| Name |
Position |
Representing
(map showing VDSS regional boundaries) |
Bio
|
E-mail |
Term Expires |
| Carey, Don |
Chair |
VDSS Eastern Region |
Open bio
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A native of Norfolk, Virginia, Don Carey graduated from Booker T. Washington High School and Norfolk State University (NSU), before becoming the first NSU football player drafted into the NFL in the Division I era. Over his 10 year professional playing career, Carey received numerous awards for accomplishments both on the field and in the community. Among these was the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, presented by the Detroit Lions.
Following his retirement from the NFL, Carey founded The Don Carey REECH Foundation, Inc., which uses sports as a catalyst to connect with and educate students about careers in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) fields. Carey speaks at many schools of every level, challenging, teaching, and inspiring the next generation of leaders around the country.
A published author, Carey’s first book, “It’s Not Because I’m Better Than You,” shares his personal story and the principles he and others have used to achieve success. The book, released in 2017, has been met with extremely positive reviews.
In 2018 Carey received Norfolk State University's Graduate of the Last Decade award and, in 2019, was inducted into the NSU Athletic Hall of Fame. He continues to serve the community of Chesapeake, sitting on various boards and participating in several organizations that spearhead positive change across the city.
Carey was elected to Chesapeake City Council for a four-year term commencing July 1, 2020
|
doncarey3@gmail.com |
06/30/2026 |
| Short, DeRonda |
Board Member |
VDSS Eastern Region |
Open bio
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Partner, Short, Short, Telstad & Kerr, PC, Newport News, since 1978.
DeRonda Miniard Short has been listed as a reputable Lawyer by Marquis Who's Who.
Member Virginia Symphony Guild, Newport News, 1975-1984, Virginia State Ballet, Newport News, 1977-1981, Peninsula Estate Planning Council, since 1983. Commissioner Penisula Ports Authority Virginia, Newport News, 1977-1986. Board visitors Christopher Newport College, 1979-1983.
Member American Bar Association, Virginia State Bar Association, Newport News Bar Association, American Trial Lawyers Association, Virginia Trial Lawyers Assn, Peninsula Women's Network. Clubs: Towne Point (Norfolk, Virginia).
|
deshort@dmspllc.com |
06/30/2026 |
| Garland, Sheryl |
Board Member |
Healthcare Professional |
Open bio
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Sheryl Garland, MHA, FACHE
Chief of Health Impact, VCU Health System
Executive Director, VCU Office of Health Equity
Sheryl Garland is a native of Richmond, Virginia who received an undergraduate degree from Wake Forest University in 1982 and a Masters in Health Administration from Virginia Commonwealth University in 1988. Since joining the VCU Health System in 1987 as an administrative resident, she has served in various leadership roles including Vice President for Health Policy and Community Relations, Vice President for Community Outreach, Director of Ambulatory Care Services, and Director of Planning. In her current role as Chief of Health Impact, Sheryl is responsible for building programs and partnerships to improve the health of populations and communities served by VCU Health System. In this position, she provides leadership for the health system’s Division of Community Health that focuses on advancing health equity and addressing health disparities for patients. Projects to date have included initiatives to identify and address social determinants of health such as housing instability, food insecurity, employment, and transportation needs. In addition to her health system responsibilities, Sheryl serves as the Executive Director of Virginia Commonwealth University’s (VCU) Office of Health Equity. This office is responsible for integrating the principles of health equity into VCU’s core missions (education/training, research, and service). Previous positions within the University include Director of Community Outreach for the VCU Institute for Women's Health, Administrative Director of the VCU Center on Health Disparities, and Director of the VCU Office of Health Innovation.
Sheryl is the recipient of several awards including the American College of Health Care Executives Regent’s Early Career Healthcare Executive Award, the VCU Presidential Award for Community Multicultural Enrichment (Administrator Award), VCU/MCV School of Medicine Dean’s Award for Community Service, YWCA of Richmond Outstanding Woman of the Year Award in the field of Health/Science, the VCU Department of Health Administration Alumni of the Year Award, the First African Baptist Church Community Leader’s Award, and the MCV Foundation’s Jerome F. Strauss III Award. She participated in Leadership Metro Richmond, the National Association of Public Hospitals and Health Systems’ (America’s Essential Hospitals) ambulatory fellows program, the Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute, and LEAD Virginia. Sheryl is a fellow in the American College of Health Care Executives and a member of SisterFund, an African American Women’s Giving Circle. She currently serves on the Virginia Board of Social Services as well as the boards of the MCV Foundation, University Health Services-Professional Education Programs, American Heart Association Mid-Atlantic Affiliate, The Community Foundation for a Greater Richmond, and the Institute for Public Health Innovation (Board Chair).
|
sheryl.garland@vcuhealth.org |
06/30/2025 |
| Benjamin, Maria |
Board Member |
VDSS Central Region |
Open bio
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A native of Richmond, VA, she graduated from Huguenot High School and attended Georgetown University for ophthalmology. She is married to her soul mate and partner in ministry, Apostle Leon Benjamin, Sr., and through their union they have three beautiful children – Delcarmen and Leon Jr., and Destiny Benjamin
Pastor Maria accepted her call into ministry at a very early age of 14, serving as lead drummer (set) in her church at Ebenezer Church of our Lord Jesus Christ. Her interest in music also gravitated to singing in various choirs at national conventions. Her love for the word of God caused her to accept her call to preach and currently she leads a women’s movement call Women of Power Ministries. She has also taught both of her daughters and her son to appreciate music. Her son plays the keyboards in our worship services and her youngest daughter, Destiny, plays the drum set, while her oldest daughter, Delcarmen, leads the praise and worship team. Pastor Maria works alongside of her husband, Apostle Leon Benjamin, as Executive Pastor for New Life Harvest Church, Inc., formerly Jireh Ministries International, a multi-cultural church that ministers to the inner-city youth through the church’s daycare and before and after school programs.
|
marianchrist12@gmail.com |
06/30/2026 |
| Boone, William |
Board Member |
VDSS Western Region |
Open bio
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William B. “Buckey” Boone was born, raised and has spent most of his life in Southwest Virginia. He attended Pocahontas High School and received a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the College of William and Mary in 1972. Buckey began his career teaching young children (Kindergarten, preschool, and infant/toddler). He then worked for a number of organizations that served families and communities of Southwest Virginia, including People, Incorporated, Washington County Office on Youth, and the Region I Perinatal Coordinating Council. His longest service was with Southwest Virginia Legal Aid Society and his last work was as Director of Smart Beginnings of Southwest Virginia at the United Way of Southwest Virginia from where he retired in 2017. Buckey served three terms on the Washington County School Board. He presently serves on the Board of Directors of the Appalachian Peace Education Center and the Washington County Community Advocacy Committee. Buckey lives in Meadowview, Virginia with his wife Joan. He has two daughters, Birdie and Katie, and two grandchildren, Colin and Wren.
|
boonebuckey@gmail.com |
06/30/2025 |
| Ford, Leslie |
Board Member |
VDSS Northern Region |
Open bio
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Leslie Ford is a policy researcher with ten years of experience including leadership roles as a domestic policy advisor to the President at the White House and a legislative advisor to Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) on Capitol Hill. Ford is focused on transforming U.S safety-net policies to empower vulnerable citizens. Leslie lives with her husband and three children in Alexandria, Virginia.
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leslie.ford.a@gmail.com |
06/30/2026 |
| Matthew, Melvin |
Board Member |
VDSS Eastern Region |
Open bio
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Executive Director, Hope Unity Freedom Center
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matthewdmelvin@gmail.com |
06/28/2028 |
| Morefield, April |
Board Member |
VDSS Western Region |
Open bio
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Executive Director, CARE Center of Southwest Virginia; Founder, Harper’s Home
|
aprilmorefield@gmail.com |
06/30/2028 |
| Santos, Zulma |
Board Member |
VDSS Northern Region |
Open bio
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Zulma Santos
Attendance Officer, Prince William Schools
When Zulma Santos was 12 years old, she and her grandfather immigrated to the Untied States from El Salvador. They’d come to reunite with her mother and brother, who had arrived two years earlier. She graduated from Alexandria City High School and attended George Mason University, Continuing and Professional Education for Paralegal Certificate.
Ms. Santos served as Family Engagement Advocate of Fairfax County, Virginia for 10 years.
She was responsible for recruiting, enrolling, and serving families and children in the Head Start program. She assisted and advocated in making referrals for emergency or crisis such as, child abuse and neglect, domestic violence, homelessness, substance abuse, mental health and immigration.
She arranged and advocated for emergency crisis assistance in the areas of food, housing, clothing or transportation. Assisted families in developed Family Partnership Goals by identifying family’s strengths and needs; provided follow up on goals as needed, while providing recommendation and support.
Before employment in Fairfax County Ms. Santos worked as Bilingual Associate Social Worker for Department of Social Service in Prince William, Virginia. She served as Associate Social Worker in the Foster Care and Adoption Program in Prince William County. Assisted in addressing client's needs in areas such as personal safety, physical and mental health, substance abuse, housing, employment, and childcare.
She assisted in submitting service plans to court proceedings and provided testimony regarding the status of clients towards permanency planning. Collaborated with parents, multidisciplinary evaluation team members, school administrators, and other community agencies to address student’s socio-emotional and behavioral needs.
AFFILIATIONS:
State Board of Social Services Board Member
Capital Food Bank Client Leadership Council
Moms Demand Action Survivor Leader
Arc of Greater Prince William
Virginia Medical Corp
NAACP
Elks Lodge- Woodbridge
Veterans of Foreign Wars -Ladies Auxiliary
|
Zsantos441@gmail.com |
06/30/2025 |
| Stewart, Coke |
Board Member |
VDSS Northern Region |
Open bio
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Attorney, O'Melveny and Myers LLP
|
cokestewart@omm.com |
06/30/2028 |
