Tonya is originally from North Carolina and has worked in the field of Disabilities for over 20 years.  She began her career providing residential services and later worked with people in Supported employment.  Through the years her passion for the rights of people with disabilities became the center focus of her career. ​Her career brought her to Virginia in 2011, where she joined The Arc of Southside as executive director. She led the agency through a transformation from traditional services to inclusive supports built around the person and not their disability.  At that chapter of The Arc, she and the leadership team successfully closed all segregated facility-based programs, including a Group Home for 15 people, a Sheltered Workshop for 135 people, and a Private Day School serving 30 students with disabilities.  She and the leadership team developed and implemented new support services that partner with people with developmental disabilities to build their own lives with the support they need to live their chosen lives. ​In January 2018, Tonya became The Arc of Virginia's executive director, advocating for change so that every person with a developmental disability can have access to support to live their life in their community.

Lucy helps individuals with developmental disabilities and their families navigate Virginia’s complex services system and fulfill their dreams by providing viable connections, information, tools, and guidance.  Her work also includes advocating and bringing the critical needs and challenging issues facing people to the attention of policymakers and others to heighten awareness and bring about change so that people can reach their goals for independence as members of their communities. As a former special education teacher, case manager, director at a community services board, and Executive Director of The Arc of Hanover, Lucy brings a wealth of knowledge to her role as Director of Information and Referral, where she has supported countless individuals and families through their journeys since 2016.

Beth is new to Virginia. She moved here from Oregon in March 2021 with her husband, daughter, and dog after spending nearly 12 years working for the Oregon Council on Developmental Disabilities. With a background in public relations, community development, and strength-based frameworks such as Person Centered Planning and Charting the LifeCourse, Beth values the need for effective and meaningful communication. She believes we are most successful when people feel heard and understood, and when we solve problems by identifying and amplifying our strengths. As Project Leader, Beth will be leading our work with Quillo Connect as we explore how leaders within Virginia can educate, inspire, and encourage our community through technology.

Natasha is originally from Boston, Massachusetts, and is a graduate of Wesley College in Dover, DE. As an Undergrad, Natasha began her 16-year non-profit career supporting at-risk youth with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Delaware. With an overdue return to the city of Boston, 7 years ago, she began supporting people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities where she worked extensively with people to help them find the right match for support in their lives during her time as a Case Manager and Trainer. Natasha then moved to the DC area, whereas a Community Inclusion Manager, she led teams of Direct Support Professionals, provided training to staff, and managed data collection systems for quality assurance in both Residential and Day Support programs.  As The Arc's Peer Engagement Director, she provides support to the A Life Like Yours Self-Advocacy Alliance and is partnering with people with developmental disabilities to design the Peer Support and Mentoring System for Virginia.

Shawn describes himself as a person with Autism and a native of Richmond. Over the years he has served on several nonprofit boards in many different capacities. He is a Peer Mentor, serves as co-chair for the A Life Like Yours Self-Advocacy Alliance, and in recent years achieved his dream of running his own DJ business. In his role as an advocate, his motto is “People with Disabilities Have Many Different Talents and Abilities. Give Us A Chance and We Will Show You All That We Can Do!”

Katherine is a native of Richmond and attended Midlothian High School.   Katherine is very passionate about her job advocating for disability rights and helping with The Arc of Virginia’s advocacy campaigns while working to educate elected officials on issues important to the Disability Community. She is a member of the Board for the Virginia Board for People with Disabilities, a graduate of the LEND Program, and The Arc of Virginia's representative to multiple task forces and committees giving a voice to Virginians with disabilities.  Katherine loves her job, the people she works with, and fighting for A Life Like Yours for all people with disabilities.

Kate is originally from Fairfax, VA and has a master’s degree in theology from Emory University in Atlanta, GA.  Prior to her work supporting individuals with Intellectual Disabilities, Kate served as a chaplain and coach where she created programs about inclusivity, diversity, and building lives of character. Since beginning her work in the field, Kate has been a day support supervisor, staff trainer, disability advocate and community builder. She is most passionate about her work directly supporting individuals as they become architects of their own lives. She is deeply committed to protecting and strengthening a place where all people, regardless of ability level are recognized and celebrated as contributing, essential members of society.