The wife of a St. Jude researcher talks about moving to Memphis for her husband’s job and launching a career in strategic communications at ALSAC, the fundraising and awareness organization for St. Jude.
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Memphis at Work: ALSAC
When my husband accepted the role of scientific operations director in the Department of Structural Biology at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in 2020, my family and I moved to Memphis the following year. Soon after, I joined ALSAC, the fundraising and awareness organization for St. Jude.
Although most people know about St. Jude, many may not be familiar with American Lebanese Syrian Associated Charities (ALSAC), which Danny Thomas founded in 1957. The sole mission of the 1,800-employe organization is to raise the funds and awareness needed to sustain and grow St. Jude.
ALSAC raises almost 90% of what it takes to keep St. Jude going.
I came from academia before joining ALSAC. I was delighted that my skills in writing, teaching, and research transferred so well to an organization that values understanding donor audiences and creating compelling, accurate ways to engage them. And I love my colleagues.
I’ve lived in small towns and big cities, including Singapore, where I grew up. For me, Memphis is a mix of both. It’s large enough that you have choices no matter your interests and small enough that you don’t feel overwhelmed getting around once you’re here.
American Lebanese Syrian Associated Charities (ALSAC)
- Year Founded: 1957
- Number of Employees: 1,800
- Industry Sector: Non-Profit, Fundraising
ALSAC shares a campus with and raises funds and awareness for St. Jude. Our mission is the same but also has its own identity, and I thrive on that.
Rohini Singh
Program Manager, Institutional Information
ALSAC
East Memphis
There are large and small theaters and libraries. We’ve watched “Hamilton” at one theater and local productions of “A Christmas Carol” and “The Mousetrap” at another. We’ve gone to Memphis Comic-Con at the large convention center as well as attended a pirate-themed event and hosted Girl Scouts sessions on budgeting at the local library. There are parks that are small enough for a five-minute “it counts as steps” stroll and others that accommodate marathon training. Two gems are Overton Park, which is home to the world-renowned Memphis Zoo, and Shelby Farms, a large park great for walking, biking, running, and hiking.
Many people have lived in Memphis for generations and are proud of their hometown.
My college roommate returned home to Memphis after graduation and now lives a block away from me.
No matter how long they have called Memphis home, most people you meet here are happy to share something about the community that will help you settle in.
Our East Memphis neighborhood is right for our family. We are five to 10 minutes away from our daughter’s school, the library, bookstore, grocery stores, and friends’ houses, as well as 15 minutes from work. Each year, many of us join the next-door neighborhood’s Fourth of July block party and parade. In true Memphis fashion, they welcome us warmly.