Our Steering Committee sets the strategic direction and goals of the initiative.
They make key decisions, give feedback and prioritize and implement ideas originating in the Working Groups.
Serena Amerson
Executive Director, Major Gifts and Annual Giving, EVMS
Laura Baxter
Executive Director of the Armed Services YMCA of Hampton Roads
Barry Bishop
Early Childhood Champion, (formerly w/ Greater Norfolk Corporation)
Megan Buchholz
Clinical Transformation Manager for Unified Women’s Healthcare
Rick Dwyer
Executive Director, Hampton Roads Military and Federal Facilities Alliance
Felicia Ford
Executive Director, Private Foundation
Shikee Franklin
Director, Early Head Start/Head Start
Noelle Gabriel, MD
Pediatrician, Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters
Tina Gill
President & CEO, The Up Center
Sarah Jane Kirkland
Associate Vice President for Corporate Partnerships, Old Dominion University
Whitney Lester
Senior Director of Talent Development, Hampton Roads Workforce Council
Brad Marino
Chief Executive Officer, Children's Specialty Group, CHKD
Pam Northam
Early Childhood Champion, former First Lady of Virginia
Trish O'Brien
Chief Executive Officer, CHIP of South Hampton Roads
Lex Oglesby
Director of Communications, Cape Henry Collegiate
Linda Rice, PhD
Vice President of Grantmaking, Hampton Roads Community Foundation
Jennell Riddick, PhD
Founder, Walk In It
Mary Russo Riley
Administrator, Chesapeake Department of Human Services
Cynthia Romero, MD
Director, M. Foscue Brock Center for Community and Global Health, EVMS
Jerry Stewart
Consultant for Early Education Business Consultants, LLC
Bryant Thomas
Vice President of Advancement, CHKD
Nancy Welch, MD
Director, Chesapeake Department of Health