Board Profiles

Heather currently heads Transformation Group, LLC, a leading growth and performance firm. She joined EWI Richmond in March 2010, andserved on our Richmond Chapter Board as the Program Director in 2010-11, and now as the Vice President/President Elect.

Heather has been married to her husband, Kent for thirteen years and they have a four year old son, Temple. Heather and her family live in Powhatan.

Kelly was born in Alexandria, Virginia and has been a resident for entire life. As the first person in her family to receive a college degree, she financed this endeavor on her own and has received a Bachelors and also a Masters of Fine Arts. After teaching ceramics for two years at James Madison University, she moved to Richmond, Virginia.

Currently, Kelly is employed at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), managing the Scott House and assisting with special projects for the Office of the President. In January of 2008,  Kelly became the firm representative for VCU and has served as our Literacy Chair and the Director at Large. 

Benita hails from Dayton, Ohio and has lived and worked in Richmond, Virginia for ten years. She is currently a Coordinator in Altria Group Distribution Company's Business Process and Technology (BP&T) group where she supports Altria's Field Sales Force (FSF). In her most recent role she led the company's training effort and traveled the country preparing Altria FSF for their newest Customer Relationship Management tool, SalesEDGE.

Benita is a proud graduate of Miami University of Ohio, where she earned a dual degree in Human Resources and Organizational Behavior Management. She has been an active member of EWI Richmond Chapter for seven years and has served as Secretary, Program Director, and B/C/DP Director-at-Large.

As Fundraising Director, Benita hopes to continue the success of past directors and increase funding sources to support the chapter's scholarships and literacy programs.

Kathleen has been employed with Woody Funeral Home since 2008 and is currently Director of Community Engagement. Woody Funeral Home is an honored provider in the Dignity Memorial network whose members are the single preferred choice of more than 270,000 families each year in the United States and Canada. Kathleen, and the staff at Woody Funeral Home, honor and care for the deceased and strive to bring comfort and support to those who continue the celebration of life.

She joined EWI in 2010 and looks forward to serving as Retention & Recruitment Director for the 2011-2012 term.

Valerie joined the Partnership on April 2, 2007 and EWI in December 2008. Her job duties for the Partnership include Human Resources, Accounting, Coordination of all the CEO/President's calendar and travel arrangements, Special Event Coordinator, as well as the overall responsibility for ensuring that the office runs smoothly. She also serves as the Corporate Secretary on the GRP's Board of Directors and as Sergeant-at-Arms on the EWI Board of Directors, Richmond Chapter.

A native to Greater Richmond, Valerie and her large extended family all reside in Beaverdam, Virginia (Hanover County). She is the second oldest of six children, is married to Kevin, Sr. and the mother of two sons, Kevin, Jr. and Marquis. 

Valerie is very active in her community. She is currently a Church Officer (Ebenezer Baptist Church) and has been serving as the church's secretary for 30+ years. She sings in two church choirs and is an active member of the Women's Sunday School and Worship & Activity Ministry.

While working full time, Valerie is currently enrolled at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College. She is simultaneously Working towards her degree in Business Administration and a certification in Management Development.

Karen joined the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond in October 2010 as Executive Assistant to Jennifer Burns, Sr. Vice President, Supervision, Regulation and Credit. A native of Alexandria, Virginia Karen worked in the government relations arena in Washington, DC for 25 years for several major telecommunications providers.

Karen became a member of EWI in 1995 in the Washington DC Chapter, the year the Chapter hosted the Annual Meeting. She served in various Chapter board positions, including two terms as Chapter President and is the recipient of the Hobson Award, The Kathryn Aiken, and is an Honorary Member of EWI of Washington, DC. Karen served on the EWI Corporate Board of Directors from 2003 through 2007 and as Corporate Bylaws Chair in 2011. In addition to her Chapter and Board service, Karen is a distinguished member of the EWI Academy of Leadership Alumni. She joined EWI of Richmond in November 2010.

Karen and her husband Bob have been married for 19 years and reside in Kinsale, Virginia in the Northern Neck.

Whitney, a Richmond native, graduating from Trinity Episcopal High School and then receiving a business degree from Clemson University, majoring in Marketing and minoring in Communications. She returned to Richmond in 2003, working in both merchandising and marketing.

In April of 2010, she started a new and exciting chapter in her career, Recreation Coordinator for Independent Living Residents at Westminster Canterbury. Her job entails planning resident trips (local and out of town), coordinating campus events (parades, parties, dances, and so on), and most importantly, "working where our residents call home."  Whitney was quoted, "It's hard to call it work when you're doing what you love, and I truly love working at Westminster Canterbury!"

Whitney joined EWI Richmond in the Fall of 2010 and is eager to began serving on the board for the 2011-2012 year.

Ann is the assistant to Jim Scanlon, Regional Vice President for Martin's South Region stores and has been with Martin's for about five years. Ann enjoys the diversity of her position as she supports Jim with the demands of overseeing the operation for Martin's South Region in providing excellent customer service to Martin's associates, customers, and the community at large. 
 
Ann joined EWI Richmond Chapter in 2008 and has served on the Board as Sergeant-At-Arms and co-chaired EWISP (EWI Scholarship Program). In Ann's Spare time she enjoys being with her family and friends.

Lauren Cordrey has worked with Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Virginia for 23 years. She is currently a Grievances and Appeals Analyst Lead in Executive Services supporting the office of the President. Lauren has been an EWI of Richmond representative since 2005. She has served on the Richmond Chapter Board and various committees as follows: Program Director 2006-07; B/C/DP Literacy 2006-07; Secretary 2007-08; Program Committee 2007-08; B/C/DP Literacy 2008-09; Vice President/President Elect 2009-10; EWI of Richmond Symposium Task Force 2009-10, and President 2010-11. 

In her free time, Lauren enjoys weekends with friends and family at their Potomac River retreat in the Northern Neck of Virginia.