What personal experiences have most shaped your mission during your time as Miss Virginia 2024—and beyond?

My grandmother, Gladys, has significantly shaped my mission as Miss Virginia. Growing up, I spent a lot of time with her. In those moments, she taught me about faith and treating everyone with kindness. She also instilled in me a yearning to put a smile on others' faces by always wearing a smile. Toward the end of her life, she had dementia, and music was one way we were able to connect still. At that time, I realized music was a healing power and could be used to connect us all. As Miss Virginia, I am fueled by the mission of helping all people experience the transformative power of music through my community service initiative, Bridging the Divide: Music is Unity, while also exuding the characteristic I remember most about my grandmother Gladys, putting a smile on the faces of others.

As a role model for so many young women across the Commonwealth, how do you stay grounded and intentional in a world full of distractions and pressure?

Faith, first and foremost, keeps me grounded and intentional. Faith helps me remember that one: it's not all about me, and mostly, the great things I do have very little to do with my abilities and are more about what God wants to do through me; I'm simply a vessel. The women who came before me, like my mother, Carolyn, and grandmother, Gladys, also keep me grounded and intentional. I remember the prayers they prayed and the investment they made so I can be here today. And lastly, it is the young women I meet daily. I watch their eyes light up as they see me and realize they can aspire to do more.

The Sisterhood Spotlight celebrates women who are resilient — explain your persistence in seeking the title and what motivated you most.

What initially kept me persistent along this ten-year journey to becoming Miss Virginia was that I saw myself getting better each time and knew that if I continued to work hard, I could win eventually. Then, somewhere along the way, my perspective changed. I realized how much I had learned and earned through the process. I realized it wasn't about a crown but my impact on my community. If I decided to stop, what message would that send to the communities I was impacting? As Miss Virginia, I now realize that every stage we go through is preparation for the next, and there's a purpose in waiting.

We know you are a talented musician. Beyond music, where can young women find inspiration or resources to take that next step with confidence?

Young women can find inspiration or resources to confidently take that next step by participating in activities outside their comfort zone. Pageants were outside my comfort zone and were not on my radar. Yet, through areas of competition, like the private interview or on-stage question, I gained confidence in my story and contribution to the world. From this experience, I yearned to participate in other activities outside my comfort zone. Along this journey, I have found some unofficial mentors -- people who were doing what I wanted to do and encouraged me to do the same, while others I only witnessed from afar, but their lives served as an instruction manual for how I could reach my goals.

About Carlehr Swanson

Carlehr Swanson, Miss Virginia 2024, is a Richmond native and accomplished musician dedicated to service through music. A Ph.D. student at the University of Virginia studying Critical and Comparative Studies in Music, she also holds degrees from George Mason University and the University of Miami. Her community initiative, “Bridging the Divide: Music is Unity,” uses music to connect with isolated individuals in schools and nursing homes. As Miss Virginia, she also serves as a spokesperson for the Virginia ABC’s School Tour program, promoting healthy choices to students across the Commonwealth.

You have an incredible depth of experience supporting justice-involved individuals through recovery. How has your personal journey shaped your approach to leading statewide Peer Recovery Specialist services?

As a person who has recovered from a substance use disorder through God within faith, justice, treatment, and recovery settings, I want to ensure all are accessible to any person who may still sit in hopelessness. Hope was extended to me 15 years ago within justice settings and I desire to provide the same opportunity where judgement is suspended, and bias is laid aside to see others recover. Healing takes place in environments where vulnerability is enabled. A person can't become vulnerable in spaces where trust isn't active. Without vulnerability (trust), a person will conceal what needs to heal and the root issues will not be addressed.  I've not only experienced the comfort peer support brings in times of distress, but I've also witnessed it. I've sat in recovery classrooms and group rooms where individuals share about situations they've never shared up to that point. The power mutuality brings is inevitably what enables transparency and transformation. As a Virginia state leader, a leader with the Virginia Department of Corrections, and mentor among states, I envision a day where Peer Recovery Specialists (PRS) are integrated into every justice setting to build recovery capacity, expand support, and enhance systems.

As we recognize National Fentanyl Awareness Day, what message do you believe is most important for communities to hear about prevention, recovery, and the role of peer support in saving lives? 
 
SAMHSA statistics reveal that majority of people with a substance use disorder do recover.  Recovery is based on four different dimensions: Health, Home, Purpose & Community.  These dimensions are essential for individuals to achieve a meaningful recovery journey.  I’ve often heard the following quote in reference to substance use disorders, ‘the opposite of addiction is connection’.  Due to stigma, many are detached from their community.  We must understand what stigma is while addressing it for prevention and recovery purposes. Stigma is a negative attitude, judgement, or false belief based from personal or professional bias. It causes individuals to isolate, lowers self-esteem, and reduces the likelihood of one accessing or engaging in services. When stigma is reduced or obsolete, people who experience mental health or substance use challenges can be enabled to engage in wellness. All of us are individuals in a community who have the ability to suspended personal bias to offer hope to another person. Hope extends life and where there is breath, there is hope.

Another avenue allowing stigma to remain or increase is through our verbiage.  When we label a person as a disorder instead of a person separate from their challenge this hinders a person's identity as it minimizes their whole being (including strengths and resilience) while magnifying the disorder or challenge. It causes limitations to recovery and dismisses hope for a brighter future. Recovery restores the whole being while it focuses on strengths, is holistic, person centered, and restorative.

Peer support plays such a critical role in reducing stigma and strengthening recovery outcomes. What advice would you offer to organizations or leaders who want to better integrate peer recovery into their programs?

Recovery services and treatment services are fundamentally different. Many interchange these two services, however, they offer different supports. Treatment provides clinical support with an 'expert-patient' hierarchy model, while recovery offers support through mutuality, lived experience and equality. Both are valuable and necessary, however, when these two professional roles don't have clear boundaries, it can hinder progression.

The PRS field has been around for decades, just with different titles for different departments. The field has developed more within the last decade. One of the main challenges peer workers experience is not having trained professionals, colleagues, and organizations who understand their professional role. One main misconception around the peer role is that it's 'like a sponsor'. While this holds some truth concerning shared mutuality, there are vast differences between a sponsor and a Peer Recovery Specialist. A best practice for integration of peer staff into organizations is to have staff trained with up-to-date material on the function and role of a PRS. This helps to minimize assumptions, assists with the role transition into the department, and helps identify potential bias or challenges that could impact the professional recovery service. The supervisor oversight of the PRS staff is also critical to the development of the role. Supervisors should understand the unique role of a PRS, while addressing personal bias which can hinder the growth and professional development of the PRS position. Several PRS (among multiple organizations) experience ‘peer drift’.  This is caused by the role not being specifically defined with a job description and role clarification, for both the organization and PRS.  Across the state we’ve seen PRS pulled in many directions and assigned duties outside of the PRS role.  New trainings have emerged to address this concern and this seems to have decreased over time.

While looking at professional roles, the PRS position should be equivalent to other roles (counselors, case managers, etc) as they offer a unique, valuable and credible service. When PRS staff are not valued as an equal on a team, this will filter into the service provided which impacts those entrusted to the system of care or custody. The foundation of peer support is lived experience, but is not limited to this aspect alone. Peer Recovery Specialists are equipped with skills, knowledge, and resources. These positions are considered 'out of the box' while they agitate system complacency, bring creative approaches, and extend beyond office settings.

For individuals or families who are looking to support a loved one in recovery, what resources or tools do you most often recommend to help them navigate the journey?

A substance use disorder has often been referred to as a family disease. This is due to the impact it has on more than the person using substances. Any person surrounding the person using substances can be impacted. Virtual support expanded over the last five years which can be easily accessed. Al-Anon is a mutual aid support group centered for family and friends of a person with substance use challenges. Meetings can be found online and in-person, which also includes NA, AA, and more. Treatment services for loved ones are also accessible through counseling centers like Community Services Boards (CSB), private counseling sectors or clinics.  There’s also 211 – a person can call this number and be connected to relevant services and resources.  988 is a resource which can be used by dialing or texting.  It offers emotional support for suicidal crisis or emotional distress.  Peer support can be accessed through many avenues including mutual aid support groups, warm lines, recovery centers, and faith settings.

Additionally, there’s also Naloxone (aka Narcan).  Naloxone is a life saving tool used to reverse an opioid overdose. This medication as saved many lives, who are now in recovery and living productive fulfilling lives. Naloxone is free and can be accessed at health departments, local coalitions, and some non-profits (but not limited to).

Peer support can also be accessed through many avenues including mutual aid support groups, warm lines, recovery centers, and faith settings.

About Si’Andra Lewis

Si’Andra serves full-time as the Statewide Peer Recovery Specialist (PRS) Coordinator for the Virginia Department of Corrections through the Reentry & Recovery Services Unit. In this role, she manages SUD PRS services statewide for Probation and Parole Districts and Correctional Centers.

For 15 years, Si’Andra has offered recovery support to multiple agencies including justice involved systems of care, Recovery Court Teams, MAT programs, and jail & prison-based populations across the state. In a volunteer capacity in both Virginia and Tennessee, Si’Andras provided consultation to local recovery houses, has mentored youth, and serves as a leader in faith communities. She is an advocate for system changes, stigma reduction, and she remains transparent to coach and lead others. She values her role as a person in long term recovery, graduate of Tazewell County Recovery Court, and recovery leader.

For her dedication and many contributions to the recovery community, Si’Andra was recognized by the Virginia Office of the Attorney General, Mark Herring, in 2018 with the Unsung Hero Award.

In 2024, she was the VADOC lead for the COSSUP PRSSMI grant. The grant provided an opportunity for VADOC to mentor both Colorado Department of Corrections and Wyoming Department of Corrections for integration of Peer Recovery Specialist services with their state departments.

Virginia has always been at the heart of American history. As we prepare to commemorate 250 years of our nation’s founding, what aspects of Virginia’s legacy do you think are most important to highlight?

Virginia occupies a unique and critical place in American history—not merely because important events happened here, but because it is where foundational ideas of liberty, representative government, and civic engagement were first articulated and fiercely debated: America. Made in Virgina. As we approach America’s 250th anniversary, highlighting Virginia’s legacy means recognizing the bravery, the risks, and the profound disagreements our founders navigated to establish a nation built on ideals rather than ethnicity or territory. It means honestly reflecting on the full complexity of our past, embracing stories of both courage and conflict, and recommitting ourselves to the foundational principles that continue to unite and inspire us as Americans.

Your journey—from secretary to CEO, from corporate boardrooms to national leadership—has been marked by resilience and bold decision-making. What are the key leadership lessons you've learned along the way, and how can women today apply those lessons in their own careers and communities?

Throughout my journey, I've learned that leadership is not about titles, positions, or power. True leadership challenges the status quo, runs toward problems, and serves as a catalyst to get those problems solved. Leaders recognize that the people closest to the issue are often best equipped to address it, and their job is to unlock that potential. Effective leaders demonstrate empathy, humility, and collaboration—they understand they can't do it alone and value the contributions of others. Leadership involves seeing possibilities clearly, remaining optimistic despite realistic challenges, and fostering human potential. It requires courage to confront criticism and resilience to withstand setbacks, always guided by strong character and the commitment to do what's right, even when it's difficult.

You’ve had an extraordinary career spanning business, politics, and philanthropy. How do you see these fields intersecting when it comes to preserving history and advancing opportunities for women, particularly as we look ahead to the next 250 years?

I've observed how business, politics, and philanthropy intersect effectively around shared values such as preserving our heritage and broadening opportunities for everyone. Businesses innovate, politics shapes policy and resource allocation, and philanthropy addresses critical needs, ensuring long-term impact. Together, these sectors can create environments that nurture education, leadership growth, and civic participation, forming a strong foundation for prosperity and advancement for generations to come.

You’ve been a strong advocate for leadership development and lifelong learning. Are there any books, organizations, or other resources that you would recommend for women looking to build their leadership skills, navigate challenges, or make an impact in their communities?

The best way to build your leadership skills is to start by finding a problem—any problem—in your community, your school, or your workplace, and dedicate yourself to solving it. Real leadership emerges not from formal training alone, but from rolling up your sleeves and tackling issues head-on. Through this process, you develop critical skills like problem-solving, communication, teamwork, and resilience. This practical, hands-on approach is where real leaders are formed, making a tangible difference in their communities and beyond.

About Carly

Carly Fiorina was recruited to Hewlett-Packard with a mission to transform the company from a laggard to a leader, becoming the first woman to lead a Fortune 50 company. During her tenure as Chair and CEO, Hewlett-Packard became the largest technology company in the world, innovation tripled, cash flow quadrupled, and revenue and profit growth accelerated.

Both government and the private sector have sought out her vast problem-solving, team-building, and leadership experience. She has advised the Department of Defense, the Central Intelligence Agency, the State Department, and the Department of Homeland Security. She founded Carly Fiorina Enterprises to bring her expertise to private sector teams, and the Unlocking Potential Foundation to allow those in the social sector to benefit from her experience. She is the author of three best-selling books on leadership for general audiences, as well as a weekly LinkedIn newsletter with over 500,000 subscribers. She is a frequent speaker to teams and executives of many industries all over the world.

Carly believes that citizens and leaders in civil society have an important role and an enormous opportunity to drive positive change. In 2015, Carly launched a campaign for President. Americans came to know Carly as a clear-eyed, direct leader capable of actually solving problems and delivering results.

She is a member of the newly-formed American Bar Association Task Force for American Democracy, which is focused on those actions necessary to improve citizens’ confidence in American elections. She serves as the founding visionary and Executive Chair of The Williamsburg Institute, where history-makers meet. She also serves on the Board of Visitors for James Madison University.

As a student of history and philosophy at Stanford University, Carly first began to appreciate the power of ideas to drive change and the impact of history on the present and future. She believes that a deeper understanding of our nation’s full history, as well as the ideas upon which America was founded is particularly important during the current climate of division, discord, and political dysfunction. She serves as the Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation as well as the National Honorary Chair of the Virginia 250 Commission. In both roles, she is focused on ensuring that our nation’s founding is broadly understood, accurately portrayed, and commemorated in an inclusive, accessible way, particularly as we approach the United States Semiquincentennial in 2026.

Developed and honed throughout her experience over decades and around the globe, from the bottom of the ladder to the very top, from the private to the public to the social sector, Carly approaches each challenge with three core beliefs: every individual has more potential than they realize; people closest to the problem know best how to solve it; and the highest calling of leadership is to unlock potential in others and work with them to solve problems and change things for the better. Putting those beliefs to work within the criminal justice system, she is the founder and Chair of Pathway to Promise, an organization that works with justice-involved youth so they can change their world.

She and her husband Frank have been married for almost forty years. They live in Lorton, Virginia, where they are both active members of the community and support numerous local charitable causes. Their daughter, son-in-law and two granddaughters live nearby.

Your election to the Henrico County School Board marked a historic milestone. What inspired you to run, and what has been your proudest accomplishment so far?

I was inspired to run for the Henrico County School Board because I recognized a need for transformational servant leadership that genuinely values every child and ensures that the voices of parents and the community are heard. I stepped up because I wanted to create a space for all families, particularly those who have historically been unheard.

I give glory to God for allowing me to embrace the responsibilities bestowed upon me and to use my gifts to serve others. Because of this, I have achieved many things. However, one of my proudest accomplishments is helping to establish the world's first 'living' environmental center for public schools in Henrico. This project is more than just a building; it serves as a statement that we are investing in our children's future. We are teaching them to learn and live in harmony with nature, demonstrating that sustainability and education go hand in hand. 

Seeing students thrive in spaces designed for their success is a dream realized, and I hope it inspires even bigger dreams for them.

Representation in leadership is powerful. How do you hope your role encourages young women, particularly young women of color, to step into leadership positions?

Maya Angelou told us, “I come as one, but I stand as ten thousand.” I carry that truth with me every day because my presence in leadership is not just for me—it’s for young women watching, wondering if they belong in these spaces. I hope that when they see me, hear me, and feel the powerful, miraculous love of God, they understand that their voices are powerful, their dreams are valid, and their leadership is needed.

Through mentorship, advocacy, and just showing up as my full, authentic self, I want young women of color to know that they can lead, challenge systems, and create change. We are all imperfectly perfect in the most precious ways. I love us and what we represent.

The landscape of education is constantly evolving. What do you see as the biggest opportunity for improving student success in Virginia?

Even with the changing education landscape, I understand that a well-defined problem is usually half-solved. The most significant opportunity lies in diversity and equity—ensuring that every child, regardless of zip code, has access to quality education, mental health support, and the resources they need to thrive. That means fighting for collective bargaining, as well as for meaningful improvements in working conditions and employee engagement and ensuring that students are prepared not just for tests, but for life. Lastly, pushing for policies that put people first. 

For parents and students looking to be more involved in their local schools, what resources or community initiatives would you recommend?

First, I would say—get in the room where decisions are made. Join your school's PTA, attend board meetings, and advocate for your child and their peers.

Incredible community initiatives connect families, such as mentorship programs, literacy events, and advocacy groups. Volunteering at schools, supporting local education initiatives, and showing up to celebrate students' achievements can make a world of difference. Education is a community effort, and we all have a role in shaping the future.

No one does this alone. We can build stronger schools, communities, and a better future for all our children.

About Alicia

In 2019, Mrs. Atkins shattered barriers and made history as the first Black woman elected to the Henrico County School Board, proudly representing the Varina District—the very community where she was raised, educated, and continues to call home. Her leadership and commitment to inclusive policies earned her a resounding re-election victory in 2023 with 73% of the vote. That same year, she was elected Vice-Chair of the School Board, marking another historic milestone as the first Black woman to serve in that role.

In 2024, Mrs. Atkins broke yet another barrier when she was unanimously elected as the first Black woman to serve as Chair of the Henrico County School Board. Throughout her tenure, she has championed initiatives that promote educational equity, environmental sustainability, and student-centered policies, reinforcing her reputation as a dedicated and transformative leader.

Now, in 2025, she is poised to expand her impact at the state level as a candidate for the Virginia House of Delegates in the 81st District. Her platform prioritizes education, the environment, and empowerment, with a steadfast commitment to wellness—mentally, physically, and spiritually—human dignity, and leadership accountability. Grounded in the belief that people should come before profit and power, she is determined to drive meaningful policy change in Virginia’s General Assembly.

What inspired you to join Young Life and be part of its mission?

If you’ve ever walked the busy halls of a high school or even looked into the bleachers at a high school sporting event, you’ve seen a sea of teenager faces. Some of those faces were joyful, some mischievous, others sad, anxious, or just blank. Each of those faces represent a story, many of which involve a great deal of pain, brokenness, and loneliness that are all masked by perfect-looking Instagram posts. I was once a lonely high schooler carrying around a great deal of pain, wondering if there was someone out there who might see me and want to know me. My life completely changed after learning that I was seen, known, and loved by the God of the universe. I believe every single high school student deserves the chance to hear the truth about this love from a trusted friend. Young Life is the best tool I’ve found that offers this chance to as many teenagers as possible! 

How do you build meaningful connections with teenagers in your community?

In Young Life, we have a saying that “A kid doesn’t care what you say until they know that you care about them.” As a Young Life leader, I communicate that I care about teenagers by caring enough to step into their world instead of requiring them to come to me. This looks like going to their gymnastics meets, driving to see their cheer competitions, and going to their chorus concerts. Proximity communicates that we care. Young Life leaders show up consistently in high schoolers lives, learn their names, and want to know about their lives. I try to listen more than I talk. We all desire to be known and teenagers are no different!

What resources would you recommend to help young people grow in their faith and navigate life’s challenges?

My dream is that every teenager would have a caring adult, outside of their parents, who loves them and wants to listen through the joyful and painful times. (I really wish they could all have a Young Life leader!) This is probably the most important resource for young people to walk through life and grow in their faith. For the readers, I’d recommend a devotional called Being With Jesus by Jim Branch.

What impact have you seen Young Life camps make in the lives of young people?

At Young Life camp, teenagers hear the message of Jesus in a way specially catered for them to understand, in a place where every detail is designed for them to experience firsthand the joy and belonging that comes with life with Jesus. Over the years, I’ve seen many high school girls come to Young Life camp just because their Young Life leader loved them and promised it would be the best week of their lives. Throughout the course of the week, they realize that what they’re actually looking for is the truth that they’re loved unconditionally. This truth changes everything.

My friend Jessica learned that despite the pain she’d experienced as a child, God was with her and wanted to heal her. My friend Noel realized that all of her relationships with boys were cheap substitutions for the ultimate love of God and she decided she wanted the real thing. My friend Christina believed for the first time that God’s love for her didn’t depend on her performance, and she began to love the girls on her gymnastics team in such a way that their lives were changed. Camp has been the catalyst that changed my friends’ hearts, career choices, spouses. My friends Ashlyn and Olivia and Molly just recently learned that God’s love for them is what they’ve been missing. They’ve made the decision to live their lives for something bigger than themselves. I can’t wait to see the plans for their lives.

About Tracy

I’m a Virginian through and through! I grew up on a farm in Louisa, received my Master’s in Elementary Education from the University of Virginia, and have loved calling Richmond home for the last few years. After working as a third grade teacher in Albemarle for five years, I felt God’s call to go on full-time staff with Young Life. I had the chance to be a Young Life leader in my hometown, at the high school I graduated from, for four years and those were some of the best memories of my life. I’ve now been a Young Life leader in the Richmond West End for eight years and God continues to amaze me! When I’m not coaching JV lacrosse or drinking Starbucks with high school girls, I love cooking, going on walks at the James, and spending time with my niece and nephew.

How is Virginia Works collaborating with businesses, educational institutions, and community organizations to create opportunities for Virginia’s workers?

Virginia Works is uniquely responsible not only for the workforce programs and services provided by the agency but also for convening and coordinating a broader workforce ecosystem across the Commonwealth. There are a multitude of organizations providing much-needed services of all kinds that work together to support Virginians at work – we know that it’s not just career coaching that job seekers need, but also childcare, housing, transportation, Internet access and digital skills, and more. One of our goals at Virginia Works has been to catalog these programs and services – at least those funded at the state level – and we’re beginning an effort to digitize that catalog and make it easier to access and navigate in real time, not just for job seekers, but for anyone working in the ecosystem who would benefit from knowing about other programs that individuals can take advantage of. We also established Commonwealth-wide “workforce town halls,” for workforce-focused staff from other agencies to connect with one another, share best practices, and learn together, and are kicking off a series of employer-focused webinars on talent-related topics & relevant business services, in partnership with VEDP and the Virginia Chamber Foundation. It’s all about the three C’s – communication, coordination, collaboration – and we can never have enough of that!

What message would you share with individuals seeking to reenter the workforce or pivot to a new career path?

There’s no time like the present! Employers need you and are demonstrating a willingness to consider more unique experiences, less linear career paths, and skills-based hiring approaches more than ever before. Your experience is valuable, your skills are transferable, and with the breadth of opportunities out there, you have more options to consider. I love hearing success stories of Virginians who pivoted to very different career paths utilizing skills they had already gained or who successfully reentered the workforce after extended time not working. They inspire me and prove that any of us can do it.

What do you believe are the most impactful steps we can take to support women and girls in pursuing meaningful careers and leadership roles in today’s workforce?

It starts with supporting every girl to believe they can be anything they want to be, and that includes seeing role models and having mentors who are balancing their work with whatever else fulfills them, like having a family. I am proud to be the only daughter of a woman with an accomplished career who also raised me well. It’s not easy, but the examples we set are critical to inspire and mentor the next generation. It’s also worth mentioning the programs across the Commonwealth that specifically support women at work and the effort and focus by this Administration on some of the most prevalent needs we have – for example, support for the many women who are military spouses to more easily get employed upon moving to Virginia via things like universal licensing, and the Building Blocks initiative that has increased our capacity around childcare and early childhood education, which we know is a barrier to the workforce for many women. There is always more to do in this space and it will continue to be a focus area of mine.

For Virginians seeking new job opportunities or career development, what resources or programs offered by Virginia Works would you recommend they explore first?

For starters, I want everyone to know that you can receive free job search support and resume review – as well as accessing training support and other educational opportunities for those who qualify – by visiting any Virginia Career Works center across the Commonwealth. And even if you don’t go in person, the Virginia Workforce Connection allows you to search for open jobs near you and complete a skills assessment that helps you focus on great job opportunities for you. It also will allow you to register for upcoming virtual job fairs and other events to engage with employers directly. And if you haven't considered an approach like an apprenticeship to start your career or pivot into a new field, I want you to know that you can. More and more, Registered Apprenticeship and similar models that allow you to "earn while you learn" are available in emerging, high-growth industries and fields, and you might be surprised how varied the opportunities are.  There is a wealth of support available and we’re working every day to make it easier to know about these opportunities and access them. No one should feel left alone or unprepared in preparing for their first job, navigating a career transition, or returning to work – that’s our goal.

About Nicole

Serving the Commonwealth fulfills a lifelong dream of public service for Nicole. Previously, in over a decade spent with Deloitte Consulting in Northern Virginia, Nicole incubated and scaled the firm’s Future of Work practice for government, nonprofits, and higher education, spoke and published frequently on workforce & workplace trends, was named to Consulting Magazine’s “35 under 35,” and worked with public and private sector clients across the nation. She then joined the Youngkin Administration first as Deputy Secretary for Workforce Development prior to her role at Virginia Works. 

Nicole holds two degrees from Johns Hopkins University. In her free time, she can be found exploring places she hasn’t been before across Virginia and beyond. 

What has been the most surprising or unexpected source of strength during your journey?

I realized, as I lay in my hospital bed this past summer, that I was experiencing something special— Something most people will never have the pleasure and joy of experiencing. I was able to have a celebration of life while still alive. This revelation and its continuation throughout the duration of my hospital stay, gave me incredible strength of Will to recover. From the moment of learning, I’d been attacked by a shark, family, and friends alike flock to my side. My father and eldest brother immediately flew across state lines to physically be by my side. Each brought his Bible and read verses of strength to me. My youngest brother and his wife drove south to pick up my children. They took them home to his house as the next steps for my care were planned. I received phone calls, texts, cards, and prayers galore! This continued throughout  my hospital stay of 67 days. with each card, I was uplifted, with each visit from a friend or family member. My focus became healing, with each prayer I was renewed in spirit. I had known I was loved, but to see the intense outpouring all at the same time was an experience I shall cherish until I pass on to heaven. There, perhaps, will be another celebration of life, but I cannot imagine it matching the one I have already received.

How has the support from friends, neighbors, and even strangers impacted your recovery?

One thing that most people are not prepared for is the crippling cost of an unexpected medical catastrophe. Health insurance certainly helps, but as most of us know, it only helps so much. We must endure out of network costs and exclusions in our policies to name a couple of headaches. Healthcare is exceedingly overpriced, $5 for an aspirin (I’m not kidding!) and  reform is necessary—but that is for another dissertation. What has quite literally brought me to my knees in prayer of thanksgiving is the never-ending well of financial support from family members, friends, and strangers alike. Knowing that I had a cushion of financial support, I was able to focus my efforts and prayers on thanksgiving and recovery.

Can you share how your faith and family have supported and uplifted you throughout this life-changing experience?

I believe that having a firm faith in the goodness and never failing love of God and being able to scripturally back, this faith up was pivotal as I grappled with the question of “why did this happen to me?” and later dealt with the physical handicaps that would become my new normal. Not only did I have my faith, but I had my family to carry me through the storms of self-pity and depression that seeped through the seams of my wounds. My husband was my rock as he handled the administration of my care, parented our three teenage children, and held down a full-time job. All of this, and he never left my side in spirit and each night in body as he slept next to my hospital bed until I was discharged. He has had to see and do things for me that might send other husbands packing. But he did for me all that was necessary and more, and all with unflinching care.

What message do you hope to share with other women and families who may be facing their own unexpected challenges and use?

It’s impossible to know how life‘s stories will play out. I don’t spend a lot of time trying to imagine the “what if” scenarios in my life. I meet each challenge as it comes; so to tell you that I never in my wildest dreams could have imagined being attacked by a shark and subsequently imagining what the days and months following would bring, is the understatement of the decade. If given the option, obviously I would have declined the experience. But we are not allowed to choose our life‘s experiences fully. Of course we make choices, but we cannot protect ourselves from tragedy, injustice, or adversity. As citizens of the fallen world, we can know that we will not escape hardship. But how can we cope? I will tell you how I would recommend coping— by relying on the goodness of God, remembering that he promises to “strengthen and help us”Isaiah 41:10. 

God allows hardships to befall us, but he does not leave us to go through the fire alone. So much of getting through the difficulty is staying positive and finding the blessings just outside of our despair. Remember that if you are struggling through a challenge, it is in part because the Lord knows you can't handle it, B.) grow into a stronger person for it, and finally C.) use your experience to assist others facing seemingly insurmountable challenges. Let God use you. “Pray continuously, give thanks in all circumstances for this is God‘s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

1st Thessalonians 5:17-18

About Elisabeth

Elisabeth Karry Foley, 51, has been a resident of Ashland, Virginia, since 2013, where she lives with her husband of 20 years, Ryan, and their three children, Laurel (18), Lyla (15), and Dominick (13). She grew up in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina, and later Richmond, Virginia. Elisabeth is a Furman University alumna and a graduate of the French Culinary Institute in New York City, reflecting her love for cooking. She works as a barista at Starbucks in Ashland, where she enjoys connecting with her community. Elisabeth cherishes time spent with family and friends, gardening, and cooking, and draws strength and gratitude from her faith as a devoted follower of Jesus. Her warmth and dedication make her a beloved part of the Ashland community.

Elisabeth's Recovery Instagram.