Our Leadership & Board of Directors

EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP

Russell Snyder

Russell Snyder

PRESIDENT & CEO

Russell Snyder has been President and CEO of Volunteers of America Chesapeake & Carolinas since 2009, leading an organization with a $55 million budget, approximately 900 employees to serve more than 10,600 men, women and children across Maryland, Virginia, the District of Columbia and the Carolinas.

Candace Vanderwater

Candace Vanderwater 

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT & COO

As Executive Vice President (EVP) and Chief Operating Officer (COO), Candace Vanderwater has responsibility for the strategic growth and stability of the organization, she provides the leadership, management, and vision necessary to ensure that the organization has the proper infrastructure in place to secure financial strength, quality services, and operational efficiency.

Suzanne Tobin

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.

Sheryl Neverson headshot

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.

Brandi Goss-Burchett

Brandi Goss-Burchett

Vice President of Maryland/DC

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

David Greever

Vice President of BUDGETS & ANALYTICS

As the Vice President of Budgets & Analytics at Volunteers of America Chesapeake & Carolinas, David Greever manages the preparation and implementation of the annual budgets for the organization, its subsidiaries and more than 50 housing, health and human services programs. David ensures that systems are established throughout the organization to ensure efficient budgeting and that we remain in compliance with our contracts and stakeholder requirements. 

J. Caprice Brown

J. Caprice Brown

Vice President of Virginia/DC 

As Vice President of the Virginia Region/DC, J. Caprice Brown 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 the Commonwealth of Virginia and the I/DD programs throughout the District of Columbia.

Dr. Ron Flack

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.

Gloria Thornwell

executive director of human resources

As Executive Director of Human Resources, Gloria Thornwell is responsible for creating, implementing, and executing human resource strategies to support more than 800 full-time and part-time staff at VOA Chesapeake & Carolinas.

Mike Sheedy

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.

Nicholle Granger

Nicholle Granger

executive director of development & marketing

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

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.

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.

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 strategic direction of the region and programs under her purview. 

Chaplain Jules Christian

Reverend Jules Christian

Chaplain

As the Chaplain for Volunteers of America Chesapeake & Carolinas, Rev. Jules Christian is responsible with 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. 

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.

Christine Clangford-Dixon

Executive Assistant

As the Executive Assistant to Russell Snyder – President & CEO,  Chaplain Jules Christian, and the Board of Directors Christine Clangford-Dixon plays a pivotal role in ensuring seamless operations and support for executive-level management.

Karen Jones

Executive Assistant. 

As the Executive Assistant to the Executive Vice President/Chief Operating Officer, Karen works directly with the EVP/COO, providing crucial support across a wide range of operational functions.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

175Caleb Jackson

Caleb Jackson

CHAIRMAN / 2022-2025

Lion Development

J. Walter Tejada headshot

J. Walter Tejada

CO-VICE CHAIR / 2021-2024

Retired Public Servant

Linda Gilmore headshot

Linda Gilmore

CO-VICE CHAIR / 2022-2025

CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield

Shannon Rowan

Shannon Rowan

TREASURER / 2020-2023

Burke & Herbert Bank

Samuel Sterret

Samuel (Sandy) Sterrett

SECRETARY / 2020-2023

Attorney

Mike Avis headshot

Mike Avis

2020-2023

GOOD 360

Steve Edwards headshot

Steve Edwards

2021-2024

Edwards Performance Solutions

Jim Anderson headshot

Jim Anderson

2021-2024

WholeCrowd

Bill Duncan headshot

Bill Duncan

2022-2025

Hilton

Claudia Yates headshot

Claudia Yates

2022-2025

Scheer Partners

Wen Gong headshot

Wen Gong

2022-2025

Howard University

Tanya Royster headshot

Tanya A. Royster, MD

2023-2026

A Better World LLC

David Hernandez

2023-2026

VedderPrice

Cynthia Shonaiya

2023-2025

Hord Coplan Macht

Skip to content