Founding Board Members

Sally Crockett

 has received the Outstanding Philanthropic Award from the Virginia chapter of the National Society of Fundraising Executives. She is a past president of Planned Parenthood of the Blue Ridge, the Junior League of Roanoke Valley, and the Roanoke chapter of the American Red Cross and has served as a board member for several educational institutions, Dominion Bank, the Virginia Center for Creative Arts, and the Foundation for Roanoke Valley.

Katherine "Kandy" Elliott

 is a marketing and public relations professional with work experience on Capitol Hill, in banking, and in health care industries.  She has spent over 20 years of her career overseeing the management of foundation budgets and grant writing and is currently Senior Vice President of Friendship Retirement Community. Her civic involvement has included membership on more than 18 local community boards as well as the State Board of Health.

Jan Garrett

 has served as President of the Junior League of Roanoke Valley, Board Chairman of the Council of Community Services, and President of the Community Youth Program. A past member of the Governor's Information and Referral Services Board, she is presently serving on the Board of Directors of Family Service of Roanoke Valley, Kimoyo, Ltd., and the Foundation for Roanoke Valley.

Ginny Jarrett

 has been a financial consultant for over 25 years. She is First Vice President with Davenport & Company. A past president of several local boards including the Community Youth Program, the YWCA of Roanoke Valley and the Junior League of Roanoke Valley, she has also served on the board of directors of the Association of Junior Leagues International.

Charlotte Porterfield

 is a past board chair of the Child Health Investment Partnership (CHIP), Planned Parenthood of the Blue Ridge and The Roanoke Council of Community Services. She currently serves on the boards of the Foundation of the Roanoke Valley and Hollins University.

Sally Rugaber,

 a former newspaper reporter, has been a member of numerous nonprofit boards, both in cultural and human services fields. She continues to be active on boards and committees of The Arts Council of the Blue Ridge, Family Service of Roanoke Valley, and Literacy Volunteers of Roanoke Valley.

Katherine Walker

 As the founding director of the Batten Leadership Institute (BLI) at Hollins University, Katherine Walker developed and implemented the core curriculum for BLI's undergraduate and professional women's programs. Along with her husband, Katherine owns a live music venue, Kirk Avenue Music Hall, that supports music education for kids, and she actively engages in the arts and community building in Roanoke, Virginia. Katherine has served on a number of non-profit boards and currently serves as a member of the Interprofessionalism and Community and Diversity Advisory Board of the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine and as a trustee of North Cross School.

THREE-Year Board Appointments

Dotsy Clifton

is a retired licensed clinical social worker who specialized in adolescent and family therapy. In addition to the RWF, she also serves on the board of the Virginia Western Foundation. Her other board service includes: Mill Mountain Theatre (past president), Center in the Square, TAP This Valley Works, Planned Parenthood, Grandin Theatre Foundation, Foundation of Roanoke Valley, and Child Health Investment Partnership.

Luann Fitzpatrick

 currently serves as a trustee for the Christian Mission Foundation, Inc. and volunteers at the Conflict Resolution Center where she received the 2009 Volunteer of the Year Award. She was previously Director of Development at the Presbyterian Community Center, has served on the board of the Parents' Council of North Cross School, and has also held volunteer positions with numerous organizations including Western VA Land Trust and Interfaith Hospitality.

Alice Burlinson

is a government attorney with over 26 years of experience in family law. An active community volunteer, Alice currently serves on the board of Roanoke Children's Theatre. She has also served on the boards of the Conflict Resolution Center, YWCA, Council of Community Services and Legal Aid Society of Roanoke Valley.