross Story: Sherry Hwang

Written by: Stephanie Babyak, Communications Volunteer

Sherry Hwang lives by an old Chinese proverb that goes, “When you are successful, also extend your hand to raise up another with you.” 

Sherry Hawng, President and Co-Founder,
 Pyramid Systems, Inc.
 (photo courtesy of Pyamrid Systems)

As she likes to say, “Why not do it if you are able?”  

As President and co-founder of technology leader Pyramid Systems, Inc., Sherry has achieved industry recognition and numerous awards for excellence. Most recently, The Washington Post selected Pyramid as a Top 2020 Workplace. Sherry herself is a winner of the 2020 Small Business and Entrepreneur Leadership Award. And the list goes on.

Yet, Sherry attributes her success in large part to a commitment to giving back to the community and helping others.  

“People are the most important part of my company’s success,” she insists. “By helping our communities, we show we care about each other. Understanding different viewpoints and cultural collaboration makes us more successful.” 

In 1995, Sherry and her husband Jeff, CEO, founded Pyramid Systems Inc., located in Fairfax, Virginia, near the National Capital Area & Greater Chesapeake Region (NC&GCR) headquarters.
Giving back is a key aspect of Pyramid’s mission, and that’s where the relationship with the American Red Cross starts.   

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“When you are successful, also extend your hand to raise up another with you. Why not do it if you are able?”

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Sherry’s example of service to others is demonstrated in her many years as a Board Member, Tiffany Circle member, and long-time supporter of the Red Cross mission. Sherry first became involved with the former National Capital Region in 2010 as a Board Member. At a Red Cross Disaster Summit not long ago, Linda Mathes, former CEO of the American Red Cross in the National Capital Region (now the NC&GCR), took Sherry on a tour of an on-site Emergency Response Vehicle (ERV). The existing ERV fleet, she was told, was over 20 years old. Many of those vehicles were routinely experiencing mechanical issues due to their age. 

Sherry with her husband Jeff, the day the new ERV arrived, ready for service!

After hearing this, Sherry decided that the donation of an ERV would be something Pyramid employees could be proud of.

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“We donated the ERV to help those people struck by disaster in our local community. We want to provide immediate comfort and safety to those whose worlds have fallen apart.” 
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“When someone is undergoing a serious and traumatic life event – whether it’s a fire, flood, or something else – they need assistance fast, and this ERV can help," said Sherry.

Sherry and Jeff cutting the ribbon at a small ERV dedication 
ceremony this Fall, with former CEO Linda Mathes.

Pyramid is also a supporting partner of the Red Cross National Preparedness Program, “Ready When the Time Comes.” Under the program, the Red Cross trains employees of local businesses who can be mobilized as community-based volunteers when disasters strike. Pyramid employees were trained to operate shelters in a disaster situation and help families when they need it most. 

The Tiffany Circle is one more way Sherry supports the Red Cross local community disaster relief and blood donation efforts. The Tiffany Circle is a community of women leaders who advance the American Red Cross mission through a focused investment of time, talent, and treasure by engaging women locally, nationally, and internationally. 

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“Extraordinary women with great heart, who want to help and give communities their support. I’m honored to be part of the Tiffany Circle.” 

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Sherry pictured here (front center) with some of her fellow Tiffany
Circle members at the National Capital Region 2017 Annual Meeting.

Her work to encourage women in the STEM fields (Science, Technology, Education, and Mathematics) is another of Sherry’s passions. On November 2, Women in Technology (WIT) named Sherry a 2020 Leadership Awards Small Business/Entrepreneur winner. Annually, the WIT Leadership Awards recognize and honor female leaders whose achievements, mentorship, and contributions to the community align with the WIT mission of advancing women in technology, from the classroom to the boardroom, in the DC Metro Area.   

“Sharing my experience and mentorship to encourage women in this field, to be confident, have a can-do attitude, and helping each other will increase participation,” Sherry said in explaining why this is so important. 

Sherry understands that “Sometimes, you don’t even know when it will be your turn to receive the help. Hopefully, the good karma will spread, and everybody will be peaceful and safe.”  

Sherry is pictured here at one of our Red Cross smoke alarm install events,
along with fellow installers and Red Cross Regional Philanthropy Officer, Art Shaw (far left).

We appreciate Sherry and all the Red Cross volunteers who support the Red Cross mission to help provide lifesaving blood and respond to home fires, wildfires, hurricanes, and other disasters and help families in need. Thank you, Sherry!

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You can join us too! To become a volunteer, visit redcross.org/volunteer, or to make a donation, visit redcross.org.

My Red Cross Story: John Saad

By Sandy Habib, Volunteer

Everyone who knows John Saad today is aware of his commitment to assist and support the mission of the American Red Cross. After all, John’s role as a Partner and experienced consultant at Guidehouse has always been rooted in the mission of solving important problems and being of service to our communities. What they may not realize, though, is the series of events that sparked his call to service.

In 2001, soon after the tragic events of September 11th, John began working on a consulting project called the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund, which helped those whose lives had been impacted by the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. He found this important role to be extremely gratifying. From this point on, he sought work assignments in his company’s Public Sector division and found great fulfillment in helping victims in a professional capacity.

In 2005, Hurricane Katrina hit Louisiana and the Gulf region, causing massive destruction. This time, John’s consulting work focused on preventing fraud and other abuses in the disaster relief industry. He worked with numerous federal agencies and other organizations, including the Red Cross; this experience helped him better understand and appreciate the vital roles that these groups play after disasters.

Before long, John began supporting the Red Cross outside of a professional capacity. He began participating at Red Cross events, such as blood drives, Sound the Alarm, and the 2019 Disaster Preparedness Summit. Then he did what he could do to encourage others – in both his professional and personal networks – to give back as well.

“I’m really impressed with the range of programs and initiatives supported by the Red Cross - from house fires to support for troops to the maintenance of the nation’s blood supplies. I’m so proud to bring my support and my Guidehouse team to help out at Red Cross events," said John.

"For example, in May, I brought a team of 20 to support one of ARC’s Sound the Alarm events. We were all so humbled to be able to talk to residents about simple ways to increase their chances of surviving house fires. It was so rewarding to install new smoke detectors and discuss plans for residents to escape their homes in under 2 minutes. And, of course, I was so inspired to spread the tips to my family and friends."

John with the Guidehouse team at the May Sound the Alarm event.

There are so many ways to help the Red Cross that John feels everyone can find a way to serve. Now, nearly every time John is able to volunteer with the Red Cross, he brings a team of several dozen colleagues, friends, and family with him to take on the mission and teach by example.

“My goal is to establish strong corporate engagements with various Red Cross initiatives and make a difference through our support. It’s important to lead by example so I do what I can to encourage my staff to volunteer their time, talents and support financially where they can. Quarterly, we schedule time to support different the Red Cross initiatives and events; my team and I hold each other accountable to make sure that we meet the goals that we set and keep Red Cross top of mind as we go through our work and person lives,” John says.  

For the past three years, John has served on the Red Cross Board of Directors, a direct reflection on their appreciation of his commitment and impact.

It was John’s consulting career that first exposed him to the Red Cross and its many volunteer opportunities. By giving his time to support Red Cross initiatives, he learned that there are so many ways – both big and small – to help. Now, John uses this lesson and his giving spirit to encourage others to look inside themselves, dedicate the time and contribute in any way they can.