From 2019 to 2021, I served on the Spotsylvania County Department of Social Services Advisory Board. For two of those years, I was elected Chair of the Board. In that role, I acted as the primary point of contact with County staff, worked closely with the Social Services Director to develop meeting agendas, and facilitated public meetings.
I initially sought appointment to this role through my Lee Hill Supervisor at a time when the Advisory Board was expanding its responsibilities to provide more substantive oversight to the Department. This expansion required the Advisory Board to receive regular briefings on all Department services—including youth programs—and to offer actionable recommendations to improve operations and service delivery.
As Chair, I took the initiative to research and develop a 20-minute presentation that was delivered at a Board of Supervisors meeting. This presentation summarized the Advisory Board’s work, highlighted key successes and ongoing challenges within the Department, and included specific recommendations to improve outcomes. As a result of this advocacy, the Department received additional resources to help address those challenges that budget cycle.
Why does this experience matter for the School Board?
Because we need leaders with a proven record of providing oversight to public institutions. We need individuals who can build consensus across diverse groups and work collaboratively with stakeholders to solve complex issues.
As a School Board member, I will be responsible for providing oversight of School Division operations and advocating for the resources our students, teachers, and staff need to thrive. While the School Division is larger than the Department of Social Services, the skills I demonstrated—strategic leadership, effective advocacy, collaboration with county officials, and results-driven oversight—are directly transferable.
My professionalism and attention to detail earned the trust of my peers, leading to my election as Chair after just a few months on the Board. I spearheaded efforts to secure needed resources and served as a productive, collaborative partner with County staff. These are exactly the qualities that our community deserves on the School Board—making me ready to lead from day one.