Women United proudly recognizes 10 local female leaders and philanthropists each year by welcoming them into the Women United Class of 10 for 10. These women generously contribute $10,000 to our endowment fund, which supports our Mobility-Mentoring programs, Aspire and Strive. Not only is their contribution financially supporting the future of these programs, it is also creating generational, lasting change in our community.
We’re pleased to welcome the following women to the 2024 Class of 10 for 10:
Monique Adams
From 2015-2023, Monique served as Executive Director of 757 Angels. 757 Angels has grown to one of the largest angel groups in the country with over 100 members/investors that have injected over $103 Million of capital into startup and early-stage companies. Capital investment has resulted in the creation of over 1,500 high paying jobs. Through 757 Angels’ regional platform, Monique has local and statewide leadership roles in building and strengthening an inclusive, interconnected, and impactful entrepreneurial ecosystem. From 2019–2023, Monique acted as the Managing Director of 757 Collab, the parent of 757 Accelerate, 757 Angels and 757 Startup Studios, that provides resources to entrepreneurs and facilitates technology-enabled economic development.
Monique currently serves on the boards of Go Virginia Region 5 Council, Hampton Roads Biomedical Research Consortium (HRBRC), RVA/757 Connects, and the Old Dominion Athletic Foundation (ODAF). Monique also serves on the Preliminary Management and Oversight Panel (PMOP) of the Virginia BioSciences Health Research Consortium (d/b/a Virginia Catalyst) as well as the George Mason, Mason Enterprises Advisory Board.
Monique has been named to the “Inside Business Power List”, named to Virginia Business’ “Virginia 500”, recognized as a 2017 recipient of the Women in Business award and was a 2019 inductee into the Junior Achievement Hampton Roads Business Hall of Fame.
Monique has an extensive financial services background with senior finance positions at both the predecessors of Bank of America in Norfolk and JP Morgan Chase in New York City and Los Angeles. Monique attended the University of Southern California and resides in Virginia Beach with her family.
Kim McCoy Webb
Kim McCoy Webb – experienced professional, artist, and student – spent many years working at Walt Disney World before moving to Hampton Roads. Here, she worked at Virginia Arts Festival for 12 years and left her role of Assoc. Director of Development in 2022 to become a student again.
She is pursuing a Master of Science in Art Therapy and Counseling, at the Macon and Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at ODU (formerly EVMS), anticipating graduation in May, 2025.
Kim has her yoga certification, is a member of a local Kirtan band, and is also a practicing visual artist. She lives in Virginia Beach with her husband Lewis Webb and their cat, Pancho.
“The Aspire and Strive programs have grown and are so important. I’m grateful to play a small part in helping these programs continue…together, may we uplift all.”
Dr. Liisa Ortegon
Since Feb 2021, Division President of Sentara Health’s flagship, academic, tertiary hospital (SNGH which includes Sentara Heart Hospital). Key responsibilities include executive leadership and presence (internally and externally); creating a positive and productive culture and ensuring alignment with Sentara Health mission, vision, and values; enhance and strengthen strategic partnerships; oversight for operations, quality and safety, service and engagement, and financial performance; implement, and evaluate business strategies for revenue growth; and stay current on industry trends. Accomplishments include being awarded CEO top hat award for past 2 years for contributing to significant initiatives with system-wide impact outside of the expectations of current role and, exceeded key performance goals and/or national benchmarks in core areas of people & leadership, safety and quality, customer service, growth and financial stewardship.
Prior Work History:
Executive leader and clinician with over thirty-three years of progressive experience in highly matrixed multi-hospital systems in both large academic and community hospital settings. 24+ of those years were in executive roles to include C-suite and System positions include operations, quality/safety, risk, clinical professions, ancillary, research, information technology, and academic affiliations in both for profit (HCA-3 Divisions – 20 years) and not for profit organizations (Houston Methodist Hospital – Texas Medical Center (10 years).
High-energy, hands-on executive with extensive leadership, business, and clinical acumen. Strengths and success in establishing a culture of safety, service, quality, and engagement while strategically transforming operations to achieve high impact results. Excellent ability to envision concepts and influence and drive need for change. Through transformational leadership, demonstrated the ability to turn around organizations to achieve world class results by engaging stakeholders in innovative and collaborative problem-solving.
Education:
- Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA)
- Wharton School of Business – CPD Executive Certification (4-year Program)
- Wharton School of Business – Fellow Program in Management (1 year program)
- Master of Arts in Administration (MAA) – MBA core program with a minor in Organizational Development
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
- Registered Nurse – Currently licensed in Virginia; Former – Texas, Tennessee, & Canada (Ontario)
- ANCC NE-BC Certification – National Certification
- ASHRM Barton Risk Management Certification Program (I, II, III)
Community:
- Greater Norfolk Corporation – Executive Board Member
- Greater Norfolk Corporation – Finance Committee Board Member
- Norfolk Public Schools Governor’s Health Science Academy – Advisory Panel Board Member
- Women’s Initiative Network – Old Dominion University – Member and Mentor
- American Diabetes Assoc. – Tour de Cure – Sentara Cycles – Volunteer, Cyclist, Fundraising
- American Heart Assoc. – Volunteer and Fundraising; 2023 Heart Ball Co-Chair
- United Way – Hampton Roads Community Partners – Volunteer and Fundraising
- American Hospital Association – Member
- American College of Healthcare – Executives Member
- Council of Teaching Hospitals (COTH) – Member
- International Society of Business Leaders – Honorarium Lifetime Member
- Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing – Phi Chi Chapter
Presentations and Publications:
- Principal Investigator
- “Impact of COVID-19 on Clinicians Mental Health.” Research assisted better understanding of the experience of clinicians during COVID-19 and its impact on mental health (2020).
- Keynote Speaker
- American Academy of Healthcare Executives (ACHE). Sustainable strategies to support resiliency and professional well-being for health care professionals (2019).
- Keynote Speaker
- World Healthcare Conference, Valencia, Spain. Innovative Solutions to Complex Patient Issues: MPAC Certification (2019).
- Journal Publication
- Innovative Solutions to Complex Patient Issues: MPAC Certification (2019).
- Authors and Co-authors: Dr. Shannan Hamlin, PhD, RN, Director of Center for Nursing Research Education and Practice, Houston Methodist Hospital; Dr. Nicole Fontenot, PhD, RN, Critical Care Clinical Expert, Houston Methodist Hospital; Dr. Mei Chein, PhD, Senior Financial Analyst, Houston Methodist Hospital; Dr. Liisa Ortegon, Senior Vice President of Operations; Chief Nursing Executive; Centennial Chair- Institute of Academic Medicine – Crowning Achievement; & Entity Business Practices Officer, Houston Methodist Hospital
- Guest Lecturer
- University of Texas – Cizik School of Nursing (2019). The significance of leadership style, utilization of power and politics, conflict resolution, and the art of negotiation in the creation of an effective organization.
- Doctoral Manuscript – Publication
- Influence of Physician Specialty of Practice and Computerized Physician Order Entry Utilization. ProQuest Publication (2018).
- Poster presentation
- IHI International, London, England (2018). The Art of Listening.
- Panel Speaker
- American College of Healthcare Executives. High Performing Teams – Operations, Clinical, Technology, Alignment, and Strategy (2017).
- Keynote Speaker
- University of Texas – Texas Medical Center Leadership Institute (2017). Operationalizing & Aligning Ethical Teams.
- Keynote and Panel Speaker
- Texas Regional Shared Governance Conference (2017).
- Keynote Speaker – Engaging Employees for Success.
- Panel Speaker – Role of Executives in Promoting Employee Engagement.
- Panel Speaker
- 13th Annual World Health Care Congress – Washington, D.C. (2016).
- Leverage the Nurse Workforce to Evolve Care Delivery and Shift to Population Health Management – Organizational Alignment
Pat Davis-Hagens
Pat Davis-Hagens has served as president of the Bon Secours Hampton Roads market since October 2021. Prior to this role, Davis-Hagens was president of The Jewish Hospital – Mercy Health in Cincinnati Ohio, part of Bon Secours Mercy Health, and has served the Bon Secours Mercy Health ministry for more than 15 years focusing on compassionate, quality patient care and efficient, effective operations. Previously, she spent 20 years with Provena Covenant Medical Center in Illinois where she served in a variety of leadership roles.
Ms. Davis-Hagens holds a Master of Business Administration from Plymouth State College in New Hampshire, a Bachelor’s degree from Salem State College in Massachusetts, an Associate of Science in Nursing from Northeastern University in Boston, and a diploma from the Department of Health and Hospitals School of Practical Nursing in Boston. Ms. Davis-Hagens is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives and the American Organization of Nurse Executives.
Shari Friedman
Shari Friedman was born in Buffalo, New York, but spent most of her life in Portsmouth Virginia. She attended The Ohio State University and graduated with a B.S. in Marketing from their business school. She then moved to New York and worked at two different advertising agencies in their media departments.
After 3 1/2 years she moved across the country to San Francisco where she helped her Dad at a 60- bed psychiatric hospital he had purchased in San Mateo, California in their human resources department and ended up being Director of Human Resources.
She moved back to Virginia Beach, Virginia after her first child was born, to be with family, and she served as Director of Human Resources for Virginia Beach Psychiatric Center when they opened and helped train the staff, monitored health insurance benefits, and formulated all the Human Resources manuals.
After her second child was born, she got licenses in life, health and annuities and decided to get into the insurance industry through training at New York Life. She worked at several local insurance agencies in Virginia Beach concentrating on employee benefits, and then decided to open up her own company with a partner focusing on long-term care insurance, which has been in existence for over 5 years.
She is very active in the community helping many agencies such as The United Way Women’s United group, The Achievable Dream, Dozoretz Hospice House of Hampton Roads (where she serves on the Board and responsible for their capital campaign), United Jewish Federation and The Museum of Contemporary Art.
She has three children, a daughter Erica (husband Andrew), 35, a son Craig (wife Sophia) 33, and a son Jason (future daughter in law Micayla) 28. Shari has two grandchildren and loves to visit them in LA and Brooklyn with her partner, Andrew. She enjoys being active through playing pickleball, golf, and hiking, and loves to cook and entertain family and friends.
Dr. Marcia Conston
President Conston has devoted her life’s work to the core tenets of education, service, and leadership. Committed to helping learners achieve success, Dr. Conston’s areas of expertise include planning, fundraising, community development, and strategic enrollment management. As president of Virginia’s second largest community college, she aspires to empower students toward academic excellence.
Dr. Conston became the sixth President of Tidewater Community College (TCC) in January 2020, and she immediately faced the challenge of leading the college through the COVID-19 pandemic. Determined to ensure student success and institutional stability, President Conston responded decisively to guide the college forward. She developed and launched a new strategic plan, Innovate 2026, with renewed values and a vision, “To be the community’s first choice for education, opportunity, partnership, and innovation.”
President Conston also prioritized identifying and removing barriers to success, with a view toward both curriculum and workforce students. Notably, the college’s premier workforce center has been expanded, thus increasing regional and national partnerships, as well as providing training in emerging and high demand sectors such as maritime, offshore wind, electrical transportation, and logistics. Under her astute leadership, TCC is quickly being recognized as a premier national leader in workforce training.
Since joining the Hampton Roads community, President Conston has been active serving on several boards and participating in leadership forums. Local engagements include the Hampton Roads Chamber; Norfolk Rotary; Downtown Norfolk Council; Greater Norfolk Corporation; WHRO PBS Television; Virginia Beach Visions; the Hampton Roads Workforce Council; and the Urban League of Hampton Roads. She also serves as chair for the development and implementation of the Virginia Community College System’s strategic plan, Accelerate Opportunity. Her leadership helped shape this statewide project with an overarching goal, “Award 300,000 cumulative meaningful credentials by 2030 across all regions through accelerated access and success for every student.”
An esteemed educator, President Conston currently serves on the Board of Trustees for the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Her involvement in SACSCOC has been a pivotal component of her career. She has served as an evaluator for the accrediting body, as well as a consultant, to numerous institutions of higher learning. Her unparalleled academic and professional achievements are nationally recognized. In 2019, she was selected as one of the 50 most influential women in Charlotte, NC. President Conston was featured as a recipient of the 2022 Virginia Business Women in Leadership Award by Virginia Business Magazine, and subsequently she garnered recognition among the 2023 Virginia Black Business Leaders. Recently, she was recognized as a leader in education by the Hampton Roads Community Action board.
In addition to a doctoral degree in higher education and a master’s degree in economics, President Conston holds a Master of Divinity from Hood Theological Seminary. She is an avid reader, dedicated journal writer, a published author of several articles and books, and a devoted mentor. As an experienced runner who has completed multiple marathons and countless races, President Conston models her values of focus and persistence to achieve success.
She is married to her high school sweetheart, Clidell Conston, and they are the proud parents of two adult children, Darian and Mahari.
Robin Anderson
Robin is a family physician with 19 years of experience in clinical practice. She started off as an outpatient family doctor and started to serve on various committees which then led to more!
She served as a director of medical operations for the Southside Central area of Hampton Roads for 8 years before taking on the role of executive medical director for primary care and ambulatory specialties for the East Region for Sentara. She also has served on multiple eCare committees and currently chairs the ambulatory informatics group and the physician advisory group.
Her primary interests are developing ways to improve our efficiency of practice, recruiting, ensuring the model of practice fits the needs of the providers, and providing high-quality, compassionate care to the people of our communities. In addition to her role at Sentara, she has served on the board of the Virginia Academy of Family Physicians as a board member, secretary, first vice president, and currently, president elect.
She has also volunteered to perform physicals for athlete’s hoping to compete in the Special Olympics and on the Virginia Beach Health Services Advisory Board. She is married and has 2 children and 4 fur babies.
Ame McCullin
Ame McCullin is a Senior Vice President and Wealth Advisor for Truist Bank with over 25 years of experience in the financial services industry, and 20 years of comprehensive wealth management experience. Working with her team, they focus on an approach that brings together professionals in investments, financial planning, risk management, trust services, credit advisory, and estate strategies.
Ame is a native of Virginia, and graduated from Christopher Newport University with her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance.
In her spare time, Ame enjoys attending her kids sporting events, traveling, and serving on various boards in the community.
Sarah Jane Kirkland
As Associate Vice President for Corporate Partnerships, Sarah Jane Kirkland is focused on developing partnership opportunities with corporate and nonprofit executives, including work-based learning, corporate grants for research and development, and workforce development initiatives.
Sarah Jane represents Old Dominion University on a variety of economic development, workforce, professional association and other boards, while also serving as the University’s point of contact to help attract new businesses in locating to Hampton Roads, as well as retaining current companies in the region.
Sarah Jane is actively engaged in large scale regional initiatives and currently serves as a member of the GO Virginia Region 5 Council, an executive board member for RVA757 Connects, a board member for 757 Collab, a board member for Harbor’s Edge, a corporate board member for the YMCA South Hampton Roads, a board member on the Elizabeth River Trail, a member of the M9T5 steering committee, and a member of the Hampton Roads Regional Transit Advisory Panel (HRTAP). Sarah Jane’s previous board service includes the Governor’s School for the Arts.
In 2021, Sarah Jane was recognized by Inside Business with a Women in Business Award, in 2022, she was included in the Inside Business Power Players list and in 2024 she was included in the Virginia Business 100 people to meet.
Kathy Shelton
Kathy Shelton joined Goodwill of Central and Coastal Virginia in 2022 after a long career in economic development at both the local and regional levels. Goodwill’s mission is helping people help themselves through the power of work. Kathy believes that every Virginian who wants a job should get a job, no matter their barrier to employment. As Goodwill’s Vice President of Community Engagement and Real Estate, Kathy is responsible for real estate procurement and development, managing over one million square feet of owned or leased retail, distribution, and training space across central and coastal Virginia. In her role as Goodwill’s chief liaison with community stakeholders, Kathy is responsible for developing meaningful relationships with other agencies, jurisdictions, employers, elected officials, to further workforce development efforts across the Commonwealth.
Prior to coming to Goodwill, Kathy served as Sr. Director of Business Development for the City of Norfolk and Assistant Director/Treasurer of the Norfolk Economic Development Authority. In those roles she managed over $500MM in economic development public-private partnerships in her 15 years with the City. Prior to her work in Norfolk, Kathy held similar roles in Connecticut and Richmond.
Kathy is a graduate of Lead Hampton Roads and served as a member of the Norfolk Planning Commission, 2016-2023. She is the Board Chair of the Governor’s School for the Arts in Norfolk. Kathy has served on the boards of the YWCA of South Hampton Roads, Champions for Children, the Norfolk Public Arts Commission, the Virginia Ballet Theatre, and as president of the Junior League of Norfolk-Virginia Beach. Kathy has been awarded Top 40 Under 40 and Women in Business awards from Inside Business. Kathy is a 1989 graduate of the University of Virginia with a BA in Economics and History. Kathy resides in Norfolk with her husband David and has two adult children.