Brain Injury Association of Virginia Welcomes New Members to Board of Directors

The Brain Injury Association of Virginia (BIAV), the only statewide association dedicated exclusively to improving the lives of people impacted by brain injury in Virginia, is pleased to announce three new additions to the Board of Directors: Natalie Drawdy, Gary DuPriest, and Kathleen Hardesty. The Board of Directors volunteer their time and talents to govern the association, raise public awareness, and engage in strategic planning. BIAV’s board is made up of professionals, persons with brain injuries, family caregivers, and interested community members from across the state.

Ms. Drawdy is a Nurse Practitioner working in a Richmond-based psychology practice serving individuals with brain injury. Her experience across the span of behavioral health has given her critical insight into the existing gaps in services available to the brain injury community across Virginia. Mr. DuPriest is a brain injury survivor from Lynchburg and is passionate about giving back to his community through Board service. He is also the current Chairman and CEO of Central Virginia Disability Association, Inc. Ms. Hardesty is an Occupational Therapist and Sentara Regional Director for the Acute and Post-Acute Rehabilitation Services. She is a dedicated advocate for people with long-term issues related to brain injury and works to bring individuals sent out of Virginia for treatment back home.

“Kathleen, Natalie, and Gary bring a depth of experience and knowledge that will be an invaluable addition to our Board of Directors,” said Executive Director Anne McDonnell. “We’ve strengthened our board with new members in the past couple of years, and we’re excited by the collective expertise the board will bring to BIAV as we work to make a difference in the lives of Virginians impacted by brain injury.”

Fellow Board of Director members include: Kelli Williams Gary, Board President and assistant professor in the Department of Occupational Therapy at Virginia Commonwealth University; Bryan Meadows, Board Vice President and attorney with Marks & Harrison; Yael Isreal, Board Secretary and clinical social worker with Hands on Your Health; Dan Raper, Board Treasurer and Vice-President of Data Science and Risk at Capital One; Scott Bucci, partner attorney at Breit Cantor Grana Buckner; Dr. Chad Dillard, Pediatric Physiatrist at Children’s Hospital of the Kings Daughters; Meg Kelly, Solutions Engineer at Wells Fargo; Derek O’Neal, brain injury survivor; and Debbie Leger-Ybarra, family caregiver of an individual with a brain injury.

To learn more about the BIAV Board of Directors, visit https://www.biav.net/about-us/board/

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About The Brain Injury Association of Virginia: The Brain Injury Association of Virginia is the primary source of information and personal support for thousands of individuals, families, and professionals living in Virginia whose lives have been touched by a life‐altering, often devastating brain injury. The mission of the Association is to advance education, awareness, support, treatment and research to improve the quality of life for all people affected by brain injury. For more information visit biav.net.