Audra Bullock – TFFC Board Chair & CEO
Audra Bullock is founder and President of Tidewater Friends of Foster Care. She received her BS, MS and PhD from the College of Engineering at Old Dominion University in ’96,’ 97 and 2000, respectively. She has worked for the University of Hawaii as an Assistant Professor of Engineering and for NASA as an Engineer and Mission Manager. In February 2015, Audra and her husband Richard became foster parents for the City of Norfolk and since then have become increasingly more involved in the realm of Foster Care and Adoption, culminating in the founding of Tidewater Friends of Foster Care. Audra has devoted her professional life to TFFC and is committed to engaging the community to make a meaningful difference in the lives of Foster Children in Hampton Roads.
Christy Allen-TFFC Director
Christy is an Associate Broker/Owner of Decker Allen Realty at Real Broker. Specializing in connecting clients with their dream homes, she combines years of industry expertise with a personalized approach to buying and selling.Prior to her real estate career, Christy was a television professional, working locally as a producer at WTKR-TV. She also spent several years at TowneBank working in business development and community relations.Beyond real estate, Christy is a passionate community advocate. As a board member of the Peter Decker Children’s Charity, she works to raise funds for children’s charities like St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and CHKD. She has also served on the boards for the Norfolk SPCA, The d’Art Center and Virginia Stage Company.When not working or volunteering, Christy enjoys spending time walking on the beach with her two pups, connecting with friends and family, and exploring all of the hidden gems in our local communities.
Sarah Morin Bishop – TFFC Director
Sarah Morin Bishop earned her Master of Social Work degree in 1978. She is currently the Manager of Special Projects at The Up Center, aka Child and Family Services of Southeastern Virginia. Sarah has worked as the Director of Education Initiatives & United for Children for the United Way of South Hampton Roads and has served on many prestigious boards, including Eastern Virginia Medical School, Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters, and the Virginia Symphony. Sarah is the wife of 50 years to Bruce Taylor Bishop. She is the mother of two adult daughters and Grandmother of two granddaughters.
Mary Bonsby-Brock – TFFC Director
Mary Bonsby-Brock came to the Norfolk area from Silver Spring, MD in 1989 when she married her then sailor husband Mark. Like so many others in Hampton Roads, they made the area their permanent home when they transitioned to civilian life. They have two adult daughters. They adopted their youngest daughter from Foster Care when she was 6 years old. Mary began working for a small bank in 1994 that through a series of mergers became Wells Fargo Bank. The majority of her career has been in Financial Crimes Investigations. Mary received her BS in Criminal Justice from Old Dominion University and later received her AA in accounting from TCC. She is a Certified Fraud Examiner and Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist.
Tonya D. Byrd- TFFC Director
Tonya’s 30+ year career with Dominion Energy started as an intern and has spanned several sectors including nuclear engineering & training, customer service, electrical distribution design, and external affairs. She now serves as Senior Policy Director, Community Engagement ensuring Dominion Energy maintains positive and productive relationships with community-focused organizations, educational institutions, state & localofficials and 4.5 million customers across a 13-state operational footprint. One of her most rewarding assignments was leading community outreach and environmental justice engagement for the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW) project, the largest utility-owned offshore wind project under construction in the United States.In 2019, Tonya was named the Benjamin J. Lambert III Volunteer of the Year for Community Vitality by Dominion Energy. She is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., a graduate of both Lead Virginia (2022) and CIVIC Leadership Institute (2023), and serves on several boards including The Cheryl J. Tyler Foundation, Fort Monroe Foundation, Tidewater Community College Educational Foundation, and Black BRAND.A native of Hampton, VA , Tonya earned a B.S., Mechanical Engineering from Howard University, a M.B.A. from The George Washington University, and is the proud mom to high school senior twins.
Karen Campbell – TFFC Director
Dr. Karen Campbell is a dedicated and results-oriented higher education professional with a progressive career in student affairs administration. Dr. Campbell serves as the Vice President for Student Affairs at Tidewater Community College in Norfolk, Virginia. Dr. Campbell holds a Ph.D. in Higher Education, with a research focus on the effects of self-regulated learning on community college students’ metacognition and achievement in developmental math courses. She also holds a Master of Education in Counseling Psychology and College Student Personnel Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. Dr. Campbell and her husband have also served as foster parents.
Amanda Gift – TFFC Director
Amanda Gift is a Partner, Strategic Advisor, and Head of the Norfolk office for Brown Advisory. Amanda is most interested in helping families have great impact in the areas most important to them -Asset Allocation and Portfolio Construction, Estate and Generational Planning, Philanthropy, Tax Planning, and Risk Management. Amanda joined the firm in 2018 as a result of the partnership between Brown Advisory and Signature Family Wealth Advisors. In her spare time, Amanda loves spending time with her husband and four children. Amanda is the former Chair of the Access College Foundation, a Board Member of Women United and United Way of South Hampton Roads.
Chuck Gray – TFFC Director
Chuck Gray is a native of the Hampton Roads area. He was born and raised in Norfolk, Virginia. Chuck attended the public school system of Norfolk and he graduated from Lake Taylor High School in 1987. After graduation, he attended Howard University in Washington, DC. He is married to Melissa Gray of Chesapeake VA, and together they have three bright children. Jalen Gray, who attends the University of Virginia; Aiyana Gray, who attends Virginia Commonwealth University; and Chase Gray, who attends Montessori Academy of Virginia. He always knew that he would return to his hometown and find a way to help the youth. In May 2011, he established Youth Solutions, Inc. Founder and President Chuck Gray had a strong desire to provide outreach and assistance to families in crisis. His hope was to provide a support system in which families experiencing issues related to multi-generational substance abuse, ineffective parenting, physical and sexual abuse and mental health issues can find effective methods to cope with and overcome these issues. Mr. Gray wanted to provide these services within the community and determined the best way to do this would be through the provision of Intensive-In-Home Services and Adult Mental Health Skill-Building Services. To this end, Youth Solutions Inc. was established. He wanted to be able to give back to the community and make a difference in the lives and futures of young children and young adults in the area where he grew up.
Edy Herrera- TFFC Director
Edy and Nikki Herrera have been living in Norfolk since 2019 with their three children: Jonathan, Eliana, and Isabela. They began fostering in 2022 and have cared for 11 placements so far. They are passionate about creating an irresistible culture of tenderness and belonging in their home and in their community at large. Edy is principal at Surrender Network, which is a Hampton Roads leadership development company. Edy and his team believe leaders are uniquely positioned in their city to create belonging and purpose. Each leader has the ability to foster trust and help their team transform by leading them with intentionality and aware.
Jennifer Holland – TFFC Director
Jennifer is a native of Hampton Roads. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Human Services Counseling from Old Dominion University in 1995. She went on to work in the Norfolk Sheriff’s office pretrial program before becoming a real estate appraiser and investor. Jennifer has worked tirelessly with the Roc Solid Foundation sourcing their Ready Bag program. These are bags filled with all of the hospital stay necessities when a child is first diagnosed with cancer. She also spent a number of years on the Hampton Roads Board of Directors for the Multiple Sclerosis Society. Her philanthropic efforts also include the Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters, Seton House, The Boys and Girls Club, and Norfolk Academy. She is married to the love of her life, Brian Holland, and they have three amazing children. Connor, who graduated from the University of Virginia in 2023 and is now working on his masters at Georgetown; Haley, a Senior at the University of Miami; and Harper, a 5th grader at Norfolk Academy.
Cheryl Jones – TFFC Director
Cheryl Jones is the Vice-President for Programs at Access College Foundation. She holds an Associate’s Degree in Business Management from Tidewater Community College and a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Virginia Wesleyan University. She also has earned a Certificate in Nonprofit Management from the Academy of Nonprofit Excellence. In 2013, she was awarded the National College Attainment Network College Access Staff Member Award of Excellence, and in 2017 Cheryl participated in the Bank of America Neighborhood Builders Emerging Leaders training. Cheryl is a member of the National College Attainment Network’s (NCAN) National Rapid Response Team on College Access and is an Alumna of the CIVIC Leadership Institute, Class of 2020. Cheryl’s passion for higher education extends to all sectors, including foster youth.
Tracy Keller – TFFC Director
Tracy Keller is the Chief Executive Officer for the Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast, a regional nonprofit dedicated to improving the lives of girls. She is lifetime Girl Scout who as an adult member, has been recognized with the Girl Scout Thanks Badge, the highest adult honor. Tracy is a foster/adoptive parent, who has fostered 9 children and adopted 4 children. Tracy graduated from Virginia Wesleyan College in 2004 with a bachelor’s degree in computer science and mathematics. She received a certification in nonprofit management in 2007 from the Academy for Nonprofit Excellence and during that year was selected from an elite group of Girl Scout CEOs to attend a Strategic Leader Seminar at the United States Army War College sponsored by the Columbia University Business School. In 2009, she graduated from the Lead Hampton Roads executive program and in 2010 joined the ranks of the prestigious Civic Leadership Institute alumni. She was awarded the 2018 Women in Business Award by Inside Business. Tracy is a member of many local charitable organizations and is passionate about serving those in need.
Richard Litton, Jr. – TFFC Director, Secretary & Treasurer
Richard Litton is the President of Harbor Group International, LLC, a commercial real estate investment company, with corporate headquarters located in Norfolk, Virginia and offices in New York, Baltimore and Tel Aviv. He is a member of Freddie Mac’s Investor Advisory Council and serves on the Board of Directors of the ACCESS College Foundation. He has served on the Board of Directors of Children’s Health Foundation of the Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters, and the Board of Trustees of the Virginia Athletics Foundation. Before joining Harbor Group, Mr. Litton was a corporate law partner at Kaufman & Canoles in Norfolk, Virginia. Richard earned his law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1992. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Virginia with a bachelor’s degree in 1989. Richard is a father of four children and a dedicated foster parent. He and his wife Audra have adopted 2 children from foster care.
Robert E. McCartney – TFFC Director
Rob McCartney MSW, is the Chief Executive Officer for The Barry Robinson Center, a behavioral health system in Norfolk, Virginia, anchored by a 72-bed residential treatment center. Over the past six years, Rob has led The Barry Robinson Center’s residential program’s transition from a typical residential treatment center to a premier program whose primary mission is to help military-connected children and their families heal. Rob has an undergraduate degree from Michigan State University, and a Masters in Social Work from Michigan State. Rob is the father of two boys and stepfather of two girls the same age as his sons. He and his wife Shirley describe their family as “The Brady Bunch without Alice”. Rob is a compassionate leader who puts the needs of the children and families first.
Jalana McCasland- TFFC Director
A native Texan, Jalana has called Virginia home for over twenty years. She has thirty-three years of experience in practice management, ambulatory operations, physician outreach, business development, strategy, revenue cycle and call center management at The University of Texas Health Center at Tyler, Texas, The University of Virginia Health System, The Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters and Virginia Commonwealth University Health System. She served as a board member and Chair, Virginia Beach Social Services Advisory Board, was the inaugural JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion) Chair for Women in Health Care,and board member for Spotsylvania Radiation Therapy Center, LLC and Community Memorial Hospital Radiation Therapy Cetner, LLC in South Hill, Virginia. A life-long learner, she has a BA in Political Science, a Master’s in Public Administration, a Master of Education in Leadership and Learning, a Doctorate in Strategic Leadership and a certificate from Cornell University in DEI. She is a Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives, a board-certified coach, a preceptor, and mentor for the VCU School of Health Administration and a frequent lecturer and presenter on health care topics. As an adopted child herself, I am the proud mother of two internationally adopted children. Jalana is an avid reader, enjoys travel, and giving back to others and her community
Douglas Mitchell – TFFC Director
Dr. Mitchell is Professor of Pediatrics and Pediatric Infectious Diseases. He attended medical school at The University of Michigan Medical School and received his pediatric training at Wright State University. He completed Infectious Diseases Fellowship at the University of Texas and Eastern Virginia Medical School. He arrived in Norfolk in 1992 and spent 12 years at EVMS in academic medicine. He was with been with CHKD Medical Group at General Booth Pediatrics in general pediatrics from 2004 to 2020 and then moved to Norfolk Pediatrics – a foster care center of excellence. He has been medical director of CHKD Medical group since 2014. Dr. Mitchell is also director of the International Adoption and Travel Medicine Clinic at General Booth Pediatrics and is an adoptive father.
Adam Starks, Ph.D.- TFFC Director
Dr. Adam Starks is an inspirational keynote speaker on various child welfare-related topics ranging from foster care, mental health, and trauma-informed care.He is also an award-winning author of children’s books Love Will Find Your Home, Love Makes The World Go “Round, and his autobiography, Broken Child Mended Man. After aging out of the system, Dr. Starks earned a bachelor’s degree from Eastern Mennonite University, an M.B.A. from Strayer University, and a Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership from CapellaUniversity. He is also the Founder and CEO of MNDYRR (mender), a up-and-coming supportive app that helps at-promise youth access social services and mental wellness resources. Dr. Starks’ passion is childand family advocacy,serving on his local school board in Barbour County, West Virginia, Youth Advisory Board for World Vision KidReach, board member of Hero’s Haven Child Advocacy Center, andPresident of the West Virginia CASA Association board
Kate Powell – TFFC Director
Kate Powell is an arts administrator who discovered her love for organizational development in 2015. Since then, she has served as the Development Manager at the Virginia Symphony Orchestra, Director of Fundraising and Grants at PORTCO, Inc., and Director of Development for Tidewater Arts Outreach (TAO). She took over as Executive Director of TAO in November 2020. Kate received her Bachelor of Music in Music Industry from James Madison University (Go Dukes!) and her Master of Public Administration from South University. She earned her Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) credential in June of 2019. Kate believes strongly in community involvement. She is a board member of the Hampton Roads Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Treasurer of the Norfolk Task Force on Aging, and commissioner on the Norfolk Commission on Aging and Long-Term Care. Kate can still be spotted playing music with her husband Marc. When not playing music together, they enjoy adopting senior pugs, serving as foster parents, hiking trails, and exploring Hampton Roads’ amazing food scene.
Anthony Walters- TFFC Director
Growing up in Wilmington, Delaware, the Y was a daily refuge for President and CEO Anthony Walters. “I played basketball there frequently with my friends, developed my confidence, sharpened my athletic skill set, and gained an understanding of the importance of a healthy lifestyle. And now I have the privilege of serving an organization with which I am deeply connected. I am blessed,” said Walters.Walters leads theY with regard for the organization as one of the most important places for neighbors to connect and engage with one another, in an environment that has the abilityto change lives. Walters and the YMCA of South Hampton Roads Strategic Planning Committee launched a new three-year Strategic Plan in February of 2021, charting a very intentional course for the Y through 2023 focused on community impact, organizational reach, and financial resiliency through the theme “Everyone Belongs”. This plan centers the Y’s energy on diversity, character formation, mental wellness, obesity, and improving the association’s equitable practices.
