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Kate Roth Executive Committee President Ms. Roth is a Senior Vice President of Accounting and Financial Reporting at TowneBank, which she joined in 2018. She is a CPA who previously worked as a senior auditor for KPMG US, one of the “Big Four” accounting firms, after earning her B.S. in Accounting and Finance from Indiana University. As a college student, she provided bookkeeping services for the Arts for Learning affiliate in Indiana. |
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Dr. D. Michael Geller Executive Committee Immediate Past President Dr. D. Michael Geller is a retired physician specializing in geriatrics who taught at Eastern Virginia Medical School and served in various clinical roles in Virginia, Texas, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania. He received his medical degree from Temple University and a master’s in social work from Smith College. A fine art photographer, Dr. Geller’s work was featured in the Chrysler Museum of Art’s Focus Gallery in 2019: “A Labor of Love: The Caregiver Portraits” told the stories of 21 people from Hampton Roads who had devoted themselves to caring for their loved one. |
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David A. Snouffer Executive Committee Vice President Mr. Snouffer is an attorney specializing in compensation and benefits, estate planning, taxation, and other practice areas as a member of Willcox and Savage. He is also an active member of the Virginia Symphony Chorus. After graduating with a B.A. from the University of Virginia, Mr. Snouffer received his J.D. from Harvard University, graduating cum laude. |
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Heather Karasow Smith Executive Committee Secretary Ms. Karasow Smith is an experienced nonprofit leader who currently serves as the Associate Director of Community Relations for Al-Anon Family Groups in Virginia Beach. She previously worked for a number of nonprofits in Pennsylvania, with a focus on event planning and development. Ms. Smith holds a B.A. in Art History from the University of Delaware and an M.S. in Organizational and Strategic Leadership from Neumann University. |
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Emily Corbitt Executive Committee Treasurer Ms. Emily Corbitt, CPA is an audit manager at KPMG, LLP with experience in auditing public and non-public companies within multiple industries including higher education and nonprofits. She graduated magna cum laude from Virginia Tech with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. |
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Dr. Amelia Ross-Hammond Director Emeritus Dr. Amelia Ross-Hammond is the Founder and Chairman of the Virginia African American Cultural Center and a re-elected member of the Virginia Beach City Council. She retired from Norfolk State University as Distinguished Professor Emerita. Dr. Ross-Hammond holds a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership, Curriculum, and Instruction from the University of Denver and is a graduate of the Sorenson Institute for Political Leadership, University of Virginia. Following three terms as president of Arts for Learning’s board and two years as a member of the Executive Committee, Dr. Ross-Hammond was named A4L’s first Director Emeritus. |
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David Baptista Mr. David G. Baptista is the retired Director of Health Services Integration at the Navy Warfare Development Center in Norfolk. He previously served as the Deputy Chief of Health Services at Naval Surface Forces Pacific and at United Nations Command/U.S. Force Korea. Mr. Baptista holds a B.A. from the University of California, Riverside; a Master of Public Health from San Diego State University; and a Master of Military Studies from Marine Corps University in Quantico, Virginia. |
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Deborah Blankman Ms. Deborah Blankman has worked as a Realtor at Howard Hanna in Virginia Beach since 2006, specializing in residential real estate sales. She also owns her own design consultation business, with expertise in the design of print marketing materials and planning of interior spaces. In addition to coursework at Towson State University and Catonsville Community College, Ms. Blankman holds an associate degree in specialized technology/visual communications from the Art Institute of Philadelphia. |
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Noelle M. Brown Noelle Brown is a seasoned human resources professional with more than 25 years of experience in talent development, organizational strategy, and employee engagement. She currently serves as the Human Resources Business Partner II for the City of Virginia Beach. She uses her talents for creative problem-solving, process development, and team coordination to support inclusive and effective workplace environments. With a B.A. in Special Education from Greensboro College and an A.A. in Liberal Arts from Peace College, Noelle’s academic foundation reflects her lifelong passion for supporting children and fostering environments where they can thrive. Outside of her professional life, Noelle enjoys photography, travel, and spending time with her beloved German Shepherd, Apollo. |
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Linda Dennis Ms. Dennis is the retired Orchestra Director at Norview High School, having served in various capacities for 30 years with Norfolk Public Schools, including working as the division’s Strings Consultant. She has been a violinist with the Virginia Symphony Orchestra since 1981. Ms. Dennis received her B.S. in Music Education from Old Dominion University. |
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Judy Gutterman Ms. Gutterman is a retired school guidance counselor and lifelong arts advocate. She worked as a guidance counselor at various Norfolk Public Schools, including serving as the chair of the guidance department at Lafayette-Winona Middle School. Ms. Gutterman received her B.S. in Education (Secondary English) and M.S. in Education (School Counseling) from Old Dominion University. |
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Carlton Hardy Mr. Hardy is a retired civilian with extensive professional experience managing projects for the U.S. Army and the Department of Defense. Earlier in his career he worked as a teacher and school principal. For more than 40 years, Mr. Hardy has volunteered for various arts organizations in Hampton Roads, including serving as chair of the Newport News Arts Commission and president of the boards of the Virginia Choral Society and Cultural Alliance of Greater Hampton Roads. Mr. Hardy earned his B.A. in History and M.Ed in Counseling from The College of William & Mary and an M.S. in Instructional Technology from Old Dominion University. |
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Jenna Mackay Ms. Jenna Mackay currently serves as a Private Wealth Advisor and Vice President with Old Point Wealth Management in Norfolk. Along with holding numerous investment and insurance licenses, she earned her Accredited Asset Management Specialist (AAMS®) designation through the College of Financial Planning. Ms. Mackay received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Christopher Newport University. |
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Erica Mitchell Ms. Mitchell is the Director of Content Strategy at EOS Surfaces, a start-up that has developed a copper-infused material that kills bacteria. Previously, she served as the Development Director for the Federation of Virginia Food Banks, as the Upper School Director at Chesapeake Bay Academy, and as the Program Director for Young Audiences of Virginia. Ms. Mitchell received her bachelor’s degree in English and Elementary Education at The College of William & Mary and her master’s in Curriculum and Instruction at Old Dominion University. |
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Carolyn Basehore Phillips Ms. Carolyn Basehore Phillips is an experienced educator, leader, and artist who has worked in higher education and in the business world. She currently serves as the Pathway Dean of Arts and Humanities at Tidewater Community College, following earlier roles at Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts, SPARC Initiative, D’ART Center, and other organizations. Ms. Basehore Phillips earned an MFA in painting, from Indiana State University and a BFA, in Painting and Drawing, from East Carolina University. |
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Melissa Roomsburg Ms. Roomsburg is Senior Vice President of Business Development and Client Services at PRA Group, where she has worked since 2015. In 2023, she was honored with a Stevie Award as Female Employee of the Year. She previously worked in project management at Liberty Tax and Amerigroup. Ms. Roomsburg received her B.A. in Political Science and Government from Winthrop University. |
In Memory
We remember with gratitude Bettie Minette Cooper (December 23, 1937 – October 14, 2025), whose service and leadership continue to inspire us.
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Minette Cooper Executive Committee Member at Large Mrs. Cooper was an active arts advocate since she first moved to Norfolk in 1963. She graduated from Smith College and went on to serve as President of the Young Audiences of Virginia board as well as a volunteer Program Director for the organization. She also served on the board of Young Audiences Arts for Learning (National). Other highlights of Mrs. Cooper’s many years of philanthropy included chairing the Virginia Symphony board, the Virginia Symphony League board, and the Norfolk Commission of the Arts and Humanities, as well as serving as president of Ohef Sholom Temple. Mrs. Cooper also sang in the Virginia Symphony Chorus from its founding in 1990. |
