Corinne Garland has been a leader in the field of early childhood and early intervention in the public, private nonprofit, and university sectors. Starting as a preschool director and kindergarten teacher, she retired after 28 years as executive director of Child Development Resources. During that time, Corinne provided training on early intervention services and nonprofit management to state and local agencies across the country and internationally. Corinne has been especially interested in ensuring access to quality services for young children with disabilities and in ensuring that all our community’s children are welcomed and valued. Her work with Stand Up for Yourself and Others! is an extension of that lifelong commitment which has been recognized with awards including the International Division for Early Childhood of Council award for Leadership to the Field, Daily Press Citizen of the Year, and Virginia Department for Children and Youth Outstanding Child Advocate. Corinne has served on many nonprofit boards including the board of directors of Temple Beth El where she and her husband Charles have been members for more than 50 years. They have raised their family here in Williamsburg and are now grandparents of six young adults.

Alicia Phinney, Youth Services Director at Williamsburg Regional Library, has worked at the library since 2017, first as Circulation Services Director and transitioning to her current role in 2024. With 15 years of experience in various library settings, including academic and digital librarian for the Air Combat Command at Langley Air Force Base, she found her passion in public libraries. Alicia supervises 11 professional librarians and is part of the library’s management team. She holds a BA in English Literature from Christopher Newport University (2005) and a Master’s in Library and Information Science from Drexel University (2010). Alicia serves as Communications Chair for the Lead Greater Williamsburg program and is a member of several professional organizations, including the ALA, PLA, and VLA. She lives in Toano with her husband, two daughters, and dog, Pickles.

Thayer Cory is a long-time resident of Williamsburg and a former clerk of Williamsburg Friends Meeting. She’s a retired psychologist, a published poet, and an engaged Quaker. Her commitment to her four children and eight grandchildren is also a driving force in her life.

Rabbi David Katz has been the rabbi of Temple Beth El of Williamsburg since 2010. He grew up in New York City, and was ordained by the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College in 2009. In addition to serving as the spiritual leader of Williamsburg’s only synagogue, he is one of the founders and leaders of Historic Area Religions Together (HART), the Historic Triangle’s multi faith organization of different religious communities and leaders. He is a member of the Community Relations Council of the United Jewish Communities of the Virginia Peninsula. He has also been a part of different working groups and committees for the Williamsburg/James City County School Division. In November 2020, the Greater Williamsburg Business Council named him one of the 15 Under 50 up-and-coming business and civic leaders in Greater Williamsburg, in recognition of his impact on the community at large.