My Red Cross Story: Doug VanDyke

Meet Doug VanDyke, American Red Cross
Board Member, Chief Executive Officer of
Enquizit, Lifelong Volunteer, and Blood Donor

Written by: Clarice Nassif Ransom, Communications Volunteer

Doug VanDyke,
American Red Cross Board Member (since 2014)

Profession: Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Enquizit, an application development and cloud migration company headquartered in McLean, Virginia; other highlights include Amazon and Microsoft

Home: Ashburn, Virginia

Family: Wife, three children

Role models who inspired VanDyke’s volunteer leadership: LaRhea VanDyke, mother; Linda Mathes, American Red Cross Chief Executive Officer for the National Capital Region; and Teresa Carlson, former boss and former American Red Cross Board chair for the National Capital Region.

Volunteering is a lifelong pursuit for Doug VanDyke. “Growing up, my mother was involved in every local volunteer activity and Board in the community, and she would bring me with her, so I was exposed to volunteering at an early age,” said VanDyke. “I watched my mother volunteer and assumed volunteering is something you do as an adult—you give back to the community.”

Now, VanDyke is continuing his journey of volunteering by sharing his leadership skills as an American Red Cross Board member. VanDyke is proud of how the American Red Cross responds to disasters to help those most in need, including collecting and delivering blood donations; provides food, shelter, and safety after natural disasters such as hurricanes, floods, or wildfires; and proactively installs smoke alarms in homes to help prevent home fires.
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“When others are running away from a disaster, 

the American Red Cross is running straight at it - 

and they stay until it is resolved,” 

says VanDyke.

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Since 2014, VanDyke has served as the chair for several American Red Cross events, from Salute to Service Gala fundraisers (which honor active duty service members and veterans) to the 2nd Annual Disaster Preparedness Summit in Washington, D.C., which was held on January 28, 2020.

“The Disaster Preparedness Summit addresses the disaster risks we face in the Washington, D.C. area and explores the impacts a significant disaster would have on our region,” said VanDyke.

“Our goals were for attendees to hear from experts who have real-life experience dealing with complex disaster coordination challenges and for attendees to leave with a better understanding of the hazards we face and how to prepare for and respond to disasters in their communities, organizations and households.”

In preparation for the 2nd Annual Disaster Summit, VanDyke had to rally fellow American Red Cross Board members to support it at a meeting last fall.

“It was a meeting with a lively discussion about speakers, topics, format, and location,” said VanDyke, who then agreed to chair the Summit.

“We were in the office of the American Red Cross in Fairfax; a blood donation center had just been added to the 3rd floor of the building. I was in a good mood, so I walked upstairs and the blood donation center staff were able to take me right away. I have O- blood type and am a universal donor. I have been told O- blood can even be used by premature babies. That is inspiring. Also, both my wife and my father have had open-heart surgeries that required donated blood. Someone before me was there to donate for them. I'm glad I can be part of the virtuous cycle and give to someone else who will need it.”

In the Fall of 2019, Doug VanDyke attended a meeting to plan the 2nd Annual Disaster Preparedness Summit in the American Red Cross office in Fairfax, VA; immediately after the meeting, VanDyke donates blood on the 3rd floor in the building's new blood donation center. 

Another American Red Cross leadership effort VanDyke was involved with was in 2018 when he was employed with Amazon Web Services.

“The American Red Cross, Voice Foundry, and our team at Amazon Web Services set up an emergency call center to help those impacted by Hurricane Florence,” said VanDyke.

“We had more than 100 Amazon Web Services’ employees who volunteered to staff the call center. We serviced more than 1,000 calls. Employees volunteered from around the world, even as far away as Singapore, to staff the call center and help those in need. Many of these calls were very emotional, helping reconnect loved ones.”

VanDyke’s leadership experience with the American Red Cross has helped him both personally and professionally.

“Personally, it provides me a channel to give back,” said VanDyke.

“I see direct results, and I can contribute through multiple channels. Professionally, it has helped me build a support network outside my company—people I like and trust.”
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"Volunteering is one of the best ways people can feel connected to each
other and to their communities," according to VanDyke.

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“There is more to life than making money,” said VanDyke.

“Volunteering is a great way to improve the overall quality of life in our communities. It is personally rewarding, by helping us learn skills and develop friendships. It is also valuable to the community by providing for needs that aren't being covered by government or businesses.”

As Chair of the 2nd Annual Disaster Preparedness Summit, Doug takes preparedness seriously and encourages everyone to have an emergency plan. If you don't have one yet, here's what you can do to prepare yourself and your family for a disaster:

Create Your Emergency Plan in Just 3 Steps

1. With your family or household members, discuss how to prepare and respond to the types of emergencies that are most likely to happen where you live, learn, work and play.

2. Identify responsibilities for each member of your household and how you will work together as a team.

3. Practice as many elements of your plan as possible.

For more information about creating a family emergency plan, including templates to help you be organized, go to: https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/make-a-plan.html

Make a difference in your community. Click here to become a Red Cross volunteer.

Click here to learn more about donating blood with the American Red Cross near you.

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.