About Us

Partnering to Build a Healthier Richmond and Henrico

Our Mission

Founded in 2021, the Richmond and Henrico Public Health Foundation is a nonprofit organization that seeks to develop and mobilize resources in support of the goals of the Richmond and Henrico Health Districts — local branches of the Virginia Department of Health — in order to promote health and health equity in the City of Richmond and Henrico County.

Local public health agencies from San Francisco to Houston to our neighbors in Chesapeake, VA  have all partnered with nonprofit public health foundations to help accelerate their work. Using a proven strategy of close alignment with the goals and priorities of the health districts we support, RHPHF will grow and enhance public health work with and for the communities we serve. 

Board of Directors

Lawanda Dunn

Nurse Manager
Chesterfield Health District

Carolyn Champion

Board Treasurer
Philanthropy Consultant
Dominion Energy

Rudene Mercer Haynes

Board Secretary
Partner
Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP

Dr. Danny Avula

Past Health Director
Richmond and Henrico Health Districts

Dr. Elaine Perry

Health Director
Richmond and Henrico Health Districts

Anika Richburg

Deputy Director Substance Abuse and Recovery Alliance of Virginia

Thad Williamson

Associate Professor of Leadership Studies and Philosophy, Politics, Economics, and Law University of Richmond

Stephanie Toney, RN

Community Health Worker Consultant
CHW Strength

Tara Wiley

Associate Director of Grants & Foundation Relations
University of Richmond

Diamond Walton

Grants Manager
One Project

Anthony Romanello

Executive Director
Henrico Economic Development Authority

Natalie Pennywell

Outreach & Community Engagement Manager
Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services

Staff

Shaleetta Drawbaugh

Health Equity Fund
Program Officer

Shaleetta serves as Program Officer for the Richmond and Henrico Public Health Foundation, leading the administration of the Health Equity Fund.

Over the course of her professional career, Shaleetta has worked with local nonprofits as both a staff leader and Board member, in VCU Health’s Office of Strategic Initiatives, and at the CDC’s Office of Minority Health and Health Equity.

She has earned two public health degrees as a graduate of Emory University with her Masters in Public Health and the University of Richmond with her Bachelors of Science.

Shaleetta is a native Virginian who has happily made home in Richmond’s East End with her husband Mark. In her free time, Shaleetta enjoys laughing with friends, playing softball, watching romantic comedies, serving at church, and traveling the world.

RHHD Staff Collaboration with RHPHF

In addition to dozens of community partners, RHPHF works closely with the team from Richmond and Henrico Health Districts to ensure the close alignment of the Foundation’s work with local public health priorities and opportunities.

The Board and staff of the Foundation collaborate with  the professionals at RHHD through Committees and project teams. 

RHHD’s Health Director serves ex-officio on the Foundation’s Board of Directors. Additional staff supporting and coordinating with the Foundation include:

  • Elisabeth Denison, Business Manager
  • Deanna Krautner, Chief Operations Officer
  • Ruth Morrison, Policy Director
  • Amy Popovich, Nurse Manager
  • Margo Webb, Director of Community Programs