Voices for Virginia’s Children Announces Rachael Deane as New CEO

September 6, 2022

The Board and staff of Voices for Virginia’s Children are pleased to announce the appointment of Rachael Deane as its new chief executive officer! Please send a warm welcome when Rachael assumes responsibilities on October 3, 2022. 

Rachael is a civil rights attorney, child advocate, and nonprofit leader with more than 15 years of policy experience at the local, state, and federal levels. Named a 2021 “Leader in the Law” by Virginia Lawyers Weekly, Rachael has dedicated her career to advancing racial and economic justice in Virginia’s child-serving systems.

She most recently served as the Director of Legal and State Policy Support at the Education Law Center (ELC), advising state-based policy campaigns for education equity across the country. Prior to her time at ELC, Rachael served as the director of the Youth Justice Program at the Legal Aid Justice Center (LAJC), providing legal representation to youth in special education and juvenile court matters and advocating for systemic changes to protect and enhance the quality of life for youth across Virginia. She also founded the Fund Our Schools campaign, where Voices serves as a coalition member advocating for access to affordable, high-quality early care and education. 

We are especially pleased to be bringing in a leader who has worked alongside Voices and many of our staff members in the halls of power as a champion for children and families. Rachael has policy expertise in many of our shared policy agendas in mental health, foster care, health and wellness, public education, and family economic security. Prior to her career as a child advocate, Rachael spent many years in the fair housing movement and served as Director of Fair Housing at Housing Opportunities Made Equal of Virginia, Inc. Rachael holds a bachelor of arts from the University of Mary Washington and a juris doctor from the University of Richmond School of Law.

The Board is thankful to our amazing staff and the incredible leadership of Juan Pablo Berrizbeitia who served as our interim CEO during this transition. We look forward to beginning this new phase of Voices’ work under Rachael’s leadership and continuing to drive social change as we approach 30 years of service.

C.C. Clark, Ph.D

Chair, Board of Directors