2010-2011 Board Profiles

Brenda currently serves as the Executive Assistant to the Chairman, President, and CEO of Dominion  Resources, Inc. After spending 18 years at home raising her children, Brenda entered the workforce at a  middle school in Chesterfield County, serving as a member of the office staff. In 1992, Brenda started working at Dominion as a secretary in the Treasury Department, and became Mr. Farrell's assistant in 2007

Brenda joined the EWI of Richmond chapter in 2005, and has served as the Ways and Means Director and as a member of the B/C/DP committee

Julie Saul is currently the Communications Director for the Better Business Bureau serving Central Virginia. She is responsible for all communications to their Accredited Businesses - email marketing, writing articles for our newsletter, events, social media, etc.  Julie became the BBB representative for EWI in 2009 and is now serving in the role of Secretary for the EWI of Richmond Chapter Board.

Her and her husband have been married for 13 years and have a five year old daughter and three year old son.

Tonia is currently employed with SunTrust Bank serving as Assistant Vice President, and is a SunTrust at Work Sales Representative.  As a Virginia native, Tonia is a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University with a B.F.A in Fashion Merchandising. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc, serves on the AMP! Metro Richmond Board and as a AMP! Metro Richmond mentor, is a mentor with Virginia Heroes Inc., and is a greeter at St. Paul's Baptist Church.

In 2009, Tonia became the second representative for SunTrust Bank, and has jumped right in serving her first full year on our 2010-2011 board as the Fundraising Director.

Tonia tries to live each day, with a quote from Mahatma Ghandi in her mind and spirit; "You must be the change you wish to see in the world."

Angela Roisten works for the Virginia Credit Union, which is one of the 70th largest credit union in the country chartered in 1928 with over 200,000 members and $2 billion in assets. Angela oversees the Business Development department and VACU program for Selected Employee Groups, State Agencies and Local Governments and Community for the State of Virginia.

Angela has been a member of EWI Richmond since 2009. Angela served as the Ways & Means Director and is currently the Membership Director. She also serves on the Corporate Retention and Recruitment Committee. Under Angela's leadership, her committee has set a goal to recruit 11 new firms and maintain a 90% retention rate. To date, EWI of Richmond has acquired six new firms and two new second representatives.

As a native Hawaiian, Angela currently resides in Chester, Virginia. She has been happily married for fifteen years,with two beautiful daughters, Meara and Lov'e, and their family dog, Binx.

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.

Heather currently heads Transformation Group, LLC, a leading growth and performance firm. She joined EWI Richmond in March 2010, and now serves as our Program Director for the EWI Richmond Corporate Board.

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

Kelly was born in Alexandria, Virginia and has been a resident for her 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 the Literacy Chair each year. This year, she has taken on the role of Director at Large for the EWI Richmond Corporate Board for the 2010-2011 year.

In her free time, Kelly enjoys spending time with her two year old son Montgomery and life partner Andrew. One day she hopes to get back in the studio to do work, but until then counts her blessings and has resolved to make 2011 the year that she stops complaining about the silly little things.

Melissa has been employed with Integrated Business Systems, Inc. (IBS) since 2002. She has served in various roles throughout her tenure at the organization to include Human Resources, Event Coordination, and her most current role as Personal Assistant to the President.  Melissa is an alumni of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (VA Tech) holding a Bachelors Degree is Sociology.

In 2007, Melissa became her firms representative with the Richmond Chapter of EWI, but was no stranger to the organization. Melissa is a second generation EWI of Richmond member! Her mother, Judy Harris, representing J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College, introduced her to our group at a young age and we are honored to have her and her firm among our ranks. As a member of EWI, she has filled various roles with in our organization to include, ASIST Co-Chair, Budget Committee member, and the 2009-2010 EWI of Richmond Women's Symposium Task Force. This year, she is serving her second board term as the Communications Director (formerly Publications), and is eager to get us connected through our website and social media. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled to what could be coming next!

As a Virginia native, Melissa and her family reside in Hanover County. She and her husband, David, have been married for six years, and have two boys, Alexander and Grayson. Melissa is an active member in her church, an avid runner, and aspiring chef who enjoys entertaining her friends and family.

Christine has been employed with Barrett Capital Management, LLC since 2002, and is currently Vice President, Client Services & Chief Compliance Officer. Barrett Capital Management provides asset management and investment advisory services to the high net worth investment community. Christine joined EWI in August 2005 and has served as the President, Vice President/President Elect, Treasurer (a two year term), as well as the Budget Committee and Membership Committee.

Christine enjoys traveling, Major League Baseball, playing golf, snow skiing, and spending time with family and friends.