Leadership

Board of Governors

VIRGINIA HOME FOR BOYS AND GIRLS

Chair
Katherine Busser, Community Foundation for a greater Richmond
Vice Chair
Robert A. Calhoun, Virginia Commonwealth University
Treasurer
Alan Hess, Wells Fargo Financial Advisors
Secretary
Nikki Powell, Community Volunteer
Immediate Past Chairman
Katie Harlow, Capital One

Additional Board Members:

Mary A. Gordon, Retired, Altria

Robert T. Greenland, Greenland and Associates
Tim Harris, Retired, Senior Connections
Aurelia Lewis, Lewis Media Partners
J. Lawrence Mansfield, Amazon
Joni Marshall, FDIC
Rick Mears, Retired, Owens & Minor
Paul Melnick, Juno Financial Group
Martha Shickle, PlanRVA
Shannon L. Taylor, County of Henrico
Beth Tyson, Earthshare
Alexander D. Eccard, Yount, Hyde and Barbour
Russell G. Wyatt, Commonwealth Commercial Partners
Claiborne Warner, VHBG President and CEO

Foundation Board 

VHBG FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS

2024/2025

Chair
Madison Wootton, Frontier Investment Group of Raymond James

Additional Board Members:

Tiff Armstrong, Harris Williams
Katie Harlow, Capital One
Katherine Busser, Community Foundation for a greater Richmond
Alan Hess, Wells Fargo Financial Advisors
Mary Virginia Scott, Retired, The Bergman Group
Brian Farmer, Reed Smith
Claiborne Warner, VHBG President and CEO

Senior Staff

Sandra McKinney, CPA Chief Financial Officer

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.

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Cory Richardson-Lauve

V.P. of Programs

Cory has worked at the Virginia Home for Boys and Girls since 2003. 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, staff supervisor, and in a direct care role with our youth in 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.

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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 P+sitively 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.

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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 or 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, localities, and policy leaders. Christopher represents VHBG across Virginia through involvement in over 20 youth and family services conferences each year and serves on 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 authenticity, stewardship, and deep-rooted commitment to social justice.

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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 pioneering, youth-led nonprofit that has 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: to uplift and resource 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 growth.

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.