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
![ROWA 2023 Dionne Henderson [Final]](https://ywcarichmond.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/ROWA-2023-Dionne-Henderson-Final-uai-1080x607.png)
Meet Dionne Henderson, 2023 ROWA winner
Dionne Henderson is a native of Richmond, VA, and a graduate of Thomas Jefferson High School and the University of Virginia where she…
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…
Community for Change
YWLA Invites You to Celebrate Leadership and Community Community for Change A Cocktail Event with Silent Auction, presented by YWLA…
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.
Current Members
- Alyssa Schweck, YWLA President, Bellwether Education
- Kelsey Croston, YWLA Past-President, Richmond Association of Realtors
- Katie Moody, YWLA Vice-President, PlanRVA
- Allison Dubinsky, YWLA Secretary, VCU Health
- Liddy Ballard, Brady
- Daphne Bolotas, Office of Children and Families | City of Richmond
- Cristelle Brown, Capital Area Partnership Uplifting People, Inc
- Kaitlin Cottle, Williams Mullen
- Dedrain (Dede) Dennis, Virginia Commonwealth University
- Paula Fallas, Lego
- Ellie Grove, Virtuous
- Stephany Holguin, WM
- Rachel Johnson, Wolters Kluwer
- Cassie Knight, Flaunt Creative
- Emily Koci, Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens
- Ebony Lambert, Bellwether Education
- Octavia Marsh, Henrico Area Mental Health and Development Services
- Maggi Marshall, WTVR-CBS 6 News
- Sara Messervey, The MARCS Agency
- Maggie Paynter, Virtuous
- Hayden Prelaz, Capital One
- Aaisha Sanaullah, Sands Anderson PC
- Emily Scott, Shamin Hotels
- Shannon Shay, AMS
- Sutisha Simluang, National Domestic Workers Alliance
- Leah Stiegler, Woods Rogers Vandeventer Black PLC
- Taylor Venter, Kimley-Horn Associates
- Whitney Whalen, Hanover Cares
- Emily Wolfteich, GovExec
- Sara Woznicki, Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond
- Emma Zhang, Army
