Community leaders play a vital role in shaping and enriching the great state of Virginia. Their dedication and selflessness are paramount as they tirelessly work to give back and drive positive change on a local level and beyond.
Here in Virginia, we’re lucky to have some remarkable folks whose contributions have left an indelible impact on the lives of those around them. Here are 10 community leaders making a difference in Virginia.
1. Chantilly: Sumeet Shrivastava
Subscribe
Sumeet Shrivastava, an accomplished executive and philanthropist, is set to be honored with the Community Foundation’s Community Leadership Award in October 2023 for his exceptional service and dedication to improving life quality in Northern Virginia. A former student and active contributor to George Mason University, he has notably aided in launching the Baroni Center for Government Contracting and the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Shrivastava also founded the Refugee and Immigrant Success through Entrepreneurship (RISE) Program at the university. Furthermore, he has held leadership roles at the Northern Virginia Science Center Foundation and the Shakespeare Theatre Company (STC), advocating for STEM learning and inclusive art, respectively. Additionally, he serves as President of TiE DC and Project Chair on the GO Virginia Region 7 Advisory Council, initiatives that focus on nurturing entrepreneurship and workforce development in the region. (The Community Foundation for Northern Virginia)
2. Danville: Scott Booth
Danville Police Chief Scott C. Booth was honored with the 2022 Excellence in Virginia Award for Innovation in Government, bestowed by the Virginia Commonwealth University L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs. Chief Booth, who joined the Danville Police Department in 2018, earned recognition for his innovative approaches to community policing, including the development of the Community Leadership and Immersion Program (CLIP) for new officers and the Pass the Perspective program designed to educate citizens about policing. These initiatives, aimed at enhancing community engagement and reducing violent crime, have significantly improved the relationship between the police department and the Danville community, demonstrating the impactful changes in governmental efficiency and service delivery that this award celebrates. (Chatham Star Tribune)
3. Franconia: Carla Claure
Carla Claure has been recognized as a 2022 Franconia (f.k.a. Lee) District Community Champion for her extraordinary leadership, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Claure’s extensive volunteer work and advocacy have positively affected many in her community. In particular, she made sure her community had regular food distributions, serving over 200 families each week; she also worked with the Health Department to set up COVID-19 vaccination clinics, registering more than 600 residents for vaccines. Claure’s efforts also extended to the Audubon Estates Mobile Home Park and other communities along the Richmond Highway Corridor, where she offered resources and assistance to those in need, often acting as an advocate for non-English speakers. Additionally, Claure established a “Mothers Group” to support the community and keep abreast of local issues. (Volunteer Fairfax)
4. Marion: Dr. Karen Shelton
Dr. Karen Shelton was recognized with the Woman of Distinction Award from the Southwest Virginia United Way during its annual Impact Awards in 2022. This acknowledgment highlighted her leadership in managing the Mount Rogers Cumberland Plateau and Lenowisco health districts amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Notably, these districts achieved the fastest rollouts of COVID-19 testing and vaccinations in Virginia under Dr. Shelton’s guidance. The event, which celebrated individuals and organizations for their significant contributions, drew a record crowd of more than 250 community leaders. The Impact Awards serve as a platform for expressing gratitude to those who have considerably influenced the lives of the people of Southwest Virginia. Dr. Shelton, who has previously worked in the communities of Bristol and Marion, currently works out of Richmond. (Herald Courier)
5. Hampton Roads: Marckel Bonds
Marckel “KELO” Bonds was honored with the Young Professional of the Year award at the Urban League of Hampton Roads’ 39th annual MLK Community Awards. Bonds, a multi-talented professional with achievements spanning music, media, mentorship, entrepreneurship and community leadership, made a significant impact during his time at Christopher Newport University (CNU) where he played football, served as Vice President of the Black Student Union and led the successful petition for the official recognition of MLK Day as a national day of service. After graduation, he contributed to various community initiatives, worked in public relations and engaged in entrepreneurial pursuits, such as his media company, Coffee Black. Throughout his journey, Bonds has consistently aimed to transform narratives surrounding BIPOC culture in entertainment and media. (Urban League of Hampton Roads)
6. Norfolk: Sharon S. Goodwyn
Sharon Goodwyn, employment Counsel at Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP, was honored as a 2020 Humanitarian Award winner by the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities (VCIC) Tidewater Chapter. The award recognizes individuals who promote respect and understanding among people of diverse backgrounds. Goodwyn’s extensive community service includes serving as the Vice President of the Board of Directors of the Hampton Roads Community Foundation, holding positions on the boards of numerous institutions and being a past president of the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore. As a legal professional, she has consistently been recognized by The Best Lawyers in America for over a decade and was five times named a Norfolk “Lawyer of the Year” in various practice areas. (Hunton Andrews Kirth)
7. Richmond: Angela Patton
Angela Patton, CEO of Girls For A Change (GFAC), was awarded the 2023 Grace E. Harris Leadership Award by Virginia Commonwealth University for her unwavering commitment to preparing Black girls for the world and vice versa. The organization, which was founded in 2004, provides programs that not only stimulate social change but also cultivate problem-solving skills, policy change understanding and movement creation. It emphasizes leadership skills, financial literacy, network building, community engagement, sisterhood building and socio-emotional learning. Patton, a co-author of “Finding Her Voice: How Black Girls in White Spaces Can Speak Up and Live Their Truth,” has received several additional awards, including Style Weekly’s Top 40 Under 40 (2010), the White House Champion of Change (2016), the Nonprofit Partner of the Year (2018) from the Metropolitan Business League and the 2022 TIAW World of Difference Award. This year, GFAC received the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drum Major Award. (Virginia Commonwealth University)
8. Roanoke: Deborah Petrine
Deborah L. Petrine, Chair and CEO of Commonwealth Care of Roanoke and Chair of the Virginia Western Community College Educational Foundation Board of Directors, was awarded the 17th Annual Chancellor’s Award for Leadership in Philanthropy, by the college. This recognition comes on the back of a generous $255,000 naming gift she made alongside her husband, Jim Petrine, to establish the Petrine Center for Nursing Studies. A seasoned leader, Petrine has served in various roles such as the first female Chair of the Virginia Health Care Association and continues to serve on the Board of Visitors and the Virginia Tech Pamplin College of Business Advisory Council. Her commitment to service and philanthropy also earned her the prestigious James G. Dunton Lifetime Achievement Award in 2005. (Virginia Western Community College)
9. Virginia Beach: Dr. Scott D. Miller
Dr. Scott D. Miller, the President of Virginia Wesleyan University (VWU), was honored with the 58th annual Humanitarian Awards by the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities (VCIC) in 2022 for his personal commitment to promoting respect and understanding among diverse groups. Under his leadership, VWU expanded its non-discrimination policy to include gender identity and expression and was instrumental in promoting campus programs dedicated to inclusion and diversity. Significant growth and development have been marked during Dr. Miller’s tenure at VWU, including transitioning to university status, establishing the Batten Honors College, VWU Online, 21 new construction projects and increasing the endowment from $53 million to $123 million. (Virginia Wesleyan University)
10. West Springfield: Dr. Nardos King
Dr. Nardos E. King, President of the Donna M. Saunders Foundation, the DC Metro HBCU Alliance and the National Alliance of Black School Educators, was honored with the 2023 Nonprofit Leadership Individual award from the Northern Virginia Leadership Awards. Renowned for her visionary leadership and strategic foresight, Dr. King’s significant contributions through the Donna M Saunders Foundation have helped numerous breast cancer patients by providing financial assistance for essential needs like rent, food, car payments and health co-payments. Moreover, her efforts in organizing the HBCU community day and the 5K run, which garners the participation of over 1300 community members, have successfully raised funds for scholarships while simultaneously increasing awareness about health issues and HBCUs. (McLean Connection)
Thank you to Virginia’s incredible community leaders for all you do!
This content is brought to our community in partnership with T-Mobile.
Credit:Source link
