NVHF President & CEO Courtney Rice Reflects on First 100 Days and Beyond

Hello friends and neighbors,

I’ve had the honor of serving as the President and CEO of Northern Virginia Health Foundation for a little more than 100 days and I am filled with gratitude and purpose. These past few months have been rewarding and full, each day presenting new opportunities to learn, connect, and envision a healthier future for our community. 

First, I’d like to thank my predecessor Patricia Mathews. Her trailblazing work and support have made this transition navigable and smooth. Patricia’s commitment to the Foundation’s mission, improving the health and well-being of Northern Virginia residents, has set a high standard, one that I am dedicated to maintaining. 

I am equally grateful to the NVHF team, Rachel Lynch and Sonia Law. From the beginning, they have welcomed me with open arms, continued hospitality, partnership, and dedication to promoting systemic change. Their energy and commitment invigorate me daily.

One of the most enriching aspects of my role has been the opportunity to participate in meetings with stakeholders across our service area. From grantee partners and nonprofit organizations, to peer funders, public health officials, and community leaders, every interaction has deepened my understanding of the region, the challenges we continue to face, and the work that lies ahead of us all.

As I work closely with the Board and staff to fully articulate our vision for the future, I want to emphasize the commitment of the Foundation. The following principles will remain central to our work:

Strategic Partnerships 
To achieve our mission of improving the health and health care of all Northern Virginia residents—with a particular emphasis on the health needs of the uninsured—we’ll continue to make strategic investments to non-profit organizations in Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William counties and the cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Manassas, and Manassas Park.

Community Engagement
We’ll remain committed to achieving health equity and investing in community engagement by ensuring that those who live on the margins enjoy better health outcomes and are an integral part of designing new solutions to decades-old, systemic issues.

Culture of Learning and Collaboration
We’ll prioritize continuous learning as we identify ways to strengthen the sector in support of our mission and seek to learn from and with the communities we serve. As we learn, we will be proactive about identifying and leveraging resources to expand the impact of organizations.

Transparency
We’ll remain committed to transparency as we learn and evolve to continue meeting the needs of our partners.

A Resource to the Region
We’ll continue to find creative ways to serve as a resource by supporting organizational capacity, exploring upstream and community-centered solutions, and providing unrestricted support to our grantees.

Looking ahead, 2025 marks NVHF’s 20th anniversary, a milestone that offers us an opportunity to acknowledge the invaluable work of our partners and the many contributors over the last two decades who have helped make Northern Virginia a thriving place where residents can live healthy, full lives. 

Reflecting on the time I’ve spent so far with colleagues and fellow residents, I am motivated by the impact we can have when we leverage our communities’ assets. I look forward to providing updates on the important work to come. In the interim, we want to hear from our community partners, too. Please connect with us if you have any questions or comments. 

In partnership and with excitement for what lies ahead,

Courtney Rice