BETSY FRANTZ 

Betsy Frantz arrived at Arlington Street People’s Assistance Network (A-SPAN) in February 2020 as its interim director. “I thought I was going to be there for nine months,” she says. Then the pandemic hit, and her job became all about crisis management as the nonprofit, which serves the homeless, continued to operate 24/7, 365 days a year. Despite the continuous interpersonal interactions that the organization’s mission requires, Frantz is proud to say that no clients or staffers died from COVID or required a respirator.  

In recognition of her crisis management skills, A-SPAN elevated Frantz to permanent president and CEO in November 2020. The following year, the nonprofit was rebranded as PathForward to better reflect the organization’s work. Now, it no longer provides just urgent care — such as shelter beds during winter — but offers longer-term solutions to homelessness.

“It’s amazing to see a client turn the key to an apartment. That’s all you need to fulfill you,” Frantz says.

In addition to expanding the organization’s mission, Frantz grew her staff and budget, and she’s made diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging a top priority, developing an internal task force and requiring training for her staff.

Before coming to PathForward, Frantz led several organizations, including Arlington’s Leadership Center for Excellence, and was part of Lead Virginia’s original steering committee that created the statewide leadership program. She currently serves as a board member and alumni chair on Lead Virginia’s executive committee.

Read more about the 2023 class of Virginia Business Women in Leadership Award winners.