NVHF announces new board members, staff

Today, the Northern Virginia Health Foundation (NVHF) announced new Board members and key staff transitions.

• Sonia Quiñónez, director of Strategic Grantmaking at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities; and Kimberley Ragnartz, vice president of Delivery System Operations for Kaiser Permanente in Northern Virginia, were appointed to the NVHF Board of Directors. Read press release for more information on our new Board members.

• Lisa Kaplowitz, MD, public health physician at the Virginia Department of Health and Human Services; and the Honorable Jane Woods, former Board chair, will depart from the Board of Directors.

• Rachel Ermann Lynch, joins NVHF’s staff as program officer, succeeding Tricia Rodgers, who retired in December 2021.

Board transitions: 

“NVHF is proud to welcome Sonia Quiñónez and Kimberley Ragnartz, two recognized champions for health and well-being, to our Board of Directors,” said Patricia N. Mathews, president and CEO of the Northern Virginia Health Foundation. “Their insights and knowledge will make important contributions to the Foundation’s vision of improving the health of residents of Northern Virginia.”

Mathews also expressed appreciation for the service of the two departing members.

“We will be forever grateful for the leadership and guidance that Lisa Kaplowitz and Jane Woods provided to the Board,” Mathews said. “They have been instrumental in helping us reach new heights in the way we support organizations across the region, while also ensuring that we stay committed to the Foundation’s mission.

Staff transitions:

Rachel Ermann Lynch, program officer, joined the staff of the Northern Virginia Health Foundation in January 2022. She has over 20 years of experience working to improve the health of residents and communities across Northern Virginia.

Ms. Lynch succeeds Tricia Rodgers, who retired from NVHF in December 2021. Ms. Rodgers served as program officer since 2008. In her role at NVHF, she managed the Foundation’s nonprofit funding portfolio and actively participated in numerous stakeholder groups working on important health priorities, such as health equity, oral health, childhood obesity and suicide prevention.

“Over the course of her 13 years at NVHF, Tricia Rodgers has left an indelible impact on the Northern Virginia community,” said Ms. Mathews. “Her spirit of collaboration and devotion to our community are exemplary, and we are thankful for her years of service with the Northern Virginia Health Foundation.

“While Tricia’s absence will be felt deeply at the Foundation,” Mathews said, “we are looking forward to the future as Rachel steps into this role and helps us continue carrying forward NVHF’s mission to improve the health and health care of the residents of Northern Virginia, with a particular emphasis on low-income, uninsured and underinsured residents.”

Visit the Board members and staff page to learn more.