Board of Directors

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.

Joel A. Blum (Co-President)

Retired Psychiatrist, having served over 30 years on the staff of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs Medical Center in Richmond. Volunteering has included many years as the coordinator of the 1st Unitarian Universalist Church of Richmond’s Partnership with Richmond Public School’s Cardinal (previously Greene) Elementary School, providing support for incarcerated and recently released persons as part of the OAR Program, serving as a volunteer psychiatrist at the Health Brigade Clinic and, over the past 2 years, assisting with the training of allies and serving as an ally at Circles RVA.

Lisa Specter-Dunaway (Co-President)

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.

Tasha Ellison (Vice-President)

Senior Manager of Process Management, Capital One

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

Retired, Lawyer

Joy Thomas (Assistant Secretary)

Graduated Circles RVA Leader
Wells Fargo

Richard Crom (Treasurer)

Retired, Internal Revenue Service

Stephen Batsche

Executive Director of Program Services, Salvation Army of Central Virginia

Ivy L. Bell

Graduated Circles RVA Leader

DarShee’ Clarke

Graduated Circles RVA Leader
Enrollment/Billing Specialist for Humana & PCA for Disabled Veterans

Walter Crenshaw

Development Director AES Clean Energy

Valena A. Dixon

Retired Communications and public administration executive.

Shanteny Jackson

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

Wayne King Johnson

Owner, Coldwell Banker Avenues

Stephanie Watkins

Consultant, Real Estate Appraiser, and
Imani Christian Ministries