Community Engagement Advisory Board

Saanvi is a second-year medical student at Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine. She was born in Nepal, moved to the United States in 2009, and grew up in Blacksburg, Virginia. She attended the University of Virginia and graduated in May 2024 with a B.S. in Chemistry, specializing in Biochemistry with American Chemical Society Certification. She was actively engaged with the Charlottesville community during her time at UVA through her involvement with the Nepalese Student Association, Phi Delta Epsilon, and Starr Hill Pathways program. She began medical school here at VTCSOM in July 2024 and is looking forward to exploring the various specialties during clerkships and then deciding on a specialty.  

This is Saanvi’s first year as a CEAB member, and she is excited to be a part of the Board! 

Ryan is the Manager of Student Services at the Roanoke Higher Education Center (RHEC), where he leads student support and workforce development efforts that advance educational access, economic mobility, and community-connected outcomes. He brings more than a decade of experience in K–12 education, with a professional background in special education and family and community engagement and has previously managed population- and community-based public health initiatives in collaboration with the Virginia Department of Health and United Way of Virginia’s Blue Ridge. He is also the founder of Southern Bell Care, an emerging company focused on improving quality of life by addressing key social determinants of health through cross-sector institutional partnerships. A proud double HBCU graduate, he is a devoted father of five and husband to Tarasha Bell, an educator with the Roanoke City Public Schools.

Aaron Boush is director of Community Health and Development at Carilion Clinic, where he oversees Community Impact, Community Health and Outreach, and Healing Arts programs. His work focuses on advancing community partnerships, addressing social drivers of health, and strengthening alignment between health systems, education, and community priorities.

Aaron earned a Bachelor of Science in Health Service Administration from James Madison University, with minors in business and gerontology, and a Master of Healthcare Administration from Jefferson College of Health Sciences. 

Beyond his role at Carilion, Aaron serves as ex officio past chair of the Board of Directors for Goodwill Industries of the Valleys, chair of the Roanoke Local Planning Committee, and a board member of the Central Virginia Healthcare Executives Group, a chapter of the American College of Healthcare Executives. He also serves on advisory boards for Radford University Carilion and the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine.

Aaron is a Leadership Roanoke Valley graduate and has been recognized as an American Red Cross Community Impact Hero, named to Roanoke Magazine’s 40 Under 40 Class of 2020, and honored with the Jefferson College of Health Sciences Recent Alumni Achievement Award in 2019. He has presented at local, state, and national conferences and lives in the City of Roanoke. 

Jay Brown has served as the CEO of Commonwealth Catholic Charities since 2019. Before serving in his current role, Jay led CCC’s housing services across the Diocese of Richmond and helped found the Commonwealth Catholic Charities Housing Corporation, a subsidiary of CCC that acquires and develops housing that is affordable for low-income families. Jay graduated from Villanova University in 2006, holds a Master of Theological Studies from the Washington Theological Union, and a Master of Business Administration from the VCU School of Business. Jay has spent his entire professional career working in the Catholic Charities ministry and is inspired and sustained by the compassion, grit, and courage of his colleagues who provide innovative services for vulnerable populations across the United States.  

C. Lee Clark, CPA, is Chief Executive Officer of the Rescue Mission of Roanoke, where he leads a regional effort to serve individuals experiencing homelessness, addiction, and crisis with compassion and coordinated care. His career spans public accounting, media leadership, disaster response with the American Red Cross, and nonprofit executive leadership. Since returning to the Rescue Mission as CEO in 2017, Lee has guided the expansion of shelter, medical, and outreach services while strengthening partnerships across healthcare, housing, and public systems. He has been recognized as the 2025 Outstanding Fundraising Executive and received the 2024 NAACP Humanitarian Award. Lee and his wife, Sandra, are active in their church and community.

Rev. Dr. Joe Cobb believes our greatest calling is to love one another by honoring what makes us unique and discovering what we can create together. That belief guides his commitment to public service in Roanoke and beyond.

Joe serves as Mayor of Roanoke. He previously served as Vice Mayor and has been a member of City Council since 2018. He is a Principal Consultant with Aspire Leadership Consulting, specializing in leadership development, strategic planning, and community development. An ordained elder in the United Methodist Church and licensed clergy with the Metropolitan Community Churches, Joe integrates faith, justice, and civic leadership in his work.

 A native of Wichita, Kansas, Joe has lived in Roanoke since 2001. He and his husband, James, are raising their children, Ginny and JJ, who attend Roanoke City Public Schools. Their family also includes daughter Emma Gwin and son Taylor, and three grandchildren, Harper Jane, William, and Lucy.

Joe holds a Doctor of Ministry from Columbia Theological Seminary, a Master of Divinity from Perkins School of Theology, and a Bachelor of Philosophy from Southwestern College. His doctoral work examined the removal of 933 African American graves from Old Lick Cemetery during urban renewal in the 1950s and ongoing efforts toward remembrance and healing.

He is also co-author of Our Family Outing, a memoir about family, faith, and reconciliation.

Donna Davis, a dedicated, passionate community advocate with a touch of creativity, holds the position of Director of Community Engagement at Goodwill Industries, focusing on the Melrose Plaza project. With a rich background in the non-profit sector spanning over 25 years, Donna is dedicated to uplifting and empowering her community. Her diverse experience includes roles such as Executive Director of The Newsome House Museum, Newport News, VA; Director of Administration for Apple Ridge Farm, in Roanoke, VA, and two decades in Information Technology with NOAA and Navy Intelligence in the DC area. 

Growing up in NW Roanoke and a product of Roanoke City Public Schools, Donna earned her B.S. in Technical Project Management from DeVry University.  Working as part of the Melrose Plaza project has been a labor of love. By engaging with community organizations and residents, she shares the project's vision of hope and progress. She believes in continuous learning and giving back to the community, regularly volunteering for community initiatives.  In addition to her duties at Goodwill, Donna serves as Vice Chair of the Board of Directors for The Calm Clinic & Caravan Acupuncture Services and is the Vice Chair of the Executive Board of the Roanoke Arts Commission.  Creating Art and attending jazz festivals are Donna’s favorite pastimes.

Mary Frazier (“Frazier”) is a second year student at the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine (VTCSOM). Frazier grew up in Texas where she attended community colleges before transferring to Virginia Tech to complete her B.S. in Microbiology. While working with numerous community initiatives in undergrad, Frazier quickly fell in love with the people and places in Southwest Virginia Appalachia. After moving to Roanoke in 2018 and working as a scribe and then clinical research assistant, she returned to Virginia Tech to study community and clinical implementation science, earning her PhD in Translation Biology, Medicine, and Health. In her experiences in research and service, Frazier has become an adamant advocate for equitable access to healthcare, food, housing, safety, and means of well-being, locally to globally. She has been an active part of myriad community efforts in and around Roanoke, including Roanoke Mutual Aid, the West End Center, Southwest Virginia Coalition for Palestine, Virginia Harm Reduction Coalition (VHRC), Bradley Free Clinic, Local Environmental Agriculture Project, and Child Health Investment Partnership (CHIP). For her ongoing partnerships with VHRC and CHIP, she received two VTCSOM Systems Citizen Community Engagement Grant Awards in 2026. Additionally, for her community service and engagement during her first year at VTCSOM, she received the Dean's Ut Prosim Award. Frazier is keenly interested in social medicine and intends to integrate her advocacy, service, and research with her future clinical practice. She also enjoys reading, creative projects, cycling, hiking, live music, and food.

Dr. Michael Gutter is a Professor in Agriculture and Applied Economics, Associate Dean in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, and Director of Virginia Cooperative Extension.  His PhD is in Family Economics from The Ohio State University. He began his career as an at the University of Wisconsin and then moved to the University of Florida in 2007, where he worked as a state specialist. His own Extension work has focused on addressing economic disparities and creating interventions for those facing challenging economic situations. Some of his major programs have included: Living on My Own, the Florida Master Money Mentor, and Taking Control of Your Cancer Diagnosis, addressing financial toxicity in rural cancer patients through an extension financial counseling program. His research and outreach projects have been funded by FINRA, Bank of America, National Endowment for Financial Education, Department of Defense, USDA, National Institutes of Health, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. He values innovation and increasing opportunities for all the citizens of our state to benefit from the valuable programs we provide. His work has been recognized consistently for awards, most recently (2022) being part of a collaboration winning the American Association of Medical Colleges Innovations that Bolster Community Trust in Science Award.  

Dr. Brenda Hale, President for 11 terms of the Roanoke Branch NAACP, brings with her an impressive portfolio of service, achievement, innovation, and collaboration.

She has been a Division Leader since 1994 as a Financial Representative with Primerica Financial Services. She was with the Salem Veterans Affairs Medical Center as an LPN from 1982 to 1989 and as an RN from 1989 to 1994. She served in the NCOA (Non-Commissioned Officers Association) in Honolulu, Hawaii, from 1977 to 1982 as a counselor to military retirees and veterans regarding financial planning. She spearheaded vanguard programs in various locations, fundraising for Special Olympics, and was President of the NCOA Tripler Army Medical Center Chapter from 1976 to 1978. Sergeant First Class (E-7), Hale retired from the United States Army in 1978 and is a 100% service-connected veteran.

Dr. Hale graduated from Central High School in Bridgeport, CT. She attended Chaminade University in Honolulu, Hawaii, and Roanoke College in Salem, Virginia. where she was majoring in Psychology with a minor in Business Marketing. Dr. Hale received her LPN from Fitzsimmons Army General Hospital in Denver, CO, and her RN from Virginia Western Community College in Roanoke, VA.

She is a member of Loudon Avenue Christian Church. Past church affiliations include Messiah Baptist Church, Bridgeport, CT., Fort Devens Baptist Church located at Fort Devens, Massachusetts, and Trinity Missionary Baptist Church, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

She is a Gold Life Member of the NAACP. Other Life Memberships include: the NCOA, DAV, VFW, American Legion, SCLC, WIMSA, NOVA, and BWVA. SFC Hale, a retired United States Army was the immediate senior vice Commander of the VFW Post 1444 in Roanoke, Virginia. She also serves as the secretary of the TAP Board of Directors, secretary of the Board of Directors of Roanoke City Rescue Mission, Vice Chair of the Board of Directors Community Housing Board, and member of the Board of Directors Local Colors.

Dr. Hale is the first African American elected as Secretary for the Virginia State Board of Nursing in January 2008 and was listed in “Who’s Who” in American Nursing 1990-1991 and listed in “Who’s Who American Women” 19th Edition, Marquis Publication Board 1995-1996.

Dr. Curtis Hicks is the Superintendent of Salem City Schools, a role he assumed on September 30, 2021. With a career spanning over three decades in education, Dr. Hicks brings extensive administrative experience and a deep connection to the Salem community. He has served as an assistant superintendent since 2014 and has been a central office leader in Salem Schools since 2007.

A dedicated educator and leader, Dr. Hicks is recognized for his ability to engage students, teachers, and parents, even during challenging times, and for fostering common ground that prioritizes the best interests of children. His leadership style emphasizes teamwork, empathy, and the value of relationships built on genuine care and concern.

Dr. Hicks is a proud graduate of Alleghany County Public Schools and the University of Virginia, where he played football for the Cavaliers under Coach George Welsh and earned both a bachelor’s and master’s degree. He was a member of the ACC Academic Honor Roll and received the national "Hitachi Promise of Tomorrow" teaching scholarship. He later earned an Education Specialist degree and completed Virginia Tech’s Educational Leadership program, followed by a doctorate in educational leadership from the University of Arkansas in 2020.

Dr. Hicks began his administrative career as an assistant principal at Floyd County High School and later served as an assistant principal at Hidden Valley and Cave Spring High Schools in Roanoke County. At age 30, he was named principal of Glenvar High School, where he implemented programs that improved student achievement and emphasized community service through the Highlander Day of Caring initiative.

In Salem, Dr. Hicks has been instrumental in advancing the division’s instructional programs, alternative education initiatives, and innovative use of grant funding. He has overseen key programs such as the Random Drug Testing Program for student-athletes, job shadowing and apprenticeship initiatives, and the development of recovery programs for students.

Dr. Hicks and his wife, Marcia, are proud parents of three children, all graduates of Salem City Schools. His oldest son, Garrett, and his daughter Meredith are both graduates of the University of Virginia, and his youngest, Will, is a Junior at the University of Lynchburg and a member of the Lacrosse team.  

A lifelong advocate for education, Dr. Hicks credits his rural upbringing, athletic experiences, and the mentorship of his coaches and educators for shaping his leadership philosophy. He remains committed to ensuring that every student in Salem City Schools reaches their full potential and benefits from the same high-quality education that has inspired his own family.   

Rachel has served as CEO of CHIP of the Roanoke Valley since January 2023, bringing more than a decade of experience at the intersection of strategy, leadership, creativity, and social change. At the heart of her work is a deep commitment to community-based healthcare—meeting families where they are, honoring their lived experiences, and fostering systems rooted in trust, equity, and connection.

Rachel believes that dignity is not just a value but a powerful mechanism for transformation. Her leadership is grounded in radical love and acceptance—the idea that when people are truly seen and valued, both healing and systemic change become possible. She is passionate about building inclusive, engaged workplaces that empower individuals and uplift communities.

Since relocating to Roanoke in 2012, Rachel has held several leadership roles including Executive Director of the Science Museum of Western Virginia, Vice President of Development for Center in the Square, and she led the creation of the beloved Roanoke Pinball Museum. Her global perspective—shaped by over a decade living in Leipzig, Germany and Amsterdam, Netherlands—continues to inform her belief in the power of community to create lasting change.

 Outside of work, Rachel finds joy in spending time with her three children—Bella, Marla, and Isha—gardening, collecting and creating art, and traveling to countries that challenge her comfort zone and expand her worldview. 

Pamela Irvine is the founder, President, and CEO of Feeding Southwest Virginia (Feeding SWVA), established in 1981 to combat hunger in the region. Under her leadership, Feeding SWVA has grown into a vital resource, providing nutritious food to thousands of individuals and families each month.

A recognized leader in food insecurity, Pamela co-founded and chaired the Federation of Virginia Food Banks and has served on Feeding America’s National Advisory Council and the National Policy Engagement Advocacy Committee. She was appointed to Governor Terry McAuliffe’s Commonwealth Council on Bridging the Nutritional Divide and serves on the Virginia Commission to End Hunger. She also chairs Feeding America’s Faith-Based Steering Committee, strengthening partnerships with faith organizations.

Her impact has earned numerous honors, including Total Action for Progress’ 2025 Cabell Brand Hope Award, Feeding America’s 2018 John Van Hengel Fellow Award, the 2017 Virginia General Assembly Proclamation Recognition, and Southern Living’s Southerner of the Year.

Beyond hunger relief, Pamela is an ordained minister with nonprofit leadership and ministry degrees. She has a deep passion for service and remains committed to ensuring no one in Southwest Virginia goes hungry. 

Zach is a fourth-year medical student at Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine. He is originally from Littleton, Colorado, and before medical school, he completed his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering with a concentration in Solid Mechanics at Villanova University, as well as his M.S. in Biomedical Sciences from Regis University.

Zach is planning to pursue a career in orthopedic surgery. His research interests include spine surgery, sports medicine, joint arthroplasty, and biomechanics.

Zach enjoys being outdoors, skiing, playing soccer, basketball, and golf, and spending time with his wife, family, and friends.

Rev. Dr. William Leroy Lee is a teacher and preacher of the Word of God. Raised in the small rural hamlet of Nuttsville, located in Lancaster County, Virginia, is where Rev. Lee first discovered and nurtured his love of learning. 

This love led him to earn a Bachelor of Science Degree from Virginia State University (1974), a Master of Divinity from Duke Divinity School (1978), and his Doctor of Ministry from Ashland Theological Seminary (2009) and an Honorary Doctor of Divinity from Christian Theological Seminary (2023) and Bethany College in 2024.

Rev. Lee is a born teacher. Whether in a small classroom in Stonewall Jackson Junior High, the campus of Roanoke College, Duke Divinity School Course of Study, or Lexington Theological Seminary, the Rev. Dr. William Lee teaches people to think critically, ask questions, and never give up.

Rev. Lee has a passion for people. When his father was diagnosed with cancer, he was quickly faced with the disparities many people face when it comes to health care. This realization sparked an idea to provide health care to all. This idea became what is known today as New Horizons Health Care, a Federally Qualified Health Care Center in Roanoke, Va. Thousands of uninsured, underserved people now have access to health care.

The City of Roanoke, on three separate occasions, has awarded Rev. Lee the key to the city, the highest form of municipal honor. The last key was given in 2011 when he was named Roanoke’s Citizen of the Year.

Rev. Lee retired from the Loudon Avenue Christian Church on October 23, 2016, after 39 years of joyful service.  In retirement, he strives to help prepare the next generation of visionary ministers. To this end, he serves as Chair of the Board of Trustees at Lexington Theological Seminary and Emeriti Member of the Board of Visitors, Duke Divinity School. Rev. Lee is Director of the Certificate for African American Ministry (CAAM) at Lexington Theological Seminary, Contingent Faculty at Lexington Theological Seminary, and was a Clergy Facilitator for the Duke Divinity School's pilot program, Wind in Our Sail Cohort. 

In April of this year, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society presented Rev. Lee with the Silver Hope Award for his ministry as a bridge builder in the Roanoke Valley.

Rev. Dr. William Lee is the second-born to the late Leon and Thelma Lee. He and his college sweetheart, Dana Barnes, have been married for fifty (50) years. They are the parents of Aaron (Nina) and Sarah (Marcus) and the proud grandparents of Sae’Quan and Rebecca.  

Annette Lewis is proud to be the president of Total Action for Progress (TAP), a community action agency that employs over 300 employees, has more than 20 programs, and assists over 5,000 individuals each with the mission of helping individuals and families achieve sustainable and equitable economic and personal independence through education, employment, affordable housing, and safe and healthy environments.

Ms. Lewis has worked at TAP for more than 30 years, starting her career with the agency as a summer youth counselor and later assuming a variety of positions, including supervisor of Head Start family and parent involvement, director of This Valley Works, vice president of programs, and senior vice president of programs, prior to becoming president. Throughout her tenure, Ms. Lewis led the agency in the growth of its education and employment programs that provide a wide array of career development opportunities for youth and adults. Some of the results of her efforts include: forming a statewide employment training network; organizing the first comprehensive regional job fair; honoring individuals who contribute to the success of African-Americans in the community by hosting an annual Black History Month celebration; developing Sabrina’s Place supervised visitation and safe exchange program; implementing the Cabell Brand Hope Award in honor of TAP’s founder; and organizing an annual HBCU football classic in partnership with the founder, Mayor Sherman Lea,  Funds from the football game enabled TAP to retrieve over 900 high school dropouts returning them to education in public or alternative school settings.

A tireless leader and force for good within the community, Ms. Lewis has been the recipient of numerous honors and awards, including the 2016 SCLC Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drum Major of Justice; 2013 Regional Workforce Development Professional of the Year; 2009 YWCA Woman of Achievement in Business; 2008 Psi Phi Citizen of the Year; 2007 Morning Star Baptist Church Mother of the Year; 2006 Zeta Phi Beta Finer Womanhood Banquet Honoree; 2003-2004 featured in the Profiles of Achievement edition of Black Pages Magazine; and 1996 Morning Star Baptist Church Woman of the Year.

Ms. Lewis serves on the following boards and committees: Chairman of the Virginia Community Action Partnership and member of the Roanoke Higher Education Authority, Taubman Museum, Chamber of Commerce, Visit Blue Ridge, and a former chairman of the Roanoke City School Board.  She is also a lifetime member of the NAACP; co-founder and member of the board of the domestic violence awareness organization Ladies of Vision (LOV); served as a co-leader for the Inclusive Community Engagement Working Group for the VCSOM during its strategic planning process; and is a faithful member of Morning Star Baptist Church, the church her husband, Rev. Dr. L. A. Lewis, pastors.

Ms. Lewis is a native of Dallas, Texas, and graduate of West Texas State University.

The Lewis’ have two children and three grandsons.

Karen Michalski-Karney has been Executive Director of the Blue Ridge Independent Living Center (BRILC), Roanoke, since it started in 1989.  BRILC is a private, nonprofit organization that assists individuals with disabilities to be independent.  The organization also assists the community to be accessible. 

She serves on the Board of the Greater Roanoke Transit Company and the Roanoke Redevelopment & Housing Authority Board of Commissioners.

Over the years, Karen has been instrumental in establishing Centers for Independent Living (CILs) in the Lynchburg, Piedmont, and New River Valley areas.  She served as Interim Director of the ENDependence Center of Northern Virginia in Arlington, the Disability Rights and Resource Center, Rocky Mount, and the New River Valley Disability Resource Center, Christiansburg.   

Karen holds a master’s in public administration from James Madison University.  Karen has one son.  They live in Franklin County with numerous pets, including miniature horses, goats, a miniature donkey, cats, and dogs. 

Angela Penn is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Total Action for Progress (TAP), a community action agency based in Roanoke, Virginia. In this role, she leads one of the largest community action agencies in the region, overseeing housing, weatherization, energy conservation, and economic development programs that improve the lives of families across TAP’s multi-county service area. Under her leadership, TAP manages multimillion-dollar budgets that expand access to affordable housing, stabilize families, and strengthen communities.

She has more than 25 years of experience in housing and community development. Before becoming President and CEO, she served as Senior Vice President of Economic & Real Estate Development and Director of Energy Conservation and Housing Rehabilitation, where she managed affordable housing initiatives, directed programs, guided multi-family and commercial developments, oversaw an asset base of approximately $40 million, and cultivated partnerships with investors, local governments, and community stakeholders.

Deeply engaged in civic life, she currently chairs the City of Roanoke’s Equity & Empowerment Advisory Board and serves on the Neighborhood Advisory Council for Feeding Southwest Virginia and the Melrose Plaza Advisory Council for Goodwill Industries. She is also an active member of The Links, Incorporated, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, and a trustee at Williams Memorial Baptist Church.

She earned a Bachelor of Business Administration (magna cum laude) from James Madison University, a Master of Business Administration from Radford University, and is a certified Housing Development Finance Professional through the National Development Council. She is also a graduate of Leadership Roanoke Valley and LEAD Virginia.

Marie is a current fourth-year medical student at VTCSOM in the class of 2026. As a fierce advocate for disability rights, she has been involved in numerous community organizations both during and before medical school.

She obtained an undergraduate minor in Disability Studies and has previously worked as a job coach for people with autism, interacting with local organizations to increase job opportunities and employer satisfaction.

While in medical school, she has assisted in creating an organization as an undergraduate to fund surgeries for children in need and another organization (VTC Community Partners). She has also volunteered with Carilion Hospice, Chris’s Coffee & Custard, Blue Ridge Literacy, and Bradley Free Clinic to better engage with her community. These opportunities have deepened her passion for community-led healthcare and shaped her goals for her future medical practice, and she is pursuing residency training geared toward working with adults and children with developmental disabilities.

Outside of medicine, she enjoys playing volleyball, crocheting, and exploring Southwest Virginia. 

Sophia Roche is a second-year (M2) student at the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine and a lifelong Virginian. She grew up in Ashburn, VA, and then attended Washington & Lee University in Lexington, VA, where she played collegiate soccer and received a B.S. in Biology in 2023. She took a gap year and worked at home before starting medical school in July 2024.

She has previously served with Alpha Delta Pi Sorority, the Red Cross, INOVA Health System, and her local church. While in Roanoke, she has had a passion for community service regarding housing, food security, mentorship, and tutoring. She has worked alongside the Rescue Mission and Friendship House.

She is currently interested in general or orthopedic surgery, given my personal experiences as a patient, but is looking forward to different experiences on rotations! She is very excited to be a part of the CEAB and hopes to expand students’ engagement opportunities to help foster a supportive, culturally sensitive community.

Sara is a third-year medical student at VTCSOM in the class of 2027 with a strong interest in public health and the intersection of health, value, and healthcare. She obtained her undergraduate degree in Spanish and Latin American Cultures from Barnard College and a Master of Public Health degree from the University of Florida. She has lived and worked in several countries, including Bermuda, Mexico, and Sweden.

While in medical School, Sara has spent a significant amount of time working with existing community organizations, such as Bradley Free Clinic and Fralin Free Clinic, and has led several initiatives to strengthen community engagement within the medical school curriculum. She also enjoys mentoring high school and college students interested in healthcare and science.

She is a huge soccer fan and loves running, gardening, and baking. 

Eric Sichau is an accomplished professional serving as the President and CEO of the Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce in Roanoke, VA. Assuming this position on January 1, 2023, Eric's journey with the Chamber began on September 27, 2019, when he joined as the Director of Membership Services. He was promoted to Vice President of Membership Services in May 2020.

In his current capacity as President, Eric provides leadership and support to the Chamber team & region of Virginia’s Blue Ridge, overseeing the organization’s strategic vision, which revolves around Promote, Stimulate & Improve Business. Eric actively serves on the Board of Directors for Visit Virginia's Blue Ridge, Downtown Roanoke Inc., Roanoke Regional Partnership, City Market Building Foundation, and United Way of Virginia’s Blue Ridge. Sichau is also a member of the Roanoke Kiwanis Club. Sichau is also the Secretary on the Executive Committee for the Virginia Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (VACCE). Eric is actively engaged in numerous advocacy-related initiatives through the Virginia Chamber of Commerce.

The Roanoke Regional Chamber takes on administrative responsibilities for notable entities such as The Business Council of the Roanoke-Blacksburg Region, Roanoke Valley Development Corporation (RVDC), and the Greater Roanoke Valley Development Foundation (GRVDF). In these roles, Eric fulfills the duty of acting as Secretary.

Before his relocation to Roanoke and assuming his role at the Chamber, Eric enjoyed a successful eight-year tenure in Minor League Baseball, with the Delmarva Shorebirds in Salisbury, MD, from 2012 through 2019. Throughout his tenure with the Shorebirds, Eric occupied various positions that included season ticket sales, group sales, corporate partnerships, community relations, marketing, and game day entertainment.

Eric holds a Marketing degree from Salisbury University (2013), along with an associate’s degree in business from Wor-Wic Community College (2011).

Born in Baltimore and raised in Ocean Pines, MD, Eric's personal and professional journey has led him to establish roots in Roanoke. Alongside his wife, Jessica, and their two daughters, Shirely (3) and Adele (10 months), they reside in the Cave Spring area of Roanoke County. 

Dr. Jamie Soltis earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Longwood College in 1996, his Master of Education from the University of Virginia in 2007, and his Doctor of Education from Radford University in 2023.

With more than 27 years of experience in public education, Dr. Soltis has served in a variety of leadership roles, including biology and chemistry teacher, high school assistant principal, middle school principal, high school principal, director of instruction, and deputy superintendent. His career has been defined by a commitment to instructional excellence, student success, and collaborative leadership.

In addition to his work in K–12 education, Dr. Soltis serves as an adjunct faculty member in Radford University’s doctoral program within the School of Teacher Education and Leadership, where he supports the preparation and development of future educational leaders.

Beginning July 1, 2026, Dr. Soltis will assume the role of Superintendent of Roanoke County Public Schools. He resides in Southwest Virginia with his wife, Dena, and their son, Clark. 

Lisa serves as Executive Director for Local Colors of Western VA, a nonprofit organization that celebrates cultures from around the world, fosters inclusion, and builds multicultural understanding through events, education, and service.  Lisa came on board at Local Colors in August 2019 with over 25 years of nonprofit experience in human services, community development, project management, and homeless services. Her work involves grant writing and management of both public and private grants, fundraising, nonprofit administration, new program development, and network coordination for regional solutions to mitigate homelessness. Now in the arts and culture world, Lisa has found a great fit for her nonprofit experience and appreciation for different cultures. At Local Colors, Lisa aims to bring awareness to the many ethnicities in the Roanoke Valley and celebrate their cultural heritages in fun and accessible ways.    

Lisa holds a B.A. in Economics from California State University, Northridge (1991) and a master’s in theology (ThM) from Dallas Theological Seminary (2014). She has been married to VA Chaplain Evan Spencer since January 2019 and has two adult children, Priya (37) and Christopher (28).   

Janine Underwood is the Executive Director for the Bradley Free Clinic in Roanoke, Virginia. A community-centered, innovative leader committed to serving non-profits for over 35 years. For the past 12 years, she has led the Bradley Free Clinic in the delivery of free high-quality healthcare to the low-income, underserved in the Roanoke Valley. Using her passion, drive, and expertise, she has expanded medical, dental, pharmacy, and behavioral health services to meet the needs in the community.   She adds her breadth of experience and an emphasis on relationship building to maximize resources in the community.

Janine is an integral founding member and Chair of the Roanoke Valley Collective Response to the Opioid and Addiction Crisis (RVCR), designed to implement a community-wide action plan to address the opioid and addiction crisis in our community.  In addition, she is a founding member of the Roanoke Valley HOPE Initiative.  HOPE is a collaborative effort between law enforcement, the hospital systems, and the local prevention, treatment, and recovery agencies to help those with substance use disorders find resources and navigate services for treatment and recovery.  Both the RVCR and HOPE are designed to incite a community-wide response, inspiring a deeper understanding in the community, and accessing resources around mental health and substance misuse.  Janine also serves in the Roanoke Valley-Wide Drug Task Force.

Janine values community partnerships and leading others to seek original solutions to address local crises.  She has demonstrated her devotion to the health and well-being of the often overlooked and stigmatized populations of the Roanoke Valley.  She is a fierce advocate for the marginalized and a true initiator of change, determined to educate and empower her community.  

Scott Weimer brings over 30 years of professional experience to the role of executive director of Roanoke Regional Initiatives at Virginia Tech. Before coming to the university, Scott worked in the library automation and digital imaging industry for VTLS Inc. in the areas of international project management, sales, and marketing. With Virginia Tech, Scott served as an assistant director and then director of Continuing and Professional Education, an entrepreneurial unit directly responsible for program planning, event logistics, marketing/promotion, and financial management services in support of 300+ outreach programs a year. As Virginia Tech’s interim director of strategic partnerships and program development from 2017 to 2020, Scott was responsible for facilitating joint program design and delivery among Virginia Tech Engagement units. In his current role, Scott serves as the director for Virginia Tech’s Roanoke Center and Virginia Tech’s Center for Organizational and Technological Advancement, where he works to convene interdisciplinary educational and outreach initiatives among university academic faculty, industry practitioners, government, and community partners. Scott holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science, a Master of Business Administration, and a PhD in Public Administration and Public Affairs from Virginia Tech.

A results-driven, student-centered, visionary leader, Dr. Verletta White was appointed Superintendent of Roanoke City Public Schools (RCPS) on July 1, 2020. She has been recognized regionally and nationally for her ability to bring together communities for the benefit of students. In 2023, she was named Virginia’s 2024 State Superintendent of the Year, Virginia’s Region VI Superintendent of the Year, and was also touted as one of the five superintendents in the nation to watch by K-12 Dive.

Often referring to Roanoke City as "the sweetest City on earth," Dr. White is involved and engaged within the community.  She serves on boards and advisory councils for many local, regional, and state organizations.

Dr. White holds a Bachelor of Science degree in education from Towson University, a Master of Arts degree in leadership in teaching from Notre Dame of Maryland University, and a Doctor of Education degree in urban educational leadership from Morgan State University.

Dr. White and her husband, Sidney, are the proud parents of two grown children, Victoria and Bethany, both of whom graduated from public schools.

Leena Awni is a second-year medical student at VTCSOM in the class of 2029. She obtained a double major in Human Biology and Immunology at UC Berkeley. She spent her gap years working as a Urology Medical Scribe and a Radiology Clinical Research Coordinator in California. During her undergraduate and her gap years, she has volunteered with the American Red Cross and tutored underserved K-12 students. Coming from a Middle Eastern family, Leena is passionate about global health and serves as President of the Global Health Club. She is also pursuing a Medical Spanish certificate to better serve Spanish-speaking patients during rotations. Leena was awarded a systems citizen community engagement grant to co-found a medical desensitization program at the VIA Center of Neurodevelopment. She is also partnering with the Virginia Department of Health to study how to implement trauma-informed care within Roanoke’s growing refugee population. These opportunities have deepened her passion for community-centered healthcare and community engagement. She hopes to incorporate preventative medicine and culturally sensitive care in her future practice.

Outside of medicine, Leena enjoys weightlifting, exploring local coffee shops, and watching movies.