While teaching a boot camp at the Virginia Beach oceanfront, Jim White was struck by the sight of homeless individuals sleeping on the benches, living in despair and their inactivity. He felt the need to do something and wondered why not start a program that incorporates nutrition education, exercise and motivation to help people in need get back on their feet. Knowing the power fitness and health has on one’s life and how a little motivation can help change anyone’s life, the LIFT program was born!
MEET OUR LEADERSHIP TEAM
LIFT Hampton Roads
JIM WHITE,
Founder, Board ChairJim White, Registered Dietitian, American College of Sports Medicine Health Fitness Specialist and owner of Jim White Fitness and Nutrition Studios. Jim has been featured in National magazine publications, news channels and radio segments from all around but didn’t truly feel accomplished until he began giving back to the community that got him to where he is today. His passion for all things fitness and nutrition, and giving back to those in need, lead him to develop the LIFT Fitness Foundation, which focuses on making our community become healthier and stronger.
KRISTA WHITE,
Co-Founder, SecretaryKrista is thrilled to be a part of the LIFT Fitness Foundation. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from Old Dominion University in Recreation and Tourism Management, and is a whiz at planning and effectively implementing large events and programs. Her most recent experience includes planning and overseeing an annual conference that attracts CEOs and Presidents of various hospital systems from around the country.
JOSH COE,
Vice-ChairJosh is honored to serve on the board of directors for the LIFT Fitness Foundation. Josh values faith, family, friends, and fitness. Growing up on a pair of snow skis in Colorado, he has now traded the skis in for a paddle board here in Virginia Beach. Being an ex-collegiate athlete, Josh is passionate about teamwork and believes that teamwork is key to positively changing the community. Josh holds a Bachelor’s in Science degree in Aerospace Science, and a Juris Doctorate degree from Regent University School of Law. Professionally, Josh is a Founding Attorney/Managing Partner at Anchor Legal Group, PLLC. In his spare time, Josh is active in the community, enjoys working out, being outdoors and mostly enjoys spending time with his wife and three children.
JEFF BUNN,
Board MemberJeff Bunn is a lifetime resident of Chesapeake, where he currently serves on the Chesapeake City Council. He previously served on the Chesapeake School Board for 14 years and retired from the City of Chesapeake after more than 37 years of dedicated service. Jeff is also the Executive Director of the Miss Chesapeake/Miss Virginia Beach Organization, an official preliminary to the Miss America Opportunity, the largest scholarship organization for young women in the world.
In addition to his extensive public service, Jeff has been an active member of the Hampton Roads community for decades. He is proud to support and serve LIFT Fitness Foundation, where he is passionate about helping to empower individuals through fitness, nutrition, and holistic wellness programs for underserved populations.
BRIAN DUNCAN,
Board MemberBrian Duncan is a REALTORⓇ and is President of Brian Duncan Group, Inc at Creed Realty in Virginia Beach. He has helped hundreds of clients buy and sell homes since 2006. Prior to becoming a real estate agent, Brian served in the US Army as a Saxophone Player with the 82D Airborne Division Band including a deployment to Iraq in 2003 and with the US Army Forces Command. He continues to play music and performs regularly with the Top Hats Big Band throughout Hampton Roads. He also serves on the Board of Directors for the Hampton Roads Chapter of Veterans Association of Real Estate Professionals. Brian attended Old Dominion University with an academic focus in business administration. Some of his fitness achievements include completing two half marathons and finished the full Shamrock Marathon in 2010. He also enjoys photography, surfing, and spending time with his wife and daughters.
TODD BERRY,
Board MemberTodd, a practicing diagnostic radiologist, was born and raised in Virginia Beach, where he strives to make a positive impact on his community. For the past 10 years, Todd and his wife Shelley, an attorney, have been dedicated to private practice in their hometown. Todd also served as an associate professor at Eastern Virginia Medical School (EVMS), contributing to radiology residency education. He and Shelley are proud parents of four children, and together they emphasize the importance of health, fitness, and community involvement.
Todd has a strong commitment to the LIFT Fitness Foundation, actively participating in events such as the LIFTathon and the White House to White House run. His dedication to the foundation’s mission has now extended to his role as a board member, which he is honored to be a part of.
Beyond his professional work, Todd is passionate about being a role model for his children. He emphasizes the importance of a healthy lifestyle and community service, supporting his children in their athletic pursuits such as cheerleading, gymnastics, football, and wrestling, including volunteering his time at the Great Neck Wrestling Club.
Todd’s contributions to radiology, his support for the LIFT Fitness Foundation, and his commitment to family and community make him a valued member of the Virginia Beach community.
TIFFANY GARRISON,
Board MemberTiffany is a physician assistant at Norfolk General Hospital with Sentara Vascular
Specialists, and has lived in Hampton Roads for over 10 years. She grew up in upstate NY, obtained a BS in Kinesiology at the University of Connecticut, and then moved to South Carolina to work with the women’s volleyball team at the College of Charleston as an athletic trainer. Tiffany soon realized her ability to truly impact public health was limited in that field (along with my ability to pay off my student loans) and pursued a physician assistant degree at Eastern Virginia Medical School. Her career began at a non-profit community health center as a primary care provider, before transitioning into a surgical specialty with Sentara Medical group.
In her spare time she is a recreational runner, a wannabe crossfitter, and a champion adult kickball player. She loves to travel the world, as much as I love finding hidden gems in Virginia Beach with my husband and daughter. My dedication to health and fitness, desire to help others, and the opportunity to connect with the community have drawn me to The LIFT Fitness foundation.
CHERYL SPRABERRY,
Board MemberAs president of Advanced Integrated Technologies, Cheryl is responsible for the Norfolk, Virginia and California operations and future strategic expansions. She brings more than 25 years of leadership and expertise focused on operational planning, government procurement, safety, human resources, logistics, and developing new business opportunities and building client partnerships.
Cheryl joined Advanced Integrated Technologies in 2009 as the receptionist and executive administrator to the president, and was quickly promoted to human resource manager, and then subsequently promoted to vice president in 2016. With a strong background in human resources and a passion to help others grow professionally and personally, she established the company’s talent management acquisition strategy. The company employs more than 250 people and is one of the top ship repair subcontractors for supporting the US Navy.
Cheryl was appointed by Governor Youngkin in 2022 to the Virginia State Board of Workforce Development. In addition to the Lift Fitness Foundation Board, she has served or is currently serving on the board of directors for the following: American Maritime Modernization Association, National Federation of Independent Business, DRC, Leadership Committee, and WAV (Woman Against Violence). She is currently a member of the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce, Virginia Ship Repair Association (VSRA), and the Port of San Diego Ship Repair Association (PSDSRA).
LINDSEY HAUGHT,
Board MemberLindsey Haught is honored to serve on the board of the LIFT Fitness Foundation. She is a Virginia Beach native, and owns a logistics brokerage, where she specializes in integrated operations, warehousing, and transportation services for customers all over the world. She has a passion for helping others, and that is a huge reason why she felt the LIFT foundation was such a great fit. Lindsey and her husband Tyler have a beautiful four year old daughter named Lily, and they love to spend their time playing at parks, being outdoors, and traveling.
CAROLINE MORIN,
Board MemberCaroline Morin is a Virginia Beach City Public Schools teacher and a certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach who believes that nourishment of body, mind and spirit has the power to transform lives. She is working with the design collaborative Edjacent to bring health & wellness coaching to more educators. Caroline sponsors an Operation Smile Club to encourage middle schoolers in service learning and loves her newest volunteer role with LIFT Fitness Foundation. Her most important role however is in doing God’s work by serving others and being a wife and a mother of three really fun teenagers.
CATHERINE DIVARIS,
Board MemberCatherine is an Occupational Therapist specializing in Vocational Rehabilitation and Mental health. Catherine obtained her Honors in Occupational Therapy at the University of Witwatersrand, South Africa in 2009. She obtained the award for the top student across all four years of study as well as the top student in Psychiatry. After she completed her residency in 2011, she graduated cum laude with her Diploma of Vocational Rehabilitation at the University of Pretoria in 2012. Catherine ran the Adult Cognitive Behavioral Unit at the top public psychiatric facility in South Africa before starting her company Mind Potential in 2015.
She has 15 years of experience in mental health rehabilitation, mindfulness, company culture, and cognitive retraining. Her company Mind Potential works with companies and teams to improve their mental health programs, workplace culture and wellness programs.
Maureen C. McDonnell,
Board MemberMaureen is a goal-oriented executive holding various leadership positions at IBM Corporation, Anthem, Regent University, MSP Design Group and in the political and fundraising realm. Her expertise in political and non-profit fundraising, corporate sales, marketing, communications, public and media relations and business development in the health care, higher education and technology sectors, perfectly position her to serve cross-industry and function for clients. In addition, Maureen’s extensive state and national government relations background with executive policymakers, congressional representatives and other elected officials augments her effectiveness for clients.
Maureen and her young daughter, Emma reside in Virginia Beach. They enjoy boating, running, going to the beach and playing with their yellow lab, Riley.
ROBIN KASSIR TUXILL,
Board MemberRobin Kassir Tuxill is a full time Real Estate Agent and Circle of Excellence Platinum award winner. She was also just awarded “Rookie of the Year” and “Top Sales Agent for 2021” by Rose & Womble. Her active lifestyle and competitive nature position her to list and sell a full range of diversely priced properties throughout Hampton Roads, including Oceanfront luxury, Smithfield farms, Ghent historical and contemporary homes and condos throughout the region. Robin spent the last year winning the deal for her civilian clients, and active and retired military, with a range of lifestyles and needs.
Robin is a military wife, mother of four, and lifelong runner who has completed multiple marathons, half-marathons, and triathlons. She is also an adventure trail racer and volunteer runner/pusher for Team Hoyt. Robin and her husband are partners in Ocean View’s Bold Mariner Brewing Company.
LEADERSHIP STAFF
BRETT CAMPO,
PresidentBrett is honored to serve as President of LIFT Fitness Foundation. Brett is the Director of Corporate Wellness for Jim White Fitness & Nutrition Studios as well as an ACSM certified personal trainer. Brett also serves on the Board of Directors for the Miss Chesapeake-Miss Virginia Beach Scholarship Organization. After receiving his bachelor’s degree in Government from Regent University, Brett decided to pursue his true passion—health and wellness—by getting his master’s in Applied Exercise Science from Ashland University in Ohio.
In high school, Brett played varsity tennis and volleyball, fostering his love for sports and nutrition. He has participated in mission trips to Belize, Guatemala, and Mexico. Brett also spent three months in Lima, Peru volunteering his time writing for CBN Peru.
Brett’s passion lies in helping others begin their fitness and nutrition journeys, and improve their lives by developing a lifelong relationship with nutrition and exercise. Brett lives in Chesapeake, Virginia with his twin sons and wife, Sarah.
SARAH CAMPO,
Program DirectorKAREN HILL,
Head CoachAs the Head Coach for LIFT Fitness Foundation, Karen is thrilled to combine her love for fitness with her passion for community service. At LIFT, she feels she has the opportunity to make a tangible impact by supporting the homeless in achieving their mind, body, and spirit goals to improve their daily lives. Her journey with LIFT is deeply personal, as it was inspired by her son, Blake, who has been a true blessing and motivator in her life.
Professionally, she has enjoyed a fulfilling career at Bank of America for over 35 years. As a VP, Project Manager in Home Loans Originations within the Business Enablement & Controls division, she is dedicated to solving banking problems and enhancing stakeholder value.
She currently resides in Virginia Beach, where she cherishes outdoor activities such as walking on the beach at sunset, biking in the park, and dancing to live music. These pursuits not only enrich her life, but also keep her connected to the community she loves to serve.