By Rebecca Barnes, Prince William Living
Claire Szanyi has been nominated for the 2026 Prince William Living Influential Women Award for her tireless advocacy on behalf of child passenger safety and her leadership across multiple nonprofit organizations serving families in Greater Prince William.
A resident of Haymarket, Szanyi balances a full-time professional role with Joie Children’s Products while serving as president of three nonprofit organizations: Saving Northern Virginia Littles, Saving Prince William Littles, and Saving Loudoun’s Littles. Through these organizations, she works directly with families, schools, hospitals, and community partners to ensure children are properly secured in vehicles, a mission rooted in both education and access.
According to her nominator, Szanyi has helped certify 40 new Child Passenger Safety Technicians in 2025, distributed more than 150 car seats to families in need, and developed Virginia’s Child Passenger Safety Technician Continuing Education Curriculum. She also hosts regular certification, recertification, and continuing education courses to ensure technicians remain up to date and available within the community.
“Correctly used child safety seats can reduce the risk of death by as much as 71 percent,” her nominator shared, noting that more than half of car seats are still installed incorrectly nationwide. Szanyi’s work focuses on closing that gap through education, hands-on support, and free car seat check events, many of which continue even when other programs paused during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Each month, her organizations host one to two free car seat check events throughout Northern Virginia, including in Prince William County. She also partners with Title I elementary schools and healthcare providers, distributing seats and educating caregivers at locations such as Suella G. Ellis Elementary, Guilford Elementary, UVA Health Prince William Medical Center, and regional baby shower events.
In addition to her nonprofit leadership, Szanyi serves as treasurer of the GFWC Dominion Woman’s Club and sits on the board of Healthy Families with Northern Virginia Family Services. Her nominator describes her as “always professional, helpful, and kind,” adding that her ability to manage her family, career, and community leadership inspires others to step up and serve.
Claire Szanyi’s nomination reflects a measurable, hands-on commitment to safety, education, and equity for families across Greater Prince William, particularly those who might otherwise lack access to critical resources.
Join Us in Celebrating Our Nominees
Help us celebrate Claire and all of the 2026 Prince William Living Influential Women Awards nominees. Reserve your tickets for the Influential Women Awards Celebration at Sweeney Barn on March 5, 2026, and join us in honoring women who are making Greater Prince William a more creative, caring, and connected place. Visit princewilliamliving.com/influential-women for more details and ticket information.
https://princewilliamliving.com/influential-women/
Rebecca Barnes is the Publisher of Prince William Living and the founder of the Influential Women Awards, created to honor women whose leadership, service, and professional accomplishments strengthen the Greater Prince William community. As a business owner, nonprofit leader, and long-standing advocate for local engagement, Rebecca has dedicated more than two decades to spotlighting the people and organizations that make Prince William, Manassas, and Manassas Park thrive. Through her work in media, destination branding, and community partnerships, she continues to amplify stories of impact and ensure that those who give back receive recognition equal to their contribution
