Data with Purpose: Celebrating Margot Ackermann’s Retirement from Homeward
After nearly two decades of dedicated service and impact on efforts to solve homelessness in the Richmond region, Margot Ackermann, Ph.D. is retiring from her role as Director of Research and Evaluation at Homeward. While we will deeply miss her leadership, compassion, and institutional knowledge, we also celebrate the legacy she leaves behind: one that has strengthened our community, shaped data-driven practice, and inspired countless colleagues and partners.
Since joining Homeward in 2007, Margot played a pivotal role in transforming how homelessness services are understood and delivered through information, analysis, and evaluation. Her work ensured that critical data was not only collected but used meaningfully to improve program performance and funding decisions across the Greater Richmond Continuum of Care and beyond.
Margot's influence extended far beyond spreadsheets and reports. She championed collaboration across sectors, bringing together criminal justice systems, healthcare partners, state agencies, and nonprofits to build a more coordinated and effective response to housing instability. Her unique blend of technical expertise and deep commitment to human dignity set a new standard in the field. Margot’s efforts helped over 300 providers serve over 8,000 individuals and families each year by making complex data accessible, actionable, and rooted in real lives. In 2023, Margot was honored as the inaugural recipient of the Housing Leadership Award at the Virginia Governor’s Housing Conference. It was a testament to her contributions to housing stability and homelessness system improvement across the Commonwealth.
Colleagues describe Margot as someone who "combined meticulous analysis with a deeply human approach." She never forgot that behind every dataset are real people. Her leadership helped Homeward and partner agencies amplify the voices of those with lived experience, ensuring policies and programs reflect the realities of our neighbors experiencing homelessness.
As Margot transitions into retirement, we express our immense gratitude for her service. Her work has left an indelible mark on Homeward and the regional homelessness response system. Please join us in wishing her all the best in this next chapter!
