In honor of Women United’s 20th 10 for 10 Class, 24 women stepped up to be part of a special Anniversary Class. Their support was invested between the Women United Endowment Fund and Pitch for a Purpose, a unique event celebrating our collective impact.
Since its launch in 2006, the 10 for 10 program continues to inspire women throughout our community to become impactful philanthropists. Traditionally, ten women each commit $10,000 directly supporting the Women United Endowment Fund (WUEF).
We’re pleased to welcome the following women to the 2026 Class of 10 for 10:
Annie Alexander
Annie Alexander believes meaningful change happens when women come together to support one another and their communities. As Chair of the Women United Board, she is proud to help advance initiatives that strengthen education, financial stability, and health throughout Hampton Roads.
Passionate about mentorship, leadership development, and community service, Annie enjoys connecting people and creating opportunities for others to thrive. Professionally, she is Vice President of Sales Solutions at Sentara Health Plans.
As a wife and mother, Annie is especially committed to creating opportunities that help women and families thrive. For Annie, Women United represents the power of connection, collective impact, and a shared commitment to making a difference for future generations.
Amy Bernert
Amy Bernert is a longtime Hampton Roads resident with a deep commitment to her community and to causes close to her heart. She has served on the Board of Governors of the Packard Center for ALS Research at Johns Hopkins University, as well as on the boards of the Norfolk Forum and First Presbyterian Church Preschool. Over the years, Amy has also been a member of the Union of Hands Circle at CHKD and the Garden Club of Norfolk and has volunteered at Norfolk Academy, where her three children attended school.
A graduate of the University of Virginia and the University of Virginia School of Law, Amy is the mother of three grown children and grandmother of three. She is delighted to be part of Women United and its tradition of bringing women together to strengthen the Hampton Roads community.
Natascha Brooks
Natascha Brooks is a business executive, entrepreneur, and financial leader whose career has been shaped by more than three decades of building organizations, managing growth, and navigating the realities of business ownership in highly regulated, contract-driven industries.
Her path began in the classroom. Natascha spent 16 years as a Special Education Teacher across the Virginia Beach, Richmond, and Caroline County public school systems, developing Individualized Education Programs and shaping curricula around the needs of students with emotional and behavioral needs and specific learning disabilities. That early career built a discipline for individualized problem-solving and a people-first instinct that continues to shape how she leads today.
In 1993, Natascha helped plan, equip, and launch PEMCCO, Inc., a contracting firm supporting high-tech defense, transportation, communications, and security programs for government and military clients. She has since grown with the company into her current role as Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Co-Owner. In this role, she helps guide the strategic and financial direction of a Virginia-based professional services firm supporting Federal, State, and commercial clients overseeing organizations of more than 150 technical, logistics, and administrative personnel across several consecutive contract engagements. Her leadership extends well beyond finance, encompassing business operations, organizational strategy, workforce development, and the long-term decisions required to sustain and grow a business in a highly competitive environment. Under her leadership, PEMCCO orchestrated a significant transition from government contracting and modernized its operations through an enterprise-wide financial management system.
Entrepreneurship has remained a constant thread throughout her career. In addition to her leadership at PEMCCO, Natascha co-founded and operated an Amazon Delivery Service Partner business, building a supply-chain delivery operation responsible for a substantial workforce and the daily demands of a fast-paced logistics environment. That experience deepened her perspective on leadership, particularly the importance of creating opportunities for employees while balancing the financial and operational responsibilities that come with owning a business.
Natascha believes effective leadership requires accountability, preparation, sound judgment, and a willingness to ask difficult questions. Her experience as both a financial executive and entrepreneur gives her a practical understanding of how decisions made in the boardroom ultimately affect employees, businesses, and the communities they serve.
Her interests increasingly extend into civic and regional leadership. As a 2025 graduate of Hampton Roads Civic Leadership Institute, Natascha gained an expanded perspective on economic, governmental, and community issues shaping the Hampton Roads region. She is particularly interested in opportunities where her experience in business, finance, government contracting, and entrepreneurship can contribute to thoughtful decision-making, economic opportunity, and the continued growth of the region.
Natascha holds a Master of Arts in Communications from Norfolk State University, a Bachelor of Science in Special Education from Virginia State University, and a Certificate for Paralegal Licensure from the American Institute for Paralegal Studies. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., a scholarship donor supporting STEM studies at Old Dominion University, a volunteer with Project Homeless Connect, and a former board member of One Hand to Another.
Outside of work, Natascha enjoys knitting, traveling, watching foreign films, and reading. She and her husband, who is the youngest of ten children, are aunt and uncle to more than 70 nieces and nephews, a family history she counts among her favorite stories to tell.
Katherine Creedon
Katherine and her family moved to the Hampton Roads June 2023 and have settled in to the community quickly. Katherine has participated in numerous Women’s United volunteer events, substitute teaches, is a Board Member for the Young Men’s Service League, and starting in 2027 will join the board of Elizabeth River Project.
As a lacrosse player and an Environmental Science major at Middlebury College, Katherine continued her passions the last two decades working for General Electric as an Environmental, Health & Safety Manager then working at the Lawrenceville School as a science teacher and head girls lacrosse coach.
Katherine is from Skaneateles, NY, where her father and two siblings live and where she developed the love for outdoor sports and environmental affairs.
Stephanie Cuffee
Stephanie Cuffee has a strong track record of cultivating meaningful relationships with donors, volunteers, and community stakeholders to advance mission-driven initiatives. Stephanie brings a strategic and people-centered approach to fundraising, with expertise in major gifts, donor engagement, and stewardship.
Stephanie has experience at Old Dominion University’s Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences and the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore. She successfully managed donor portfolios, strengthened major gift pipelines, and supported initiatives addressing healthcare, education, and food insecurity. Stephanie holds a Bachelor of Science in Health Service Management from Norfolk State University and remains actively involved in numerous civic and professional organizations across the Hampton Roads community.
Katie Denton
Katie Denton is the founder and owner of Bees Nees, a Virginia Beach-based hospitality and lifestyle company known for thoughtfully curated vacation homes, design, and the restoration of distinctive local properties.
A Virginia Beach native, Katie is passionate about preserving the character and stories of historic homes while creating welcoming spaces where families and friends can gather.
Katie also serves on the Board of Directors for Virginia Beach CASA, supporting advocacy for children involved in the court system.
Terrie Edwards
Terrie has been involved with United Way & Women United since coming to Hampton Roads in 2008, having served on the Board of Women United SHR. She eagerly joined as one of the coaches for our “Pitch for a Purpose” this spring. In 2022-2023, Terrie served on the Global Women United Board.
She and her husband of 45 years, have been committed to giving their time and talents to meaningful and impactful organizations throughout their lives. In 2025, Terrie founded Edwards Executive Compass, LLC, an executive coaching & leadership business. Until June of 2026, she was honored to serve as the Interim CEO of UVA Medical Center in Charlottesville during a major transition period.
Terrie’s health care career included leadership positions in 6 health organizations and she is grateful for the opportunities God has and is providing for her to contribute to improving the health of Virginians
Vicky Gray
For over 40 years, Vicky G. Gray, MPH, LFACHE, has been a dedicated volunteer with United Way South Hampton Roads, recently completing a six-year term on the Women United Board. She is driven by the belief that sustainable community transformation happens when local leaders actively invest their strategy, resources, and time into strengthening individuals and families alike.
Professionally, Mrs. Gray is a retired healthcare executive with 40 years of experience in strategy, administration, market development, and public policy, notably serving 20 years as Chief Strategy Officer for Sentara Healthcare. A Lifetime Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives, she remains active in select healthcare engagements.
She and her husband, McChesney Gray, have shared a loving and happy life together since 1986, and enjoy living at the beach alongside the companionship of family and friends.
Nancy Grden
Nancy L. Grden is President & CEO for the Hampton Roads Executive Roundtable to expand the region’s economy and collaboration, leverage entrepreneurship and innovation, and lead GO Virginia’s Region 5. Members include regional business CEOs, higher education Presidents, and economic development leaders.
She recently led ODU’s Institute for Innovation & Entrepreneurship and was inaugural Executive Director, Hampton Roads Maritime Collaborative for Growth & Innovation.
An executive, entrepreneur, and collaborative change agent, Ms. Grden founded/co-founded biotech/healthcare companies Genomind, Amerigroup, Lifescape, and ValueOptions. She served as CMO/CDO with BankofAmerica and Elevance predecessor companies. Her public sector experience includes U.S. HUD and National Conference of State Legislatures.
She is inaugural and past Chair of 757 Collab, past Chair of 757 Angels, and serves on numerous entrepreneurship, economic development and education boards. Among her awards are Virginia 500 Power List over several years, Hampton Roads Inside Business Top 25 Power List, Women in Business Awards, and first “Regional Activator” award from Black BRAND.
Ms. Grden holds an MBA (University of South Carolina), Master of Regional Planning (University of North Carolina), and B.A. Economics (Bucknell University). She serves on entrepreneurship advisory boards for all three today.
Susan Hauser
Virginia Hitch
Virginia Hitch has lived in Norfolk since age three and is a graduate of Norfolk Collegiate School and James Madison University. With a background in Education and Development, she has served as President of both The Junior League of Norfolk-Virginia Beach and Lee’s Friends, and currently chairs the Board of The Chrysler Museum of Art.
She has also served on the boards of The Up Center, The Norfolk Forum and Norfolk Collegiate School, and spent two years mentoring through The Up Center. Virginia and her husband, John, have three sons and two grandchildren, with a third on the way. She enjoys traveling and exercising, and art museums.
Tricia Hudson
Shannon Kelly
As President and CEO of the Virginia Symphony Orchestra, the professional symphony of Hampton Roads and one of the nation’s finest orchestras, Shannon Kelly executes the VSO’s mission to be a transformative cultural resource for the region.
Shannon brings 20+ years of combined experience in arts leadership and public-private partnerships to the VSO, including prior leadership positions at Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts and the National Association for Music Education. She is an alumna of the U.S. Presidential Management Fellowship program and a former professional singer and voice instructor.
A lifelong Virginian, Shannon holds a B.A. from the University of Virginia, a M.M. in vocal performance from New England Conservatory, and a MPP in public budgeting and finance from American University. She lives in Norfolk with her husband, a Marine Corps veteran, their daughter, and two dogs.
Peggy Layne
Peggy Layne considers herself a “professional volunteer.” After a 40 year career with Dominion Energy, she now dedicates her energy and diverse business experience to work with organizations that make her community a better place to live. Peggy was a founding member of the Tidewater Community College Women’s Center as well as a member of the college’s Educational Foundation. She served as a State Board for Community Colleges member 2017-2025 holding various leadership positions including Chairman. In July 2025, she was appointed to represent Chesapeake on TCC’s Local College Board. Peggy rejoined Women United in 2021, is a 10-for-10 Council member, and helped to produce the celebration event, “Pitch for a Purpose.”
Peggy holds a BS in Business Management from George Mason University and a Masters in Human Resource Development from George Washington University. She and her husband, Aubrey, live in Chesapeake, Va and enjoy spending time in the Outer Banks, NC.
Erin Lloyd
“Erin Lloyd is a financial services professional with 20 years of experience in banking. In her current role, Erin serves as the senior subject matter expert in commercial loan origination solutions for FIS. She partners with clients to modernize their operations through process improvement and technology investment.
Erin spent more than a decade with Wells Fargo’s Middle Market Banking division in a variety of roles. Most recently, she served as Senior Vice President and Credit Officer in the bank’s Washington, D.C. office, overseeing a portfolio exceeding $1 billion. Early on, Erin worked within Accenture’s Management Consulting practice in Charlotte, NC.
Erin earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from James Madison University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Mississippi. Outside of work, she spends time with family and friends, plays tennis, travels, and supports her community.”
Darleen Mastin
Darleen Mastin, retired in 2016 after 40 years with Sentara as Sr. Vice President having served as a registered nurse and numerous leadership positions. Active participant in the Women United program since 2004, the United Way Board and the UW Foundation. Active in her church, teaching Bible studies and serving in other leadership positions. She and her husband coordinate a Food Pantry ministry at their church serving 400 families per week. She loves to travel and to host “Nana tea parties” for her grandchildren.
Joy Morbia
Joy Morbia is the Marketing Coordinator at Virginia Plastic Surgery with over a decade of marketing experience. Although she earned a degree in Economics from The University of Texas at Austin, she quickly discovered that marketing was her true passion—a way to connect people and tell meaningful stories. As a first-generation college graduate, Joy’s journey has shaped her deep commitment to giving back and opening doors for others in her community.
She has a passion for connecting people and believes that meaningful relationships are the foundation for lasting change. Joy finds purpose in volunteering and supporting causes that create real impact. She is the proud wife of Dr. Roshan Morbia and mother to two young children, “Mimi” and “Mimo,” who inspire her daily to help build a brighter future. In her spare time, she cherishes time with her family, golfing, reading, and discovering new ways to serve those around her.
Audrey Parrott
Donna Phaneuf
Donna established VIA in 1991, becoming a pioneer in architectural practice in Hampton Roads. Despite facingchallenges as a woman in a male-dominated field, she fearlessly navigated the profession and proved that womencould excel in leadership roles. Her unwavering passion and commitment to design has inspired countless professionals. Her work, which spans a wide range of projects from urban redevelopment to educational facilities and waterfront developments, is rooted in a deep understanding of place and a commitment to sustainability.
Beyond her design work, Donna is a dedicated mentor and community leader. She has served on numerous boards and committees, advocating for the importance of design in shaping our built environment. Donna’s visionary leadership, passion for architecture, and unwavering dedication to clients and community has been instrumental inshaping VIA into the respected firm it is today.
Lexa Pope
Lexa Pope brings a career built at the leading edge of technology to her role as a supporter of Women United. She was among the earliest employees at both Google and Facebook, joining each company in its formative years and helping shape the foundations that would grow into two of the world’s most influential technology platforms. She went on to build and lead ventures in the healthtech space, drawn to work that combined innovation with tangible impact on people’s lives.
More recently, Lexa returned home to Virginia Beach to care for an aging parent — an experience that deepened her commitment to causes centered on health, caregiving, and community wellbeing. She brings the same entrepreneurial energy and long-term thinking that defined her career in tech to her philanthropic work, and is proud to participate in this milestone 20th Anniversary for Women United.
Amber Price
Dr. Amber Price is Senior Vice President and Enterprise Chief Nursing Officer at Sentara Health. Prior to her current role, she served as the Hospital President at Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center.
Dr. Amber Price is a nationally recognized healthcare leader specializing in women’s health, nursing, and leadership. She holds an Executive Doctorate from The Johns Hopkins University with a research focus in Change Leadership and is a Fellow of The American Academy of Nursing. She has held senior leadership roles at Sentara, HCA’s flagship facility in Nashville, TN, and the Women’s Hospital at Henrico Doctors’ in Richmond. An accomplished speaker and author, Amber has received numerous honors for her leadership, innovation, and impact in healthcare.
Over the span of her career, she has delivered over 1,000 babies as a rural and academic Certified Nurse-Midwife.
Debbie Russell
Debbie has more than 30 years of executive leadership, management, and operational experience in banking, consulting, education, and employee benefits. She currently serves as the President of Towne Benefits. Throughout her career, she has volunteered and served on non-profit boards for various organizations, including the Junior League of Norfolk-Virginia Beach, the Virginia Symphony Orchestra, the EVMS Foundation, the Suffolk Foundation, Edmarc, the TCC Real Estate Foundation board and others.
Debbie graduated from Bowling Green State University with a degree in Finance and earned a Master of International Business with a concentration in International Finance and German from the University of South Carolina’s Darla Moore School of Business. Debbie has been married to her husband, David, for 28 years and they have two grown sons. In her spare time, Debbie loves traveling the world with her family, watching lacrosse, playing golf, and practicing hot yoga.
Kathy Shelton
Kathy Shelton joined Goodwill of Central and Coastal Virginia in 2022 after a long career in economic development. Goodwill’s mission is helping people help themselves through the power of work. Kathy believes that every Virginian who wants a job deserves a job, regardless of their barrier to employment. Kathy is responsible for over a million sq.ft. of real estate and is the chief liaison in development meaningful relationships with community, to further workforce development efforts across the Commonwealth.
She is the Immediate Past President of the Governor’s School for the Arts Foundation Board and has served on the numerous boards across Hampton Roads. Kathy has been awarded Top 40 Under 40 and Women in Business awards from Inside Business. As a proud Wahoo, Kathy’s motto is “work hard, play harder, and be fun on the bus of life”.
Diane Thompson
Diane Thompson is a firm shareholder and leader of the firm’s wills, trusts, estate planning and administration practice group. She is nationally recognized for her legal practice focusing on estate and wealth transfer planning,trusts and estates administration, and taxation.
Diane advises high-net-worth individuals and families on complex planning strategies designed to preserve wealth, reduce the impact of federal income, estate, gift, and generation-skipping transfer taxes, and support thoughtful multigenerational wealth transfers.
In addition to her legal practice, she taught advanced estate planning and federal taxation of estates, gifts, and trusts at William & Mary Law School from 1988 through 1996. Diane earned her B.S. from the College ofWilliam & Mary.