Board of Directors

Nora V. Demleitner is the Roy L. Steinheimer Jr. Professor of Law at Washington and Lee University. She served as dean at two law schools and is a national expert on criminal justice issues. She is a graduate of Yale Law School. Nora is also a Class of 2019 parent. Nora's focus is always on students and educational outcomes. She is deeply committed to diversity and equity in education, the legal system, and beyond.

Tamara Futrell serves as the Dean for Diversity, Inclusion and Student Engagement at Washington and Lee University. As an administrator,  educator, social justice advocate, she is committed to bringing awareness about educational opportunities that exist for all students  and eradicating barriers to access and equity. Having attended both public and private schools in her formative years, she believes in the importance of a strong educational foundation. In the infamous words of Nelson Mandela “education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”

Robert Gray is a visionary, businessman, brand strategist and social entrepreneur with a passion for education reform and economic empowerment. As a native of Albemarle County, VA who was born in Charlottesville, he was able to experience firsthand both the opportunities and gaps that existed for the communities that raised him. As a result, he fostered a strong determination to operationalize socio-economic mobility as a means for building generational wealth and knowledge, especially among marginalized communities. His lifelong mission is to educate and empower all people socially, politically, and economically.

Charles M. Henter is the founder of HenterLaw PLC. He practices education and college law, among other disciplines. He graduated magna cum laude from George Mason University School of Law. Since the Fall of 2003, he has served as an Adjunct Professor at George Mason University School of Law.

Sara C. Johnson is the Head of Renaissance School. In 2002 she joined RHS as faculty, and in 2009 became the school’s second Head of School. Sara earned her BFA with honors from Indiana State University, her MFA at the University of Tennessee, and is currently a doctoral student in Educational Leadership at the University of Pennsylvania. Sara, a first generation graduate, offers a longstanding commitment to equity in education, and to developing a student-centered educational environment emphasizing collaboration, civic engagement, and critical thinking. Her extended bio is available on the Faculty page. 

Kay Manchester has extensive experience leading Human Resources, Training and Sales Development across three industries.  Her undergraduate degree is from Berea College in Kentucky, and she holds an MBA from James Madison University.  She has a passion for continuous learning and diversity/equity.  Kay works with a local consulting firm providing a myriad of Human Resources and Training services.  She is a Class of 2015 parent.

Richard Needham is the Sales Manager at Clayborne Education, and he is the parent of a Class of 2013 alum. He holds an M.F.A. in Film Production with an award for academic excellence from the University of Miami School of Communication in Coral Gables Florida. Richard has wrangled chickens in Central Park for a Busta Rhymes video, produced The Ticket, a documentary about lottery winners (currently on Hulu), traveled to Mongolia to film reindeer herders, and has worked as a cinematographer on numerous films for artist Dara Friedman. Richard is chair of the board for the Congo Leadership Initiative. He loves to travel, and surf.