.017 Cassandra Lammers

Cassandra and I met when I was an over-eager freshman at GW looking to cause disruption at Lisner Auditorium, the largest theatre on campus. To put it simply, she runs Lisner. All events and happenings there, big or small, go through and are managed by her. When we did meet, Cassandra was unbelievably kind and always willing to listen. Not only was she willing to entertain my ideas, she was also instantly a fierce advocate for me and TEDx, the event we were planning. What I would come to find out over time is that she is this advocate and supporter to all students, as she believes in them, big ideas, and the power of a theater as a convening space.

Over my years in DC and at GW, I had countless moments with Cassandra, all of which were memorable because of her smiling face and consistently positive and helpful demeanor. She really was such a joy to see at the theater, and when she wasn’t working one night, it was a bummer since I would always want to say hi. She leads her team and staff with such grace and compassion, and she so clearly has a calmness about her that enables her to solve any last-minute issue or snafu, which I am certain there have been thousands of.

Cassandra, thank you for being such a bright light in a sometimes dreary and bureaucratic environment. Thank you for believing in me, my ideas, and my team as we came year after year, asking for more of this and more of that. Thank you for being a wonderful example of how to be humble and strong in a job when you are constantly getting asked for things from all directions, I am sure. Thank you for being the behind the scenes leader of what I am sure is an endless list of outstanding events that have happened at Lisner and changed the lives of thousands. Thank you for always having joy in your voice, a forward-thinking outlook on life, and for being just a genuinely good human being. Thank you for being you.

-BD