Meet the Board
Anne Baker Brown
Anne is a lifetime resident of Charlottesville, VA and its surrounding areas. Anne is currently the COO at Abundant Life Ministries, a faith based organization that offers a holistic approach in serving the education and financial needs of the family.
Caruso Brown - Interim Board Chair
Mr. Brown is a Graduate of Virginia State University with a B.S. Degree in Business Administration and a minor in Accounting. He was formerly employed by Central Virginia Community Health Center as the Director of Administrative Services for nine years.
Quincy Carpenter
Quincy Carpenter joined the Virginia Athletics Foundation in August 2022. He serves as an Assistant Director of the Annual Fund, supporting the VAF by securing gifts to meet Annual Fund goals while assisting in the execution of year-long giving and retention initiatives.
Ramona Chapman - Secretary
Ramona Chapman is a Capacity Development Specialist and Tribal Relations Liaison with the Office of Policy & Strategic Development (PASD), at the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development.
Shymora Cooper
Shymora Cooper is a lifetime resident of Charlottesville, VA. Shymora’s life experiences as well as her work career have afforded her opportunities and inspired her to educate, advocate, encourage, and support other low income families.
Dr. A. Rashard Dacus
Dr. A. Rashard Dacus has been an Orthopaedic Surgeon and Faculty member at UVA since August of 2007 after completing a fellowship in hand and upper extremity at the University of California, San Diego.
Quinton Harrell - Board Advisor
A native of Suffolk, Virginia, Quinton has served in roles of Procurement & Program Administration of Corporate Credit Cards as well as Business Office & Building Management for Region Ten CSB.
Lester Jackson
Lester, also known as "Nathaniel Star" is a Charlottesville native. His impressionable years were spent in South First Street public housing. Lester's deep rooted sense of community fuels his desire to see equity within the underserved Black Community.
Elizabeth Kennan
Beth Kennan grew up in Albemarle County. After graduating from college, she moved to the Washington, DC metro area. There she began her career in real estate development, by accident.
Linda Melton
VP of Community Outreach, Fulton Bank in Richmond Virginia where she is responsible for delivering and presenting the Fulton Forward initiatives, Affordable Housing and Home Ownership, Job Training and Workforce Development, Financial Education and Economic Empowerment and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Richmond area. Home Buyer and Small Business Roundtables in Richmond and surrounding areas.
Karen Klick - Vice Chair
Karen Klick has been serving mission-driven, social purpose businesses for 24 years with a focus on affordable housing, community development, and civil rights.
Dr. Tamara Ryan
Coordinator of Equity and Accountability Albemarle County for the Office of Equity and Inclusion for Albemarle County. In short, she provides data analysis, research, consultation, and education for the community and County leaders and team members.
Hollie Lee
Hollie has a Bachelor of Arts with a major in Political Science from Mary Baldwin University and a Master of Public Administration from James Madison University. She also holds an Executive Certificate in Leadership…
Tara R. Boyd
Co-founder of Boyd & Sipe, a law firm specializing in commercial real estate and land use. Her practice focuses on complex, time-sensitive purchases, sales, loans and leases. Tara also helped start the UVA Nonprofit Clinic, which has brought law students and local charities together to share knowledge for 10+ years.
Tara earned her BA with honors from the College of William & Mary and her JD from the University of Virginia. She lives in Charlottesville.
Shawn McGowen - Treasurer
Shawn McGowen is the owner of Leather Honey sold online and now in Advance Auto and Auto Zone stores.