Sierrah Chavis
Director of Development, DC
Sierrah Chavis is an accomplished nonprofit leader, educator, and advocate with more than a decade of experience advancing educational equity, leadership, philanthropy, and opportunities for underserved communities. She holds a Master of Education in Special Education and an Educational Specialist degree in School Leadership and Administration from Old Dominion University. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Management with a specialization in Leadership and Organizational Strategy at Walden University and is working toward earning her Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) credential.
Passionate about empowering others, Sierrah is the founder of Bossy Girl Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to equipping young women with the confidence, leadership skills, and networks to become future leaders and entrepreneurs. Her expertise includes major gifts fundraising, donor engagement, strategic partnerships, leadership development, campaign strategy, and community engagement. She previously served as Director of Strategic Initiatives at United Way South Hampton Roads, leading regional fundraising campaigns, leadership giving initiatives, volunteer engagement, and cross-sector partnerships. Sierrah has written several books and publications focused on resilience, leadership, and youth empowerment. She is a sought-after speaker on leadership, advocacy, diversity, equity, and inclusion, philanthropy, and nonprofit impact, and has designed leadership frameworks and certification programs that strengthen organizations and communities.
Her service extends to nonprofit governance, including leadership with the Institute for Diversity Certification Accreditation Board and the Green Run Collegiate Board. Sierrah’s contributions have earned numerous honors, including the Diversity Champion Award, Impact Leadership Award, Inside Business Women in Business, Hampton Roads 40 Under 40, and Old Dominion University 40 Under 40 Alumni recognition. Above all, Sierrah is a devoted wife and proud mother of four who believes her greatest purpose is creating a legacy of service, leadership, and opportunity for the next generation. Proud of her Guyanese and Barbadian heritage, she is passionate about inspiring others, strengthening communities, and helping every person realize their full potential.
Quote:
“Your story is what you have, what you will always have. It is something to own.” — Michelle Obama
Why I chose this quote:
I chose this quote because I believe there is power in owning your story. Our experiences both the challenges we have faced and the victories we have achieved shape who we are, but they do not have to limit where we can go. I have learned through my own journey that some of the moments that challenge us the most can also reveal our strength, purpose, and ability to create change. This quote also connects deeply to the mission of Generation Hope. Every Scholar and family we serve has a unique story, and those stories deserve to be heard, valued, and celebrated. As I begin my journey with Generation Hope, I want to help create opportunities for people to not only own their stories but recognize the power within them. I also believe storytelling is at the heart of philanthropy; when we authentically share who we are, where we have been, and where we hope to go, we allow others to believe in and invest in that vision. To me, owning your story means recognizing that where you started does not determine where you will finish.