Job: Director of major giving, Chesapeake Bay Foundation

At work: I connect people with the foundation’s mission, and I raise funds to support its conservation-focused work.

Volunteer activities: I was on the executive board of the Association of Fundraising Professionals Hampton Roads Chapter for years. I’ve volunteered in various capacities at my children’s schools — from Room Mom to serving on the board for the Falcon Stage Company and Cox High School Chorus. I served on the Begin Again Foundation Board and volunteered as a zone captain for the International Coastal Cleanup. My volunteer work is now focused on helping others with two health issues that affected me, sepsis and kidney failure. I help others through the Begin Again Foundation and the PKD Foundation.

Home and family: I live in Virginia Beach with my husband, Steve, and our two children, Sydney and Dylan. We share our home with our dog, Yoshi, and our two cats, Shiva and Ornstein.

Motivating factor: I’m so grateful for my beautiful family and friends and for my incredible colleagues — I’m motivated and inspired by each of them. I was given a second chance at life, and I’m here to do all the good I can with the time I have. Look around at the environment we share and think of all the good we could do if we just made the time to do one positive thing each day.

Advice for women in business: Listen to learn and lead. Make time to make connections. Plan for persistence. Make gratitude your calling card.

The one thing I would change about Hampton Roads: Aside from the traffic, which we would all love to alleviate, I’d connect more people to nonprofits. There are so many wonderful organizations in our region that serve vital needs in our community. Working together we can accomplish so much.

Professional goal in five years: To become proficient in the art of inspiration. I am so passionate about what I do, and I love connecting with others who see value in educating and advocating for the restoration of one of our greatest treasures here in Hampton Roads — the Chesapeake Bay. I hope to inspire more people to appreciate and celebrate the bay.

Downtime: I love spending time outside observing nature. If I’m at the beach or in the water, it’s a great day! Music, movies, roller coasters — if art or adventure is involved, I’m in.

What really gets under my skin: Complacency. We can make the change we want to see in the world; we just have to commit to it.

https://www.dailypress.com/2025/12/15/women-in-business-2025-april-strickland/