The People Behind the Mission

What Drives My Commitment: I believe that strong businesses and strong communities are built when every individual has the opportunity to contribute their talents, skills, and perspectives. I support Virginia Ability because I believe that when businesses embrace inclusion, everyone benefits. Individuals thrive through meaningful work, organizations become stronger and more innovative, and our communities grow more prosperous and equitable.

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Executive Experience:

• Senior Manager, Regulatory Engagement at Altria

• Leads collaboration with academia, public health, and the FDA

• Champion of Altria's Neurodiversity Hiring Program

• Former communications leader across corporate strategy and insights

• MBA, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

What Drives My Commitment: Virginia Ability’s mission is personal to me as the parent of an autistic daughter who wants to work and build an independent life. I am passionate about fostering inclusive workplaces and connecting businesses with talented individuals with disabilities.

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Executive Experience:

• Strategy & Planning Advisor, Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond

• Founder of the Federal Reserve Disability Affinity Community

• Master's in Business Information Technology

• National advocate for disability employment

• Parent and advocate for an autistic daughter entering the workforce

What Drives My Commitment: While working with students with learning disabilities in my early twenties, I gained an appreciation of how removing barriers fostered academic accomplishment. Joining the Board of Virginia Ability ten years ago allowed me to continue my advocacy by educating businesses on the many benefits of hiring individuals with disabilities who are eager to demonstrate their skills in the workplace and contribute to the bottom line of companies with inclusive cultures.

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Executive Experience:

• Human Resources Compliance Specialist, Performance Food Group

• HR leader specializing in workplace inclusion and ADA compliance

• Developed disability outreach and internship initiatives

• Master's in Human Resources Management

• Active SHRM member and long-time disability inclusion advocate

What Drives My Commitment: As the daughter of a family of educators—including my mother, a Special Education teacher—I have a deep appreciation for the value that individuals of all abilities bring to the workplace. This perspective has fueled my passion for Virginia Ability & mission of helping employers embrace inclusive hiring practices, think beyond traditional approaches, and leverage assistive technologies and adaptive strategies to create opportunities for everyone.

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Executive Experience:

• Operations Manager, Trolley House Refreshments

• More than 20 years of executive operations leadership

• Expertise in strategic planning, operational excellence, and leadership development

• Partnered with Northstar Academy to create workforce learning opportunities

• Extensive volunteer leadership supporting disability and community organizations

What Drives My Commitment: My commitment to Virginia Ability is deeply personal. As a child in a military family, frequent moves often left me feeling like an outsider, and I experienced bullying that taught me how important it is for every person to be seen, valued, and heard. Those experiences shaped a lifelong passion for helping others find their voice and reach their fullest potential.
Throughout my career and nonprofit work, I have focused on creating opportunities for individuals and businesses to thrive. As the parent of a son with severe sensorimotor OCD, I have also witnessed firsthand the transformative power of a supportive network and inclusive opportunities. Virginia Ability’s mission to expand employment opportunities for people with disabilities aligns closely with my belief that everyone deserves the chance to contribute, succeed, and live a meaningful life. I am honored to support an organization that is helping build a more inclusive workforce and stronger communities across Virginia.

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Executive Experience:

• Manager, Supplier Development & Opportunity, Capital One

• Leads supplier development and business mentoring initiatives

• Program lead for the Capital One Envision Summit

• Extensive nonprofit board leadership experience

• Passionate about helping businesses and individuals reach their full potentia

What Drives My Commitment: Statement needed..

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Executive Experience:

• Vice President, Energy Projects, Dominion Energy

• Leads development of large-scale energy infrastructure projects

• Executive sponsor supporting disability employee resource initiatives

• Professional Engineer (PE) and PMP certified

• MBA with extensive experience in operations and project leadership

What Drives My Commitment: My passion and connection to Virginia Ability’s stem from a deep desire to share life experiences and create meaningful opportunities for those who are often overlooked and underestimated. As an eight-year business partner with Northstar Career Academy, I have had the privilege of exploring real-time work applications alongside young adults with unique challenges—an experience that has been incredibly rewarding.

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Executive Experience:

• Manager, Corporate Services, Performance Food Group

• Leads associate engagement, workplace safety, and operations

• Eight-year partner supporting workforce opportunities for students with disabilities

• Passionate advocate for mentorship and inclusive employment

• Experienced community engagement leader

What Drives My Commitment: Virginia Ability’s mission to “recognize the unique attributes and experiences in people with disabilities and increase diversity in the workforce” aligns well with my passion to grant access or accessibility to anyone willing to work. Over the years as a People Leader, I have seen and managed several employees with various disabilities that have performed at a high level. The one thing that they’ve all had in common is having the chance to prove themselves. Virginia Ability gives them this chance.

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Executive Experience:

• Membership Development Relationship Manager, Virginia Credit Union

• Former Capital One People Leader with 28 years of leadership experience

• Graduate of Virginia State University

• Community leader and ordained minister

• Passionate advocate for employment opportunities for adults with autism

What Drives My Commitment: In my role at SOAR365, I focus on expanding access to employment for people with disabilities while delivering strong results for the businesses we operate. Having seen the impact for both individuals and employers, I am excited for the opportunity to advance Virginia Ability’s mission and help other organizations realize the benefits of a more diverse workforce that includes people with disabilities.

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Executive Experience:

• Vice President, Business Solutions, SOAR365

• Leads mission-driven businesses creating employment for people with disabilities

• Executive experience in operations, technology, and client services

• Focused on organizational systems and workforce development

• Advocate for inclusive employment and long-term business success

What Drives My Commitment: Virginia Ability’s mission reflects my deeply held belief that every employee deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential. Throughout my career, I have seen the incredible value and capability that individuals with disabilities bring to organizations—as well as the frustrating hurdles they encounter when seeking meaningful work. In my dual roles as an HR professional and a Virginia Ability board member, I am dedicated to breaking down these barriers and building workplaces where diverse talent thrives.

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Executive Experience:

• Vice President, People & Culture, UZURV

• Executive HR leader specializing in leadership and organizational culture

• Former executive with the American Cancer Society and Bon Secours

• PhD in Organizational Systems

• Dedicated advocate for disability-inclusive workplaces

What Drives My Commitment: 

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Executive Experience:

• Chief Executive Officer, TEAM LLC

• Former healthcare executive and Chief Financial Officer

• U.S. Army Veteran

• Executive leader in healthcare operations and organizational strategy

• Champion for diversity, equity, and inclusive leadership

What Drives My Commitment: People with disabilities, like all Americans, have an intrinsic right to live and work in the community and to participate fully in public life. I have devoted my career to promoting inclusive policy solutions – not just because inclusion benefits disabled people, but because it uplifts whole communities. Public policy work is only one approach, however, and operates best when paired with local outreach, affecting change on the ground, one person at a time. I’m proud to join Virginia Ability to build a more inclusive workforce and an ever-better commonwealth.

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Executive Experience:

• Executive Director, Alliance for Expanding America's Workforce

• National leader in disability policy and workforce advocacy

• Former leadership roles with Autism Speaks and the National Down Syndrome Society

• Attorney with advanced degrees in education policy and law

• Helped advance landmark disability legislation in Virginia

What Drives My Commitment: As a healthcare finance leader, I have dedicated my career to supporting organizations that improve the well-being of individuals and communities. Virginia Ability’s mission of creating meaningful employment opportunities for people with disabilities strongly aligns with my commitment to equity, inclusion, and economic empowerment. I am excited about the opportunity to leverage my financial expertise and strategic planning experience to help advance Virginia Ability’s mission.

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Executive Experience:

• Finance Manager, Riverside Medical Group

• Expertise in healthcare finance, budgeting, and strategic planning

• Experienced in operational improvement and financial leadership

• Volunteer leader supporting workforce and community initiatives

• Master's in Professional Accounting