Community Impact Conference 2024

Mr. Locke is the Vice President of Community Development for EdLogics LLC, a technology company with an innovative solution to improving health literacy among consumers. Mr. Locke is also the founder, President/CEO of EBM (Executive Board Management), an Executive Search, Diversity Consulting and Non-Profit Board Governance Training Company. Mr. Locke earned his BBA in Business Administration with an emphasis in Management and
Organization from Idaho State University. Mr. Locke became a member of the Epsilon Theta Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc in May of 1973, where he served as Polemarch, and held several other undergraduate officer roles.

He is a member of the Norfolk Virginia Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc and has extensive corporate sales and management experience in the insurance and mining manufacturing industries, managing territories up to $50 million in sales. Mr. Locke’s training in management and organization combined with his extensive leadership experience with industry leading employers and clients include United Way of South Hampton Roads, Anthem Blue
Cross Blue Shield, Hampton University, Allstate Insurance Company, Colonial Life and Accident Insurance Company,and Bucyrus Erie Manufacturing Company, has provided an in-depth knowledge in understanding successful organizational leadership in both nonprofit and for-profit organizations.

Mr. Locke has an extensive background in service, volunteering, championing diversity and inclusion, and has provided strategic board development training for non-profit organizations; diversity development initiatives and his groundbreaking leadership development strategy has introduced a new crop of over 1,000 highly skilled and energetic professionals to the corporate executive recruitment arena and non-profit board of directors.

Mr. Locke resides in Newport News, VA and is married to Dr. Elizabeth Locke and are the proud parents of three sons Richard, Raydel, Brian and one daughter Brittany.

Vivian Oden is the vice president for equity and inclusion at the Hampton Roads
Community Foundation where she leads the foundation in its racial equity work. Oden
was the co-creator of Unmasking Hampton Roads, a three-part learning series designed
to examine the historic and contemporary impact of racism in Hampton Roads in 2019.
She facilitates conversations on race, unconscious bias, stereotypes and racial equity.
She spearheaded Hampton Roads’ first celebration of Black Philanthropy Month in 2018
that continues as a regional event. In 2019, she founded Visionaries for Change, a
giving circle, with other Black business and civic leaders to develop solutions for Black
communities experiencing economic distress.
She earned an undergraduate degree in Business Administration, a master's degree in
Public Administration with a concentration in Nonprofit Management from Old Dominion
University, a Certificate in Nonprofit Management from the Academy for Nonprofit
Excellence and a Certificate in Diversity and Inclusion from Cornell University. She is a
graduate of Lead Hampton Roads, the Council on Foundation's Career Pathways
program and Initiatives of Change’s Community Trustbuilding Fellowship aimed to help
communities work creatively to build shared visions for racial equity, healing,
reconciliation and justice.
Currently, she serves as secretary on the State Board of Directors for Virginia Center for
Inclusive Communities and the president for the Hampton Roads Diversity & Inclusion
Consortium. She has been tutoring with the Life Enrichment Center for over seven
years, was named Inside Business Top 40 Under 40 in 2018, Black BRAND’s
Community Ambassador in 2021 and the 2022 Outstanding Innovation in Fundraising
recipient by the Association of Fundraising Professionals – Hampton Roads Chapter.

Yvonne T. Allmond is an Executive Vice President & Community Financial Engagement Officer with TowneBank. She was previously a Senior Vice President in the Private Banking Group in TowneBank’s Norfolk Corporate Offices for more than 15 years. She has over 30 years of financial experience, primarily in banking but also to include serving as an Investment Associate with the Economic Development Finance Corporation in Washington D.C and an assessment auditor with the FDIC, also in Washington, D.C. Yvonne received a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from The George Washington University in Washington DC and since then has graduated from the Hampton Roads Civic Leadership Institute in 2006; was a recipient of the 2014 NAACP Presidential Award; 2014 YWCA Women of Distinction award; the 2019 Inside Business’ Women in Business Achievement award, and is a 2021 recipient of the Humanitarian Award presented by Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities. She is involved in many civic activities, community initiatives and organizations to include:

- Board of Visitors member, Old Dominion University

- Board member, Norfolk State University Foundation Board

- Board member, Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities

- Board member, Board of Trustees of the Norfolk Employees
Retirement System

- Board member, The Norfolk NATO Festival

- Board member and President of The Town Scholarship
Foundation (not related to TowneBank)

- Board member, Slover Library Foundation

- Board member, Norfolk Police Foundation

- Corporate Board member, Assistant Treasurer, YMCA of
Hampton Roads

- Board member, Barry Art Museum

- Board member WHRO

- Former Chairman of the Board of Commissioners of the
VHDA (Virginia Housing Development Authority)

- Member of the VHDA’s Minority Business Advisory Council

- Sentara Brock Cancer Center Leadership Cabinet Member

She regularly conducts credit seminars and business financing seminars for many local colleges, schools, churches and community groups, sharing the wealth of financial knowledge accumulated throughout her career.

As manager of Corporate Citizenship & K-12 Education Gary is responsible for the STEM and career awareness programs, corporate philanthropic efforts, and regional employee volunteer opportunities. Gary began his shipbuilding career in 2011 as a nuclear engineer in the reactor services program for NIMITZ-class aircraft carriers. Prior to his current role, he served as a nuclear instructor of radiological controls training for nuclear engineers. Gary earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Virginia Commonwealth University and a master’s degree in engineering management from George Washington University. He lives in Hampton, VA with his wife, Monique, and son, Justice.

As Urban League of Hampton Roads president and chairman, Bland guides an organization focused on enabling African Americans and others in Hampton Roads to secure economic self-reliance, parity, power and civil rights through its services and programs.

As a James Madison University student, the Harrisonburg native was a standout who ran track, was a charter member of the international honors society for economics and helped establish the Black Student Alliance. After graduation, he entered commercial banking in Chicago and was a vice president at the largest Black-owned bank in the country. In the 1980s, he founded The Giljoy Group, which operated more than 70 Burger King, Pizza Hut and Mrs. Fields restaurants for about 30 years, employing more than 2,000 people. He became the Urban League’s head in 2018 and is a member of the Hampton Roads Business Hall of Fame.

Bland has served on boards ranging from Sentara Health to the Virginia Chamber of Commerce to the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and the Virginia African American Advisory Board. He also was a charter board member of Burger King’s inclusion advisory committee.

Wilfredo is a Partner with the firm and member of the firm’s Litigation, Government and Public
Sector, and Cyber and Data Security Practice Groups. He received his B.A and his J.D. from
Rutgers University.

His litigation experience focuses on complex state and federal litigation, mediations, arbitrations,
and appeals. His government and public sector practice focuses on telecommunications,
procurement and government contracts, public services, and tourism. He has 10 years of
experience as a former Assistant City Attorney where he represented numerous city departments
and regularly engaged with and advise City Counsel and the City manager. Wilfredo’s
Cybersecurity and Data privacy practice focuses on assisting clients navigating the rapidly evolving
landscape of data privacy laws and mitigating cyber risk.

Sebrina Brown retired from the United States Postal Service in May 2019 after 35 years of service. During her career, she coordinated internal and external events, wrote event speeches for senior leadership, conducted media interviews, and wrote press releases.
She also has experience in customer service, public relations, and training.
As a certified master and national field trainer, Sebrina was a sought-after speaker at local customer events. She graduated from Virginia Wesleyan University with a bachelor’s in business administration and is currently pursuing her master’s in ministry at Virginia Bible College. She continues in her passion for public speaking by way of her virtual talk show, Girlfriends Tea, where women are informed about an array of topics while sipping on their favorite cup of tea. This year, Sebrina launched her own luxury tea line called Girlfriends Tea.
Miss Brown recently joined the Stop Abuse Board. Additionally, she is an active member of Calvary Revival Church where she has served in ministry for 23 years. Her passion is cheerleading for others.

Dr. Eric W. Claville, is a higher education executive who has worked for two and half decades in politics, public policy, education and law. He currently serves as the Executive Advisor to the President for Governmental Relations at Norfolk State University.

As a professor, he has taught courses in Public Policy, Legal Research, Legal Writing, Constitutional Law and Civil Rights, Law and the Judicial Process, Ethics and Critical Thinking. His teaching philosophy is from a prism of analysis that includes history, politics, law and public policy, economics and human behavior. He has presented at various conferences and engagements on topics of civil rights, racial and social justice, inequity, inequality, and laws and public policy affecting African Americans. He has also been recognized with the Pearson ONE PROFESSOR Award as one of the best and impactful professors.
As a veteran political and legal analyst, he has appeared on various news outlets, such as CBS, NBC, and PBS affiliates, to provide insight on current political and legal issues. He is the creator and host of the award-winning radio show, The Claville Report. In 2016, The Claville Report: Law, Policy and Politics, featured on WHRV on Another View with Barbara Hamm Lee, was awarded “NABJ Best Commentary in the United States, Market 16 and Below,” at the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) Convention, Washington, D.C. Also, as creator and host of State of the Water Radio show, on WNSB 91.1FM, The Soul of VA, an initiative of the Center for African American Public Policy, he informs the public on issues in law, policy, politics and education. Furthermore, known as the “Dr. Lawyer,” he is lauded for his effective research, knowledge and advisement.

He was also the inaugural director of the Center for African American Public Policy at Norfolk State University, where he led the Center's initial programming, research agenda and partnerships. Under his direction, the Center was focused on how public policy affects African Americans and communities of color.

He is a graduate of the Southern University Nelson Mandela School of Public Policy, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science, and a graduate of Southern University Law Center where he received his JurisDoctorate. He is also a graduate of Louisiana State University with a Master of Library and InformationScience, a licensed attorney and certified mediator.

Eola Lewis Dance has served as a public historian for 22 years with the federal
government and in the nonprofit world over the past year. Recently appointed President and
CEO of The Montpelier Foundation, Eola's career work demonstrates a commitment to the
preservation of cultural landscapes, historic buildings, and the documentation and interpretation
of untold stories essential in telling the “unvarnished truth” of the making of America. A
recognized leader in descendant community engagement, Eola has led global, national, and
Virginia initiatives exploring topics of freedom, race, gender, and class through research,
preservation, and storytelling. Serving as an interpreter, resource manager, and ethnographer,
Eola supported distinguished sites like Frederick Douglass National Historic Site (Park Ranger),
Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site (Site Manager), and Fort Monroe National Monument
(Superintendent). Eola uses participatory and arts-based approaches in discussing difficult
topics in social history significant to Native and African American communities with a specialized
focus on cross-cultural engagement. Awarded the 2021 Trailblazer Award by the Greening
Youth Foundation, Eola is committed to preparing the next generation for careers in
environmental stewardship, archeology, history, and museums. Eola received a BA in History
from Southern University and A & M College, an MA in Historic Preservation from Savannah
College of Art and Design, and a graduate certificate in Environmental Policy from The George Washington University.

A 2014 attendee to the Gilder Lehrman Center for the Study of Slavery,
Resistance, and Abolition at Yale University’s Public History Summer Session, Eola has
developed programs and worked with communities in researching the people and history of the
Underground Railroad (Northeast Regional Coordinator). Eola is a Ph.D. candidate at Howard
University in US History with a minor in African Diaspora and Public History. Her research
focuses on constructs of race in Colonial America, the evolution of racialized slavery, legacies of
1619, and opportunities for healing within and across communities. Eola is a proud member of
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. initiated in the Beta Psi chapter in the fall of 2000 and is a
current member of the Xi Omega chapter. Additional affiliations include the Association for the
Study of Worldwide African Diaspora, Association for Digital Editing, the American Association
of University Women, and life membership in the Association of Black Women Historians, the
Association for the Study of African American History and Culture, and the Association of
African American Museums. In her free time, Eola can be found exploring nature trails with her
three sons, jogging, doing yoga, or painting.

Blair Durham is a Hampton Roads native, a Virginia Tech alum, and the Co-Founder and President of Black BRAND, Hampton Roads’ Regional Black Chamber of Commerce. Under her leadership, the organization has grown to more than 400 individual and corporate members and five impactful programs aimed at narrowing the wealth gap through the provision of social, knowledge, resource, and financial capital. Blair serves on a number of boards throughout the region, lending her thought leadership and expertise in the nonprofit and business development spaces and is the recipient of several honors and distinctions for her efforts. She and her husband, Bashiri, are the proud parents of three children and they make their home in Portsmouth, VA

Karen Bailey is a natural born teacher, motivator and problem solver. She has a gift for inspiring youth, career seekers, professionals and business owners to see past their current situations, create winning strategies and work toward their personal academic, business and career goals. She encourages audiences to prepare and position themselves for their opportunities! She advises that they surround themselves with positive people, read, visualize, use affirmations, and enjoy the journey. She believes we all need individuals in our lives who motivate us and hold us accountable. Her business and career training sessions are conducted one-on-one and in group settings. She has hosted numerous think tanks, seminars, meetings and training sessions. She believes that each one of us has a purpose and she believes her role is to inspire individuals to re-discover theirs, despite obstacles, issues and difficult beginnings.

As an influential leader in the business community, Ms. Bailey strives to make a positive difference in the lives of students, business owners and clients. Ms. Bailey is the C.E.O. of The Resource King Intl. and Executive Director of Youth & Family Empowerment Services. She founded Youth Earn and Learn Jobs-for-Kids©, a business and workforce development training program for youth ages 12 - 17. Because so many adults lacked the same basic skills, Adult Learn and Earn Jobs-for-U© (Unemployed or Underemployed) was created. Their mission is to keep kids off the streets and train and develop the next generation of Leaders, CEOs and Entrepreneurs. They connect healthy eating with helping Youth, Seniors and reducing the impact of food deserts on marginalized communities. Youth Earn and Learn Mobile Fresh Produce Stands, Fresh Produce Grab Bags, Meal Preps/Healthy Home-Delivered Meals, Signature Snacks, Call-In Grocery Shopping & Delivery Service, culturally relevant Cooking Classes with Nutrition Education and growing Business Service Divisions (including Yard Care, Administrative Support, Senior Care, Flyer Distribution, Moving Services and Job Placement) provide real-world work experience, stipends and a platform to directly serve residents living in underserved, food desert communities. To better serve youth and their families, Ms. Bailey founded the Community of Support Network© an informal gathering of people who quietly and seamlessly get things DONE! Additionally, she served as a Career Transition Specialist for Virginia Job Corps, where she provided career counseling, job placement, and mentored young adults to achieve success that lasts a lifetime. She believes preparing tomorrow’s diverse workforce to compete and build legacy businesses are imperative to the success of the local, domestic and global economy.

A proud native of New Orleans, LA, and graduate of Seton Academy High School for Girls, Michelle Ellis Young is a trained communicator who earned a bachelor’s degree at the University of Houston, in Houston, Texas in Radio-Television. A move to Hampton Roads allowed her to continue her studies at Hampton University, where she earned a master’s degree in Counseling with a focus on College Student Development.  She has also furthered her education as a doctoral candidate at West Virginia University.
Michelle brings a unique and well-balanced perspective to her career and community endeavors. She is equipped with more than 30 years of experience advancing the mission of higher education institutions, non-profits, and corporations in human resources, strengthening the stakeholder experience and conceptualizing innovative programs in community-centered organizations. Described as a connector of people and resources, Michelle is passionate about service and the development of people, esp. women, and young girls, and helping them to actualize their passion and purpose. She simply encourages people to walk in excellence and reminds them to Continue to M.O.V.E. ~ Meditate on Victory Every day!
Currently, Michelle serves as the Chief Executive Officer of YWCA South Hampton Roads where she stewards the organization’s mission of eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. Most recently, she was executive director of the American Red Cross of Coastal Virginia in Norfolk, where she oversaw the operation of Red Cross in more than 27 cities and counties in Hampton Roads and the Eastern Shore. She loves to remember that she was attached to the work of Farm Fresh Foods and Pharmacy as it philanthropically supported Hampton Roads for 60 years!
Michelle, who is actively involved in a host of community and civic organizations, serving on several boards and is a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.  She is also an ordained minister and is a die-hard ‘Who Dat’ New Orleans Saints fan!

Jerome Fowlkes is the Chief Human Resources Officer for Langley Federal Credit Union. He
joined Langley in January 2022 after serving as the Chief Administrative Officer for Virginia ABC
Authority. Jerome has over 30 years of experience in finance, human resources, and
administration in both the private sector and the public sector. He has served as a commercial
lender at regional banks, a business planner and investment banker for small businesses in the
communications industry, and an entrepreneur owning and operating Great Clips hair salons in
northern Virginia prior to moving south. Among his most notable experiences, Jerome served
as a senior financial expert to the Federal Communications Commission during the mid-1990’s
and helped facilitate spectrum auctions and small business participation that led to today’s
mobile phones.
Jerome received his Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from Virginia Tech and his MBA from
the College of William & Mary. He serves as Vice Chair of the Langley for Families Foundation
Board and serves on the Board of and Edmarc, a nonprofit children’s hospice. He previously
served on the Virginia Tech Alumni Association Board of Directors and the Pamplin College of
Business Alumni Advisory Board.

Jay Grant serves as the Executive Director for LISC Hampton Roads. Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit community development finance institution (CDFI) with 38 offices nationwide. He and his office specialize in affordable housing production, wealth-building, and small business assistance/commercial corridor revitalization largely in effort to positively address social determinants of health in the region. LISC Hampton Roads began in 2020 through a generous contribution by Sentara Healthcare.



Prior to coming to LISC, Jay brings over fifteen years of experience in housing, community, and economic development, having worked at the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) and at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). At DHCD, Jay fostered long-term public-private partnerships to support development projects and strategies aimed at improving quality of life. He was deeply involved in COVID-19 relief efforts for the state and managed a $50 million annual community development budget. He served as director of outreach, planning, and compliance and, previously, as deputy director of community development.



At HUD, Jay spent nearly a decade managing multi-jurisdictional efforts related to housing, infrastructure, and neighborhood revitalization in his role as a senior community planning and development representative. Earlier in his career, he assembled and analyzed community development data for the state and also worked in the policy and lending departments of The Reinvestment Fund.



Outside of work, Jay volunteers at his church, in youth sports, and served on the board of the Relationship Foundation of Virginia (now known as Fatherhood Foundation of Virginia) for four years, culminating with serving as its chair in 2019. He is life-long gardener and newly minted small-scale vintner, producing a unique dessert wine since 2020 from grapes grown on his property. Jay is married to Kourtney Grant with whom he has three young kids.



Jay holds a B.S. in Marketing Management from Virginia Tech and a Master’s degree in City Planning from the University of Pennsylvania.

Kezia Hendricks is the incredible mastermind! Not only is she the boss-lady behind the successful youth nonprofit, Young Investors Group and The Actions Speak Louder Network, but she's also a loving mother of 6 and a proud grandma of 1. She's like the Gladiator of family and finance, swooping in to save the day one budget plan at a time. Her parent training program is second to none, incorporating family game activities and coaching to help parents of teens and young adults get ready for the big leagues through the Life Skills App, My Adulting Planner (MAP App) It's like a GPS for adulthood, Kezia is passionate about empowering her community and decreasing youth incarceration, and with her background in research and solutions, she's made a real impact in these areas. She's got a heart of gold and her commitment to improving the lives of young people and families shines through in all of her work. Kezia is also a member of Mommas on the Block and the Ballentine Civic League, proving that she's got a sense of humor as well as a passion for community building. When she's not dishing out life-changing advice, you can find her traveling, indulging in her love of food, or strumming away on her bass guitar.

Mark is the Vice President & Community Development Manager at SunTrust, now Truist. In this role, Mr. Johnson is responsible for overseeing the Community Development activities in the state of Virginia.
An exemplary steward of community service and champion of philanthropic efforts in the Hampton Roads community, he is consistently working to align the bank with charitable organizations and initiatives that promote positive change within the community. Mark’s continued efforts have been recognized through several awards, such as the Hampton Roads Inside Business Top 100 Power List - the people who shape and influence Hampton Roads, the Urban League of Hampton Roads Silver Star and MLK Community Leader Awards, which recognizes leaders who have made a difference in their communities; the SunTrust Bank Performance Excellence Award, which recognizes the outstanding performance of teammates in both sales and non-sales roles who demonstrate exceptional achievements in support of the bank’s guiding principles (the first professional in his position to receive the award); the National Association of Leadership Program’s Distinguished Leadership Award, which recognizes exemplary service and commitment to the community (only 1 of 15 professionals that received the award across the country in 2015) and the Hampton Roads Community Action Program’s Community Builder’s Award (given to recipients based upon their proven track record of outstanding leadership, exemplary service and advocacy for positive change). Mark was also the lead visionary in the creation, planning, and organization of SunTrust Bank, Hampton Roads first annual of Diversity and Inclusion Awards Celebration in the Greater Hampton Roads Community in 2011 and led the effort that brought the cast members of the hit nineties TV show A Different World, which emphasized the value of higher education and the value of HBCUs – Historically Black Colleges and Universities to Norfolk State University in April of 2015.
Prior to his arrival to the Hampton Roads area, Mark made significant inroads in the Buffalo, New York, and Washington, DC, metro areas. He received the 40 under 40 Award from Business First Magazine in his role at United Way of Buffalo & Erie County, the Trailblazer Award from the Buffalo Educational Alliance, and the John H. Garber, Jr., Award from United Way of Worldwide (formerly United Way of America) – one of the youngest United Way Professionals to ever receive this particular honor.
In a 2017 and 2018 leadership endeavor, Mark was a Co-Chair of the Hampton Roads UNCF Mayors’ Masked Ball in Norfolk, VA. More than 800 people attended both events that raised over $200,000 to support scholarship efforts within the Hampton Roads community.
Mark serves on number of boards and committees, including, Life Enrichment Center of Norfolk, American Diabetes Association, WHRO, LISC Richmond and Hampton Roads Advisory Boards, Tidewater Community College Education Foundation Board, Hampton Roads Workforce Council (Co-Chair of the Board), the VA UNCF Advisory Council, the Green Run Collegiate Foundation Board and the Hampton Roads Chamber Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee (DE&I)
Mark resides in Virginia Beach with his wife, Shonder, and his two children Imajae’ and Mark II. He is a graduate of Canisius College, in Buffalo, NY, and the ExecuStep Program, United Way Worldwide, formerly United Way of America.

As Associate Vice President for Corporate Partnerships, Sarah Jane
Kirkland is focused on developing partnership opportunities with
corporate and nonprofit executives, including work-based learning,
corporate grants for research and development, and workforce development initiatives.

Sarah Jane represents Old Dominion University on a variety of economic development,
workforce, professional association and other boards, while also serving as the University’s
point of contact to help attract new businesses in locating to Hampton Roads, as well as
retaining current companies in the region.

In her most recent role as President and CEO of CIVIC Leadership Institute, Sarah Jane
developed critical partnerships across seemingly disparate facets of Hampton Roads,
encouraging executive influencers to coalesce around important regional initiatives. Prior
to joining CIVIC, Sarah Jane gained critical insight into the tourism industry working with
the world’s largest cruise line. Her focus on the importance of a strong arts/culture
community derives from her background with the Northern Ballet School in Manchester,
England, as well as with other professional dance academies.

Sarah Jane is actively engaged in large scale regional initiatives and proudly served as a
representative to help develop the 757 Recovery and Resilience Action Framework. She
currently serves as an executive board member for RVA757 Connects, as a member of the
GO Virginia Region 5 Council, corporate board member for the YMCA South Hampton
Roads, a board member on the Elizabeth River Trail, a member of the M9T5 steering
committee, and a member of the Hampton Roads Regional Transit Advisory Panel
(HRTAP). Sarah Jane’s previous board service includes the Governor’s School for the Arts.
In 2021, Sarah Jane was recognized by Inside Business with a Women in Business Award,
in 2022, she was included in the Inside Business Power Players list and in 2023 she was
included in the Virginia Business 100 people to meet.

Sarah Jane is a native of Leicestershire, England. It is with great pride that she calls
Hampton Roads home, where she resides with her husband, Stephen Kirkland and their
daughter, Sophia.

Maerine “Mimi” Mitchell serves as the CEO of VOLUNTEER Hampton Roads. In
this role, she creates and spearheads the vision, goals, strategies, plans, and
policies for the organization. She provides strategic leadership in volunteerism
and organizational management amongst her staff. Mimi also takes action with
comprehensive fundraising while cultivating relationships with donors and
stakeholders through community engagement and collaboration with the VOLUNTEER Hampton Roads Board of Directors.
 
Mimi believes that volunteerism is one of the most powerful investments we can
make in the world that we want to create. As CEO, she uses her previous
nonprofit and leadership skills to execute long-term and short-
term goals while also inspiring her team. 

Prior to working with VOLUNTEER Hampton Roads, Mimi was the Community
Engagement Director with Habitat for Humanity Peninsula and Greater
Williamsburg. She also served on the Virginia Beach Pearls Foundation board of
directors as Treasurer and currently serves on the Habitat Virginia Board of
Directors.

She is a 2023 graduate of the CIVIC Leadership Institute, a 2019 South Hampton
Roads Unsung Hero, and the recipient of the Hampton Roads Exemplar Award in
2014. she enjoys volunteering and mentoring young women as an active member
of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. Additionally, she is actively working
on publishing her first fiction novel for young adults. Mimi was born in New York
City but currently resides in Portsmouth with her son where the love viewing the
latest Marvel movies at the local Cinema Cafe.

Sherry Norquist, Executive Director of Community Engagement for Sentara Cares, is a dedicated healthcare leader with 28 years in acute care operations, case management, and community partnerships. She excels in strategic grant-making and building community benefit. Sherry oversees multi-state efforts to align partnerships and investments, improving health equity by addressing social determinants of health, with a proven track record in collaboration and community empowerment.

Linda Peck is the Executive Director of the Greater Norfolk Corporation and the inaugural part-time Executive Director of Norfolk Innovation Corridor.

She obtained a Bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Pennsylvania and an MBA in Finance from Columbia Business School. After starting her career in corporate and foundation fundraising at the Philadelphia Orchestra, she worked in corporate finance at GE Capital in Manhattan and then spent 19 years in middle and high school education. She has over 15 years in nonprofit executive leadership where she leverages her extensive network and outgoing personality to bring people and resources together to promote action and optimistic ideas.

She currently serves on the boards of the Norfolk Forum, RISE Resilience Innovations and the Elizabeth River Trail.

MBA degree in Managerial Technology and a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Accounting from Johnson & Wales University located in Providence, Rhode Island and is currently working to attain a doctoral degree in Management at North Central University. Previously worked as the Director of Financial Planning for ten years, worked for a non-profit as a Program Director for 4 years, and then decided to teach for 10 years on both the High School level as well as the college level as an adjunct instructor. During these years, Nancy continued her passion for entrepreneurship and owned several businesses. Some of her business included a math tutoring business, a Zumba & Weight Loss studio for women, and currently an LLC Franchised owner of Signature Cleaning which is a commercial cleaning business of which she partners with her husband to successfully run since 2006. Because of her passion and love for helping people, she also volunteers for several organizations to help mentor young people and teaches the Bible to those who want to learn.
The Dean works with students and faculty to ensure quality education and success. In this role she has developed many collaborative partners internally as well as externally with industry, non-profits, public schools, 4-year colleges, and the four cities where our campuses are located. She has created innovative programs, built pathways, and formed industry and community partnerships that she hopes will impact and sustain our higher education environment, the students of which we serve, and the economic conditions of the communities of which we serve.
In addition to business, professional, and educational achievements, she is the recipient of an educational award from the Hampton Roads Committee of 200 Plus Men, Incorporated – Carter G. Woodson. Her contributions to education are empowering and inspiring to students and leave a very positive and indelible imprint relative to effectively and efficiently providing support and guidance for students in pursuit of their education, personal and career goals, and ultimate success.

Melissa Ramsey currently works as the Director of Community Relations for Rivers Casino Portsmouth. Melissa holds a Bachelor of Science in Forestry from Northern Arizona University, graduating with honors. She has a background in politics, fundraising, non-profit management, event management, marketing, public relations, community organizing, and brand promotion. Previously, she served as the Donor and Community Relations Manager for Seton Youth Shelters for several years. She serves on the board of the YWCA of South Hampton Roads and as the President of GenZoo, the Young Professionals Board of the Virginia Zoo. She also is a member of the Portsmouth Partnership, Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce’s Portsmouth Division Board, and Women Who Lead Advisory Committee. She is a current class member of LEAD 757's 2024 cohort and is a 2023 Lefcoe Alumni.

Daughter of a blue-collar father and a homemaking mother, Melissa owes her grounded perspective to her upbringing in a small mining community in Arizona. She has worked and volunteered for several non-profits and finds purpose in enriching the local and global community through public service and community action.

Driven from a strong passion to serve the people in her community, Dr. Kendra Robinson formed businesses to do just that. In 2008 she began a nonprofit called the Community Outreach Coalition providing youth development activities for underprivileged youth and children with developmental disabilities.

Dr. Robinson has a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Norfolk State University and a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix. She obtained her Doctorate in Business Administration with a concentration in nonprofit management from Liberty University.

After years of assisting various leaders in building successful businesses; in 2016 she decided to open a business consultant firm called KSR Business Support, LLC. Through this company, she offers an online Start-Up Academy, One-on-One business coaching, business seminars and conferences. She also operates a Facebook Community called Women Glowing in Business to provide support, encouragement, and tips to Women Entrepreneurs.

Dr. Robinson is an Adjunct Professor for North Central University. She teaches management courses to undergraduate students and nonprofit administration to graduate-level students. She enjoys using her experience to provide real-world and applicable learning for her students.

She is also the author of the self-help book “The Healthy Boss.” It is her desire to help leaders worldwide take care of the six forms of health in order to become a “Healthy Boss.”

Dr. Robinson looks for the needs and finds a way to make a call to action. Over the years she has developed partnerships with various community agencies, businesses, and city officials to assist in meeting these needs. Her desire is to expand her reach all over the United States.

After graduating from Old Dominion University with a degree in Business Administration, Sarah began her career with the YMCA of South Hampton Roads. Here she focused on developing and growing programs to positively impact communities through health focused interventions. Wanting to enhance her knowledge and work, Sarah took a position as Director of FIT Works for Physical Therapy Works in Suffolk. Here she had the opportunity to enhance her skills, including wellness for chronic conditions, and coordinate efforts with the American College of Sports Medicine to expand their Exercise for Medicine program. This ultimately led to her opening her own wellness solutions business here in Hampton Roads.

Seeking to enhance the impact of her work, Sarah returned to the YMCA at a regional and state level to help move the mark of community-based health forward through partnership and program innovation, serving as the Association Director for Healthy Living for the YMCA of South Hampton Roads.

Sarah continued her community-based focus when she began her work as a Program Officer for the Obici Healthcare Foundation. Here, she worked with community partners to provide funding in the social determinants of health, specifically early childhood education and space-based programming. Now, Sarah serves as the Director of Programs and Grantmaking for The Blocker Foundation, and private foundation dedicated to the communities throughout the Hampton Roads MSA.

Nikkia Tolbert is a prolific leader, a dynamic educator, and a trailblazing community servant, with
a vested interest in trauma-informed approaches and mental health advocacy. With over 25 years
of leadership experience, 10 years of demonstrated entrepreneurial gains, and a lasting
commitment to mental health awareness and education, Nikkia is fortified in her quest to cultivate
a healthy wellbeing in those she encounters.

Demonstrating her commitment to supporting the positive mental health of her community, Nikkia
founded Hearts Full of Grace, Inc. in 2009. The organization serves families that have been
impacted by housing instability and other traumatic experiences. Currently, Nikkia serves as its
Executive Director and Mental Health Care Manager. She leads the organization by providing
intentional programming, trainings, and seminars, all of which include a focus on some degree of
mental, emotional, and financial wellness. Nikkia holds certifications as a Trauma Informed
Specialist, Mental Health First Aider, and Life Coach. She integrates her knowledge and
competencies in these areas to cater most effectively to the hearts and minds of those the
organization serves. Nikkia is the visionary behind the Trauma Informed Leader course, a 20-hour
training that equips servants and leaders with the practical, non-clinical skills needed to support
children and adults who have been impacted by overwhelming adversity.

As an educator and consultant, Nikkia uses a multi-pronged approach to facilitate homeschool
learning circles and to develop curriculum that assists parents in meeting complex educational
goals for their children. Her brand of social entrepreneurship has garnered her numerous honors,
including the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award for Service. Her heart for service will
continue to inspire and transform the lives of others.

Nikkia is proud of her role as wife and a mother to four beautiful children.

Elizabeth Wolfson, Foundation and Events Director at Langley Federal Credit Union, excels in launching new initiatives and repositioning strategies. With 12+ years in marketing and program management, she expands business development through innovative, budget-conscious strategies. Elizabeth's high-energy, customer-centric approach connects with diverse audiences and drives measurable results. She thrives on continuous improvement, using feedback to enhance effectiveness and achieve ongoing success.

James A. Young, CPA, CFA, CMA, MBA, MSA, CIPM, CSCA

James is the founder and president of two companies, JYE Financial & Accounting Solutions and
JYE Wealth Advisors. James has worked in the field of finance and accounting for over 20 years.
James is a Certified Public Accountant with experience in both large and small public accounting
firms in New York City and locally, as well as 17 years working for a major asset management
company. James’s experience includes managing a small CPA firm he started and working as a
former Assistant Manager at several McDonald’s locations. He recently served as Vice
President of Accounting and Tax Services and a financial advisor at CLP Financial Group.
As a registered Investment Adviser Representative and a licensed insurance agent, he is also
able to assist you with your financial planning needs. James has been a licensed Certified Public
Accountant since 2002 and holds the Chartered Financial Analyst ® designation and is
recognized as a Certified Management Accountant.

James is a veteran, having served in the United States Navy, both on active duty and in the
reserves, for eight years. He graduated from Norfolk State University with a Bachelor of
Science degree in Accounting. He also has a Master of Business Administration, with a
concentration in International Business, and a Master of Science in Accounting degree from Old
Dominion University.

Out of a desire to give back to the community, James is also involved in the governance of
various community organizations. James is the Treasurer and a member of the board of
directors of the Virginia Housing and Community Development Corporation and NORA, the
Network of Regional Advocacy. He’s also on the Board of Directors of ABNB Federal Credit
Union. In 2021, James was appointed by Governor Northam to the state Cemetery Board.
A family man, James is a married father of twins. He spends what free time he has with his
family and pursuing his passion as a life-term learner, constantly reading and adding to his
collection of over 1,500 books.