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 swear in new officers for the following academic year and to recognize board and community members who have made a significant difference in RIF NOVA's operations.
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.
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 swear in new officers for the following academic year and to recognize board and community members who have made a significant difference in RIF NOVA's operations.
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.
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PRESIDENT: Sarah Bohn
VICE PRESIDENT: Jeanette Cimino RECORDING SECRETARY: Sari Warren CORRESPONDING SECRETARY: Jennifer Held TREASURER: Susan Stickles FINANCIAL SECRETARY: Dan Head |
BOOK ORDERING CHAIRS: Paula Powell, Elaine Liebesman
COMMUNICATIONS CHAIR: Lisa Keathley DEVELOPMENT CHAIRS: Sarah Bohn, Lauren Johnson CONTRACTS CHAIR: Susan Stickles AUTHORS IN OUR SCHOOLS CHAIR: Sari Warren DONATED BOOKS CHAIRS: Justina Johnson, Liz Promen |
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AREA CHAIRS Lead, Justina Johnson Alexandria Sheryl Leeds, Lisa Keathley Arlington Sari Warren Fairfax East Liz Promen, Rekha Patel Fairfax West Chris McLaughlin Prince William Carylee Carrington |
AT-LARGE BOARD MEMBERS Jeuli Bartenstein Paul Brandus Judy Cheatham Hazeline Harris Dan Head Nadine James Lauren Johnson Sheila Jonas Gayle Kelley Anne-Stuart Kirkhorn Jennifer Morrow Dana Stewart |
2025-2026 YOUNG AMBASSADORS Bryce Benedetti Marley Clift Camille Fallen Inaya Khan Mallory Lefton Michelle Liu McKenzie Watt |
EMERITUS COUNCIL JoAnn Abrams Rita Blodgett Chris Bury Ann Godfrey Pam Jackson Audrey June Mia Mason Ruby Osia Lynda Johnson Robb Ramunda Young |
2025-2026 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.
New board officers were sworn in on May 12, 2026 for the 2026-2027 academic year. From left to right are financial secretary Susan Stickles, recording secretary Sari Warren, treasurer Dan Held, president Sarah Bohn, and vice president Jeanette Cimino. Not pictured is corresponding secretary Jennifer Held. The presentation included a memorial tribute to longtime board member Nancy King who passed away unexpectedly in March.
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The McNamara Award was given to Sarah Bohn. Sarah joined RIF NOVA activities as a vital part of the organization's 50th anniversary gala committee in 2022. After officially joining the board, she became Prince William County co-area chair, development committee co-chair, chair of the 2025 Book It For Books 5K, and vice president before stepping into the president's role. Sarah is shown (r) receiving the McNamara award from board member Justina Johnson.
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The Jerry Shelton award, named in memory of longtime supporter Jerry Shelton, was given to Lisa Keathley (r). Lisa has served in a variety of roles, including Book It For Books co-chair multiple times, communications chair, vice president, and Alexandria area co-chair. Lisa is shown with board member Liz Promen, who received the award last year.
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Three new board members were welcomed at the May 12 board meeting. From left to right are Dan Head, Dana Stewart, and Judy Cheatham. If you are interested in serving on the RIF NOVA board, please send a note of inquiry to: [email protected]. We welcome all backgrounds and skills to help with our efforts to put books into the hands and homes of NOVA children.
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Note: Cover photo by Mike Leonard, Book It For Books 2025; @mikeleonardphoto
