Board of Directors

Information on the Executive Women International – Richmond Chapter, 2019-2020 Board of Directors

President

Title: President
Name: Tanya Johnson
Firm: Community Foundation for a greater Richmond
Firm Website: https://www.cfrichmond.org/

Tanya assists the Foundation’s President and CEO. She organizes communication with the Board of Governors as well as with some of the supporting organizations. She coordinates and schedules meetings and events for the Community Foundation. Tanya assists the Giving Black committee. She has been a member of EWI since 2017. She served as Programs director for two years and is currently serving as President for the Richmond Chapter. Tanya enjoys cruising, shopping and spending time with her family.

Vice President

Title: Vice President
Name: Olivia Smith
Firm: Millennium Advisory Serivces, Inc
Firm Website: https://mas-edu.com

Secretary

Title: Secretary
Name: Donna Thornburg
Firm: Virginia Commonwealth University
Firm Website: https://www.vcu.edu

After graduating VA Tech, Donna chose to attend graduate school at VCU to obtain her MBA. While going to school. she took a part time position answering phones in the Vice President for Finance’s office. She was only going to answer phones for the summer; 31 years later she is the special assistant to the Senior Vice President in the President’s Office. Donna handles all items related to finance and administration and anything related to public relations. She directly support the senior vice president and the President on special projects as well as staff two committees of the Board of Visitors

Donna is excited to meet these new folks leading Richmond EWI and is looking forward to a fun year.

The best advice Donna has ever received: Be professional at all times. Remove your personal feelings/emotions from the situation and get the job done. In the end, everyone remembers your work above all else.

Treasurer

Title: Treasurer
Name: Brandy Frost
Firm: Gregg & Associates, LLC

Brandy Frost brings 15 plus years’ experience in accounting, management and administration to Gregg & Associates, LLC and EWI – Richmond Chapter along with a wealth of small business expertise. Brandy understands the ins and outs of accounting, from general ledger, account reconciliation and payroll to financial statement preparation. Her first-hand experience working with small business owners from the client perspective gives Brandy unique insight and a firm grasp of various financial situations while assisting Gregg & Associates clients. Additionally, Brandy adds a comprehensive knowledge of the fiscal intricacies within a non-profit setting.

This home-grown Midlothian is an accomplished equestrian with a passion for helping others. Brandy has a lifetime volunteer award from Chesterfield County for her 20 years as a PATH International Certified Riding Instructor who promoted safe and effective equine-assisted activities for special needs adults and children. Brandy now devotes her time as the firm representative with the Executive Women International’s Richmond Chapter. Brandy also enjoys vacationing at the beach, spending time with her family, and the occasional workout.

Sergeant-at-Arms

Title: Sergeant-at-Arms
Name: Cherryll Ellis
Firm: Keiter
Firm Website: https://keitercpa.com/

Cherryll is the Financial Statement Coordinator in the audit department at Keiter in Glen Allen, VA. She has been in this role for the past 5 years and previously worked in Keiter’s production department for 3 years. Cherryll has a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering from West Virginia University and a Master’s degree in Materials Management from Bloomfield College in New Jersey. She joined EWI in 2018 and immediately became an active member of the Sergeant-at-Arms committee. She is looking to broaden her skills and get to know her fellow members in her role as Sergeant-At-Arms.

Cherryll is a native of New Jersey, but currently resides in Midlothian, VA with her husband. She loves to travel and has 3 grown children who reside in the Richmond area.

Retention & Recruitment Director

Title: Retention & Recruitment Director
Name: Jen Laws
Firm: Top Golf
Firm Website: https://www.topgolf.com/us

Programs Director

Title: Programs Director
Name: Renee Gaines
Firm: Venture Richmond, Inc.
Firm Website: https://www.venturerichmond.com

EWISP Literacy Director

Title: EWISP Literacy Director
Name: Karen Huffman
Firm: Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond
Firm Website: https://www.richmondfed.org

Karen Huffman is the administrative services manager at the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond. In this role she is responsible for the administrative operations of the Research department. Karen joined the Richmond Fed in March 2011 as an administrative and project coordinator where she supported the Community Development department in providing the public with programming and events on community development topics.

Karen joined EWI in 2012 and has served in various board positions including president in 2016-2017. She resides in Mechanicsville, VA with her husband, two children and dog, Mater.

ASIST Scholarship Director

Title: ASIST Scholarship Director
Name: DeAnne Butler
Firm: Shamin Hotels
Firm Website: https://shaminhotels.com/

Communications Director

Title: Communications Director
Name: Melissa Rundstrom
Firm: Millennium Advisory Services, Inc.
Firm Website: https://www.mas-edu.com

Melissa began working as a Client Account Specialist at Millennium Advisory Services in August of 2018. In her role, she strives to provide superb customer service to all of their clients and prospective clients. She also works closely with all departments to streamline processes through new technology and software. Melissa joined EWI in September of 2019. After only a few months, she was asked to serve as the chapter’s Secretary.

Currently residing in Richmond, Melissa enjoys visiting new places in the city, shopping, and spending time with her friends and family.

Advisor

Title: Advisor
Name: Jennifer Benton
Firm: Virginia Credit Union
Firm Website: http://www.vacu.org

Financial Partnership Manager, Jennifer Benton, is an industry expert with many years of successful financial services and business development experience. As a Financial Partnership Manager, Jennifer partners with Virginia Credit Union’s Select Employee Groups, State Agencies, Local Governments, and Communities for the State of Virginia. Based in Richmond VA, Virginia Credit Union is one of the 55 largest credit unions in the country. Chartered in 1928 with over 250,000 members and more than $3 billion assets. As a cooperative, Virginia Credit Union operates solely for the benefit of its members, not outside stockholders. Earnings of the cooperative are returned to members through helpful services, attractive rates, lower fees, and financial education. Virginia Credit Union’s vision is to be the members’ trusted provider of financial services, helping them achieve greater success.

A native to Virginia Beach, Jennifer’s experience includes more than 20 years of financial services, management, business development, marketing, and customer service knowledge. Jennifer has been a Notary Public for the State of Virginia. Possessed her Life, Health, and Annuities license and Real Estate License for the State of Virginia. Jennifer is an active participant in the community showing support through organizations such as Executive Women International, National Association of Women Business Owners, FeedMore, Chesterfield Chamber of Commerce, Johnston Willis Hospital, and the Children’s Hospital of Richmond.

Parliamentarian

Title: Parliamentarian
Name: Ann Bushey
Firm: Reynolds Community College
Firm Website: https://reynolds.edu