Our People

Vice President of Child & Family Services Robert Steele
Robert Steele has over 16 years experience in child welfare and youth development. Before coming to VHBG in 2001 he worked at Commonwealth Catholic Charities where he served as a case manager for the Refugee Unaccompanied Minors, the Therapeutic Foster Care and the Intensive In-Home programs. Since arriving at VHBG, he has been involved with the Teaching-Family Model first as Residential Services Supervisor and then as Training and Evaluation Manager. Most recently he has served as Human Resources Manager at VHBG. Rob completed his undergraduate education at Old Dominion University and holds an MSW from Virginia Commonwealth University and holds his certification as a Professional in Human Resources.

Vice President of Finance & Administration Judi Klass
Judi Klass, Vice President of Administration and Finance, brings over 20 years of experience in the accounting and finance fields and has been with Virginia Home for Boys and Girls since 2007. She comes to us after moving to Fredericksburg, Virginia with her family in 2006 from Ohio where she was Senior Director/Controller for Experient, a company specializing in meeting and event planning with a large non-profit sector. Prior to joining Experient, Judi worked for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) for over 5 years, gaining experience in non-profit accounting. Judi holds a BA from McMaster University and a CMA designation from Canada where she was born and raised.

Vice President of Philanthropy Ann Rohde Payes
Ann Rohde Payes has more than 12 years experience in non-profit management and fundraising. Ann was most recently the Director of Development at The Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen and prior served as the Director of Major Gifts at the University of Richmond. Ann holds an MBA from the College of William & Mary, an M.S. in Higher Education from Florida State University and a B.A. in French and Art History from the University of Virginia. She is on the Boards of the Coal Pit Learning Center, a preschool which serves children of the working poor, and the Rotary Club of Innsbrook.

Vice President of Business Development John Dougherty
John Dougherty has over 15 years in the health and human services field, with a consistent focus in youth and family services. He completed his undergraduate education at Syracuse University and received his MSW from Virginia Commonwealth University. He is a Clinical Social Worker (MSW). Beginning his career in residential care, John has progressed through a variety of roles from in-home counseling, alternative education and trauma treatment, to his more recent roles in leadership and management. For the past four years John served as the Executive Director of ROSMY, Virginia’s leading source of support, education and advocacy for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender youth. John is committed to continual growth as a leader and has been recognized as one of Richmond’s Top 40 Under 40 by Style Weekly, and was a recipient of the Stettinius Award for Nonprofit Leadership. John is driven by a passion to empower communities that empower youth to achieve their greatest potential.

Human Resources Manager Angela Miller
Angela Miller has worked in Human Resources at VHBG since 2008. She holds a B.S. in Biology from Texas Southern University and has a Masters in Healthcare Human Resources from Texas State University-San Marcos. She is a member of (SHRM) Society for Human Resource Management.

April Dunkum Foster Care Program Manager
April Dunkum has over 11 years experience working directly with children in foster care. She holds a B.A. in Social Work from Randolph Macon College and is currently pursuing her MSW from VCU. April joined Virginia Home for Boys and Girls in 2003 and has spear-headed the licensing of the agency as a Therapeutic Foster Care provider. She is also developing a new Quality Assurance and Improvement tracking system. Additionally, she is teaching a class in Personal Development and Independent Living at the John G. Wood School and providing alternative group therapy.

Monica R. Manns Principal John G. Wood School
Monica R. Manns holds a B.A. in Middle Grades Education and a Master’s in Rehabilitation Counseling (MRC) from Berea College, a Master’s degree in Public School Administration and a Master’s in Professional Counseling from Virginia Commonwealth University. Monica has worked as a Rehabilitation Counselor in North Carolina, High School & GED Teacher in a Therapeutic Day Facility, Middle School Special Education Teacher, and the Staff Training Coordinator for a statewide non-profit organization. Her passion for children led her back to the classroom and to the position of Special Education Department Chair for a public alternative school and later as a Special Education Coordinator for a juvenile correctional facility. Prior to becoming the principal of John G. Wood School she served as a special education coordinator for a juvenile facility within the state prison system.

Robert Larkin Residential Services Manager
Bob Larkin has been in the human services field for 25 years. He holds a B.A. in History and Secondary Education from Hiram College and an M.S. in Human Service Administration from Springfield College of Human Services. Before joining Virginia Home for Boys and Girls in 2008, he had spent over 16 years at Berkshire Farm Center and Services for Youth in New York where he held the positions of Group Home Coordinator, Program Supervisor for Group Homes, Group Home Forum Facilitator and Senior Training Specialist. His certifications include:American Red Cross Instructor and Trainer, Therapeutic Crisis Intervention Trainer, SKIP Trainer, CPI Non-Violent Crisis Intervention Trainer and Certified Therapeutic Foster Parent.

Karen Rice , LCSW Clinical Services Manager
Karen Rice is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who began as a consultant with VHBG and later developed the Clinical Services Program on campus. She brings to VHBG over twenty years of experience as a mental health practitioner, specializing in the treatment of children, teens, and families. Her approach is to encourage gradual change and growth building on the strengths and potentials of the individual or family. The Teaching Family Model and Ms. Rice’s cognitive behavioral intervention approach complement each other well as both encourage the residents to learn, consider, and respond to the interactions of their thoughts and behaviors. Ms. Rice provides individual and family psychotherapy, group counseling, crisis response, team consultation, staff training and program development services. Ms. Rice graduated from the University of Virginia with a B.A. in Psychology, and Virginia Commonwealth University with a Master of Social Work degree. She is currently the President of the Hanover Mental Health Association and is a member of the National Association of Social Workers

VHBG sets high standards in employing those committed to empowering children and families to greater success.

For more information info@boysandgirlshome.org