Rotary/ReWork Richmond Partnership

Two new members were enrolled in November bringing the total supported by The Rotary Club of Richmond to 19.

ReWork’s strategic plan has an organizational goal of 5 new members per quarter. This growth continues to drive the need for more volunteers. There are two categories of volunteers that we can help with:

1.      Resume writer – work with a ReWork member for a quick turnaround (maybe over two weeks).

2.      Financial coach – work with a ReWork member each quarter reviewing their personal budget goals.

Our club can also help by identifying potential employers for ReWork members. These need to be companies offering a living wage and benefits. ReWork will provide “lunch and learn” opportunities for potential employers. If you have a connection for a potential employer talk to Todd Martin or Charles Layman. 

January 9th - Rick Edwards, Chief of Police, City of Richmond

“RVA Police. Striving for Excellence, Integrity & Justice.”

Richard “Rick” Edwards is now the city’s 21st chief of police. Rick Edwards, named the city’s top cop Wednesday, earned a basketball scholarship to the University of Richmond as a rugged interior player. Edwards, from Chesapeake, Ohio, arrived at UR in 1993. The 6-foot-8, left-handed forward, who attended Fork Union Military Academy for a postgraduate year, was known as a rebounder, screen setter and physical defender early in his UR career. Rick Edwards joined the Richmond Police Department in 1999 and was assigned to 2nd Precinct as a Patrol Officer where he worked in various street-level narcotics units later becoming a detective in the Major Crimes Division. But for most of his career, he investigated homicides.

He spent time with the ATF Task Force before moving on to Major Crimes and then Homicide. He says he chose law enforcement because he thought it would be a challenging career that would allow him to help people. To quote Chief Edwards… “I am delighted and humbled to be the Police Chief in Richmond. To be allowed to serve this beautiful, fun, and vibrant city is a chance of a lifetime.”

Tuesday, January 16, 2024

Greg Gillian, VP Operations, RVA757

“Advancing economic prosperity in the Richmond area (RVA) and Hampton Roads (757) Region.”

Gregory J. Gilligan was named VP of operations at RVA757 Connects in October 2023. He joined RVA757 Connects as communications director in March 2022 after working in a variety of roles at the Richmond Times-Dispatch for 35 years, including the last 11½ years as the newspaper’s business editor.

He graduated from Ohio State University in December 1986 and started at The Times-Dispatch a month later. Much of his career at the newspaper was spent writing about the retail industry from 1993 until January 2008. Gilligan wrote a weekly column, Biz Buzz, that appeared in Monday's Metro Business section. He continued writing the Biz Buzz column and reporting on the retail and commercial real estate industries again in recent years while also serving as the business editor.

During his tenure as a reporter, he wrote about every major development relating to the retail industry in Virginia, from the demise of catalog showroom retailer Best Products and home furnishings retailer Heilig-Meyers to the ups and downs at consumer electronics retailer Circuit City and automotive retailer CarMax.

He has been honored with awards from the Virginia Press Association, including first place in the business writing category in 2021 and second place in 2022. In addition, he taught journalism classes at VCU from 2003 to 2008. 

Tuesday, January 23, 2024

Danny Avula MD, MPH, Commissioner, Virginia Department of Social Services

“VDSS. Strengthening Virginia’s Children and Families”

Dr. Danny Avula was appointed the Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Social Services in February 2022 by Governor Glenn Youngkin. Dr. Avula is the former health director of the Richmond City and Henrico County Health departments, where he served for nearly 13 years. In January 2021, Governor Ralph Northam appointed Dr. Avula to lead the Commonwealth of Virginia's unprecedented COVID-19 vaccination effort. Governor Terry McAuliffe appointed Dr. Avula to the State Board of Social Services in 2013, where he served as board chair from 2017 to 2019.

Dr. Avula is a public health physician specializing in pediatrics and preventive medicine. He continues to practice clinically as a pediatric hospitalist. After graduating from the University of Virginia, he earned his medical degree from the VCU School of Medicine. He completed residencies at VCU and Johns Hopkins University, where he also earned the Master of Public Health degree. He is an affiliate faculty member at VCU, where he regularly serves as an advisor and preceptor to graduate and medical students.

Dr. Avula is a former board chair of the Richmond Memorial Health Foundation, recipient of the Virginia Center for Inclusive Community's Humanitarian Award, a Richmond Times-Dispatch Person of the Year honoree and Style Weekly's "Richmonder of the Year" in 2020. Dr. Avula's work has been featured nationally by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, MSNBC, The New York Times, National Public Radio, and PBS Newshour, and he can be found on the TED circuit with his TEDx talk titled, "Dependence Isn't a Dirty Word." A 16-year resident of Church Hill neighborhood, Dr. Avula's time is devoted to life with his wife and five kids.

Tuesday, January 30, 2024

Rupa Murthy, CEO, YWCA Richmond

“YWCA Richmond. Empowering Women & Girls.”

Rupa Murthy leads a $6M agency with 80 employees in Richmond, Virginia. She is a CEO who leads strategy for YWCA Richmond to forward their mission to eliminate racism & empower women. Under her leadership YWCA Richmond launched the Sprout School, a high quality, public-private preschool model that focuses on racial integration. YWCA Richmond is expanding services for survivors of violence who often live at the intersection of poverty and racism. She creates public awareness, investment and policy for gender and racial equity in the region.

Previously in her career, she led an effort to build the Virginia Treatment Center for Children for Virginia Commonwealth University. This grassroots movement focused on creating access to mental health. Her work led to a $60M investment from Virginia's legislature, University leadership and private philanthropy. Rupa also served in Governor Mark Warner's administration. She led strategy for minority outreach and engagement leading to a 17% increase in diversity and expertise on Virginia's boards & commissions and the first state-led trade mission to India in the nation. Rupa holds degrees in political science and strategic communications from James Madison University and VCU. She serves nonprofit boards and volunteers at her children's schools. She enjoys gardening and traveling with her family.