Can you please tell us a bit about yourself personally?
My name is Annika Kennon, and I am the proud mother of three boys: Oliver and Elias, who are both in college, and Liam, who is a junior in high school. Originally from Sweden, I moved to NYC after earning my engineering degree to work in consulting. What was meant to be a few years turned into a lifelong journey after I met my now-husband just a few months after arriving in the US —and here I am today. After NYC we lived abroad for five years and our oldest boys were born in Tokyo and Hong Kong. We continue to love to travel and also own a house in Sweden, where I cherish spending as much time as possible during the summer. It allows me to enjoy the best of both worlds: the vibrancy of life in the U.S. and the serenity of Swedish summers.
In addition to being a mother, I work part-time for my husband’s wealth management firm, Clear Harbor Asset Management, based in Stamford, and I am proud to serve as co-President of Impact Fairfield County.
Where do you live in Greenwich and what do you love about Greenwich and your neighborhood?
I live in Old Greenwich with my husband, Aaron, and our boys. We moved here from London in 2006 and have truly come to love the neighborhood. Some of my favorite things about living here is the ability to walk into town, swim or paddle at our neighborhood dock, or take a stroll around Tod’s Point. I also appreciate how international and diverse our community is, and feel incredibly fortunate for the wonderful friends we’ve made over the years in this special place.
For those of us who aren’t familiar, please tell us about Impact Fairfield County?
Impact Fairfield County is a women’s collective giving circle currently celebrating its tenth year of grantmaking. Our model is founded on the belief that together we can have a greater impact. Each member joins Impact Fairfield County with a contribution of $1,100, with $1,000 going directly into our grant pool. By combining these contributions, we are able to award large, transformational grants of $100,000 to local nonprofits.
The grants are awarded following a thorough review process, conducted by our members from December through April. In May, we come together to vote and select the recipients of our $100,000 grants at our Grant Awards Celebration.
One of my favorite aspects of being a member of Impact Fairfield County is the opportunity to connect with an inspiring and diverse group of women while working together through the grant review process. It’s a truly rewarding experience that combines collaboration, learning, and making a difference in our community.
Can you please share about how you came to volunteer for Impact Fairfield County?
I first heard about Impact Fairfield County from a few friends during its early years, and I was intrigued by the concept. In 2019 I was invited to an informational coffee where I learned more about the organization’s model and how simple it is to join. I signed up immediately afterward.
At the time, I was finishing up some volunteer roles at my kids’ schools and wanted to learn more about local nonprofits. Impact FFC seemed like the perfect opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the nonprofit landscape in Fairfield County while offering the flexibility I needed in terms of volunteer time. It has been an incredibly rewarding experience ever since.
How did you become involved in philanthropy in general? What are some of the local organizations you feel most passionately about supporting?
I have always been interested in philanthropy, but growing up in Sweden, I had a different perspective. In Sweden, philanthropy often takes a different form, and nonprofits didn’t play as significant a role in addressing important aspects of my immediate community as they do here in the United States. I find giving back and helping others to be personally fulfilling and it is a lifelong commitment of mine.
Besides Impact FFC, one local nonprofit I am particularly passionate about, and that I discovered through the Impact FFC grant review process, is Future 5 in Stamford. I am currently a college coach at Future 5, and it is an honor to play even a small role in helping young students plan for their futures. It has been very rewarding to see the impact this organization has on the lives of so many, and on our broader community.
What do you find the most challenging and most rewarding parts of being a volunteer at a non-profit organization?
The most challenging aspect of my work with Impact Fairfield County is witnessing the significant needs within our community and the struggles faced by so many of our neighbors.
One of my favorite aspects of the Impact FFC grants process is the site visits. I usually leave these visits feeling deeply moved and re-energized by the dedication of the non-profit organizations and their commitment to making our community a better place for everyone. The Grant Awards Celebration is a truly amazing day when we hear from our finalists and we are able to present several $100,000 grants to our winners. Most of our members consider that the “best day of the year”.
Another favorite part of my role at Impact FFC is observing the ripple effects of our giving. Whether it is members taking on board or leadership roles with local nonprofits, contributions beyond our grants, or the meaningful relationships formed through our organization, these secondary impacts highlight the deeper, lasting influence of our giving circle. It’s incredibly inspiring to see how our collective efforts extend far beyond the initial grants we award.
How do you find a balance with motherhood with the work you do at Impact Fairfield County? Any tips for the rest of the Moms out there?
My boys are now fairly grown up, which gives me a lot more flexibility in my day-to-day life. At the same time, there are moments when my family needs me, and during those times, I truly appreciate the freedom that comes with being “just a volunteer.” It allows me to set my own boundaries and prioritize what feels right for me. Most of the time, the decision is straightforward, but occasionally, it can be challenging.
For moms especially with younger children, setting clear boundaries for your involvement—and learning when to say no —is so important. Sometimes, less truly is more, especially when others are depending on you. It’s all about finding the balance that works best for you and your family.
If someone would like to get involved with Impact Fairfield County, what would be the best way?
It is easy to get involved with Impact FFC! I would recommend starting with exploring our website www.impactffc.org to learn about our events and read about some of our past grantees and our process. Then either join right on the website or reach out to [email protected] if you have any questions at all. Most of our events are open to non-members interested in exploring Impact FFC. We also have new member zooms and educational events where you can learn more about Impact FFC. Joining Impact FFC allows for complete flexibility – you determine how involved you want to be. Some of our members volunteer a lot of time, while others join and then are not really involved until they attend the Grant Awards Celebration where every member participates in voting for our winners.
Anything else you’d like to share?
Impact FFC also has scholarships and payment plans – we don’t want financial means to be a barrier to joining.
I can’t speak highly enough of our membership and am honored to be a part of Impact FFC. This year is a great time to join us as we are celebrating our Decade of Impact!
We love to support local businesses. What are your fave places when you are in Greenwich to:
Grab coffee – I prefer tea and enjoy a Paris tea at Sweet Pea’s in Old Greenwich. And grab a gluten-free banana muffin to go with it – they are amazing
Workout – I always enjoy working out with a friend at Old Greenwich Sports & Wellness.
Go on a date night – I love being able to walk to dinner, so my pick tends to be any of the restaurants in Old Greenwich.
Go out for a girls night – Again – walking to an evening out is my favorite. Tonight I’m going to dinner at Applausi with a group of friends.
Go out to dinner as a family – Having three boys they love to eat and they have a lot of favorites. It seems Sushi Soba has been an easy choice lately!
Get your hair done – Ledy
Get your nails done – Coco Nails
Have fun as a family – Grab bagels at Upper Crust and then go out on our boat.
