We are honored to announce the newest members of our Board of Trustees and a newly elected slate of officers. Please join us in welcoming Tanya Gonzalez, Dessie Nash, and Amy Strite who will officially begin their Board service in January.
Last month, our Trustees also approved the follow officers to serve beginning in January for the next two years:
“We are delighted to welcome these three new Trustees, who were selected from an open call nomination process with more than 80 nominations. While each brings unique gifts that will no doubt accelerate the work of RMHF, they have two very important things in common: Each is deeply committed to equity and to addressing the structural barriers that contribute to poor health outcomes and limited opportunity. And, all three have demonstrated leadership within the community and the organizations they serve. I am also grateful for Reggie and Abraham, who have served the Foundation and the region in many capacities. We appreciate their willingness to step up and lead RMHF as we address challenges and opportunities in the next phase of our work.”
– Deborah L. Ulmer, RN, PhD, PhD, Current Chair
“I am both excited and deeply honored to lead this diverse and talented group of Trustees. Like Deb before me, I am committed to facilitating and guiding conversations about structural racism, addressing the social determinants of health, lifting up and preparing Black and Brown leaders, and analyzing the intersection of health equity and wealth. I am eager to work closely with Mark and the team to accelerate the work and mission of RMHF.”
– Reginald E. Gordon, Esq., Incoming Chair
Tanya Gonzalez
Tanya Gonzalez is Executive Director of the Sacred Heart Center where she leads a team committed to connecting Latino families with the tools they need to thrive and flourish. Ms. Gonzalez holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Latin American Studies from Brown University and a Master’s in Public Administration from Virginia Commonwealth University. Ms. Gonzalez joined the Sacred Heart Center as the Executive Director in July 2016. She grew up on the Texas-Mexican border and has lived in Richmond for twenty-six years. Ms. Gonzalez is active in the community, serving on several Boards as well as volunteering. She has almost 20 years’ experience in working with and for Richmond’s Latino community, previously as the Manager of the City of Richmond’s Office of Multicultural Affairs for over ten years. Ms. Gonzalez is a graduate of Leadership Metro Richmond and the Connecting Communities Fellowship Program, as well as the Minority Political Leadership Institute. She was previously the recipient of the Ohtli award, given by the Mexican government to recognize individuals for their service to the Mexican community in the United States. Ms. Gonzalez was also recognized as one of “Richmond’s Top 40 under 40” by Style Magazine in 2005, which highlights young leaders who are successful, talented and giving back to their community. In May 2015, Ms. Gonzalez received the Leadership Metro Richmond Ukrop Community Vision Award. In 2018 she received the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities Humanitarian Award, and in 2020 she was recognized as a Richmond History Maker by the Valentine Museum. In her free time, Ms. Gonzalez coordinates a dance group at the Sacred Heart Center that performs traditional Latin American and Spanish dance in the Richmond area.
Dessie Nash
Dessie B. Nash is a Managing Director and Market Investment Executive at Bank of America Private Bank. In this role, she manages the investment teams and leads the Portfolio Managers in developing customized investment strategies for The Private Bank’s high net worth clients. In addition, she is responsible for developing and implementing a strategy to grow the investment management and trust business in conjunction with the Market Executive/Market Trust Executive. Dessie has worked for Bank of America for over 14 years. She began her career as a Sales and Service Associate in the Private Bank. In 2007, she transition to a Portfolio Manager in the Private Portfolio Services group in Dallas. In 2010 she was promoted to Market Investment Director for the Dallas Regional Office. In 2018 she was promoted to her current role as Market Investment Executive for the Virginia Market. Dessie has received several awards including the David Brady award for her contributions to the community, the Bank of America, Private Bank President’s Award for top performance and the Year- Up Dallas, Corporate Champion award. She serves on the board of Housing Opportunities Made Equal (H.O.M.E.) and the National Capital Regional of Year-Up. Dessie is also a graduate of Leadership Metro Richmond Class of 2020. Dessie received her B.S. degree from the University of Tulsa, her M.B.A from the University of St. Thomas in Houston and her Ph.D. from Oklahoma State University.
Amy Strite
Amy Strite, MSW, LCSW, has served as President & CEO of Family Lifeline for the past 13 years. In this role she leads a team of 70+, engages a board of 25 directors and connects with countless community partners to bring health and hope into the home. The organization provides home-based services to young families, older adults and persons with disabilities with the goal of not only improving their quality of life but to also strengthening our collective community. Prior to joining Family Lifeline in 2002, Amy held roles with Greater Richmond SCAN (Stop Child Abuse Now), Sacred Heart Center and Richmond AIDS Ministry. Effective November 2, 2020, Amy will begin a new role as CEO of Voices for Virginia’s Children. Voices works throughout the Commonwealth to influence bipartisan decision makers, championing public policies that improve the lives of children and families. The new opportunity will enable Amy to lead work that focuses on systems-level change, with an emphasis on racial equity and trauma-informed care. Amy serves on the Board of Smart Beginnings RVA and the Advisory Board for Richmond Promise Neighborhood. A clinician at heart, Amy holds a Bachelor of Social Work degree from West Virginia University and a Master of Social Work degree from Virginia Commonwealth University. When she’s not working, Amy can be found spending time with family and friends, preferably by the water, or deepening her faith. A passionate Richmonder, Amy appreciates all our city has to offer, including thriving universities, the James River, art in all forms, and most of all, good people trying to make positive change.