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.