We’re celebrating Arielle Sprinkle, our Assistant Director of Affordable Housing. Arielle joined the People Inc. team in September 2022, but her story of drive and creativity began long before that.
Housing with Heart
Arielle’s professional journey is rooted in experience and compassion. With over 20 years in property management, she joined People Inc. in September 2022. But her path wasn’t always straightforward.
After a life-altering event, Arielle lost a property management business she had co-owned. She stayed committed to her field, continuing to work independently and applying her experience wherever she could. Her persistence and professionalism eventually led her to interview for a position at People Inc. in 2021. Though she didn’t get that role, the process introduced her to the organization, and to Bryan Ailey, Vice President and Chief Development Officer.
“I actually got a message out of the blue from Bryan asking if I’d be interested in a role,” she recounts. “He knew I had previously applied and had experience in the field, so when the regional manager position opened up, he encouraged me to apply. From there it just grew.”
As Vice President and Chief Development Officer, Ailey oversees affordable housing development, housing management, and capital growth initiatives at People Inc. When a new opportunity opened up, he thought back to Arielle’s earlier interview and the strong impression she had made. Her experience and drive stood out, so he reached out to share the role with her.
Since joining People Inc., Arielle has put those qualities into action, bringing deep knowledge in budgeting, team leadership, and property operations. She’s helped implement new systems and introduced team-building activities like happy hours to strengthen workplace culture. Most of all, Arielle is passionate about keeping properties financially sustainable while making sure residents feel supported.
“People Inc. is in the position of helping people, which I love. But running the property management side also takes a ton of knowledge — holding people accountable for what they owe, making sure the properties are running and paying the bills. I’ve been able to bring in things that traditional property management companies do but People Inc. had never done before.”
Her title might suggest a behind-the-scenes role, but Arielle’s work is anything but. She’s often in the field, visiting homes and working directly with tenants, many of whom are transitioning from homelessness or housing instability. She teaches practical skills like cleaning, maintenance, and household management.
“When talking to people, my job sounds really boring,” Arielle admits. “But in reality, it’s going into people’s households and seeing some wild stuff in terms of the condition of housing, and educating tenants on how to clean and maintain a household.”
Stitching Her Story
Arielle’s path into self-sufficiency started with a needle and thread. Growing up, her family couldn’t afford extras like prom dresses or special church outfits. Her mother, a talented seamstress, taught her to sew so she could have those things. At the time, Arielle saw it as a chore. But now she sees it as a gift: one that gave her independence, resourcefulness, and a lifelong creative outlet.
“I learned to sew because my family didn’t have money for things like prom dresses or church dresses. My mom taught me, and at the time I thought it was terrible. But as an adult, it’s been amazing to be self-sufficient. I may not be able to afford a $500 prom dress, but I can afford to buy fabric and make one.”
Today, Arielle is an award-winning seamstress and costume designer. She’s won seven blue ribbons at the Appalachian Fair in Gray, TN: five solo and two with her 15-year-old daughter, who sews alongside her. Every entry she submitted this year earned a ribbon, and next year she’s preparing themed “granny sack dresses” for the fair’s 100th anniversary. Three of her pieces have been chosen for the 2026 Tennessee State Fair.
“Every single piece I entered in the Appalachian Fair had a ribbon on it,” Arielle adds. “I was jumping up and down inside.”
Her creations range from Broadway-style gowns to elaborate Halloween costumes: Princess Amidala, Scooby Doo, Elsa, Hulk Girl, and more. She’s designed for school plays, local theater productions, and even Dragon Con in Atlanta. Her work is detailed, expressive, and often stitched entirely by hand.
“I’ve made aprons, matching big-little aprons for raffles, a Wicked-themed Broadway dress, even a winter coat. I’ve made costumes for my kids’ school plays, for Halloween, and even Dragon Con. Rapunzel, Elsa, Hulk Girl, Wonder Woman, Snow White, Alice in Wonderland, you name it!”
Arielle’s creativity runs in the family. Her 15-year-old daughter shares her love of sewing and has even competed alongside her, winning ribbons at local fairs. Her son, now 17, often models the costumes she’s made or helps with design ideas.
Words of Wisdom
When Arielle first joined People Inc., she quickly realized that the learning curve was steep. “It’s very overwhelming in the first three or four months,” she explains. “But once you get your feet under you, everything starts to make sense. It really is a fantastic place to work.”
That sense of clarity and belonging didn’t come overnight, but it came with time and support. Arielle found herself surrounded by colleagues who genuinely cared — not just about the mission, but about each other. “People here truly care about each other, and they want to see you succeed,” she says. “I’ve made some fantastic friends through People Inc.”
The Craft of Care: Arielle’s Lasting Impact
Arielle Sprinkle brings more than two decades of property management experience to her work at People Inc., along with a deep commitment to helping residents build stable, supportive homes. Her path here wasn’t typical, and neither is the impact she’s making. Arielle has helped shape housing programs that are both financially sound and deeply responsive to the needs of the community.
But her story doesn’t begin with spreadsheets or site visits. It begins with a needle and thread, a creative spark, and a lifelong drive to build things that last.
People Incorporated of Virginia provides programs to help individuals and families access safe, affordable housing through People Incorporated Housing Group (PIHG). To get started with housing assistance, call (833) 429-7754 or emailing info@peopleinc.net.
Written by Michelle Fleury, People Inc. of Virginia
For communications, marketing inquiries, or partnership opportunities with People Incorporated of Virginia, please feel free to contact Michelle at mfleury@peopleinc.net.
