Veronica Espinosa Lainez was born and raised in Mexico. She immigrated to the United States at 22 and has lived in Charlottesville for approximately 14 years. As an immigrant with English as a second language, she has experienced first-hand the challenges of adapting to a new culture. For this reason, she has actively sought opportunities to give back to her community by volunteering in various activities.

Veronica has served as a Peer Coach Volunteer at UVA and is a CHW with LHI. She also participates as an interpreter at the Charlottesville Free Clinic and volunteers for the Plaza Comunitaria program in Sin Barreras. Additionally, she works full-time for the Partner for Mental Health organization and recently started working part-time with the YMCA as a Community Health Coordinator.

Veronica’s goal is to provide a helping hand to anyone who needs access to services and education. She believes in providing these services from a perspective of compassion, respect, cultural humility, and empathy. She firmly believes that education is always a more cost-effective solution than ignorance.

Juan Rodriguez-Sanchez was born in Puebla State, Mexico and grew up mostly in Veracruz State. He graduated from Universidad Veracruzana with a degree in Chemical Engineering in 1999. Juan worked for Sabritas (Frito Lay) in Veracruz, Mexico from 2000 to 2003. In the same year, he moved to Brooklyn, NY before relocating to Charlottesville, VA in September 2003.

Lindsay G. Simpson is Co-Founder of Cville Sock Love, a Charlottesville-based organization that sources and donates new socks for unsheltered and under-resourced populations in Central Virginia. Cville Sock Love also provides nonskid socks to youths undergoing treatment at the region’s children’s hospitals. Simpson manages relationships with sock manufacturers, beneficiaries, and community partners. She oversees strategic partnerships with companies such as Bombas, which named Cville Sock Love an official Giving Partner in 2023. Simpson launched Cville Sock Love with a sibling in 2017, making youth involvement an organizational priority. She frequently addresses school classes, scouting troops, and clubs, encouraging community engagement and providing guidance and logistical support for service projects. A junior in the Honors Carolina program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Simpson is a psychology and advertising/public relations double major with interests in branding, consumer psychology, and cultural anthropology. Beyond her dedication to Central Virginia, Simpson serves her campus community as a member of Pi Beta Phi, a women’s fraternity dedicated to leadership and intellectual growth.

Lily K. Simpson is Co-Founder of Cville Sock Love, a Charlottesville-based philanthropy that sources and donates new socks for unsheltered and under-resourced populations in Central Virginia. Cville Sock Love also provides socks to youths undergoing treatment at the region’s children’s hospitals. Simpson manages the organization’s sock drives, distribution events, and deliveries to beneficiaries. Since launching Cville Sock Love with a sibling in 2017, Simpson has made youth involvement an organizational priority. She frequently addresses school classes, scouting troops, and clubs, encouraging community engagement and providing guidance and logistical support for service projects. A first-year student at the University of Virginia, Simpson is a kinesiology major with interests in physical fitness and psychology. She supports her campus community as a member of Alpha Phi Omega, a co-educational fraternity dedicated to leadership and service to others.

Nicole Hawker is a highly accomplished fitness professional, recognized for her experience in counseling, social work, and the fitness industry. A native of Charlottesville, Virginia, Nicole is the Founder of Heart and Soul Fitness, a non-profit studio that she established in 2022. She holds a Master’s degree in Professional Counseling from Johnson University in Knoxville and has over 15 years of experience specializing in supporting families and children within the foster care system. Nicole’s commitment to wellness and community service led her to open Heart and Soul Fitness with the mission of making physical fitness and wellness resources accessible to the broader Charlottesville community.

Nicole is a dedicated and highly qualified fitness professional, holding multiple certifications including ACE Certified Personal Trainer, ACE Certified Group Fitness Instructor, and Certified Yoga Teacher. Her passion for fitness and wellness is evident in her commitment to promoting a healthy lifestyle and empowering individuals to achieve their fitness goals. Nicole’s expertise in fitness and wellness extends beyond the studio, as she is also a sought-after international public speaker. She has shared her passion for wholeness with women’s groups in Ethiopia, Liberia, Kenya, and Uganda, as well as church and civic groups across the United States. In addition to her work in the fitness industry, Nicole is an active member of the Charlottesville community. She is a graduate of the Leadership Charlottesville Class of 2019 and the CNE Board Academy Class of 2023. Currently, Nicole serves as a Board Member for the Black Professional Network and the City of Charlottesville Minority Business Commission. She is also an active member of Faith Christian Center International, where she participates in the missions and praise teams.

Nicole is a dedicated mother of three adult children and has been happily married to her best friend, Jon, for over 30 years. Her commitment to her family, her community, and her profession reflects her passion for making a positive impact in the lives of others. Nicole’s diverse background and dedication to wellness make her a valuable asset to the Charlottesville community, and she continues to inspire and empower individuals to live healthier, happier lives.

Born in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mr. Kabesa developed a soft spot for the less fortunate at a very young age. Growing up in a Christian household and realizing that wealth wasn’t complacent if not shared with others, he began purchasing ice cream on a weekly basis for all of the neighborhood’s less fortunate friends. “Coming to America” at the age of 14; Washington D.C, one of the highest rated places in the country with homelessness, is where he landed.

Moving to Charlottesville in the year 2017, Tristan decided to make Charlottesville his home. One summer afternoon in 2018, walking the downtown mall with a $20 bill and 2 cans of corn looking for someone to be a blessing to, Come As You Are (CAYA) was formed. He came across a young lady sitting with a dog and a sign. Offering her the money and the cans of corn, she replied “you’re so sweet. Do you see that couple over there? They haven’t made anything all day. I made $8, I’m fine. Please give it to them.” He did as she requested, but came back to sit with her for 2 hours, exchanged information, and kept in touch until the day she passed away from cancer.

That day, he learned the beauty in selflessness, that despite one’s own struggle, always pay it forward. That very moment, he decided to be the voice for the silent sufferers of homelessness, and the marginalized population.

Maryann is a native of Upstate New York. She led the planning committee that launched Cville Village in Charlottesville on 1/22/24 and now serves as president of the Board of Directors. Maryann worked as a midwifery clinician and educator for more than 35 years and holds a Master of Public Health degree and a PhD in midwifery. In addition to her work for Cville Village, she is active on the Site Visitor Panel of the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education and on the Workforce Committee of the American College of Nurse-Midwives. She is a mother of two and grandmother of three.

Nadirah Muhammad is the Brand Storyteller for Story House Real Estate, the co-chair for the Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Business Women’s Round Table, and a member of the Junior League of Charlottesville. Nadirah has a passion for contributing to the local community, and serves on several local organizations and boards. Her love for supporting local businesses manifests in her community involvement and her driving hope that Charlottesville continues to be an inclusive and inviting place to live, work, and play. She is passionate about people, connections, and friendship, and considers herself a lifelong learner, collector of stories, and believer in uninhibited kindness and the power it holds.