OUR PEOPLE
RISE RVA is powered by a community of professionals with backgrounds and experiences from technology, education, and healthcare. We all share a common passion for rock climbing and raising up leaders in our community.
Annette Bennett | President | annette@weriserva.org
Annette is the Joan of Arc of Richmond entrepreneurs! She is the co-founder of Clinical Research Partners and serves as their Chief Executive Officer and Research Director. Sound boring? Trust us, she’s anything but boring. Annette is the ultimate team motivator and lives for a challenge, which is how she came to be the Founder of RISE RVA. If she isn’t working at her clinic or enjoying time with her three-year-old son, she is probably ascending the climbing wall trying to reach her next big goal.
Seth Henshaw| Vice President | seth@weriserva.org
Seth is a fun-loving nuclear physicist. Yes, those do exist! When Seth isn’t creating new technology to protect the U.S.A. against Nuclear Terrorism, you can find him either at the Triangle Rock Club (TRC), playing with his English Bulldog at home, or with his wife, Brittany, taking a walk by the James River. Seth has been a climber since a young man and knows firsthand the impact climbing has had on his educational and social development. He is so dedicated to the RISE RVA mission and it’s impossible to imagine RISE RVA without him.
David Vogeleer | Technology Officer | davide@weriserva.org
David has been working as a digital professional for over 20 years. He quickly found his creative passion in programming, being able to bring to life a range of ideas from social experiences to interactive art. He's since published several books and articles on creative coding and spoken many times on a range of digital topics. Now as Co-Founder and Head of Technology for Buddy, an InsureTech startup, David helps people fearlessly live an active outdoor life.
Joelle Jensen | Treasurer | joelle@weriserva.org
Joelle is a self-proclaimed “heavy weight lifter.” We agree! She’s an amazing mother of three with a fourth on the way. Her and her husband are already teaching their little nuggets how to climb. With all that keeps Joelle busy she will tell you climbing is her go-to therapy. After years of learning all the tremendous benefits to climbing, Joelle really understands the RISE vision, and is truly dedicated to the mission of seeing young leaders develop in the RVA community.
Aundraya Taylor | Secretary | aundraya@weriserva.org
Aundraya’s passion for children is contagious! Even as a young adult, she knew she wanted to work with children in education. Aundraya is new to climbing, but she has already found that climbing provides an extreme value for youth. Aundraya provides an environment of encouragement and support to help children overcome obstacles and thrive in future endeavors. For these reasons, Aundraya provides insight at RISE that understands the importance of ensuring the children’s best interest.
Meghan Allen | Chief Operations Officer | meghan@weriserva.org
Simply put, Meghan loves life and people! She is the Operations Director for Clinical Research Partners. Meghan is an extreme visionary constantly strategizing the best way over the next stumbling block to her newest venture. It’s only natural that RISE RVA is the perfect non-profit for this lady! While Meghan and her four-year-old daughter are new to climbing they are already tackling the climbing wall like naturals.
Brittany Henshaw | Director of Programs | brittany@weriserva.org
Brittany is a speech language pathologist and certified brain injury specialist who has a wealth of experience with nonprofits. Brittany and her husband, Seth, who is also involved with RISE RVA, share a love for the outdoors and climbing. They have been climbing partners for over 10 years now, and both share a deep passion for our mission.
Hannah Bass | Health and Wellness | hannah@weriserva.org
Hannah is RISE RVA’s resident wellness champion! She is a certified holistic health coach and is passionate about empowering others to lead healthier and happier lives. She is the one that ensures each of our students are refueled with a nutricous meal after accomplishing some serious work on the wall. Hannah embraces the mental and physical challenges of rock climbing and shares our enthusiasm every time a student overcomes those challenges. RISE RVA is thrilled to have her!