BOARD OF DIRECTORS
RIF of 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.
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 NOVA RIF's operations. Please scroll down on this page to read about the 2022-2023 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 NOVA RIF's operations. Please scroll down on this page to read about the 2022-2023 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.
(l-r) Board members Chris Bury, Bradley Vineyard, Lisa Keathley, Nancy King, and Chris McLaughlin at an April 2022 Culmore Community Day Book Bash celebrating 50 years of books for NOVA kids
July 2022 Popsicles in the Park Book Bash with board members (l-r) Justina Johnson, Lisa Keathley, and Aisha Fallen. Young Ambassador Camille Fallon is shown in the pink T-shirt.
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(l-r) Board members Sari Warren, Sheryl Leeds, Nancy King, Justina Johnson, and Hazeline Harris staff the book table at a May 2022 Book Bash at Alexandria's John Adams School
Board members Liz Promen (l) and Sari Warren gave out books from our Book Donor Program at an October 2022 Book Bash at the Falls Church McLean Children's Center
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JUSTINA JOHNSON, President
BRADLEY VINEYARD, Vice President ELIZABETH PROMEN, Recording Secretary JO ANN ABRAMS, Treasurer SHERYL LEEDS, Financial Secretary MAUREEN MCLAUGHLIN, Sunshine Secretary |
BOOK ORDERING CHAIRS
Paula B. Powell Elaine Liebesman COMMUNICATIONS CHAIR Lisa Keathley FUTURE OF RIF; CONTRACTS CHAIR Nancy King |
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AREA CHAIRS Alexandria Susan Stickles Arlington Sari Warren Fairfax East Liz Promen Fairfax West Chris McLaughlin Prince William Vacant |
AT-LARGE BOARD MEMBERS
Jeuli Bartenstein Dora Sue Black Sarah Bohn Carylee Carrington Jeanette Cimino Rocco DeBonis Aisha Fallen Sheila Adams Gardner Hazeline Harris Melissa Hinkson Nadine James Lauren Johnson Sheila Jonas Gayle Kelley Jennifer Morrow Melba Smith-Dudley Lois Toomer |
Meet two of our newest board members as of September 2023!
Rocco DeBonis has been a professional librarian for thirteen years, with experience managing personnel, projects, and budgets at academic, school, public, and state libraries. He started his career as a middle school science teacher in New York City, where he was a founding member of the Mott Hall II School for Advanced Studies in Math, Science, and Technology. After earning an MFA in English from the University of Virginia, he taught creative writing at UVA and English and writing at Northern Virginia Community College. He earned his Master of Library and Information Science from the University of Maryland, where he also worked as a reference and instruction librarian at the University of Maryland Global Campus, the online arm of the USMAI system, which focused on serving military personnel overseas, adult learners returning to college, and ESOL students. He was the Grants Coordinator for the state of Maryland, managing all federal, state, and local grants through the Maryland State Library. For several years, he managed the graduate field study program and taught within the MLIS program at University of Maryland.
For four years, Rocco was the head librarian at Groveton Elementary School, where he was also the NOVA RIF liaison. A recipient of RIF books as a child, he appeared on NBC-4 to promote the 2019 Book It For Books 5K race. Find that video by clicking here. He is currently the instructional librarian at the Fairfax County Adult High School. There, he hopes to work together with NOVA RIF to provide books for adult learner families and to raise funds for hi-lo books for some of Fairfax County's most forgotten students. Hi-lo (high-interest, low readability) books are designed to engage struggling readers by exploring complex, age-appropriate themes at a lower reading level. They typically feature simple sentences, controlled vocabulary, lower page counts, and short chapters. Rocco DeBonis says his most important job is being the proud father of two children, an elementary and a middle school student in the FCPS system. |
A proud native of Dumont, New Jersey, Jeanette Cimino moved to Northern Virginia to pursue professional aspirations following graduation from the University of Delaware, where she
earned a Bachelor of Arts in Art History with a minor in English Literature. She always dreamed about traveling to the places she studied and seeing the famous works of art she read about in books. Over the past 30 years, Jeanette has worked in the power industry and is currently a Human Resources Vice President at The AES Corporation, a global power company based in Arlington, VA. Throughout her time at AES, Jeanette has been fortunate enough to travel to the countries in which they have business seeing first-hand the value of their work and how it positively changes lives. Jeanette was honored when offered the opportunity to join the Board of RIF of NOVA. “This invitation is a wonderful way for me to share my love of learning with others and to give back to my community. Reading is a foundational element towards an individual’s personal success. The idea of putting books in the hands of children to support their reading education is extremely exciting.” A lucky mom to three young adults, Jeanette and her husband, Dan, have instilled the values of reading and education in their home from the very beginning. Margaret, Alessandra, and Caroline are avid readers and are active in their communities both at home and where they attend school. The Cimino family shares the love of travel, music, sports, and discussing books. Oh, and fun fact - one of Jeanette’s daughters has already been Clifford in support of RIF of NOVA. |
Lauren Johnson joined the NOVA RIF board in May 2023. As she wrote: "I’ve always supported literacy and equity to provide a positive impact on students and the communities I’ve served across Virginia and Washington, D.C. Moving through multiple positions, I’ve had greater and greater impacts on students in each role. I started as a middle school English and Reading teacher, then an instructional coach for all contents, next teaching college reading, then realizing I could have even more impact as a school administrator and with my move to Arlington Public Schools to affect county-wide literacy mastery, first as the Secondary English Language Arts Specialist and now Assistant Principal of Dorothy Hamm Middle School.
"My drive is to have a positive impact on each student’s literacy success, and I welcome the chance to collaborate with the RIF of NOVA board, community partnerships, and school leaders to support getting books into the hands of those who need them the most. I look forward to supporting the NOVA RIF mission in any capacity – from partnerships and marketing to fundraising, event planning, and goal alignment." 
Dorothy Hamm Middle School AP, Lauren Johnson (r), is shown with Principal Ellen Smith
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Susan Stickles in the Patrick Henry K-8 School library with one of her favorites, "Purplicious"
After a 34-year career in Alexandria City Public Schools, Susan Stickles joined the NOVA RIF board. The Alexandria native, who went to ACPS schools from elementary through high school, attended Longwood College, earning a BS in Elementary Education. She later received a Master of Arts in Education, Curriculum, and Instruction from Virginia Tech. As an ACPS kindergarten and first grade teacher, she focused on teaching and developing a love of reading in her students. After leaving the classroom, she worked as a reading specialist and an administrator before becoming a technology integration specialist for 12 years, working with both teachers and students to make learning more interactive.
"Getting books into the hands of children, especially our youngest students, can change their lives," Susan says. She notes that, as a teacher, RIF days were always an exciting time for students. "They loved being able to take that book home with their name inside the front cover to add to their home library. I’d like to be instrumental in ensuring that our neediest students continue to receive books to create their own personal libraries at home and, at the same time, give them one more activity to help achieve a healthy balance between screen and screen-free time." Susan has taken on the position as Area Chair for Alexandria -- a perfect match due to her ties in Alexandria! |
Sarah Bohn with the NOVA RIF mascot Clifford (Noah Bohn) at the 2022 Golden Gala
When Sarah Bohn was asked to become part of a volunteer team to help stage a celebration in honor of NOVA RIF's 50th anniversary, she said yes. This media relations specialist went to work, bringing her business skills and her love of books to the table. She graduated from Loyola University with a double major in French and History and received a master’s degree in the science of marketing from The Johns Hopkins University.
In 2017, she started her own business -- French Press Printing -- customizing apparel and accessories in the basement of her Vienna home. Today, she has grown the business to include such national and local clients as Lululemon, Deloitte, and NBC4. As part of the Golden Gala, she designed and then donated custom tote bags for all Gala attendees. Sarah and Nicolas, her husband of 22 years, are raising two children, Sophie and Noah (AKA Clifford!). She has volunteered in their school classrooms, helped launch a school newspaper showcasing student artwork and writings, and was a weekly library assistant, helping kids choose just the right book. Sarah serves on the council at her church, loves to travel, and is continually on the hunt for the next book to read! |
Born and raised in Northern Virginia, Aisha Fallen attended Mount Vernon High School and matriculated to the University of Virginia where she earned her B.S. from the Commerce School and J.D. from the Law School. With a schoolteacher for a mother, Aisha began her love of learning at an early age. Chief among her favorites were Nancy Drew mysteries, Beverly Clearly fiction, and anything written by Judy Blume.
Aisha works in the education field as a Senior Resolutions Counsel at United Educators, a Bethesda, MD-based risk retention group. Since 2016, she has been a member of the Northern Virginia Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. There, she conceived of and executed the chapter's inaugural Youth Cultural Book and Arts Festival, a day-long event featuring prominent and local children's authors and books. Aisha lives in Lorton, VA, with her husband, Joe, daughter, Camille, and son, Chase, with whom she loves to read aloud -- and laugh about -- such favorites as If You Ever Want to Bring An Alligator to School, Don't. Daughter Camille reported on RIF of NOVA's 2021 Book It For Books 5K for Scholastic Kids Press. Find that by clicking here. |
Sari Warren has been an avid reader and book lover her entire life. She turned that love into a 10-year career with Fairfax County Public Schools as an elementary school librarian. One of her favorite parts of the job was that she was able not only to teach but to develop relationships with every student in the school. She loved talking to students about books and matching readers with books that they loved!
A big believer in the idea of books being “mirrors, windows, and sliding glass doors”, she worked hard to diversify the library collection and to buy books that excited the students. In addition, she supported teachers, ran multiple student and staff book clubs, and hosted many author visits. Prior to becoming a librarian, Sari was a CPA, a consultant, a small business owner, and a mom raising her three (now almost) grown children. Sari is excited to join the board of RIF of NOVA so she can continue her involvement in providing great books to children. She loves children's books and is excited to be a part of an organization that feels as strongly as she does about the power of books for kids! In January 2023, she began serving as NOVA RIF Area Chair for Arlington. |
In July 2017, Jen Morrow opened Bards Alley Bookshop, an independent bookstore at 110 Church Street NW, Vienna, VA. After experiencing the wonder of her son learning to read, Jen knew she had to find a way to bring a bookstore to her community. Jen chose the name “Bards Alley” to represent a place "whose curated inventory showcases classics alongside new discoveries from both beloved and debut authors -- think Shakespeare meets Harry Potter’s Diagon Alley." Bards Alley’s mission is to promote literacy, engage with the community, support sustainability, and encourage localism.
Prior to opening Bards Alley, Jen spent 20 years working in the government contracting community. Her first position was with the Department of the Navy, and she later moved to the private sector. Jen and her husband Scott are raising two strong readers, Ethan and Tess, along with three cats who aspire to be bookstore pets someday. Jen was a vital part of the RIF of NOVA Golden Gala, securing the participation of Keynote Speaker David Baldacci, along with most Golden Gala Guest Authors. |
2022-2023 Reading is Fundamental of NOVA Board Awards
RIF of 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 NOVA RIF, 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 NOVA RIF: This award is made to individuals, groups, or organizations for outstanding support of NOVA RIF. 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 NOVA RIF, 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 NOVA RIF: This award is made to individuals, groups, or organizations for outstanding support of NOVA RIF. 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 Golden Gala chair Bradley Vineyard, shown in the photo above on the right with NOVA RIF president Justina Johnson. Due to Bradley's imagination and drive, the Golden Gala was a tremendous success, raising critical funding and attention to the cause of children's reading in our community.
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The Jerry Shelton Award, named in memory of longtime supporter Jerry Shelton, was given to RIF of NOVA president Justina Johnson. 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.
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2022-2023 Special Commendation Awards were given to:
RIF of NOVA Gala Committee members for their work on RIF of NOVA's October 2022 Golden Gala, with chair Bradley Vineyard and members Jackie Diaz, Sarah Bohn, Paula Foley, Jen Morrow, Becky Lewis, Christine Stein, and Jennifer Condra, Lynne Kohls, Justina Johnson, and Lisa Keathley Justina Johnson, Liz Promen, and Lisa Keathley, for their work to launch and support RIF of NOVA's Like-New and Gently Used Book Program Nancy King for her strategic planning and leadership of the Future of RIF of NOVA Committee Alex Pomper, RIF of NOVA Young Ambassador and creator of Giveakidabook.org, for his work to collect and give books in our community Jacob Thomas, Langley High School National Honor Society, for collecting more than 800 gently used books on behalf of RIF of NOVA |
Emeritus Council member and longtime RIF of NOVA support Lynda Robb (r) received a collection of children's books from president Justina Johnson
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Nancy King (r) received her special commendation for leadership of the Future of RIF of NOVA Committee from board member Jeuli Bartenstein
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Several members of the RIF of NOVA 50th anniversary Gala committee posed with their award. (l-r) Justina Johnson, Jackie Diaz, Sarah Bohn, Lisa Keathley, Bradley Vineyard, Jen Morrow, and Jessica Condra
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EMERITUS COUNCIL
Rita Blodgett
Chris Bury
Pam Jackson
Gloria Johnson
Audrey June
Mia Mason
Ruby Osia
Lynda Johnson Robb
Ramunda Young
Rita Blodgett
Chris Bury
Pam Jackson
Gloria Johnson
Audrey June
Mia Mason
Ruby Osia
Lynda Johnson Robb
Ramunda Young
