Our Board

Circles RVA operates with a minimal staffing level and has no Executive Director.  The Board functions as a working board with several members performing many of the administrative functions to ensure smooth and efficient operations for Circles RVA.

Stephanie Watkins (President)

Stephanie previously served on the Circles RVA Board, is a Budget and Finance Team member, runs a nonprofit supporting people in crisis, and is very active in her church as the first Lady.

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Don Ellison (Treasurer)

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Lisa Specter-Dunaway (Secretary)

A long-time advocate for children and families with extensive nonprofit leadership experience. Volunteer experiences include providing more than 500 hours of service with the Virginia Medical Reserve Corp during COVID, chairing the board of directors for CHIP of Richmond, Virginia Family and Children’s Trust, Second Presbyterian Child Care Center, and Greater Richmond SCAN.

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Malcolm E. (Dick) Ritsch Jr. (Assistant Secretary)

Retired, Lawyer

Tasha Ellison

Financial Services professional with 10+ years of leadership experience at a Fortune 100 company. Passionate about giving back to the local community, her volunteer experience includes managing corporate summer internships in partnership with Partnership for the Future, chairing the Corporate Volunteer Engagement Committee at her place of employment, and for the past 2 years serving as an Ally at Circles RVA.

Shanteny Jackson

Graduated Circles RVA Leader
Executive Director, Virginia Community Health Worker Association

Charlene Pitchford

Graduated Circles RVA Leader
Community Outreach Worker

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Richard Crom

Retired, Internal Revenue Service

Wayne King Johnson

Owner, Coldwell Banker Avenues

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Valena Dixon

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Kia Johnson

Kia, a member of the Jobs and Education Team, is the Senior Director of PreK-12 Professional Development and Evaluations at the Center for Applied Linguistics and a committed advocate for educational equity. She defends her dissertation in February 2025 to earn her Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership for Social Justice.  

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Jeff Ryan

Jeff has been a Jobs and Education Team member, and recently retired as the Chief Deputy Commissioner at the Virginia Employment Commission. He has a deep understanding of employment needs and workforce development.

Akhila Kunuthuru

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Akhila was a previous Ally, a dependable volunteer, and a familiar face during weekly community meetings. She is currently in medical school at VCU.

Susmita Adhikari

Susmita has been an Ally, a dependable volunteer, and a familiar face during weekly community meetings. She previously co-chaired the Big View Committee. She is a medical interpreter and a graduate of the University of Richmond.

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Mark Hazelgrove

Teach for America