Chief Impact Officer To Run Route 1 Nonprofit's Community Initiatives

HYBLA VALLEY, VA — United Community, a nonprofit providing services to address poverty in the Richmond Highway corridor, has named Cheryl Cook-Posley as the new chief impact officer.

As chief impact officer, Cook-Posley will work on United Community's COMMUN1TY+ and Opportunity Neighborhood initiatives, "lay the groundwork for systemic changes" promoting equity and opportunity, and oversee the nonprofit's collective impact, strategy and community engagement. COMMUN1TY is a collective impact initiative seeking to empower residents' voices in the Janna Lee and Buckman Loop neighborhoods to support self-sufficiency and systemic change to end multi-generational poverty. Opportunity Neighborhood Mount Vernon is a framework for the Fairfax County, the school district and community partners to deliver resources to vulnerable youth and families.

"I am thrilled to join the United Community team as we join together to work towards empowering community to eliminate multigenerational poverty," said Cook-Posley in a news release.

Cook-Posley comes to United Community with 20 years of experience leading and working with federal, state, and local government agencies, the private sector and community organization to improve outcomes for vulnerable children and families. She previously served as senior director of workforce development and education at Central Union Mission, research analyst at the University of Virginia’s Center for Advanced Study of Teaching and Learning, senior technical specialist at ICF International, and project director of E-GOALS at the Office of Policy and Evaluation, in the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs.

"Cheryl is a leader who is down-to-earth, works alongside her partners, and passionate about
community and equity. We are fortunate to have her on our team,” said United Community President and CEO Alison DeCourcey in a statement.

Cook-Posley has a doctorate in urban ministry from Wesley Theological Seminary, a master of divinity from Howard University School of Divinity, a master's degree in public administration from Virginia Commonwealth University, and bachelor's degree from Arizona State University. She is working on a Ph.D. in instructional design and technology from Old Dominion University.

For more information about United Community's work in the Richmond Highway corridor, visit unitedcommunity.org.