Ali Clements has spent the past 15 years helping shape what Reston Community Center means to the people who walk through its doors. Through her work in the Lifelong Learning Department, she has done far more than plan programs or coordinate events. She has helped create a place where adults, seniors, families and community members feel welcome, seen and connected.

What makes Ali’s work so special is that it always begins with people. She listens closely to patrons, whether she is greeting them before a program, leading a trip or simply chatting with them in passing. She notices what excites them, what traditions matter to them and what experiences they hope to see. Then she turns those conversations into programs that truly connect. Because of that approach, some of RCC’s most popular excursions, including the Crab Feast Cruise, Christmas at Hershey Park and the Potomac Eagle Train excursion, became more than successful outings. They became experiences that showed patrons their voices were heard.

Ali also has a gift for creating belonging in ways that feel real and lasting. One of her most meaningful contributions was the creation of RCC’s Lunar New Year celebration. Recognizing Reston’s significant Chinese population, she saw an opportunity for the community center to do more than host an event. She helped create a space where families could celebrate their heritage, feel recognized and experience a sense of home. Through thoughtful research and careful attention to authenticity, she built a program that was both respectful and joyful and, for many participants, deeply personal.

Her creativity is just as evident in RCC’s milestone moments. Ali played an instrumental role in shaping the CAPRA Spring Reception and The Leila Gordon Theatre marquee unveiling, helping turn these events into vibrant and memorable celebrations that reflected the pride of the organization. She also brought beauty and care to celebrations honoring the legacies of Leila Gordon, Cheri Danaher, Senator Janet Howell and Senator Ken Plum. In each case, her work elevated the occasion while keeping the focus on the people being honored.

What colleagues across RCC know well is that Ali’s impact reaches far beyond her formal role. She is the person who says yes when another department needs creative support. She is the person who adds warmth and life to shared spaces, including the seasonal displays that welcome patrons as soon as they walk in. She is the person who brings imagination, care and excellence to every detail while also being thoughtful about budgets and resourceful in how she gets things done.

Ali’s story is one of creativity in service of community. She creates programs people remember, celebrations people cherish and spaces where people feel they belong. Her work strengthens connection, reflects the diversity of Reston and reminds all of us that public service often shows up in the moments that make people feel included.

Congratulations, Ali, on being named a recipient of the Fairfax County Outstanding Performance Award (OPA). This recognition reflects the care, heart and dedication you bring to Reston Community Center every day.

The Fairfax County Outstanding Performance Awards (OPAs) recognizes employees who perform the duties and responsibilities of their positions in an outstanding manner and whose work is well above expectations.