LEADERSHIP TEAM
Sandra Robinson Pettis
Chair, Board of Directors
Sandra Robinson Pettis is Chair of SHCEC’s Board of Directors. In this capacity, she guides the Board in setting annual program goals, monitors progress toward their achievement, and evaluates results to ensure program and organizational objectives, and operating requirements are met and are in line with the mission of SHCEC and the needs of its clients.
Sandra brings a wealth of experience to her SHCEC roles from both the public and private sectors. From 2012 to 2015, she served as the Interim Director/Chief Operating Officer of the District of Columbia Health Benefit Exchange Authority, the lead agency for implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, commonly known as “Obamacare”, providing affordable health and dental insurance coverage to low-income residents and small businesses in Washington, DC. This assignment was the culmination of more than 20 years of District of Columbia government service, during which she held several senior level positions, primarily in the public health arena, enabling her to fulfill a personal goal of expanding access to quality health care for low-income women, children, and those in medically underserved communities.
Since retiring from government service, Sandra has served as a lecturer for the George Washington University Center for Excellence in Public Leadership and provides training and consulting services to government and nonprofit organizations. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Macalester College (St Paul, Minnesota); and a Master’s of Science in Project Management from the George Washington University (Washington, DC). A recipient of the prestigious Fannie Mae Foundation Fellowship in Public Leadership, she also completed the Senior Executives in State and Local Government Program at the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA.
Janice Hawkes
Secretary/Treasurer
As SHCEC’s Secretary/Treasurer, Janice is a seasoned financial professional with more than 35 years of experience in the insurance and financial services industries. In her dual roles of Secretary/Treasurer, she applies her wealth of financial and administrative experience to ensure efficient, effective use of all corporate resources. She oversees development of and implementation of financial policies and procedures; formulation and management of operational and program budgets; preparation of financial reports and statements; and ensures recording and safe-keeping of corporate documents-of-record such as articles of incorporation, board minutes, resolutions, policy documents, contracts, reports, and donor records.
A life-long resident of Blackstone, she is a graduate of Nottoway County Senior High School and Smithdeal Massey Business College in Richmond, Virginia. She has served as a Tax Associate for H&R Block for the past 25 years. In addition to her work at H&R Block, Janice has held positions within Nottoway County Public School System. She retired from the Department of the Army/Army National Guard at Ft. Pickett in Blackstone, where she served as Veterans Affairs Specialist Officer III.
An ardent believer that healthy and nutritious food should be available to all regardless of income, Janice has coordinated food distribution initiatives designed to support families in need throughout Nottoway County.
Dennis Hawkes
Board Member, Chief Partnership Officer
As Chief Partnership Officer, Dennis leads the Board in the strategic planning and execution of the organizational fundraising plan to support program initiatives, recruitment and relationship management of donors, sponsors, and funders, and building key coalition partnerships in support of SHCEC’s organizational mission.
Dennis brings to this role more than three decades of experience in program management, strategic planning, and nonprofit development. A native of Blackstone, he received a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from the University of the District of Columbia, and a Masters of Arts in Educational Administration and Supervision from Howard University, both in Washington, DC. Upon graduation, he embarked on a 35-year career with the U.S. Library of Congress. A strong advocate for young people, he also served as a youth services consultant to several alternative educational groups targeting at-risk youth in Washington, DC. Since returning “home” to Blackstone, he has mentored 5th and 6th-grade boys at Blackstone Primary School and works with a wide range of organizations to expand employment opportunities to prepare young people for the world of work.
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Ruth Williams
Board Member, Special Advisor for Senior Programming
In her role as Special Advisor for Senior Program, Ruth keeps the Board apprised of emerging needs and issues affecting seniors within Nottoway County and advises how best to craft meaningful programs and services which support active, healthy living among Nottoway residents, 65 years of age and older. Ruth also believes that through its work, SHCEC can help change the perceptions of the limitations of aging and offer educational programs and other resources to help family members and caregivers support seniors in living their best life.
A native of Blackstone, Ruth is a graduate of the Luther H. Foster High School and was employed by the Velvet Textile Company for 30 years. She has been an active member of the Spring Hill Baptist Church for 60 years. Beyond serving her church and her community, she considers singing among her greatest joys, and has been a member of the Blackstone Community Chorus for 35 years.