Board Members

Founder & President
Carolyn Kochard
Carolyn is a former teacher and marketer turned stay-at-home mom of 2 girls. She often led children in active shooter drills and wants a world free from gun violence for all.

Vice President
Sarah Kaufman
Sarah is a stay-at-home mom of 2 girls. Her professional background is in adult education, teaching adult English language learners and higher ed administration.

Treasurer
Nicky Payne
Nicky runs a boutique government affairs firm in Richmond, VA and has over a decade of experience working in and around state government. During her tenure working with Governors McAuliffe and Northam, she led gun violence prevention advocacy efforts and helped pass life-saving bills. She is a proud mom to two young boys.

Secretary
Maria Pahuja
Maria is an Operations & Strategic Partnerships professional with 17+ years experience in publishing, tech startups and online video. She currently also serves on the Board of Startup VA and is a mother to 2 children.

Jackie Beilhart
Jackie is a mom to 2yo & 4yo girls and a marketing/communications professional for the last 17 years. She has an MA from GU’s Communication, Culture & Technology where she specialized in political advocacy.

Liza Kimbrough
Mom to 2.5 yo, stay at home mom and former social worker who worked in a range of settings from schools to foster care.

Marissa Sapega
Director of Product Marketing with 15+ years of marketing experience both nationally and internationally. Mom to a 3-year-old who knows that even small changes have big effects.