Nonprofits/Philanthropy: TRAVIS STATON

Staton has spent the past decade of his 17 years as head of the United Way of Southwest Virginia shifting the organization toward a community impact model to improve the region’s health, education and financial stability.

In late 2021, his United Way launched a $30 million initiative to build regional public-private partnerships to address child care shortages that are a barrier to work for many families. In March, UWSWVA began offering a coordinated enrollment portal for early childhood care and education on its website. It’s part of its role as the lead organization for Ready Region Southwest, a network charged with coordinating early childhood care and education services and resources.

Staton oversees operations across 17 counties and four cities and has grown the nonprofit’s annual operating budget from $250,000 to $8 million and increased staff from two to 35 full-time employees. In July, he was helping coordinate relief efforts after massive flooding in Buchanan County damaged or destroyed about 100 homes.

A father of four with a bachelor’s degree from East Tennessee State University, Staton says he wants to ensure future generations have the same opportunities he had growing up in Southwest Virginia.