Staff

Melanie Benjamin

Melanie Benjamin

Executive Director

Melanie works in partnership with the Board of Directors to maintain the integrity of The Center's mission and planning and ensure a sustainable financial base for operations and growth. She also works in the community to build relationships and partnerships in support of healthy aging for all.

Contact Melanie

Danielle Bricker

Danielle Bricker

Marketing Manager

Danielle develops, implements, and executes strategic marketing initiatives to expand awareness of Center resources and the benefits of healthy aging, supporting every facet of the organization.

Contact Danielle

Jennifer Crews

Jennifer Crews

Program Director

As head of our program team, Jennifer ensures programs and operations are effective, efficient, and aligned with our mission and values. She is part of the leadership team responsible for organization-wide decision making and strategic planning.

Contact Jennifer

Kristine Critzer

Kristine Critzer

Office Manager/Bookkeeper

Kristine provides office and bookkeeping support to ensure The Center adheres to best practices for nonprofit business operations and reporting.

Contact Kristine

Susan Gallander

Susan Gallander

Program Coordinator

As a member of our programming team, Susan helps develop and oversee a wide array of offerings across mulitiple dimensions of wellness.

Contact Susan

Lynn Divers

Lynn Divers

Philanthropy Director

Lynn directs fundraising activities, working to grow a program that cultivates, solicits, and stewards philanthropic support in alignment with The Center’s mission. She is part of the leadership team responsible for organization-wide decision making and strategic planning.

Contact Lynn

Marquise Fordham

Marquise Fordham

Facilities Coordinator

With primary responsibility for day-to-day maintenance, repairs, and operation of building systems, Marquise helps ensure an optimal environment for Center activities.

Contact Marquise

Linda Hahn

Linda Hahn

Travel Coordinator

Linda has been with the Center since 1999. A licensed travel agent, she oversees The Center's travel program as well as individual travel for members and guests.

Contact Linda

Anna Grey Hogan

Anna Grey Hogan

Philanthropy Manager

Anna Grey handles many of The Center's fundraising efforts, processing and reporting gifts and stewarding our generous community of supporters.

Contact Anna Grey

Liz Howard

Liz Howard

Program Coordinator

Liz is part of the programming team that develops and coordinates the many programs available to Center and community members.

Contact Liz

Bobbi Hughes

Bobbi Hughes

Coordinator of Volunteer Resources

Along with overseeing volunteer programs at The Center, Bobbi works with other nonprofits to provide volunteer resources, matching individuals with positions that suit their interests, skills, and talents.

Contact Bobbi

Alexandra Littlehales

Alexandra Littlehales

Graphics and Social Media Coordinator

Through design and production of print and digital communications Alexandra brings The Center’s brand to life to inform and engage a broad range of audiences.

Contact Alexandra

Gale Jackson

Gale Jackson

Welcome Desk Associate

Gale welcomes people to evenings at The Center, providing support for members and guests.

Contact Gale

Suzanne Orejuela

Suzanne Orejuela

Member & Visitor Services Coordinator

As a resource and advocate for members and guests, Suzanne is a primary contact for members and guests, helping ensure excellent customer service, communication, and engagement so that everyone’s Center experience is rewarding.

Contact Suzanne

Virginia Peale

Virginia Peale

Strategy & Communications Director

Virginia plays an integral role in the formation and implementation of planning and strategy, exploration of new opportunities for brand development, and internal and external communications. She is part of the leadership team responsible for organization-wide decision making.

Contact Virginia

Dawn Ross

Dawn Ross

Rental Coordinator

Looking for a party, wedding, performance, or meeting venue? Dawn can help you choose from among the great options available at The Center at Belvedere! 

Contact Dawn

Trevor Saunders

Trevor Saunders

Facilities Manager

As our Facilities Manager, Trevor oversees the maintenance of the building, its systems, and its grounds, ensuring that things look good and run smoothly. 

Contact Trevor

Kim Shipley

Kim Shipley

Finance Director

Kim oversees the financial operations necessary for The Center's successful operation. Along with budgeting, analysis, and reporting, she monitors financial policies and procedures to ensure compliance with relevant statutes and regulations.

Contact Kim

Alex Waltrip

Alex Waltrip

Fitness Coordinator

Alex plans and teaches fitness classes where individuals can work at their own pace to reach their health and fitness goals. 

Contact Alex 

Olivia Watts

Olivia Watts

Program Coordinator

As a program coordinator, Olivia helps our programming team develop and oversee a wide array of offerings for The Center community.

Contact Olivia

Are you interested in working at The Center? Our open positions are listed here.

Board of Directors FY24

Officers

Christine Thalwitz

Christine Thalwitz

President

Director of Communications, Madison House; Adjunct Faculty, PVCC

Jennifer King*

Jennifer King*

Vice President

CEO and CCO, Chase Investment Counsel Corporation

Larry Martin*

Larry Martin*

Treasurer

Consultant, Hantzmon Wiebel LLC

Mary Wilson*

Mary Wilson*

Secretary

District Manager for Child Support, Commonwealth of VA (ret.)

Directors

Beverly Adams*

Beverly Adams*

Associate Professor, Emeritus, Psychology Department, University of Virginia

Dan Brody

Dan Brody

President, Health Data Services, Inc.

Mark Brown*

Mark Brown*

CFO, Whirlpool Coporation (ret.)

Patti Cary*

Patti Cary*

Partner in Advisory Risk Management, KPMG (ret.)

Katie Caverly*

Katie Caverly*

Owner, IKOR of Charlottesville

Julie Christopher*

Julie Christopher*

Virginia Department of Aging, Commissioner (past)

Sean Greer

Sean Greer

CEO, Trove Home Care

Joyce Turner Lewis*

Joyce Turner Lewis*

Guidance Counselor, Albemarle County Public Schools (ret.)

Deidra Massie

Deidra Massie

Vice President Marketing, Westminster-Canterbury of the Blue Ridge

Peggy Slez*

Peggy Slez*

Attorney (ret.)

Shareef Tahboub

Shareef Tahboub

President of Park Street Senior Living, and Development Director of Assisted Living/Memory Care/Independent Living Communities

Cecil D. Thompson, Jr.*

Cecil D. Thompson, Jr.*

Major, U.S. Army (ret.); Charlottesville City Schools, Coordinator of Support Services (ret.)

Gregory Winston*

Gregory Winston*

Principal & Founder, Winston & Associates

* Center member

Board of Directors meetings are generally held the fourth Monday of every odd month from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.