Community leaders named as Newport News Education Foundation officers

Posted: June 3, 2020

The Newport News Education Foundation announced a new slate of officers for the upcoming fiscal year, beginning July 1. They include a group of local leaders who actively work to support the community by improving educational opportunities for students. The 2020-2021 officers include:

  • President: Robin Nelhuebel, Ph.D., RN, RT(R), System Director of Education, Riverside Health System
  • President-Elect: Jayne Di Vincenzo, Founder and Wealth Advisor of Lions Bridge Financial Advisors
  • Vice President: Sylvia Weinstein Craft, Publisher and Editor of Oyster Pointer
  • Treasurer: Hugh J. Barlow, Certified Public Accountant and partner in the firm of Brown, Edwards & Company, L.L.P.
  • Secretary: Nicole Guajardo, Ph.D., Dean of the College of Natural & Behavioral Sciences, Christopher Newport University

The Foundation expressed its appreciation to current Education Foundation President John Shifflett, who led the group through a two-year reorientation towards providing a greater positive impact on education in Newport News. He expressed confidence in the new team, saying, "While I'm very proud of what the Board has done and achieved over the last two years, I look forward to seeing greater things in the future."

Special thanks were also extended to outgoing members Thaddeus B. Holloman, Sr., senior vice president, Old Point National Bank, who provided leadership on the board for more than two decades, including a term as president, and Mike Kuhns, former president/CEO, Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce, and Melissa Burroughs, Hampton Roads Market Leader, Business Finance Group, for their active involvement while on the board.

Incoming President Dr. Robin Nelhuebel thanked members for their dedication, saying, "It is an honor to work with this fabulous group of business leaders in such a worthy endeavor - supporting the education of the future workforce and community leaders of Newport News."

The Newport News Education Foundation (NNEF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that supports the efforts of Newport News Public Schools (NNPS) to prepare students for their future. Members bring to the foundation their expertise in business, education, and industry, as well as skills in community leadership.

NNEF serves as a convener and facilitator providing events and programs to encourage dialogue between the business and education communities, enabling them to understand what each can do, in collaboration, to ensure the outcome of career-ready students.

NNEF also raises private-sector funds to support NNPS students and teachers through the Wayne D. Lett Scholarship Program, the Teacher Innovation Mini Grant Program, and the "Salute to Success" student recognition event.

More information about the foundation is at www.nnedfoundation.org.

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