MEET THE VFN TEAM
Staff
Bess Littlefield joined the Virginia Funders Network as its CEO in July 2023. Prior to this appointment, Bess spent over thirty years in higher education advancement at several institutions leading fundraising, marketing, communications, and special events teams. Her most recent role as Vice President of Institutional Advancement and Chief Strategy Officer for Reynolds Community College included leadership for strategic planning and institutional research where she led the college’s most comprehensive strategic planning effort to address barriers to social and economic mobility through the transformational power of education. During her 27-year tenure at Reynolds, the college obtained $80 million in grants and gifts and the college foundation assets grew from $1 million to $25 million. Prior to Reynolds, she worked in alumni relations at George Mason University, Virginia Commonwealth University, and the College of William and Mary.
As a consultant, Bess has conducted development assessments, feasibility studies, and led strategic planning workshops. In 2016, Bess received the Nina Abady Award for excellence in fundraising from the Virginia Association of Fundraising Executives.
Bess has served on numerous nonprofit boards in the Richmond region, including the VPM Media Community Advisory Board, Safe Harbor, and the Virginia League for Planned Parenthood. She also served as a Trustee for the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE).
As the Director of Member Engagement & Learning, Patte Koval helps ensure that the Virginia Funders Network is a vibrant network that effectively supports members’ needs. In partnership with the CEO and Advisory Board, Patte manages VFN’s many learning and engagement opportunities, membership, and administrative functions.
Patte’s career in both the nonprofit and business sectors incorporates strategic planning and analysis; project and relationship management; and internal and external communications. In her previous consulting role with The Monument Group, Patte helped nonprofits raise critically needed funds and enhance and grow their own effectiveness to carry out their missions. Working with TMG colleague Bobby Thalhimer, Patte was instrumental in moving VFN from idea to reality.
Her passion and acumen for strengthening organizations extends into her volunteer leadership as an active Board member on the Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth as a two-time appointee by Governors Northam and Youngkin. She also served 12 years on the board of the Jenkins Foundation, including serving as Chair and managing the board through its strategic planning process. Other active engagement and leadership includes Voices for Virginia’s Children, Richmond Promise Neighborhood, Peter Paul Development Center, Family Lifeline, United Way Leadership Council, and roles with the Community Foundation for a greater Richmond. Patte is a graduate of Philanthropy Southeast’s Hull Fellows Program and the YWCA’s Outstanding Women’s Award for Volunteerism.
Robin Mockenhaupt, PhD, MPH, MBA, serves as the Director for Policy and Advocacy. Robin has served VFN and its members through the strategic identification of potential policy and advocacy opportunities and partners, connecting local and national funders around policy and advocacy solutions; and conducting learning sessions for members on why and how funders can legally support and engage in advocacy work.
Prior to joining VFN, Robin held leadership roles with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation for more than two decades. Her work spanned organizational management and planning, health policy, strategic relationships, program management, and Board relations. Robin most recently served as Senior Vice President for Strategic Initiatives for the foundation, supporting efforts to improve health and healthcare at the highest level.
Robin also brings to VFN expertise gained through her role in the nonprofit sector as a senior leader for AARP and her current roles as a Public Member on the American Psychological Association Board, Chairing the Dean’s Council at the University of MD School of Public Health, and serving as a member of the George Mason University College of Health and Human Services Advisory Board.
Angie Molina serves as the Operations Manager for VFN and works diligently to ensure members within the Network are well supported. With over 20 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, Angie has seen the impact that grantmaking and philanthropic organizations can have within the local community.
Prior to joining the VFN team, Angie helped set up, grow, and lead a small nonprofit organization in the Greater Richmond area called Grace Home Ministries. As Executive Director of that organization, Angie launched two significant programs: The Grace Project mentoring program with the aim of helping teen moms stay in school, and the COVID Crisis Relief Program for Single Moms assisting single and teen mothers impacted by the pandemic assisting with food, household goods, and basic infant needs.
Angie brings years of experience in relationship management, marketing and communication, and a passion for the philanthropic community.
Kendi Mwongo joins VFN as the Membership Service Specialist through AmeriCorps VISTA. With a Bachelor of Science in Information Science and Systems from Radford University, Kendi has a solid foundation in technology and project management. Her community service includes volunteering at Stafford County Animal Control and various leadership roles at Radford University such as Club President of the International Student Affairs Council and Outreach Leader for the Baptist Collegiate Ministry, showcasing a dedication to both professional excellence and community engagement.
As a People Operations Specialist II at SimpliSafe Inc, Kendi helped design and implement comprehensive onboarding programs, assisted in spearheading employee feedback initiatives, and ensuring policy compliance. Her proficiency in HRIS facilitated efficient onboarding/offboarding processes and provided vital administrative support during platform transitions.
Her robust background consists of human resources, project management, and over three years of administration and customer service experience, in which she will bring a wealth of expertise and enthusiasm to this role. Kendi has honed strong skills in client management, vendor management, contract negotiation, and inventory control, gaining experience as a Barista at 25 30 Espresso and a Customer Relations/Data Management Assistant with Scoville Specialties Freelancing. Known for building and nurturing long-lasting client relationships, she leverages data-driven insights to optimize operational efficiencies and drive organizational growth.
Sharon Gonzales has extensive experience in office management and systems, executive administration, business and financial organization. She had made it her career maximizing efficiency and productivity for small businesses. Her background is in Business, Finance, and Nursing. Her superior attention to detail and willingness to help are what really set her apart.
Sharon is fluent in Spanish and French, and currently resides in North Springfield, Virginia with her family. She was born and raised in Northern Virginia and loves to network and build relationships with people. Her interests include traveling, music, and dance.
Advisory Board
The Advisory Board members generously commit their time, resources, and experience to support the goals and priorities of the Virginia Funders Network. The Advisory Board’s composition represents and reflects VFN’s membership and the Commonwealth’s diverse geographic regions.
Executive Committee
CHAIR
Clark Casteel
Danville Regional Foundation
IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR
Jill Coleman
The Cameron Foundation
VICE-CHAIR/GOVERNANCE
Dan Layman
Community Foundation of the Central Blue Ridge
SECRETARY/TREASURER
Kate Keller
The Harvest Foundation
MEMBERSHIP
Paulin Cheatham
Dominion Energy & Dominion Energy Foundation
FISCAL SPONSOR
Christy Connolly
PATH Foundation
Members
Scott Blackwell | The Community Foundation for a Greater Richmond
Erin Hogan | Bank of America Private Bank
Travis Jackson | Wythe-Bland Foundation
Sean McMurray | Wellspring Foundation of Southwest Virginia
Sherry Norquist | Sentara Health
Stephanie Randolph | Cassiopeia Foundation
Sari Raskin | Community Foundation for Northern Virginia
Courtney Rice | Northern Virginia Health Foundation
Evette Roots | Wells Fargo
