Our Advisory Committee

Mindy Boyd is an experienced operational leader possessing long-term, proven success in delivering strong financial results through the inspiring leadership of people. Now the chief operating officer at Goodwill Industries of the Valleys, she began her Goodwill journey as a part-time processor in 2004 and worked her way up through the ranks, growing along with the company. Over the last 20+ years she has transformed her professional skill set while also having the extraordinary pleasure of transforming the lives of others through the power of work. Applying the principles of the Goodwill mission, vision, and values, she leans in on team members to realize their fullest potential. It is her greatest pleasure to coach and mentor others to higher levels of achievement and see them soar on their own.  

A native of Kansas City, Missouri, Bridgette attended Truman State University and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, with a dual focus in Management and Marketing, and a minor in Business Psychology.  She is two classes away from completing the Radford University MBA program. From 2021-2025, Bywater occupied the role of Vice President and General Manager at Kings Dominion in Doswell, Virginia. Bywater is actively involved in several civic organizations. She has been recognized as one of the top 500 most powerful and influential leaders in the commonwealth of Virginia three years in a row by Virginia Business magazine.

Mary Grace Campos, director of Virginia Tech’s College Access Collaborative, provides leadership and strategic planning for programmatic partnerships and initiatives throughout the commonwealth that align with the College Access Collaborative’s mission to increase academic preparation, access and affordability for first-generation, low-income, and underrepresented students from rural and inner-city communities. Prior to joining the Collaborative team, she led pre-college outreach programs in the Student Success Center.  Mary Grace has extensive experience working with students through her previous work with the ACCESS College Foundation in Norfolk, VA, the Women’s Center, Multicultural Programs and Services, and the McNair Scholars Program at Virginia Tech. Her commitment to supporting, developing and educating students, families, and communities is grounded in her personal and professional mission to pass on the importance and value of higher education to those whose access to information and resources may be limited.

Pamela Gilchrist, director of K-12 Programs for Virginia Tech’s Academic Building One (Alexandria, VA), brings 22 years of experience in developing multidisciplinary K-12 programs across the United States and within the public schools of North Carolina. She enhances Virginia Tech’s mission to unlock the power of people and ideas to solve the world’s most pressing problems through technology, strategic partnering, programming and policy. Pamela has served as a leader in multiple organizations, including as past president of both the North Carolina Science Leadership Association and the North Carolina Science Fair Foundation. She has also served internationally as a science and technology educator in the United Kingdom. Pamela has garnered a number of grants for her programs from federal agencies such as the National Science Foundation and from private foundations totaling in the millions of dollars. She holds a Ph.D. in educational research and policy analysis, an M.S. in instructional technology, and a B.S. in middle grades education.

Natalie K. Hodge is an innovative storyteller, entrepreneur, and community builder whose work bridges creativity and economic development. She is the founder of Rudy’s Girl Media, a production company championing stories that transform community narratives, and the author of Mahogany Blues, which debuted as the #1 New Release in Black & African American Poetry on Amazon. In addition to her creative achievements, Natalie serves as the Community Market Lead for Locus, a nationally recognized Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) where she works to expand access to capital in Southern Virginia with a focus on small businesses, affordable housing, clean energy, and healthy food systems. A sought-after speaker and facilitator, Natalie holds a bachelor’s degree from Guilford College and a master’s degree from Cornell University.

Susan Horne is president and CEO of Lead Virginia. Her beginnings in this leadership space included the establishment of Leadership Fairfax in 1988 for the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce, and election to the Leesburg Town Council in 2004 and subsequent election as Vice Mayor in 2006. Recognitions have included Virginia Business Magazine as one of Virginia’s 25 People You Need to Know, and as one of its Women in Leadership in 2022; honors from the Virginia Chamber of Commerce and the Northern Virginia (then Fairfax County) Chamber of Commerce; being named an honorary member of Leadership Fairfax and recognition by Fairfax County’s Board of Supervisors for my many years with Leadership Fairfax. She believes in leading from the heart, the power of positivity and embracing higher aspirations for our commonwealth and our communities.

Susan Johnstad has served as director for Virginia Tech’s Richmond Center since 2018, representing the land-grant university in workforce and community development projects in central Virginia. As part of the division of Outreach and International Affairs, Susan works to build partnerships, develop professional education programming, and support Virginia Tech faculty in delivering technical assistance and research to improve quality of life across the Commonwealth and around the world. She earned a Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction from Indiana University and has worked in leadership positions in higher education for more than 25 years. As associate vice president for extended campuses at Northern Arizona University, Susan led initiatives including prior learning assessment, transfer credit articulation, and the launch of a new regional campus. She also served as director for the Master of Organizational Leadership program and maintains certification as a Project Management Professional. Susan lives in Richmond, Virginia, and is passionate about community engagement, building resilience, and adapting to change.

Allison has served as the director of the Virginia Tech Southwest Center since May 2023. Prior to that, she held various professional leadership positions throughout the region, served on the board of directors for several regional, state, and national organizations, and was also elected to a term on the Washington County Board of Supervisors. Allison served as vice-chair of the National Association of Counties Arts & Culture Commission and presented at national conferences about the economic impacts of arts, culture, and outdoor recreation in Southwest Virginia.

Allison previously served as director of government relations at Emory & Henry University and also held leadership roles at Barter Theatre, Healing Hands Health Center, and Mount Rogers Community Services. She currently serves on the board of directors for Friends of Southwest Virginia, Blue Ridge PBS, PBS Appalachia, and the Virginia Creeper Trail Conservancy. She serves as chair of the Town of Abingdon Economic Development Authority.

A first-generation college graduate from the University of Virginia's College at Wise, Ashley holds a bachelor's degree in administration of justice and a minor in Sociology.

Ashley gravitates towards initiatives that have significant societal impact, aligning herself with causes that make a difference. She serves as a Career Pathways Coordinator for the Greater Roanoke Workforce Development Board, facilitating business and development services. Ashley also serves as the Events Coordinator and Co-Chair on the board of Blacks in Technology (BIT) in Southwest Virginia, a global nonprofit aiming to “Stomp the Divide” and increase representation in the tech industry. Ashley is the recipient of the Hustler's Spirit Award from the Humble Hustle Company and the Black Girls Really Rock Award from the Continental Societies, Inc. Roanoke Chapter in 2022. Ashley is devoted to community enrichment while demonstrating an unwavering commitment to personal and professional growth.

Birthplace of Country Music Museum director Rene Rodgers, PhD, joined the museum in 2012 as a member of the exhibit content development team before its opening in 2014 and has held several positions there. She participates in various museum associations, including the Northeast Tennessee Museums Association, Tennessee Association of Museums and Virginia Association of Museums, and is involved with several community organizations, including Believe in Bristol and Bristol's Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Committee.

Susan E. Short serves as senior associate vice president for outreach and international affairs at Virginia Tech.  In this capacity, she is responsible for advancing Virginia Tech's national leadership position in the areas of outreach and engagement. Her leadership team is closely involved in working with communities, colleges, and centers to identify engagement opportunities for youth, students, scholars, practicing professionals, and community members. Susan provides leadership for the Catawba Sustainability Center, Center for Economic and Community Engagement, Commonwealth Campus Centers, Continuing and Professional Education, Executive Briefing Center, Language and Culture Institute, Reynolds Homestead, Steger Center for International Scholarship, and TRIO programs - Upward Bound and Talent Search. Short serves as a board and committee member on a number of organizations including Engagement Scholarship Consortium and Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge.  She is a 2005 Leadership Roanoke Valley graduate, a 2009 graduate of Virginia Tech’s Executive Development Institute, and a 2013 LEAD Virginia graduate.

Julie Walters Steele serves as the director of the Reynolds Homestead, an engagement center of Virginia Tech in Critz, Virginia. In her current role she oversees the community engagement center and the historic Rock Spring Plantation. After growing up on a farm in South Carolina, she is delighted to reside on a farm in rural Virginia. 

Prior to her role at the Reynolds Homestead, Julie served as director of university unions at Virginia Tech, director of university unions at Western Carolina University, and during a 14-year span she held a variety of posts at Clemson University, culminating in the role of director of union programs and major events.

 Julie received her BA and MA from Clemson University and has completed 90+ hours of post graduate work at Virginia Tech. Throughout her 36-year tenure in higher education administration, Julie has sought opportunities to develop collaborative partnerships that affect positive change.

Bivushi Timilsina is an international student from Pokhara, Nepal, a city known for its stunning Himalayan views and vibrant culture. She is studying Engineering Science with a focus in Mechanical Engineering at Sweet Briar College, where she enjoys combining creativity, problem-solving, and innovation to design meaningful engineering solutions. Her interests include mechanical design, technology, and sustainable development.

At Sweet Briar, Bivushi is deeply involved in student leadership and mentorship, with a focus on supporting women in engineering and technology-focused spaces. She serves as a resident advisor and holds leadership roles in the Society of Women Engineers, Google Developer Student Club, Sustainability Club, Women in Technology Club, and the Multicultural Communities Council. She enjoys mentoring peers, leading projects, and fostering collaboration across disciplines. Bivushi hopes to continue contributing her technical skills and leadership experience to help strengthen community impact and create more accessible pathways for women pursuing engineering.

Mallory T. Tuttle serves as the associate director of the Virginia Tech Newport News Center and Center of Economic and Community Engagement where she specializes in addressing community and economic challenges by integrating input from community stakeholders and industry with university-based resources. Mallory joined Virginia Tech in 2019 and has since led multiple grant-funded projects focused on workforce development. She is also responsible for engaging the community with the university’s graduate, professional development and lifelong learning programs. In addition to managing a portfolio of continuing education programming, Mallory creates and facilitates uniquely tailored coursework for organizations in the private and public sector. She also provides center management, new business development and builds strategic alliances for the university through regional partnerships and collaboration in the Hampton Roads region and beyond. 

Scott Weimer brings over 25 years of professional experience to the role of executive director of Roanoke Regional Initiatives at Virginia Tech. With Virginia Tech, Scott served as an assistant director, and then director, of Continuing and Professional Education, an entrepreneurial unit directly responsible for program planning, event logistics, marketing/promotion, and financial management services in support of 300+ outreach programs a year. As Virginia Tech’s interim director of strategic partnerships and program development from 2017 to 2020, Scott was responsible for facilitating joint program design and delivery among Virginia Tech Engagement units. In his current role, Scott serves as the executive director for the Virginia Tech’s Roanoke Center and Virginia Tech’s Center for Organizational and Technological Advancement where he works to convene interdisciplinary educational and outreach initiatives among university academic faculty, industry practitioners, government, and community partners. Scott holds a bachelor of arts in political science, a master of business administration, and a PhD in public administration and public affairs from Virginia Tech.

Sarah Wray serves as the community engagement, partnerships, and program manager at Virginia Tech’s Reynolds Homestead, where she facilitates stakeholder collaborations and develops initiatives that connect the public with arts, culture, and lifelong learning opportunities. In addition to her role at the Homestead, Sarah is the regional outreach coordinator for Virginia Tech’s College Access Collaborative, where she extends resources to students, parents, and teachers to support academic preparation, access, and affordability for first-generation, low-income, and underrepresented students pursuing post-secondary opportunities.

Sarah earned her B.A. in Interdisciplinary Liberal Studies from James Madison University, with concentrations in Early Childhood Education and Women’s Studies, and became a licensed Virginia teacher for PreK–3 in 2010. She has completed the Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit and Nongovernmental Organization Management and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning at Virginia Tech, focusing on community engagement and nonprofit management in rural communities.

Currently, Michelle serves as the chief executive officer of YWCA South Hampton Roads where she stewards the organization’s mission of eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. A socially-conscious business leader, she is committed to creating an inclusive marketplace by leveraging a cross-sector approach of engaging business, civic and community partners. Michelle brings a unique and well-balanced perspective to her career and community endeavors. She is equipped with more than 30 years of experience advancing the mission of higher education institutions, nonprofits, and corporations, strengthening the stakeholder experience, and conceptualizing innovative programs in community-centered organizations. Described as a connector of people and resources, Michelle is passionate about service and the development of individuals, especially women and young girls, and helping them to actualize their passion and purpose.