Read about our New Board of Directors

We are excited to welcome four new members to our Board of Directors. Read about them below:

Avnel Coates

Avnel joined the board in 2023. She has found herself in continuous service. She co-founded a nonprofit which assists distressed individuals and families to attain their professional and educational goals, Brighter Tomorrows Begin Today.  She is a legal professional and adjunct professor. She attended and graduated from Northern VA Community College, Virginia Commonwealth University, and the University of Richmond’s Law School. She is a licensed member of the Virginia State Bar. She serves in an active leadership role for multiple nonprofit organizations including Brighter Tomorrows Begin Today, Champions Circle, Hill Tucker Bar Association, and the Virginia Magistrates Association. 

Kelly Evans

Kelly joined the board in 2023. She is an experienced problem solver where she has proven outcomes within the education, housing, and healthcare systems. As an authentic leader, she is known for her ability to encourage, train, and motivate staff and stakeholders in local communities across the state of Virginia. Kelly considers herself an out of the box thinker who thrives to build confidence and camaraderie amongst those she encounters. In her current role as the Program Manager assisting Community Health Workers (CHW) with the Institute for Public Health Innovation, she has been driving community connections through an interpersonal approach to networking, resource allocations and identifying proactive partnerships statewide. Kelly is a facilitator, reflective listener, and cheerleader to those she meets. Kelly earned a Master of Health Care Administration from the University of Phoenix. She loves spending time with family and friends, laughing, and enjoying great food.  

Sarah McLean

Sarah joined the board of Piedmont Housing Alliance in 2023. She is a co-director of the Adiuvans Foundation and founder of the Early Childhood Funders Network. Sarah received both her BA and Master’s of Nursing from UVA, and returned to live in the Charlottesville area in 2010. Since moving back, she has served on the board of ReadyKids, the Friendship Court Advisory Committee, and the Charlottesville/Albemarle Early Education Task Force. She is the proud mom of four wonderful kids and one very spoiled pup. 

Shawn Pendleton

Shawn joined the board of Piedmont Housing Alliance in 2023. He was born and raised in Keswick and currently lives in northern Albemarle County with his lovely wife Letetia and their two amazing children, Amaya and Dante. He is currently the First Vice President of Investments for Stifel, a financial services company. Shawn enjoys working out, sporting events, and tinkering with new technology.