It is with heavy hearts that we share the loss of Anne Shumadine.
Anne was a founding board member of Access College Foundation in 1988 and served as Board Chairman from 1996-2002. She was named a lifelong Emeritus Director in 2005.
Anne was integral to Access from the very beginning. “In the early days, we relied on her legal expertise for our Articles of Incorporation and our 501(c)(3) nonprofit status,” says Access President and CEO, Bonnie Sutton. “We have relied on her for just about everything else since.”
In 2005, along with Frank Batten, Josh Darden, Joan Brock and Tommy Johnson, Anne was made one of five initial Emeritus Directors, a position created for directors who had made an extraordinary difference to the foundation.
For Bonnie, Anne was one of her personal mentors. “Anne was a great leader with great leadership principles to follow. She had passion, compassion and the ability to think strategically on behalf of Access,” says Bonnie. “As I think of the founding of Access 30 years ago, I think of Frank, Josh and Anne involved in all aspects from the very first day. She was a remarkable woman.”
In last year’s annual report, Anne was asked what she thought about what Access has become. “Whenever I go to something for Access, I’m amazed at the new people who are there. To me, it’s an easy thing to support. I think when we sat around in 1989 and dreamed about what Access could do, this is what it would be.”
“We are extraordinarily grateful for Anne’s service and friendship, both to those she touched through Access, and to our Hampton Roads community at large,” says Access Board Chairman, Frank Batten, Jr. “Anne was integral to so much of the foundation’s success and she will be greatly missed. ”
Anne’s legacy will live on in our hearts as we continue the work she loved here at Access College Foundation.