VOA Chesapeake & Carolina: Leadership & Board

EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP

Candace Vanderwater

PRESIDENT & CEO

As President and Chief Executive Officer, Candace Vanderwater leads Volunteers of America Chesapeake & Carolinas, a $57.7 million organization with approximately 900 employees, serving nearly 9,800 individuals across Maryland, Virginia, the District of Columbia, and the Carolinas.

Suzanne Tobin

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

As Chief Financial Officer, Suzanne Tobin has responsibility for the financial stability of the organization, financial growth and risk management. She provides leadership, management and financial strategy, which is necessary to ensure the financial stability of the organization. Her primary responsibilities included developing the financial strategy for the organization, improving and strengthening the IT infrastructure, and risk management.

Anthony Gibson

Vice President of Human Resources and Administration

As Vice President of Human Resources and Administration, Anthony “Gib” Gibson provides strategic leadership for all HR functions, compliance, and risk management in addition to championing organizational culture, employee recruitment, engagement, and retention.

Reverend Jules Christian

Chaplain

As the Chaplain for Volunteers of America Chesapeake & Carolinas, Rev. Jules Christian is responsible for leading and guiding the organization to keep its spiritual focus, provide spiritual and emotional support, strengthen and expand faith and community partnerships, and oversee the Ministry team of our church without walls.

Dr. Sheryl Neverson

Senior Vice President of Clinical Strategy

As Senior Vice President of Clinical Strategy, Sheryl A. Neverson is responsible for enhancing Volunteers of America Chesapeake & Carolinas’s clinical impact through leadership, management and vision necessary to ensure that the organization has the proper tools to effectively drive growth and sustainability in integrated health and human services.

Torrance Poindexter

Vice President of Compliance

Vice President for Compliance Torrance Poindexter serves as the organization-wide vice president for compliance, where he leads program compliance efforts to ensure adherence to laws, regulations, internal policies, and stakeholder requirements.

Mike Sheedy

Executive Director of the Mid-Atlantic Neighborhood Development Corporation

Mike Sheedy is the Executive Director of the Mid-Atlantic Neighborhood Development Corporation (MANDC). He is charged with establishing and operating this newly created affiliate of Volunteers of America Chesapeake & Carolinas as a premier non-profit regional affordable housing developer.

Dr. Ron Flack

VICE PRESIDENT of the CAROLINAS

As Vice President of the Carolinas Region, Dr. Ron Flack is responsible for overall strategic and operational goals (including internal operations, program expansion, risk management, leadership development and program evaluation) for all program areas in North and South Carolina.

Brandi Goss-Burchett

Vice President of DC

As the Vice President of DC for Volunteers of America Chesapeake & Carolinas, Brandi Goss-Burchett is responsible for the overall strategic, operational, and clinical responsibility for behavioral health and medical respite programs in the District of Columbia.

Lisa Snider

Vice President of Virginia/DC Programs

Lisa Snider brings over 25 years of expertise in the Behavioral Health and Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities field to our team. Based in Virginia for the past two decades, Lisa’s career spans roles in local and state government, as well as nonprofit community mental health and developmental disability service providers. Known for her commitment to person-centered services and creative problem-solving, Lisa has a dynamic approach to leadership.

Darrin Mitchell

Vice President of MARYLAND

As the Vice President of Maryland for Volunteers of America Chesapeake & Carolinas, Darrin Mitchell is responsible for the overall strategic, operational, and clinical responsibility for all programs in Maryland for behavioral health, homeless services, supportive housing and community re-entry.

Tanea Manning

VICE PRESIDENT/controller

As Vice President/Controller, Tanea Manning is responsible for safeguarding financial assets and ensuring accurate and timely recording of all business transactions at Volunteers of America Chesapeake & Carolinas.

Laura Chen

Vice President of FINANCE

As Vice President of Finance at Volunteers of America Chesapeake & Carolinas (VOACC), Laura Chen leads the organization’s financial strategy, ensuring fiscal responsibility and driving sustainable growth. She oversees all finance functions, including financial reporting, audits, and regulatory compliance.

Nicholle Granger

executive director of development & marketing

As the Executive Director of Development and Marketing for Volunteers of America Chesapeake & Carolinas, Nicholle Granger is responsible for developing and executing the organization’s fundraising, marketing, and communications strategies.

Helena Parks

executive director of HUMAN RESOURCES

As Executive Director of Human Resources, Helena Parks, manages daily operations of the Human Resources Department, including the supervision of employee benefits administration.

Christine Taylor-Lewis

Executive Director of Revenue Cycle Management

Christine serves as the Revenue Cycle Executive Director at Volunteers of America Chesapeake & Carolinas, bringing more than 25 years of experience in healthcare, including acute care hospitals and, for the past five years, behavioral and mental health.

Tomeka Magagula

Director of Operations for Virginia/DC

As the Director of Operations for the Virginia region and DC I/DD Services, Tomeka Magagula is responsible for providing leadership and execution that supports and promotes the region’s strategic direction and programs under her purview. 

Joseph Martinez-Williams

Director of Operations for Maryland/DC

As Director of Operations for the District of Columbia and Maryland Regions, Joseph “Joe” Martinez-Williams oversees the regions’ compliance, quality assurance plan, and organization’s compliance directives/concerns with oversight agencies.

Cyndi Thompson

Director of Operations for the carolinas

As Director of Operations for the Carolinas Regions, Cyndi Thompson oversees the regions’ compliance, quality assurance plan, and organization’s compliance directives/concerns with oversight agencies.

Christine Langford-Dixon

Executive Assistant

Christine Langford-Dixon serves as the Executive Assistant to the President & CEO, Executive Vice President & CFO, and Board of Directors at Volunteers of America Chesapeake & Carolinas. In this role, she provides high-level executive support, board management, and governance leadership, while also contributing to the Ministry Team to advance the organization’s mission of service.

Karen Jones

Executive Assistant to the Chief Operating Officer (COO), SVP of Organizational Excellence (OE), and Ministry

As the Executive Assistant to the Chief Operating Officer, SVP of Organizational Excellence (OE), and Ministry, Karen Jones—affectionately known as “KJ” by her family and friends, brings over 25 years of experience supporting executive-level management teams to her role.

Donna Cheung

Operations Specialist/HRIS Administrator, Executive Support to Senior Vice President of Administration

Donna Cheung serves as Operations Specialist and HRIS Administrator, providing executive support to the Senior Vice President of Administration at VOA Chesapeake & Carolinas. Her expertise has strengthened her adaptability and positioned her as a valuable resource across the organization.