Young Women’s Leadership Alliance

The Young Women’s Leadership Alliance (YWLA) is open to any person who identifies as a woman in the greater Richmond region, is between the ages of 25 and 35, and embraces YWCA’s mission to eliminate racism and empower women.

As a women’s leadership program of YWCA Richmond, YWLA seeks to develop, strengthen, and sustain a diverse community of young women who are committed to creating a more equitable Richmond.  YWLA members engage in leadership development, which include mentorship opportunities, dialogue and learning on topics about racial and gender justice, community building, and advocacy.  Our goal is to inspire the next generation of emerging leaders in greater Richmond to become change agents for equity, opportunity, and justice in our community.

Signature Events

Mariah Williams 2022 ROWA

Meet Mariah Williams, 2022 ROWA winner

Born and raised in Harlem, New York, Mariah Williams is an urban planner, storyteller, and researcher dedicated to highlighting the experiences of…

YWLA COMMUNITY FOR CHANGE INSTAGRAM 1

commUNITY for change

YWLA Invites You to Celebrate Leadership and Community Save the Date: commUNITY for change A Cocktail Event with Silent Auction presented…

YWCA Rising Outstanding Woman Recipient v2

Meet Amanda Eaddy McKeithan, the 2021 ROWA winner

Amanda Eaddy McKeithan is an educator, storyteller, writing coach, creative consultant, and teen girl advocate in Richmond, VA. She is the founder of…

Application

YWLA’s 2023 application is currently closed.

YWLA membership terms are two years, and new members start in July.  Applications for YWLA’s 2024-2025 membership will reopen in mid-January 2024.  In the meantime, if you are interested in learning more about YWLA, please email Nadia Gooray at ngooray@ywcarichmond.org.

Let me know when the YWLA application reopens

Current Members

  • Kelsey Croston, YWLA President, Richmond Association of Realtors
  • Lindsey Dombert, YWLA Past-President, Self-Employed, Real Estate
  • Alyssa Schweck, YWLA Vice-President, Bellwether Education
  • Katie Moody, YWLA Secretary, PlanRVA
  • Kaitlin Cottle, Williams Mullen
  • Allison Dubinsky, VCU Health
  • Paula Fallas, Navis LLC
  • Shannon Hagginbothom, AMS
  • Katie Harrell, Richmond Public Schools
  • Rachel Johnson, Amazon Web Services
  • Shannon Kapadia, Amazon Web Services
  • Cassie Knight, Flaunt Creative
  • Emily Koci, NAMI Virginia
  • Octavia Marsh, Henrico Area Mental Health and Development Services
  • Maggi Marshall, WTVR-CBS 6 News
  • Courtney Mills, Hanover County | Lakeside Printing Company
  • Natalie Moore, Ruff Canine Club
  • Maggie Paynter, Bonfire
  • Katelyn Roberts, Scott’s Addition Animal Hospital
  • Leah Stiegler, Woods Rogers PLC
  • Shante Stevans, Defense Finance and Accounting Service
  • Taylor Venter, Kimley-Horn Associates
  • Sara Lee White, Berkshire Hathaway Energy
  • Sara Woznicki, Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond
Young womens leadership alliance