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.

Yasha Robinson 

Chief Operating Officer

Yasha Williams Robinson serves as the Chief Operations Officer for Volunteers of America Chesapeake & Carolinas, where she provides strategic, operational, and quality leadership across the organization’s full portfolio of direct service programs.

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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 Senior Vice President of Administration, Anthony “Gib” Gibson provides executive leadership for the core administrative functions of Volunteers of America Chesapeake & Carolinas (VOACC), including Human Resources, Organizational Development, Housing & Asset Management, Facilities, and Compliance.

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.

Cyndi Thompson

Vice President of Organizational Excellence 

As Vice President of Organizational Excellence at Volunteers of America Chesapeake & Carolinas (VOACC), Cyndi Thompson leads the organization’s strategy for quality, data, and performance improvement. She oversees all Organizational Excellence functions, including quality assurance, data and analytics, and organizational development.

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. 

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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.

Susan Doyle

Vice President of THE district of columbia

Susan Doyle, MSW, LICSW serves as the Vice President for District of Columbia Programs at Volunteers of America Chesapeake & Carolinas. In this role, she provides strategic oversight for VOACC’s behavioral health, recovery, housing, and community-based services throughout Washington, DC, ensuring high-quality care and strong program performance across the region.

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. 

Lisa Snider

Vice President of Virginia/DC Programs

As Vice President of Virginia/DC Programs, Lisa Snider provides strategic and operational leadership for all behavioral health, developmental disabilities, and residential service programs across Virginia and the District of Columbia. In this role, she oversees program quality, regulatory compliance, staff development, and service delivery to ensure individuals and families receive person-centered, evidence-informed care.

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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.

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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. 

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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.

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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 Lewis-Taylor

Executive Director of Revenue Cycle Management

As Executive Director of Revenue Cycle Management, Christine oversees the full revenue cycle strategy for VOACC, ensuring accurate billing, reimbursement, and financial operations across all program areas. She leads process improvement, compliance, and data-driven performance to support the organization’s financial health and mission impact.

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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. 

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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.

Christine Langford-Dixon

Executive Assistant to President & CEO; EVP & CFO; and the Board of Directors

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), VP of Organizational Excellence (OE), and Ministry

Karen Jones, Executive Assistant to the COO, VP of Organizational Excellence, and the Chaplain, provides crucial support across a wide range of operational functions. This includes strategic planning, operations support, organizational development, outreach, and learning activities. She also plays a key role in fostering innovation, efficiency, and culture within the organization, as well as facilitating communication with the Board of Directors, VOA National office, and the volunteer ministry team.

Donna Cheung

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

Donna Cheung serves as the HRIS Administrator and Executive Support to the Senior Vice President of Administration. In this role, she provides high-level executive support to the Senior Vice President of Administration day to day activities and special projects, as well as setting up and maintaining HCMS.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

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J. Walter Tejada

CHAIRMAN / 2025-2026

Community Advocate &
Former Elected Official

Pastor Madeline “MAD” Long

co-vice chair 2025-2026

MAD Konnect Foundation

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Linda Gilmore

SECRETARY / 2022-2026

Integrity Marketing Group LLC

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Dr. Tanya A. Royster

Co-Vice Chair/ 2023-2026

A Better World LLC

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Mike Avis

TREASURER / 2023-2026

Michael & Son Services

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Caleb Jackson

PAST CHAIR / 2025-2026

Lion Development

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Rev. Claudia Yates

2022-2026

Scheer Partners

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Cynthia Shonaiya

2023-2026

Hord Coplan Macht

CAPT Michelle Dawson

2024-2027

U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Benjamín Nalette

2024-2027

American Correctional Association

Dr. John Thompson, Ph.D.

2025-2026

Richland County Government

Tracey Izzard

2025-2026

Sentara Health

Marie Rodgers O’Bannon

2025-2026

Ulta Beauty

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