Leadership

Our Board

Kara McClurken (Bennett’s mom, Executive Director, and Co-Founder of Bennett’s Village)

she/her/hers

Kara McClurken is Bennett and Ananda’s mommy and the Executive Director and Co-Founder of Bennett’s Village.  She loves her day job as the Director of Preservation Services for UVA Library.  Her other passion involves working to make Bennett’s dream come true–a place where he can play with friends and family.  She is always ready to talk with folks about the barriers to play and to  work collaboratively to reduce those barriers so that all feel welcome and included.  A Charlottesville native, she loves reading, exploring new places, eating yummy food, visiting accessible playspaces, and spending times in the mountains.

Kate Chirico (Board Chair)

she/her/hers

Kate Chirico is a dedicated water safety advocate and small business owner. Before launching her own business, she spent eight years working professionally in Parks and Recreation. She champions inclusion in swimming and believes every student has the ability to reach their full potential. Kate is excited to join Bennett’s Village, bringing with her a passion for recreation and a deep belief in the transformative power of play.

Steve Gaines (Secretary)

he/him/his

Steve Gaines is the chief operations officer at College Solutions. His professional focus is primarily on small business banking and authentic community engagement. His community-related passion is working with nonprofit organizations, especially those that serve people in need. Steve volunteers for local nonprofits including The Salvation Army, The Arc of the Piedmont, and Bennett’s Village. When not working or volunteering, he enjoys being with his wife and family, fitness, socializing, college sports, and playing pickleball.

MaryPat Hanson (Treasurer)

she/her/hers

With degrees in Therapeutic Recreation from WV State University and Criminal Justice from Marshall University, MaryPat Hanson worked for over 30 years as a litigation paralegal and for 5 years with the Central and Western VA Chapter of the
Alzheimer’s Association as the Development Director. Since retirement, MaryPat has continued her passion of teaching swim lessons, something she has done off and on for over 50 years, recently completing Level 1 Adaptive Swim Whispers Certification. With her background in Therapeutic Recreation as well as having been her mother’s caregiver and helping other family members navigate this disease, MaryPat knows the benefits and the importance of engaging in exercise and having a safe and inclusive environment to help deal with the challenges experienced with cognitive impairment. MaryPat and her husband Tom enjoy fly fishing, biking, and traveling, especially to visit their five grandchildren and their parents, who live in three different states, none being Virginia.

Gail Fehlner

she/her/hers

Gail Fehlner is a retired elementary physical education teacher of 30 years. Her passion lies in creating an inclusive atmosphere, where all students can play, have fun, learn to love movement, and develop healthy lifestyles. For the last 8 years of her career, Gail taught adapted physical education for Charlottesville City where she was fortunate enough to have Bennett as a student. Bennett was always a reminder of the big picture and what was really important in teaching and in life. Her hope is that Bennett’s loving spirit continues to enlighten others and bring joy to all of those who visit his playground. In 2015, Gail was named the Adapted Physical Education Teacher of the Year for the state of Virginia. In her free time, she loves to read, travel, see live music, attend the theater, play pickleball, paint rocks, and spend time with her friends and family. 

Samantha Strong

she/her/hers

Since moving to Charlottesville in 2014, Samantha Strong and her family have loved deepening their community involvement. Samantha, who works with University Physicians Group as a senior HR consultant says, “as a local foster family, we know the need for all children and adults to have a space to be themselves and find their joy!”

Jonathan Swanson

he/him/his

Dr. Jonathan Swanson is a neonatologist and pediatric leader at the UVA Health Children’s, where he serves as Division Director of Neonatology and Chief Quality Officer for Children’s Services. A faculty member since 2011, Dr. Swanson is passionate about improving the lives of children and families through compassionate care, innovation, and advocacy. In addition to his clinical and leadership roles, he has been actively involved in community service, including serving on the board of the local Ronald McDonald House and coaching youth basketball for nearly a decade. He is honored to join the board of Bennett’s Village and support its mission of creating inclusive spaces where children of all abilities can play, connect, and thrive.

Yuki Weaver

she/her/hers

Yuki Weaver has spent the last 15 years in Charlottesville’s nonprofit community and is currently with The Arc of the Piedmont. She freelances as a grant prospect researcher to help an array of organizations find the right grants. She loves to volunteer and support area nonprofits any way she can, so you’ll see her registering for runs and walks, attending galas, and buying merch.

Justin West

he/him/his

Justin West is a Charlottesville native, proud husband, father of two, and chief operating officer of his third-generation family-owned and managed real estate business. Justin fell in love with the Bennett’s Village mission upon meeting Kara at an event at VIA Centers for Neurodevelopment, which his son attended at the time. The shared ethos of creating more inclusive spaces drove Justin to his work with Bennett’s Village.

Advisory Committee

Members of the Advisory Committee:

Julie Basic, Landscape Architect, Julie L. Basic, PLA
Bellamy Brown, community member
Jennifer Bryerton, Co-Founder and Publisher, CharlottesvilleFamily Magazine
Aimee Carter, Director of Development, Miller School of Albemarle
Pam Edmonds, community member
Rebecca Ellison, Director of Advancement, VIA Centers for Neurodevelopment
Erin Hall, community member
Bryan Harris, Executive Director, Ronald McDonald House of Charlottesville
Joe Jamison, CEO and Founder, Visitable LLC
Paige Lindblom, Preschool Teacher, Charlottesville City Schools
Sheila McCarthy, community member
Rosemary Miller, VPM
Cory Paradis, Deputy ADA Coordinator, University of Virginia
Lisa Torres, Home Healthcare Physical Therapist and Charlottesville City School Board
Juandiego Wade, Charlottesville City Council

Board Members Emeritus

Brian Gibney, co-founder of Bennett’s Village and Bennett’s dad