Today we’d like to introduce you to Tracy Sanford.
Hi Tracy, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I grew up on a family cotton and soybean farm in Humboldt, West Tennessee—strawberries and tomatoes too. It was a great childhood filled with freedom, adventure, and lots of time outside. The four of us kids were usually off exploring, always barefoot, and just being together. Family, community, and church were the center of our lives, and that strong foundation really shaped who I am today.
I went on to study at Middle Tennessee State University and graduated in 1988. Around that same time, I married my high school sweetheart who had just been commissioned as an Army Officer—and that’s when the adventures really began.
Our first stop was Germany, and over the years we moved 17 times, including stints in Texas, Montana, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Tennessee, Connecticut, and Germany again. While in Tennessee, received a Master’s degree in Education at Union University. Along the way, we built a beautiful, blended family of six kids—equal parts birth and adoption. Life was full and meaningful.
Eventually, life shifted and divorce brought me to the Georgia coast—a place I’ve always loved. Lived on St. Simon’s Island for years. My kids are grown now, and I have seven grandkids who call me “Hunny,” which is one of my proudest titles.
In 2022, I moved out to Darien and soon after became the Executive Director of Keep McIntosh Beautiful. The organization already had a strong program in place, and I saw my role as bringing in fresh ideas while honoring that foundation. And in 2024, also took on the position of Executive Director of McIntosh County Family Connection.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No, it definitely hasn’t always been a smooth road—but I think that’s true for most of us. Life has a way of throwing curveballs, and some of the most meaningful growth often comes through those harder seasons.
For me, one of the biggest challenges was navigating the transitions that came with frequent military moves. Uprooting our family again and again—17 times—meant constantly starting over, finding new communities, new schools, new support systems. It was exciting, but it could also be isolating and exhausting. Still, I believe it taught me adaptability, resourcefulness, and the importance of building connections quickly and meaningfully—skills I use every day in my current roles.
Another turning point was my divorce. It was deeply painful and came with a lot of uncertainty. But it also became an opportunity to rediscover who I was, to rebuild with intention, and to pursue work that aligned with my heart and purpose. Moving to the Georgia coast wasn’t just a change of scenery—it was a fresh start, and ultimately, it led me to the work I’m doing now.
Professionally, taking on leadership in two nonprofit organizations has come with its own set of challenges—limited resources, high community needs, and the constant balancing act of managing logistics, people, and big-picture vision. But those challenges push me to be creative, collaborative, and focused on what truly matters.
So no, the road hasn’t been smooth—but it’s been meaningful. The struggles have made me stronger, more empathetic, and more committed to the work I do. I’ve learned that it’s okay to not have all the answers, to ask for help, and to keep showing up, especially when things are hard. Because that’s often when the most important work happens.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
As Executive Director of Keep McIntosh Beautiful, my role is to lead with purpose, integrity, and a deep sense of responsibility to our environment and our community. I serve as the bridge between our mission and the people we impact—educating, inspiring, and mobilizing citizens, businesses, and local leaders to take action for a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable McIntosh County. I couldn’t ask for a more supportive and encouraging Board of Directors.
Day to day, this means coordinating clean-up events, promoting recycling and waste reduction, advocating for environmental stewardship, and working closely with partners to create programs that make a tangible, lasting impact. But beyond the logistics and leadership, my job is to foster a culture of care—a shared belief that every small action matters, and that together, we can protect the beauty and health of this place we call home.
I didn’t take this role because it was just another job—I took it because it aligned with something deeply personal: the desire to leave this world a better place for my grandchildren and the generations that follow. Like many people, I’ve watched the growing environmental challenges our world faces—pollution, litter, habitat loss—and felt both concern and a sense of responsibility. I realized that I couldn’t change the whole world, but I could make a difference here, in my own community.
Keep McIntosh Beautiful gave me that opportunity. It allows me to take action, to lead by example, and to help build a legacy of environmental awareness, pride, and care. When my grandkids grow up and ask what I did to help, I want to be able to look them in the eye and say, “I did my part. I showed up. I tried to make things better.”
At its core, this work is about hope—hope that by taking care of our environment today, we’re creating a healthier, more beautiful future for those who come after us. And that’s a legacy worth working for.
In 2024, I also took on the role of Executive Director for McIntosh County Family Connection. The two roles complement each other perfectly—because you can’t have a thriving, sustainable community without healthy kids and strong families.
As Executive Director of McIntosh County Family Connection, my role is to lead collaborative efforts that improve the well-being of children and families in our community. I work to bring together diverse partners—schools, nonprofits, faith-based organizations, government agencies, healthcare providers, and local leaders—to identify the most pressing needs in our county and find real, lasting solutions.
Family Connection is about more than programs or services. It’s about building strong networks of support that empower families to thrive. My work involves facilitating community conversations, coordinating resources, managing grants, and tracking outcomes to ensure our efforts are making a measurable difference. I serve as both a leader and a connector—helping people and organizations work together more effectively to achieve shared goals.
But beyond the planning, reporting, and logistics, this job is deeply rooted in compassion and a vision for a stronger, healthier McIntosh County. It’s about ensuring that every child has a chance to succeed, that every family has access to support when they need it, and that no one falls through the cracks because help wasn’t available—or because systems weren’t talking to each other.
I believe that strong communities start with strong families. When children are safe, supported, and surrounded by opportunity, everything else—education, health, economic growth—starts to improve. I took on this role because I wanted to be part of that positive change. I wanted to help create a place where children can grow up with hope and where families don’t have to struggle alone.
This work is personal to me. It’s about giving back, lifting others up, and helping to break cycles of poverty, trauma, and disconnection. It’s about making sure that our systems serve all people, especially the most vulnerable. And just like my work with Keep McIntosh Beautiful, it’s driven by a simple but powerful belief: that the choices we make today shape the world our children and grandchildren will inherit.
I believe deeply in being part of the community—not just living in it. In both of my roles, the goal is not to reinvent the wheel, but to bridge gaps and strengthen what’s already working. When someone is already doing great work, we show up to support, not to compete. That spirit of collaboration and shared purpose is at the heart of everything I do, and it’s a value I strive to live out every single day.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
Yes—what I really want to say is that none of this work happens in a vacuum. I may hold the title of Executive Director, but the impact we’re making is the result of a much larger team effort.
I’m incredibly grateful for the support of two dedicated Boards of Directors who guide, encourage, and challenge me in all the right ways. Their trust and commitment make everything we do possible.
I’m also constantly inspired by the people in this community—neighbors, volunteers, local leaders—who give so generously of their time, energy, and heart. Whether it’s showing up for a cleanup, attending a family resource event, or simply spreading the word, their willingness to get involved is what drives real change.
And finally, I have to recognize our local government and school system. Their partnerships, accessibility, and shared vision have made it clear from day one that they’re not just supportive—they’re standing right beside me. That kind of collaboration is rare, and it makes all the difference.
At the end of the day, I may help lead the work—but it’s the people of McIntosh County who give it life. And I’m just incredibly proud to be part of it.
Contact Info:
- Website: keepmcintoshbeautiful.com and https://mcintosh.gafcp.org/
