Executive Team
VFC brings an experienced team of professionals to your table. Although we measure success by meeting your goals, along the way we become your partner in understanding your situation, your Board, past obstacles and future opportunities. We choose to work with non-profits for a reason - we can make a difference together.
Virginia Thumm, President
Virginia Thumm has worked in the nonprofit sector in New York and Virginia for more than 30 years, expanding the financial capacity of organizations in the arts, education, the environment and social services.
A veteran of dozens of fundraising campaigns that have met or exceeded their goals, she has personally solicited hundreds of millions of dollars to enhance the mission of nonprofits through the identification and solicitation of new funding sources and the conception and development of new funding opportunities.
Virginia has been a prominent figure in the nonprofit field and has been involved in many regional nonprofit boards. She recently developed the curriculum and served as chief trainer and coach for the Major Gift Officer Certificate program for public media development professionals. Virginia is a longstanding member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, where she currently serves on the Board and as chair of the Ethics and Mentoring committee. She is an alumnus of the CIVIC Leadership Institute and was recently appointed to the Norfolk Arts and Humanities Commission.
“Virginia has helped GSA raise hundreds of thousands of dollars in support of our educational programs as well as for our capital campaign. Virginia’s leadership style is gracious yet clear. She is dedicated to her community and her vast knowledge and deep connections make her an invaluable asset. ”
— Deborah Thorpe, Asst Director/Foundation Director, The Governor's School for the Arts
“Virginia has been instrumental in advancing WHRO’s development operations. Through her insights and creative strategies, WHRO has implemented new systems, built a strong development team, surpassed goals, and implemented a very successful capital campaign, which has attracted several of the largest contributions in WHRO’s history.”
— Bert Schmidt, President WHRO Public Media
CURRENTLY SERVING ON THE BOARD OR AS A MEMBER:
Association of Fundraising Professionals
Association of Fundraising Professionals, Hampton Roads Chapter
BoardSource
Center for Nonprofit Excellence
CIVIC Leadership Institute
National Association of Women Business Owners
Virginians for the Arts
Volunteer Hampton Roads
YMCA-William A. Hunton, Norfolk, VA
Caroline Bott
Executive Consultant
Caroline is an experienced nonprofit administrator and fundraising professional who has spent more than two decades working in the educational, environmental, health, economic development, and public service sectors. Her areas of expertise include fundraising, strategic planning, and governance. As both a development professional and a consultant, Caroline has helped numerous organizations throughout the mid-Atlantic region fulfill their missions through philanthropy and capacity-building efforts. Caroline has an undergraduate degree from Randolph-Macon College and a Master of Public Administration degree, with a focus on Non-Profit Management, from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Raised in northern Virginia, Caroline now calls the Eastern Shore of Virginia home.
Barbara Hamm Lee
Executive Consultant
Barbara is the Executive Producer and Host of Another View, a weekly call in talk show that “discusses today’s issues from an African American perspective.” In addition to her duties for Another View, Barbara has also held the position of Project Director for the National Federation of Community Broadcasters’ African American Public Radio Stations Initiative, consulting with 26 African American public radio stations on compliance, governance, development, programming and community engagement. She has served as Creative Services Officer, Chief Communications Officer, Chief Public Affairs Officer and Chief Community Engagement Officer, all with WHRO Public Media.
Cassandra Howard
Executive Consultant
Cassandra has over ten-years experience in the nonprofit sector. She has been a part of numerous fundraising campaigns, helping to secure millions of dollars for nonprofit organizations across the U.S. Since 2015, Cassandra has worked as a fundraising consultant for nonprofit organizations in education, healthcare, ministry, and public policy research.
Cassandra started offering development training programs in 2016. She holds an M.A. in philanthropic Studies from Indiana University and a B.A. in Communication from the University of Oklahoma.
Kristin Turner
Director of Operations
Kristin has over 20 years of experience in client relations and office administration in the Hampton Roads region, including multiple nonprofit organizations. She is passionate about supporting nonprofits in their pursuit of growth and fundraising success. Kristin holds a B.A. in History and Sociology from Covenant College.
