Hope’s Story

Hope Fox Danoff CEO & Founder

Hope’s life has been marked by action and empathy from an early age. Her father’s sudden death at age 12 left her mother to raise three children alone, inspiring Hope’s deep sense of responsibility. As a teenager, she founded a folk-dance group that performed across Pennsylvania and at Madison Square Garden. She also spent four years raising money for Biafran children. Her spiritual journey began at age three, famously captured in a Philadelphia Inquirer photo praying for the winner of a beauty pageant—a fitting symbol for a life driven by faith and compassion.

THE POWER OF EDUCATION AND SERVICE

Hope’s academic path took her from Temple University to the University of Oregon, where she studied recreational therapy and social work. She taught art, dance, and drama to individuals with mental disabilities and those recovering from addiction. An internship at "The Highest High" in Seattle had her living alongside 12 men in recovery, deepening her understanding of addiction and mental health. Her work with inmates further solidified her belief that mental health underpins societal challenges like addiction, homelessness, and domestic abuse—a belief that has guided her life’s mission.

FROM BOSTON TO BREAKTHROUGHS

After earning her degree, Hope moved to Boston, becoming a job developer for drug-addicted individuals. She quickly realized many program managers prioritized funding over impact, planting a seed for her future mission. In Georgia, she briefly pursued an MBA but pivoted, joining Reed Provident’s prenatal vitamin sales team as one of only two women in the company. Her natural people skills propelled her to become a top performer. Returning home, she joined Miles Pharmaceuticals, where her manager’s mentorship helped her thrive for 15 years. During this time, she met her husband, a physician, with whom she’s shared a 40-year love story.

Hope Fox Danoff

BUILDING A LEGACY OF COMPASSION

Hope’s entrepreneurial spirit shined when she became a guest host on QVC, representing brands like Conair and Farberware for over a decade. She was also the face of Vitalité Skin Care and authored "Impress for Less," published by Wiley with an endorsement from Patti LaBelle. Her media career highlighted her versatility, charisma, and determination to inspire others. Throughout, she has remained a fierce advocate for mental health, a mission fueled by her son's mental health diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder. Her firsthand experiences navigating hospitalizations, medications, and treatment programs gave her an unshakable resolve to fight for systemic change.

BUILDING BRIDGES WITH HOPE

All of Hope’s experiences—from working in addiction recovery to advocating for mental health—culminated in founding "Building Bridges with Hope" in 2024. This 501(c)(3) foundation’s mission is to create pathways to independence for individuals with disabilities, those experiencing homelessness, and people affected by mental illness and addiction. The foundation aims to provide housing, education, and support for families to stay together while fostering job training and promoting independent living. Hope’s vision is to offer more than a quick fix—she’s working to create lasting, systemic change.

A NEW CHAPTER

As founder of "Building Bridges with Hope," she’s driven by faith and the belief that change is possible. Her mission is to help families stay together, foster independence, and offer dignity to those in need. On Election Day, she embodied this mission by setting up a table outside the polls with a red, white, and blue tablecloth, inviting frightened and disenfranchised voters to talk and share a meal—a simple but profound gesture of unity. For those who know her, Hope’s legacy is clear: one person—with heart, faith, and action—can change the world.

A LEGACY OF ACTION

Hope’s name reflects her life’s work. She’s a source of hope for her community, family, and everyone she’s touched. Her 38-year residence in a historic 1710 farmhouse symbolizes her commitment to the community. When traffic issues arose on her street, she took action—organizing neighbors, collaborating with local officials, and securing $30,000 in traffic safety measures. This is a fitting metaphor for her life’s work—facing challenges head-on and building lasting solutions.