Virginia Civil Rights Committee

This advisory body assists the state conservationist with NRCS civil rights program implementation and promotion to help ensure equal treatment for all employees, customers and partners. Committee activities are governed by bylaws approved by the chairperson and the state conservationist with the following selected to fill leadership positions and vacancies:

Committee Members

• Ashleigh Cason, Harrisonburg Area Office Member - ashleigh.cason@usda.gov
• Hannah Young, Harrisonburg Area Office Member - hannah.young@usda.gov
• Davis Powell, Christiansburg Area Office Member - davis.powell@usda.gov
• Sarah Adinolfi, Christiansburg Area Office Member - sarah.adinolfi@usda.gov
• Tara Ciavarella, Farmville Area Office Member - tara.ciavarella@usda.gov
• Lauren Goff Cheatham, Farmville Area Office Member - lauren.goffcheatham@usda.gov
• Marques Hunter, Smithfield Area Office Member - marques.hunter@va.usda.gov
• Leslie Anne Hinton, Smithfield Area Office Member - elizabeth.hinton@usda.gov
• Leticia Jackson, State Office Member - leticia.jackson@usda.gov

Program Managers

• Nizhoni LaFrance-Pettigrew, American Indian Emphasis - nizhoni.lafrance@usda.gov
• Vacant, Asian/Pacific Islander Emphasis  
• Ariel Coleman, Black Emphasis - ariel.coleman@usda.gov
• Jonathan Lipinski, Disability and Veterans Emphasis - jonathan.lipinski@usda.gov
• Courtney Kidwell, Federal Women's Program - courtney.kidwell@usda.gov
• Elwood Vega-Rivera, Hispanic Emphasis - elwood.vega-rivera@usda.gov
• Megan Comfort, Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender (LGBT) Emphasis - megan.comfort@usda.gov

Officers

• Nizhoni LaFrance-Pettigrew, Chair - nizhoni.lafrance-pettigrew@usda.gov
• Hannah Young, Vice Chair - hannah.young@usda.gov
• Leslie Anne Hinton, Secretary- elizabeth.hinton@usda.gov

Advisors

• John Womack, Committee Sponsor - john.womack@usda.gov
• Telicia Berry, Outreach Coordinator - telicia.berry@usda.gov
• Vacant, State Volunteer Coordinator