We are honored to announce that Tanya Gonzalez, the former Executive Director of Sacred Heart Center (SHC), will be joining the staff of Richmond Memorial Health Foundation (RMHF) as Senior Policy Advisor. In this new role, Tanya will provide strategic policy guidance to local governments, community-based organizations, and nonprofit partners working at the intersection of immigration, newcomer services, and health and racial/ethnic equity. Her last day at SHC will be February 2.
“We are beyond excited to have someone with Tanya’s experience, knowledge, and expertise joining our team,” said RMHF President & CEO Reggie Gordon. “We created this role based on what we were hearing from the community, and we set out to find the best person to fill this vital position. It quickly became clear that Tanya was that person, and we are excited to have such a well-regarded leader, policy expert, and community champion supporting our combined efforts to address a pressing health and racial-ethnic equity need.”
SHC supports Latino families in Richmond through educational opportunities, diverse programming, and community connection. For nearly a decade, Tanya has overseen tremendous growth within the organization, leading a team committed to providing Latino families with the tools they needed to thrive and flourish. Prior to that, Tanya served as the manager of the City of Richmond’s Office of Multicultural Affairs for twelve years. She has also been appointed or elected to a wide variety of boards and commissions, including past service on the Virginia Latino Advisory Commission, the Chesterfield County Multicultural Advisory Commission, and the RMHF Board of Trustees. Tanya was named a Valentine Richmond History Maker in 2020 and was a 2023 recipient of the YWCA Outstanding Women’s Award for nonprofit management. She was also a recipient of Initiatives of Change USA’s Community Changemakers Award in 2025.
“I am thrilled to be joining the RMHF staff as a Senior Policy Advisor,” Tanya said. “After decades of meaningful work supporting and uplifting Richmond’s Latino community, I am excited about this opportunity to continue serving the people of Richmond, particularly during this challenging time. As we work together to embrace effective policies, support nonprofit partners doing transformative work, and pursue health and racial/ethnic equity, I look forward to the combined impact we will have and the communities we will empower.”
Tanya has lived in Richmond for 30 years and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Latin American Studies from Brown University and a Master’s in Public Administration from Virginia Commonwealth University. She is excited about continuing to serve as Sacred Heart Center’s volunteer dance instructor. Tanya is also a passionate skydiver who has made 5 jumps and is eager to plan more.