Culpeper Wellness Foundation announces the following appointments to the Foundation’s Board of Directors: Mary Margaret Cleary, Gillette K. Harris, Donna Staton and Octavia Yates.
“I am pleased to welcome these individuals to our dedicated team of board members,” said Foundation president Shari Landry. “They each are fully invested in the community and bring to the table unique talents and positive energy. This year marks implementation of the Foundation’s new strategic framework in support of improving health and promoting wellness within our service area of Culpeper, Orange and Madison counties. Our new members are joining the board at an exciting time.”
Mary Margaret “Maggie” Cleary. Maggie holds a B.A. from Georgetown University and a J.D. from UVA School of Law. Following graduation, Maggie moved to Culpeper to become an Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney. In this capacity, Maggie handles a variety of cases, working closely with law enforcement, victims, and defense attorneys.
Originally from northern Virginia, Maggie is proud to call Culpeper home. She is passionate about contributing to her community. From Girls on the Run to the Germanna Foundation to the Culpeper Literacy Council, Maggie enjoys volunteering her time to help people be the best they can be. Maggie is personally dedicated to fitness. She has completed three marathons, seven half marathons, and a number of triathlons.
Gillette K. Harris. Gillette is a Culpeper native who graduated from Culpeper County High School in 1993. He then attended Radford University and graduated in 1997 with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. Gillette began his career in Wealth Management in 2000 and co-founded Brown Harris Wealth Management in 2006.
Gillette has served Culpeper on several non-profit boards including the Culpeper Chamber, Museum of Culpeper History, Culpeper Parks and Recreation and St. Luke’s Lutheran School. He recently completed a six-year tenure as the treasurer for the Culpeper Literacy Council Board of Directors and is currently serving as Secretary of Culpeper’s Economic Development Authority Board. Outside of volunteering and working, Gillette enjoys time at the lake on the boat with his wife, Donna, and teenage boys, W. Gillette and Mason.
Donna Staton. Donna is a senior healthcare executive with 25 years of healthcare and information technology experience, including over 15 years in hospital operations. She is currently president of Culpeper Medical Center. Donna has an undergraduate and graduate degree in business from the University of Virginia, and is a member of American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE).
Donna has extensive experience leading organizations through change with a strong focus on strategic planning, operational leadership and service excellence. She has a strong community-centered focus and works to partner across multiple stakeholder groups for improved care coordination and community health benefit.
Octavia Yates. Octavia is a lifelong resident of Culpeper, a wife and mother. She is known as a recording artist and singer/musician. Octavia serves as Vice President of Action Group Inc., alongside her husband Gerald Yates. Action Group Inc. provides concrete construction, poured foundation walls, trucking and container services. Octavia is employed with Culpeper County Public Schools in Transportation.
Board officers include Debbie Bennett, chair; Kelsey Carlson Settle, vice chair; Ed Scott, treasurer; and Cyndy Grano, secretary. This Executive Committee also includes David Jones, past chair.
The Culpeper Wellness Foundation, a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit, invests its time and resources in community initiatives that improve health in Culpeper, Madison, and Orange Counties. The Foundation operates the Free Clinic of Culpeper, Culpeper Sport & Fitness and Powell Wellness Center, one of only two medically integrated health and wellness centers in Virginia.