Nonprofits | Philanthropy 2025: MCCLANAHAN, ELIZABETH A.
A Buchanan County native, McClanahan has led the Virginia Tech Foundation since 2021. She was previously a state Supreme Court justice and president and dean of the Appalachian School of Law. McClanahan also serves as an adjunct professor of finance at Virginia Tech’s Pamplin College of Business. In 2024, the Virginia Tech Foundation marked its […]
Nonprofits | Philanthropy 2025: LASTER , LT. GEN. JAMES B. (USMC, RET.)
While the Toys for Tots program is closely associated with Christmas, the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation has expanded its efforts and now provides year-round support for children in need, including children affected by natural disasters, kids in the foster care system and Native American children. In 2024, the organization distributed more than 30 million […]
Nonprofits | Philanthropy 2025: ROBINSON, KERRY ALYS
Robinson, who assumed her role in 2023, is only the second layperson and second woman to lead the domestic humanitarian work branch of the Catholic Church in the United States. She followed Sister Donna Markham’s eight-year tenure. A member of the Leadership Roundtable — a network of lay people and Catholic clergy that supports leadership and […]
Nonprofits | Philanthropy 2025: MORRIS, JENNIFER
Morris has spent nearly 30 years in organizations dedicated to protecting the environment, a passion she developed while teaching in Namibia. She saw how the health of the community she was working with in southwest Africa was impacted by the unhealthy environment. Morris heads a global staff of nearly 6,000 in more than 80 countries […]
Nonprofits | Philanthropy 2025: RAHMAN, CINDY
This year, Rahman became head of March of Dimes, a national charity founded in 1938 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to combat polio. Today, the 350-employee nonprofit focuses on healthy pregnancies and births. Rahman became the organization’s interim president and CEO in August 2024, after the nonprofit announced Dr. Elizabeth Cherot was stepping down, taking […]
Nonprofits | Philanthropy 2025: SANJAYAN, M.
After eight years, Sanjayan, the host of the PBS series “Changing Planet,” stepped down as head of Conservation International in August, shortly after the Virginia 500 went to press. “I’m immensely proud of what we accomplished during this time and am deeply grateful to the extraordinary people I’ve worked alongside. I led the organization through […]
Nonprofits | Philanthropy 2025: STATON, TRAVIS
Spun off from the United Way of Southwest Virginia last year, EO is focused on workforce development programs. As the nonprofit’s leader, Staton manages a $10 million portfolio of grant-funded economic development, workforce training and child development programs. During his 20 years leading the United Way chapter, Staton created and grew a cradle-to-career nonprofit to […]
Nonprofits | Philanthropy 2025: WILLIAMS, ANGELA F.
President and CEO of United Way since 2021, Williams is the first Black woman to lead the organization. Previously, she was president and CEO of Easterseals and executive vice president at YMCA of the USA. United Way Worldwide and its four partners in the Power Forward Communities coalition received a $2 billion, seven-year National Clean […]
Nonprofits | Philanthropy 2025: SELZER, LAWRENCE A. ‘LARRY’
Selzer has led The Conservation Fund since 2001, helping to protect vital lands and waters in the United States to provide greater access to nature, strengthen local economies and enhance climate resiliency. The environmental nonprofit, which is chartered for both conservation and economic development, has protected 9 million acres across all 50 states in the […]
Nonprofits | Philanthropy 2025: GHANIM, ISAM
Ghanim returned to ChildFund International in 2022, becoming its ninth president and CEO. He previously was vice president for the Africa region, vice president of global operations and executive vice president for programs before leaving to serve as Search for Common Ground’s president in 2018. ChildFund, previously named the Christian Children’s Fund, spent $169 million […]
Nonprofits | Philanthropy 2025: ARMSTRONG, SHERRIE
Armstrong is only the second president and CEO of the Community Foundation for a greater Richmond, established in 1968. She has held that position since 2015 after 26 years of leadership roles with United Way at local and national levels, including working as executive vice president of investor relations at United Way Worldwide and serving […]
Virginia Wesleyan University to be renamed Batten University
Next year, Virginia Wesleyan University will officially change its name to Batten University, honoring local philanthropist Jane Batten.





















