Leadership
Leadership
Board of Governors
VIRGINIA HOME FOR BOYS AND GIRLS - 2025/2026
Chair: Robert A. Calhoun, Virginia Commonwealth University
Vice Chair: Nikki Powell, Community Volunteer
Treasurer: Paul Melnick, Juno Financial Group
Secretary: Martha Shickle PlanRVA
Immediate Past Chairman: Katherine Busser, Community Foundation for A Greater Richmond
Additional Board Members:
Chris Costello, Marketing Executive
Alexander D. Eccard, Yount, Hyde and Barbour
Mary A. Gordon, Retired, Altria
Robert T. Greenland, Greenland and Associates
Tim Harris, Retired, Henrico County Police Department
Katie Harlow, Retired Capital One
Libby Herring, Retired Teacher
Aurelia Lewis, Lewis Media Partners
Rick Mears, Retired, Owens & Minor
Michael Patey, Timmons Group
Chris Svoboda, Lawyer
Shannon L. Taylor, County of Henrico
Jason Thibodeau, Vice President, Jan-Pro
Beth Tyson, Earthshare
Russell G. Wyatt, Commonwealth Commercial Partners
Claiborne Warner, VHBG President and CEO
Board of Directors
VHBG FOUNDATION -2025/2026
Chair: Madison Wootton, Frontier Investment Group of Raymond James
Additional Board Members:
Tiff Armstrong, Harris Williams
Katherine Busser, Community Foundation for A Greater Richmond
Robert A. Calhoun, Virginia Commonwealth University
Brian Farmer, Reed Smith
Paul Melnick, Juno Financial Group
Nikki Powell, Community Volunteer
Mary Virginia Scott, Retired, The Bergman Group
Claiborne Warner, VHBG President and CEO
Claiborne M. Warner, President & CEO
Claiborne brings over 30 years of experience in business management to Virginia Home for Boys and Girls and has extensive experience as a marketing consultant to for-profit and nonprofit organizations.
She has served on a number of local nonprofit boards including The Children’s Museum of Richmond, The Powell Foundation for Economic Literacy, and Gateway Homes, and served as interim CEO of United Way of Greater Richmond and Petersburg.
Claiborne currently serves on the board of Hanover County’s Community Policy and Management Team (CPMT). She is a member of the Virginia Nonprofit Leadership Council and the Virginia Association of Independent Specialized Education Facilities (VAISEF).
She is Vice President of the Virginia Coalition of Private Provider Associations (VCOPPA), whose mission is to serve as the unified voice for private providers to advocate for a quality system of services for children and families with special needs and challenges. She holds a BA in Economics from Davidson College.
Sandra McKinney, CPA
Chief Financial Officer
After graduating from college, Sandra became a CPA and worked in audit and tax preparation before moving on to corporate and nonprofit accounting where she has held the positions of Controller and/or Chief Financial Officer in several organizations.
After working for four years as Controller for Virginia Home for Boys and Girls, Sandra was promoted to Chief Financial Officer. She holds a B.A. in History and a B.S.B.A. in Accounting from the University of Richmond.
Cory Richardson-Lauve
V.P. of Programs
Cory has worked at the Virginia Home for Boys and Girls since 2005. Currently, she serves as the Vice President of Programs. Over the years she’s been responsible for training, program evaluation, and human resources. Prior to that, she worked as a case manager, youth supervisor, and in a direct care role with our youth at VHBG’s group homes.
She also has experience as a classroom teacher. She graduated from the University of Virginia with an undergraduate degree in English and a Master’s in Teaching.
Darryl Smith Ickes
V.P. of People, Diversity, and Belonging
Darryl’s more than 25-year career in human resources includes serving as a Senior Recruiter in Finance, HR Generalist in Finance and Senior Living, and HR Business Partner in Health Care. They are also a Positivity Managing Method Certified Expert Manager and co-chair of VHBG’s Diversity and Inclusion Council.
After working for six years at VHBG, Darryl was promoted from Director of Human Resources to Vice President of People, Diversity, and Belonging. They earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology with a concentration in HR Management from Virginia Commonwealth University.
Christopher Campbell
Vice President of Advocacy & Program Advancement
Christopher Campbell was drawn to VHBG for its unique, person-centered approach—one that feels more home-like than a program facility. It’s a place where care takes priority over funding, and the focus is on stability, connection, and individualized support.
“At VHBG, being a young person means staying connected—to family, school, and community. It should feel like the kind of place we’d want our own kids to be.”
Christopher helps guide VHBG’s mission by creating spaces where young people feel safe, seen, and empowered. He believes in meeting people where they are, fostering trust, and finding teachable moments that promote real growth. At VHBG, lasting impact and advocacy—and not numbers—drives the work.
He thrives in the advocacy space, building strong relationships with providers, families, legislators, and policy leaders. Christopher represents VHBG across Virginia through involvement in over 20 youth and state-level groups like the Governor’s Safe and Sound Task Force, Virginia DSS’s Child Welfare Advisory Committee, and Chesterfield County’s Community Policy and Management Team. As President of VALCPA, he helps shape statewide policy for youth and families.
With over 30 years of experience—including leadership at UMFS and as Director of Group Homes at VHBG—Christopher is known for his authentic leadership and deep-rooted commitment to social justice.
Amanda Kennedy
V.P. of Philanthropy
Amanda Kennedy has always believed in the power of young people to lead change. At just 19, she founded the Railroad Street Youth Project (RSYP) in Massachusetts after challenging town leaders to include youth voices in the wake of local teen tragedies. What began as a bold question, “Why don’t you ask the young people?” became a movement, with local nonprofit leaders and empowered countless teens through mentorship, advocacy, and community-building.
Now a seasoned nonprofit executive, Amanda brings more than two decades of experience in youth development, fundraising, and organizational leadership to VHBG. Across every chapter of her career, Amanda has remained rooted in her mission: uplifting young people, especially those facing systemic barriers.
With deep experience in building programs for and with youth, Amanda is passionate about creating and supporting environments where young people feel seen, heard, and supported. At VHBG, she leads the philanthropy department and aims to strengthen community partnerships, elevate youth voice, and advance opportunities for youth and families.
Amanda holds a B.A. in Political Science from Bryn Mawr College and a Master’s in Educational Administration from the University of the Pacific. From grassroots organizer to executive leader, Amanda’s work continues to reflect her belief that youth are not just the future—they are the present.