Introducing our Team
This summer we'd like to introduce the FIRST Chesapeake staff to you. Although you've seen them at events, or received emailed from them, you may not have put a face with that name!
Leighann Scott Boland is the Executive Director and Chief Fundraising Officer for FIRST Chesapeake. Leighann has been with FIRST programs for ten years. Beginning as part time staff, she has held positions within FIRST Chesapeake/Virginia FIRST as varied as operations, communications, development/fundraising and executive administration. She was appointed Executive Director of FIRST Chesapeake in June 2017.

Leighann worked in museums and the performing arts as a Programs Manager and Fundraiser for 18 years before coming to FIRST via the Science Museum of Virginia. She received her BA from Mary Washington College (now UMW), and holds several non-profit and fundraising certifications from the University of Richmond's Institute on Philanthropy. She graduated from Leadership Metro Richmond in 2017 and has been honored to serve on the Valentine Museum's Richmond History Makers selection committee for the past 2 years. Her duties at FIRST Chesapeake include overseeing the organization's administration, programs and strategic plan, as well as fundraising, marketing, and community outreach. Leighann says, “What I love about my job is being able to work with so many interesting people and organizations to help make FIRST programs a reality for youth in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia. It is an honor to be a part of the FIRST culture of inspiration, ingenuity, and stewardship.”

Leighann comes from a family of engineers and scientists. Both of her brothers and an uncle received engineering degrees. Another uncle was in charge of the high school science programs in Richmond City schools during the 1970s, and her sister worked as a chemist for over 20 years. While her father was a dairy farmer by trade, he was a mechanical engineer at heart. He delighted in re-purposing broken farm equipment to make completely unsafe carnival rides for the family, including a 4-seater Ferris wheel, a mechanized swing, and a zip line with a mechanical return.

She and her husband are the proud parents of 3 sons, 4 cats, 2 dogs, and a rat named Sebastian. When she isn’t working, she likes to read, listen to 80's New Wave, sample off the wall menu items, and restore old houses.

What you may not know about me : "I love being a part of the action. Whether it's having a volunteer or team member call me with a suggestion, helping at an event, or taking part in a team high five. Nothing is more rewarding than working side by side with these incredibly dedicated individuals, companies, and organizations to help tomorrow's leaders reach for the stars."

Leighann's contact information is lboland@firstchesapeake.org, cell 804.514.7712.


We hope you've enjoyed our staff introductions this summer!

We will have more this fall.