Full Circle News

Retta Barkley, Julie Collins, Jennifer Haughton, Janet Huang, Julie Mamunes, Kris McNally, and Ginny Sattler 

AAWGT is a “real joy in my life,” says Liz Gillette. Having heard about the “giving circle” concept through a newspaper article clipped for her by her father, Liz googled the term early in the pandemic and quickly came up with AAWGT.

“Like any millennial is apt to do, I kind of ‘stalked’ the organization for a while and watched its website. I knew I wanted to get involved. But with kids and a busy job, I needed a time-tested organization. I did my research and was blown away by AAWGT . . . the educational program offerings, the passionate desire for diversity, and the thoughtful women, all together in one organization, looking to improve the community.” 

Liz joined AAWGT in 2020, and within six months, was a member of the Grantee Liaison Committee (formerly Post-Grants). “I wanted to understand the inner workings of the grants process, how grantee organizations are planning to spend grant money, and the diligence required in supporting them while assuring transparency.” She served on the Grantee Liaison Committee in ’21 and ’22, and by ’23, Liz was the assistant secretary of the Steering Committee. “I began to more fully understand how this incredible machine is being run by these capable women who work together.” Liz now serves as Steering Committee secretary and will do so for the next 12 months.

Liz grew up in Reading, PA, the hometown of Taylor Swift—yes, she’s a Swiftie! Liz is one of five children; her mom was a teacher and her dad a banker. She went to George Washington University where she studied business administration and played Division I college volleyball. “It was like juggling two jobs and demanded a lot of discipline.” Liz met her husband Brandon (a college baseball player) through GWU’s athlete’s circle.

In her early career, Liz did recruiting for hospitals, and then in 2013, entered financial planning, where she has been for 11 years. Liz is a founder and senior advisor at Curio Wealth in Annapolis. Her personal mantra, “Choose your hard,” encapsulates her philosophy – embracing challenges head-on and steering the course toward a life well-crafted.

Liz and Brandon, who is a sales manager for Pulte Homes, live in Edgewater, and have one daughter, Bailey (7), and two sons, Chase (almost 5) and Hudson (2). Liz and Brandon will soon be headed to Greece for their 10th anniversary, using “their own financial plan to implement the trip, with the support of family who will be staying with the kids,” says Liz. As a 5-year goal, Liz wants to take her family to Los Angeles for the 2028 Summer Olympic Games. She attended the 1996 Olympics as a child and calls it “a defining moment in my life.”

In addition to her rewarding job and AAWGT, Liz volunteers for NAPFA and CASA and enjoys creating endless interior design projects.