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

Dr. Danny Avula

Board President
Commissioner
Virginia Department of Social Services

Carolyn Champion

Board Treasurer
Philanthropy Consultant
Dominion Energy

Rudene Mercer Haynes

Board Secretary
Partner
Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP

Lawanda Dunn

Nursing Supervisor University of Richmond Student Health Services

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

Saraya Perry

Health Equity Fund
Program Officer

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

Over the course of her professional career Saraya has served with several nonprofit, public sector, and statewide healthcare agencies.

Saraya is a graduate of the University of Central Florida where she earned her Master of Public Administration and Master of Nonprofit Management degrees in 2018.

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:

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