Board of Directors

The VCA Foundation Board of Directors is comprised of Officers, Directors, and Ex-Officio Directors. In addition, in March 2010 the Board amended the bylaws to recognize Emeritus members for their outstanding service and commitment to the Foundation. All of the Board members represent substantial involvement in the counseling profession in a variety of roles, as well as their service to the VCA Foundation. 

In June 2013, the Foundation Board decided to add three additional positions to the Board, one in 2013, another in 2014, and a third in 2015.

More information on the Board positions and responsibilities is available in the VCAF Bylaws. The VCA Foundation Board adopted the new bylaws on May 29, 2020. 

In recognition of the contributions of the original VCA Foundation Board (1991) and founding members in making the work of VCAF possible, we created this Tribute to Founding Members and First Board of Directors.

To honor the service and memory of Board members who have passed away, we have listed them at the end of this listing.  May they rest in peace.

To connect with any member of the current VCA Foundation Board, email vcaf@vcafoundation.org

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VCA Foundation Board
OfficersDirectors
Kysha Washington, LPC, ACS
Kysha Washington, President
Christopher Barnes, LPC
Renee Staton, Ph. D.
Renee Staton, Past-President		Celeste Hall, MEd
Rick Gressard, TreasurerLorraine Hall, MA
Linda Grubba, M.A.
Linda Grubba, Secretary		Anne Henry, MEd, ACSC
VCA Officers (Ex-Officio)Terri Mason, PhD

Lakesha Rhoney
VCA President, (2024-25)		Ellissia Price-Fabgin, MAT
Corey Grewe,
VCA President-Elect		Mikhal Salzberg, MEd
Vicky Wheeler,
VCA Executive Director		Sam Steen, PhD
Emeritus (Ex-Officio)Emeritus (In Memoriam)
Manny Bartolotta, M.A. ,
Feb. 2024		Paul Galvin
Gary Waynick, M.Ed. ,
Feb. 2024		John Cook
Etta Jane Hall, M.Ed. ,
Sept. 2021		Pete Warren
Kevin Doyle, Ed.D. ,
July 2021		Don
Adele Walker-Blue, LPC ,
July 2021
Bryan Carr ,
Sept. 2019
Celeste Hall, M.Ed. , 2019-2023 (Currently Active Board Member)

Kysha Washington

Kysha Washington completed her undergraduate coursework in Psychology and continued to pursue an M.S. in Rehabilitation Counseling concurrently with a Certificate in Aging Studies at Virginia Commonwealth University. After graduating she began her career in community mental health at local Community Services Boards. Her passion to serve the underserved led her to Daily Planet Health Services, a Federally Qualified Healthcare Center in Richmond which provides services to anyone regardless of their financial, housing, or insurance status where she served for 14 years. She currently serves as a Program Coordinator at Hanover County Community Services Board.

Some of Kysha’s work in the community includes volunteering with the American Red Cross – Services to the Armed Forces and Disaster Mental Health. Kysha has been a member of VCA since 2006 and has served in various capacities throughout the years including the Virginia Clinical Counselors Alliance, and the Virginia Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development (VAMCD). Kysha has also served on the Leadership of SisterFund of Richmond, VA, which seeks to invest in nonprofits and community-based organizations helping to pave a positive future for African American women and girls through gains in education, workforce and leadership development. She is also a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Renee Staton

Renee Staton is a Professor in the Department of Graduate Psychology’s Counseling Programs at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Renee is a Licensed Professional Counselor, National Board Certified Counselor, and Approved Clinical Supervisor. She has served as president of the Virginia Counselors Association, the Virginia Association for Counselor Education and Supervision, and the Central Valley Counselors Association, and was co-president of the Virginia Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development.

She earned her Ph.D. in Counselor Education from the University of Virginia. Her research and practice interests include multicultural counseling; international education; and gender issues in counseling, particularly gender affirmative counseling practice with young people.

Renee served as Secretary on the VCA Foundation Board from July 2019-December 2022 and began her term as President in January 2023.

Linda Grubba, M.A.

Linda Grubba retired from public education after 37 years of experience as a teacher, then a counselor and district counselor supervisor. She taught at the college level in Sydney, Australia and is currently an adjunct professor in the Graduate Counseling Program at the University of Lynchburg. While in Australia she led a community action coalition focused on improving child care in the Blue Mountain Region of New South Wales. She is one of the first school counselors in Virginia to earn the credential of School Based Registered Play Therapist from the Association for Play Therapy. She currently serves on the Administrative Board of the Campbell County Department of Social Services.

Linda has presented trainings and workshops in a variety of settings all over Virginia. Her topics have included issues related to community collaboration, emotional intelligence, parenting, creating positive school climate and safety, conflict resolution, program development, play therapy and developing resiliency.

Her professional involvement includes the Virginia Counselors Association, Lynchburg Area Counselors Association, Virginia Alliance for School Counseling, Virginia Association of Counselor Educators and Supervisors, Association for Play Therapy, and the Virginia Association for Play Therapy. She has been the recipient of the American Counseling Association Emerging Leader Award, the Virginia Counselors Association Van Hoose Career Service Award, the Lynchburg College Outstanding Alumni Award, the Virginia School Counselor Spirit Award and most recently the Virginia Counselors Association John R. Cook Award.

She is married to an Australian who has also retired after forty years in education and has a son who resides in Pittsburgh with his family. Free time is spent traveling, biking, hiking and just enjoying time with friends.

Lakesha D. Roney, Ed.D. LPC
VCA President

Dr. Lakesha Roney is a native of Dinwiddie County, Virginia and graduate of Dinwiddie High School. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Virginia State University, Master of Education in Counseling from Virginia State University, and a Doctor of Education Counseling Psychology Concentration in Education and Supervision from Argosy University. She has been Licensed Professional Counselor in the Commonwealth Virginia since 2005 and Registered Supervisor for LPC, LMFT, LSAPT, and CSAC.

Dr. Roney is the owner of a private practice Inner Self Counseling and Consultation LLC since 2007. She is also an adjunct faculty member at George Mason University.

Inner Self offers a wide variety of outpatient counseling services, consulting, trainings, and clinical supervision. As a Clinical Supervisor, she helps organizations with growth of clinical and program development. In her role, she assesses what the clinical and program needs are for the organization and determines how to make them work more efficiently, improve quality, and increase revenue potential. She also provides clinical supervision for residents in counseling and interns.

Dr. Roney’s professional experiences include: outpatient and inpatient case management and psychotherapy, residential therapy, administrative and clinical supervision, clinical management and directing within community and higher education settings, non-profit settings, faculty member, licensure supervision, training/ workshop development and facilitation, curriculum and policy development, accreditation in higher education setting, serving as chair and member of multidisciplinary teams and task forces, as well as consulting.

As an Executive Board member of VCA, she can assist in conducting their mission of promoting the counseling profession by supporting, empowering, and advocating for the diverse needs of all counselors in Virginia. She is also an active member of the Richmond Area Counselors Association (RACA) and has served as President (2019-2020) and Treasurer (2018-2019). Dr. Roney is a member of the American Counseling Association and Chi Sigma Iota Honor Society.

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Manny Bartolotta

Manny is an “actively retired” former high school counselor from Fairfax County Public Schools. Following his retirement from FCPS in 2005, he worked as a part-time Counselor with the Northern Virginia Community College Extended Learning Institute (now NOVA Online) until 2016.

Manny has enjoyed teaching technology skills to senior citizens as a volunteer. In addition, as a native Italian, he is proud to have created and taught an Italian for Beginners class for seniors at Hollin Hall Senior Center in Alexandria.

Manny has been an active member of VCA for more  than 35 years, serving as President of:
–  Northern Virginia Counselors Association (NVCA),
–  the Virginia School Counselors Association (VSCA), and
–  3 separate terms as Virginia Career Development Association President.

Manny has especially enjoyed the role he has played to increase awareness of the importance of technology in the work of counselors. Manny founded and developed the original websites for VCA and VSCA and was involved in the rebuilding of the VCDA website. When joining the VCA Foundation, he created and managed its website until 2020.  In 2012, he established VCA school counselor organization website for the VASC. As Technology Chair for VCA for a number of years, Manny has established the domain name for VCA, VSCA, VCDA, VASC, and the VCA Foundation. He has served on the VCA Foundation Board as Vice President from 2009-2019, President from 2019-2022, and served a one-year term as Past President. He continues to assist as a volunteer for special assignments and on special committees.  In February 2024, Manny was bestowed the honor of VCA Foundation Emeritus Director, by the Foundation Board of Directors.

Gary Waynick

Gary Waynick is a retired Professional Elementary School Counselor from Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools. He served as the Coordinator of Guidance Programs and as Supervisor, Guidance Programs and Career/Technical Education for 6 years in the same school system.

Gary’s professional experience includes Adjunct Instructor at the College of William and Mary, and Adjunct Instructor at Hampton University. Gary has served as Secretary of VCA, Post-Secondary Vice President of VSCA, President of VESCA, and Middle School Vice President of VSCA. He was on the Writing Team for the Standards for School Counseling Programs in Virginia for the Virginia Department of Education.

Gary has been honored by VCA with the William Van Hoose Career Service Award and the Counselor of the Year award. He also was named the Elementary School Counselor of the Year by VSCA.
Gary Waynick received his B.A. from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and his M.Ed. in Counseling from Virginia Commonwealth University.

Etta Jane Hall, M.Ed.

Etta Jane retired as Supervisor Elementary Counseling and Related Services for Prince William County Schools in 2007 after 37 years in public education. Etta Jane’s father served in the U.S. Navy and as a military dependent she has lived in many different places, including Morocco in North Africa. Etta Jane received her BA in Education from Morehead State University, M.Ed. in Education of the Emotionally Disturbed and Counseling at the University of Louisville, and M.Ed. in Educational Leadership from George Mason University. Etta Jane maintains membership in VCA, VASC, VSCA, ASCA, and PWRCA.

Etta Jane has served on VCA, PWRCA, and VSCA boards in several positions that included VCA Awards Co-Chair, PWRCA President, and VSCA Vice President Post-Secondary, and VSCA Inter-professional Relations/Ethics Chair. She served on the VCA Foundation Board for 11 years. Etta Jane’s awards include VCA 2009 John R. Cook Award, PWRCA 2009 Career Service Award, VSCA 2008 Spirit Award, and VSCA 2004 Supportive Administrator of the Year.

Kevin Doyle

Kevin Doyle is the President and CEO of the Hazelden Betty Ford Graduate School of Addiction Studies in Center City, MN. Prior to his current role, he was the Chair of the Department of Education and Counseling and a professor in the Counselor Education program at Longwood University in Farmville, VA, from 2012 to 2020, following a 26-year career in addiction treatment in Virginia. He is licensed as a professional counselor (LPC) and a substance abuse treatment practitioner (LSATP) in Virginia, and as a licensed professional clinical counselor (LPCC) in Minnesota, and served four terms on the Virginia Board of Counseling (with three terms a Chair), and two terms on the Virginia Board of Health Professions. He currently serves as Past-President of the American Association of State Counseling Boards (AASCB) and recently completed his term as the senior Co-Chair of the Ethics Committee of the American Counseling Association.

Adele Walker-Blue, LPC

Adele is an LPC who grew up on a dairy farm in Powhatan County, the youngest of four sisters. She attended Huguendot Academy (now Blessed Sacrament-Huguenot), Mary Baldwin College (Bachelor of Arts in Psychology) and the College of William and Mary (Master of Education in Counseling). Adele has worked in corporate, healthcare, and community mental settings. Adele has spent much of her clinical career honing her expertise in Motivational Interviewing, and other Humanistic counseling approaches, and has worked with many populations, including adolescents with substance abuse issues and their families; individuals with medical, as well as mental health diagnoses; and youth under social services care. Currently, Adele is a Manager in Behavioral Health Care Management at Anthem. Adele manages a team of clinicians who assist clients in connecting to treatment resources in their communities, and provide coaching on lifestyle changes to assist in improving both mental health and medical conditions.

Adele’s professional contributions to the Virginia Counselors Association include serving as President, two terms as Treasurer, Challenge Fund Chair, and Advocacy Co-Chair. Adele is currently serving on the Convention Committee. Additionally, Adele has served on the leadership team of the Virginia Clinical Counselors Alliance. After serving two terms as the VCA Foundation Treasurer and 5 years as President.

Bryan Carr

Bryan has been a member of the VCA Foundation since 2001, serving as a Director-at-large, Secretary and president of the Board of Directors from 2010-2013. His experience, knowledge and leadership have provided direction and vision for the Foundation. During his presidency, Bryan lead the Board in a reorganization effort to revise the Foundation’s By-Laws, recruit new members, create a strategic plan, and build a solid financial base.

Bryan is currently Instructional Specialist for School Counseling in Chesterfield County Public Schools, where he oversees the implementation of the counseling program for K-12 students. Previously, he was the School Counseling Coordinator at two high schools in CCPS, and he served as both a high school counselor and instructor in several Chesterfield County schools. Bryan and his wife, Julia, have two adult children, Winston and Andrew.

Celeste Hall, M.Ed.

Celeste currently works part time for The Virginia Community System as the Career Coach Specialist supporting the high school and adult career coaching programs across the state. She worked as a Teacher, School Counselor and Career Counselor in Hanover County Public Schools for a total of 31 years, retiring 2011. She grew up in Henrico County, Virginia, attended Douglas S. Freeman High School, The College of William and Mary (B.A. in History/Social Science) and Virginia Commonwealth University ( Master of Education in Counseling). In addition Celeste taught the graduate level course in Career Information/Exploration in the Counselor Education Department at VCU on an adjunct basis for 12 years. In 2006 she earned National Board Certification in the School Counseling K-12 area and became certified as a Career Development Facilitator Instructor in the fall of 2010.

Celeste is a long time member of a number of professional organizations including The Virginia Counselors Association (VCA), The Virginia School Counselors Association (VSCA), The Virginia Career Development Association (VCDA), American School Counselors Association (ASCA) and the National Career Development Association (NCDA). She has held a variety of elected offices in VCA, VSCA and VCDA including the offices of secretary, treasurer, awards chair, newsletter editor and president. She currently serves as Treasurer of VDCA. She has also served on the Advisory Council for the National Career Development Association’s Facilitating Career Development program and is currently the Trustee for K-12 School Counselors and Career Specialists.

Celeste is married to Ron Hall and they have two grown daughters, and proud to be a grandmother of two.