Robert Hahn isn’t a household name. He doesn’t want to be. He prefers building things behind the scenes—like trust, teams, and community programs that actually help people.
For over 30 years, Robert has worked in the nonprofit world. Today, he’s the Chief Advancement Officer at Birmingham Green Senior Care Facilities, located just outside Washington, D.C. His focus? Making sure people feel seen, heard, and supported—especially the elderly and those with disabilities.
“I’m not the one doing the daily care,” Robert says. “But I do everything I can to make sure the people who do have the support they need.”
From Long Island to Luquillo
Robert grew up in Farmingdale, Long Island. He wasn’t the athletic type. Instead, he was drawn to music. As a kid, he taught himself how to play guitar and piano. Later, he started a band with his friends and wrote original songs.
“Music helped me find my voice,” he says. “It was a way to connect with people without having to say too much.”
He also spent time living in Luquillo, Puerto Rico. That’s where he learned Spanish and picked up new skills like surfing and snorkeling.
“Living in Puerto Rico taught me how to adapt,” Robert recalls. “It also opened my eyes to how people live with less but still stay generous.”
Education and Purpose
Robert studied journalism at Long Island University. He went on to earn a Master of Divinity from Trinity College and University. He also took executive nonprofit management courses at the Kellogg School of Management.
Along the way, he picked up several certifications—fundraising, strategic thinking, and crisis communications, to name a few. But the core of his education wasn’t found in classrooms.
“Life has been the best teacher,” he says. “Especially the tough moments.”
Helping Communities Grow
Before Birmingham Green, Robert led organizations focused on solving hunger and poverty. He was CEO of End Hunger in Calvert County and also worked with Honduras Compassion Partners, a group that supports struggling families in Central America.
He learned how to build teams, lead projects, and keep fundraising steady. But more importantly, he learned how to listen.
“People don’t need a hero,” he says. “They need someone who sees them and believes in them.”
In those roles, he worked with everyone from local volunteers to global donors. He often found himself in rooms where trust had to be built from scratch.
At Birmingham Green
At Birmingham Green, Robert uses everything he’s learned to support seniors and adults with disabilities. He doesn’t provide direct medical care, but his role is critical.
He handles community outreach, marketing, fundraising, and brand awareness. In other words, he connects the outside world to the people inside Birmingham Green.
“Most people don’t think about elder care until they have to,” Robert says. “Part of my job is to start that conversation sooner.”
He spends time with families, donors, and city leaders. He speaks at events and writes about what he sees. His pieces have been published in Provider Magazine and Neighborhoods of Historic Manassas.
Boards, Teams, and Awards
Robert’s resume includes seats on more than 10 nonprofit boards. He’s served on the United Way of Calvert County, Godfrey International Relief, and the Governor’s Partnership to End Childhood Hunger, among others.
He’s also been recognized with many awards, including:
The Compassionate Marylander Award
Several Maryland Governor’s Citations for Excellence
Multiple Readers’ Choice Awards for best charity and community service
But he doesn’t talk much about accolades.
“An award is nice,” he says. “But the real win is when a senior feels safe, or a child gets a meal.”
What Keeps Him Going
Robert is fueled by faith, music, and human connection. He still plays music when he can. He’s active in the Rotary Club of Manassas, and he spends a lot of time mentoring younger nonprofit leaders.
“I tell them not to worry about the spotlight,” he says. “Just do good work. Be honest. Stay humble.”
He’s known for being able to talk to just about anyone—from top donors to first-time volunteers. It’s part of what makes him effective.
“I like to meet people where they are,” he explains. “You never know what someone’s carrying.”
Looking to the Future
Robert knows the world is changing fast. Aging populations, economic shifts, and health care access are all big concerns. He believes nonprofits will need to be flexible and smart in the years ahead.
“We can’t do things the old way forever,” he says. “But the values—kindness, integrity, service—those stay the same.”
He doesn’t have all the answers, but that doesn’t stop him from showing up every day.
“You don’t have to fix everything,” he says. “Just make one corner of the world a little better.”
Final Thought
Robert Hahn doesn’t speak in slogans or buzzwords. His work isn’t flashy. But in quiet ways, he’s helped thousands of lives—through food, care, community, and connection. At Birmingham Green and beyond, he reminds us that the best kind of leadership starts with listening.
Read more:
The Quiet Builder: How Robert Hahn Brings People Together at Birmingham Green
