Get the scoop on the JWCFF team.

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 Chair

Jim 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, Secretary

Krista 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-Chair

Josh 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.

SHAWN BUDDENHAGEN,

Board Member

Shawn Buddenhagen is honored to serve on the board of the LIFT Foundation. Shawn is an avid endurance athlete and often sees the homeless in need during his runs through the city. Volunteering for LIFT is his way of lending a helping hand to those that need it. Shawn has participated twice in the foundation’s WH2WH fundraising relay.

Shawn is a Director of Property Management for Runnymede, a local commercial real estate company. A native of Virginia Beach, Shawn graduated from Kempsville HS and studied Psychology at ODU. He has a passion for endurance sports and has completed multiple Ironman distance triathlons and ultramarathons up to 100 miles. Also, Shawn coaches volleyball for his two girls and serves as the volleyball program coordinator at West Kempsville Youth Athletics.

BRIAN DUNCAN,

Board Member

Brian 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.

BETTY FITTE,

Board Member

Betty Fitte claims to have failed at retirement, being currently employed as an Adjunct College Professor for Tidewater Community College and University of Maryland Global Campus. Betty finds great challenge and reward in teaching business classes to students who are pursuing interesting career changes.

During her 30+ year business career, she founded and worked with numerous startup technology companies, leading their business development through rapid growth. Through the years, she has served on numerous community organizations’ boards and was an avid fitness enthusiast even before it was popular.

Betty is a proud mother and grandmother who most enjoys family time and travels with her 2 daughters and 3 grandchildren.

TIFFANY GARRISON,

Board Member

Tiffany 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.

LINDSEY HAUGHT,

Board Member

Lindsey 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 Member

Caroline 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.

NIKLAS OSKARSSON,

Board Member

Niklas manages investment portfolios for high-net-worth families at Truist Wealth. He previously worked as a Portfolio Manager for a boutique investment firm and as an Equity Research Analyst in New York City. Niklas is actively involved in the community and serves as a Board Member on the Strome College of Business Executive Advisory Council and on the Investment Committee of the United Way of South Hampton Roads Foundation. He is a member of CFA Society Virginia and Hampton Roads Estate Planning Council. Niklas grew up in Sweden and moved to the US on a tennis-scholarship. He is fluent in three languages, has earned an MBA, and is a CFA Charterholder.

Maureen C. McDonnell,

Board Member

Maureen 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 Member

Robin 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,

Executive Director

Brett is the Director of Workplace Wellness for Jim White Fitness and 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 also participated in mission trips through his church to Belize, Guatemala, and Mexico. Brett also spent 3 months in Lima, Peru volunteering his time writing for CBNperu. 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 stays busy with his twin six-year-old boys and fiancée, Sarah. Brett is honored to serve as LIFT’s new Executive Director.

TAYLOR MCCRACKEN,

Program Manager

Taylor was born and raised in Virginia Beach, Virginia. She has two amazing girls and she loves spending time with them outdoors. Her favorite places to go are Hunt Club, First Landing State Park, Sandbridge Beach, the Norfolk Zoo, and Munden Point Park! Fitness and nutrition are the lifestyle in her household. She loves to cook dinners as a family and tries new recipes weekly. When asked to describe her training style, she said, “The best friend.” In other words, she wants to see you succeed! She will support you in achieving your goals and is there to push you when things get tough! Need someone to confide in? She’s your gal. Need advice morning or night? She’s there. Training with her is a safe and sacred place that will always have an open door for anyone who needs it.

RACHEL PERRY,

Head Coach
Rachel is a certified coach and International Coaching Federation (ICF) member. She is pursuing a Health Coach certification with the American Council on Exercise and the National Board of Health and Wellness Coaching. Her focus on helping others toward improved health and wellness is grounded in empowering, motivating, and inspiring unrealized potential.
As a former gymnast, mom of three, and U.S. Army military police veteran, she has strived to maintain an active lifestyle throughout her life. Her philosophy is rooted in the belief that modeling transformative change and resilience begins with self-accountability.