UPCOMING SPEAKER
Carla James and Kaitlyn Van Buskirk
April 1
Join us Wednesday for our weekly meeting in Charter Hall on the third floor of the City Market Building; networking and lunch begin at 12:00PM. We will listen to Carla Janes and Kaitlyn Van Buskirk from the Roanoke Higher Education Center & RHEC Foundation. They will talk about this regional hub for higher education and workforce development that offers more than 100 programs of study and has awarded over 17,000 credentials and that Foundation fundraising that supports education, training, and lifelong learning.
Dr. Carla James holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Virginia Tech, a Master of Library and Information Studies from UNC-Greensboro, and a PhD in Instructional Design and Technology from Old Dominion University. She began her career as a librarian before joining the Roanoke Higher Education Center in 2001 where she oversees the Center’s student-focused operations. Carla also serves as an adjunct faculty member in the University of Virginia’s College at Wise library media endorsement program, supporting the next generation of library and education professionals.
Kaitlyn is a cum laude graduate of Sweet Briar College, where she earned her degree in Business Economics and Administration. With more than a decade of experience in Planned Giving and Development, she has supported nonprofit initiatives throughout Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia. Since moving to Roanoke in 2017, she has continued her commitment to community-focused work through roles with the Roanoke Valley SPCA and the Community Foundation Serving Western Virginia. Her community involvement includes volunteering with the Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Blue Ridge Marathon. She chairs the Leadership Roanoke Valley Alumni Association, serves on the Children’s Trust board, participates in the Association of Fundraising Professionals, and holds a Professional Fundraising Certificate from Boston University.