Staff

Melanie Benjamin

Melanie Benjamin

Philanthropy Director

Melanie guides our philanthropy program, working to ensure we have the resources necessary to provide healthy aging programs to our community both today and in the future. She has more than 25 years of successful philanthropy leadership at organizations that include SMU, UVA, and The Center for Open Science, and is part of The Center's leadership team.

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.

Contact Danielle

Stephanie Brown

Stephanie Brown

Weekend Welcome Desk Associate

Stephanie welcomes people to The Center every Saturday, providing support for members and guests.

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 Assistant Director

Lynn helps individuals and corporations match their philanthropic goals with Center needs. She also works with volunteers to manage special events that advance our mission.

Contact Lynn

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

Izzy Menchero

Izzy Menchero

Member & Visitor Services Director

As a resource and advocate for members and guests, Izzy fosters positive and responsive relationships to enhance engagement with and access to The Center's healthy aging programs.

Contact Izzy

Virginia Peale

Virginia Peale

Strategy & Communications Director

Virginia works to promote awareness of the organization and supports philanthropy, membership, and programs with print and digital communications from advertising to annual reports. She is also part of the leadership team that collaborates on special projects and strategic planning development.

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

Peter Thompson

Peter Thompson

Executive Director

Peter joined The Center as executive director in 1999. He works in conjunction with the Board of Directors to maintain the integrity of the organization's mission and plans and represents The Center on community organization boards, committees, and task forces.

Contact Peter

LaQuanda Vest

LaQuanda Vest

Interim Member & Visitor Services Director

As a resource and advocate for members and guests, Izzy fosters positive and responsive relationships to enhance engagement with and access to The Center's healthy aging programs.

Contact LaQuanda

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

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

Board Member of Piedmont CASA

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.