BOARD OF DIRECTORS
RIF NOVA's board members are former or current administrators, teachers, and librarians, small-business owners, community leaders, authors, parents, grandparents, and people interested in promoting literacy. They bring a wide variety of experience to the job of getting books into the hands of children in Northern Virginia. All are volunteers.
The Board of Directors and its Executive Committee meet four times a year: September, November, January, and March. An annual end-of-school-year celebration is held in May or June to recognize board and community members who have made a significant difference in RIF NOVA's operations. Please scroll down on this page to read about the 2023-2024 awardees.
Please contact us if you're interested in becoming a volunteer board member. New ideas and creativity are so welcome, even if you can devote only a smidge of time! Click here to find our volunteer form. One of our main activities is to give out books, and we have a great time doing so, as shown immediately below.
The Board of Directors and its Executive Committee meet four times a year: September, November, January, and March. An annual end-of-school-year celebration is held in May or June to recognize board and community members who have made a significant difference in RIF NOVA's operations. Please scroll down on this page to read about the 2023-2024 awardees.
Please contact us if you're interested in becoming a volunteer board member. New ideas and creativity are so welcome, even if you can devote only a smidge of time! Click here to find our volunteer form. One of our main activities is to give out books, and we have a great time doing so, as shown immediately below.
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PRESIDENT: Bradley Vineyard
VICE PRESIDENT: Sarah Bohn RECORDING SECRETARY: Sari Warren CORRESPONDING SECRETARY: Jennifer Held TREASURER: Jo Ann Abrams FINANCIAL SECRETARY: Susan Stickles |
BOOK ORDERING CHAIRS: Paula Powell, Elaine Liebesman
COMMUNICATIONS CHAIR: Lisa Keathley DEVELOPMENT CHAIRS: Bradley Vineyard, Sarah Bohn CONTRACTS CHAIR: Nancy King AUTHORS IN OUR SCHOOLS CHAIR: Sari Warren DONATED BOOKS CHAIRS: Justina Johnson, Liz Promen |
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AREA CHAIRS Alexandria Sheryl Leeds, Bea Bernfeld Arlington Sari Warren Fairfax East Liz Promen Fairfax West Chris McLaughlin Prince William Nancy King, Sarah Bohn |
AT-LARGE BOARD MEMBERS Jeuli Bartenstein Paul Brandus Carylee Carrington Jeanette Cimino Aisha Fallen Hazeline Harris Melissa Hinkson Nadine James Lauren Johnson Sheila Jonas Gayle Kelley Anne-Stuart Kirkhorn Sheryl Leeds Jennifer Morrow Kathy Rusinski Robin Sofge Lois Toomer |
Bradley Vineyard (l) was sworn in as RIF NOVA's president, taking the helm as of July 2024. Bradley led RIF NOVA's extremely successful 50th anniversary Gala in 2022. She succeeds Justina Johnson (r), who has served as president for several consecutive terms. Justina will continue to serve as co-chair of the Gently Used Book Program and in many other capacities.
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Beatrice Bernfeld joined the RIF NOVA board in September 2024 following a 35-year career in the Federal government -- during which she held positions at the departments of Treasury, Homeland Security, Veterans Affairs, the Army, and the Department of Defense, where she was Director of EEO and Civil Rights. Bea was also active in civic and community efforts at her son's schools and in Scouting. An avid reader, she looks forward to helping to bring books to area children.
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Paul Brandus has signed on as a RIF NOVA board member in July 2024. He brings a wealth of experience to the board, as an author, columnist, keynote speaker, broadcaster, and podcaster. He has written five books on presidential and military history and a biography of Jacqueline Kennedy between her two marriages. He is currently working on a new book about the renaissance of America's so-called "Rust Belt." Paul is passionate about improving literacy statistics by providing books to children in our community.
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Also joining the RIF NOVA board in July 2024 is Jennifer Held, a marketing and communications professional, who for 25 years has led federal marketing and executive programs at Amazon Web Services (AWS). She is the founding president of YMSL, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting mother-son relationships through community service. She plans to use her skills, background, and love of books to further RIF NOVA’s mission of bringing the joy of reading to children.
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2023-2024 Reading is Fundamental of NOVA Board Awards
RIF NOVA gives annual awards to those who have contributed in significant ways to the organization's operations and successes.
McNamara Award: The highest honor is the Margaret McNamara Award, named in honor of Reading is Fundamental's founder, Margaret McNamara. Learn more about her history here. This award is given to one individual or organization annually.
Jerry Shelton Award: The Jerry Shelton Award for Longevity of Service is given to a longtime board member who has been actively and continuously involved with RIF NOVA, serving in a variety of ways and continuing to advance the goals of the organization. This award is given to one board member annually.
Special Commendation Award for Outstanding Support of RIF NOVA: This award is made to individuals, groups, or organizations for outstanding support of RIF NOVA. The recognized support can be for a particular program, an event, or for some other activity supporting our mission. There is no limit on the number of Special Commendation Awards given in a specific year.
McNamara Award: The highest honor is the Margaret McNamara Award, named in honor of Reading is Fundamental's founder, Margaret McNamara. Learn more about her history here. This award is given to one individual or organization annually.
Jerry Shelton Award: The Jerry Shelton Award for Longevity of Service is given to a longtime board member who has been actively and continuously involved with RIF NOVA, serving in a variety of ways and continuing to advance the goals of the organization. This award is given to one board member annually.
Special Commendation Award for Outstanding Support of RIF NOVA: This award is made to individuals, groups, or organizations for outstanding support of RIF NOVA. The recognized support can be for a particular program, an event, or for some other activity supporting our mission. There is no limit on the number of Special Commendation Awards given in a specific year.
The annual McNamara Award was given to Sheryl Leeds, shown in the photo above on the left with board member Hazeline Harris. Sheryl has served the board in many capacities and is currently servicing as the Alexandria area co-chair.
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The Jerry Shelton Award, named in memory of longtime supporter Jerry Shelton, was given to Nancy King. She has served the board in many capacities -- as president, in a variety of committee chair roles, and as a dedicated supporter and inspiring leader who contributes in every way to promote literacy for NOVA kids. Nancy (l) is shown with outgoing president Justina Johnson.
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2023-2024 Special Commendation Awards were given to:
Authors Hanh Bui and Amina Luqman-Dawson. Each participated in the RIF NOVA Authors in Our Schools program, donated her time to meet with children and share their stories with children at several RIF NOVA schools. Cynthia Caglar, Senior Manager, Amazon in the Community (AITC) Education, Cynthia was an integral part of STEAM It Up! and Amazon’s December Book Extravaganza. She initiated program elements, found the necessary funding, organized teams of volunteers to help, and followed up to ensure success, after which, she arranged for an additional and sizable donation to RIF NOVA to fund more books/activities for RIF NOVA children. Click here for more! Tawechote Wongbuphanimitr, AES Social Impact Manager. Tawe led a team of AES volunteers in a special experiential learning project to teach children at the county's Hoffman-Boston Elementary School about wind energy by building a mini wind turbine of their own. Click here for more! Board member Sarah Bohn for marketing efforts and for her key role in initiating and shepherding the STEAM It Up! project. Lori Buckius for many years of fundraising on behalf of RIF NOVA. Dr. Karen Huff, director of the Shenandoah University Children's Literature Conference, for partnering with RIF NOVA to include our programs in the annual Shenandoah virtual author conference. |
Children's author Hanh Bui (r) received a Special Commendation Award for donating her time to present her books to children at two RIF NOVA elementary schools, Hutchison and Crestwood. Board member Liz Promen (l) gave the award.
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Sari Warren (r) received a Special Commendation for her leadership of the RIF NOVA Authors in Our Schools program. The award was presented by board member Liz Promen.
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Justina Johnson (l) received a special award from Nancy King. Justina is the outgoing president of RIF NOVA, having served in that position for several consecutive terms. She will continue on in several key board activities.
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EMERITUS COUNCIL
Rita Blodgett
Chris Bury
Pam Jackson
Audrey June
Mia Mason
Ruby Osia
Lynda Johnson Robb
Ramunda Young
Rita Blodgett
Chris Bury
Pam Jackson
Audrey June
Mia Mason
Ruby Osia
Lynda Johnson Robb
Ramunda Young
