Martha Armstrong has worked with nonprofit organizations for 30 years and has been an animal welfare executive in California, Massachusetts, Tennessee and, locally, in Arlington. In January, she took over as executive director of the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria. She owns just one pet but works on the behalf of furry critters everywhere.

How did you get involved in nonprofit animal welfare work?

This started when I was 3 — I was an accountant before I lost my mind and got involved with this line of work.