Meet our Staff

Zoila Cortes Arellano

Program Officer

Zoila Cortes Arellano, a long-time Fauquier County resident, joined the PATH Foundation as a program officer in January 2026. With over a decade of nonprofit experience in community health, she previously worked at the Fauquier Free Clinic, where she focused on expanding access to care and connecting patients with community resources. She holds bachelor's degrees in public health and political science and a Master of Public Health from Shenandoah University. This combined with her lived experiences as a first-generation immigrant makes her a strong advocate for equity and community-centered solutions that improve well-being.

María Argueta

María joined PATH as receptionist in May 2025. In her role, she welcomes guests at the PATH Resource Center and supports daily office operations. Fluent in both English and Spanish, María brings a background in education along with valuable experience in the nonprofit sector. Residing in Culpeper, she is passionate about making a positive impact in her community. Outside of work, María enjoys working with her local church, spending time in nature, and sharing meals with friends.

Alejandro Boza

Officer Manager

Alejandro Boza joined PATH with a strong foundation in business and a heart for community engagement. After moving from Peru to Northern Virginia in 2000, he earned his degree in business administration from Strayer University. Alejandro is passionate about supporting the Latino and LGBTQAI+ communities and plays a key role in coordinating events and managing our shared spaces. He speaks Spanish fluently and is currently learning both Italian and the ins and outs of nonprofit work.

Christy Connolly

President/CEO

Christy Connolly joined Fauquier Health in 1999 as director of development for the original Fauquier Health Foundation. In 2005 she was named Vice President for Strategic Services, responsible for board development, strategic planning, marketing and the foundation. She returned to the Fauquier Health Foundation – and current PATH Foundation – in 2013 to lead its conversion to a modern health legacy foundation as President/CEO. She received her bachelor’s degree in health science in 1991 from Longwood College. She earned her master’s degree in public relations in 1995 from the University of South Carolina. In 2013 she earned a second MS in Healthcare Administration from George Mason University. Her past experience includes positions with the American Lung Association of Virginia, Northern Virginia Public Television, and the American Red Cross. She has served as president of the Rotary Club of Warrenton, and she is a past board member of the Fauquier County Chamber of Commerce and Northern Piedmont Community Foundation. Christy also is an adjunct professor at George Mason University in the Master of Healthcare Administration program.

Catherine Deane

Communications Officer

Catherine Deane joined PATH Foundation as communications officer in May 2023. In this role, Catherine handles PATH’s internal and external communications with VP of Communications Amy Petty. Catherine graduated from Christopher Newport University with a B.A. in Communication, concentrated in interpersonal communication, alongside a minor in human rights and conflict resolution. A lifelong resident of both Rappahannock and Culpeper counties, Catherine previously interned with Fauquier Reaches for Excellence in School Health (FRESH) distributing meals to food-insecure families county-wide. Prior to FRESH, Catherine worked as social media assistant to the founder and CEO of Engineering for Kids, a learning-based organization encouraging America’s youth to engage in STEM. Catherine is excited to expand her knowledge of philanthropy, and contribute to her community in a meaningful way.

Elizabeth DiGiulian

Assistant Controller

Liz joined PATH Foundation as Assistant Controller in November 2025 and brings over 19 years of experience working for and with nonprofit organizations. Prior to joining PATH, Liz served as Director of Finance at the Piedmont Environmental Council (PEC). She holds a bachelor's degree in marketing, an associate's degree in accounting, and just completed a master's degree in nonprofit administration. Passionate about community service, she has served on the Board of Directors for the Northern Piedmont Community Foundation since 2024 and actively participates in various committees and volunteer efforts. A Northern Virginia native, Liz lives in Old Town Warrenton with her husband and their daughter.

Nancy Groves

Executive Governance Manager

Nancy Groves joined the PATH Foundation as the Executive Governance Manager in September 2026, bringing experience in healthcare, student advising, and workforce development. She holds a B.A. in Economics from the University of Mary Washington and an A.A.S. in Nursing from Northern Virginia Community College. After beginning her career as a registered nurse, she later served in several roles at Laurel Ridge Community College, including Health Professions Advisor and Workforce Operations Site Coordinator, where she supported the opening of the Skilled Trades Center. Nancy and her husband have lived in Culpeper County for more than 25 years and have two adult children.

Elizabeth B. Henrickson

Chief Operating Officer

Elizabeth Henrickson is the Chief Operating Officer with the PATH Foundation. She has a B.A. in Economics from the University of Mary Washington. Elizabeth joined Fauquier Health in 2008, working as Manager of Community Outreach, overseeing classes, events and community benefit for the hospital. She then moved into the position of Director of the Fauquier Health Foundation, where she raised money to support programs and initiatives at the hospital. Prior to that, Elizabeth was the Executive Director of the Northern Piedmont Community Foundation in Warrenton. She has 20 years of experience working with nonprofits, including the Lombardi Gala at Georgetown University Medical Center and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society in Washington, DC.

Andy Johnston

Director of Programs

Andy Johnston is Director of Programs for the PATH Foundation. He has a B.A. in Psychology and M.A. in Counseling Psychology from West Virginia University. Prior to joining the PATH Foundation, Andy was a nonprofit consultant and the founding Executive Director of Loudoun Cares. During his 12 years with Loudoun Cares, the organization partnered with community stakeholders to develop collaborative programs and initiatives that strengthened Loudoun County’s nonprofit sector. A major accomplishment was the development of the Loudoun Cares Nonprofit Center, which is currently home to six nonprofits. Andy was one of Loudoun’s leading advocates for the local nonprofit sector. Nationally, he served as the chair of the Nonprofit Centers Network Steering Committee. He has over 25 years of experience in the health and human service realm to include: direct service, program development, mental health, youth volunteerism, nonprofit management and grantmaking. Andy enjoys hiking with his dogs, gardening, biking, canoeing and other outdoor activities.

Lynn Lauritzen

Volunteer Hub Manager

Lynn Lauritzen joined the PATH Volunteer Hub after more than a decade of leading the Fauquier Hospital Auxiliary. With an extensive background that will be an asset not only in recruitment and retention of volunteers, Lynn also has great experience in matching volunteers in specialized positions based on skills and interest. She lives in Jeffersonton with her husband and two children.

Melanie Moline

Facilities Manager

Melanie D. Moline joined the PATH Foundation as an Office Manager in September 2018, following 19 years as a case manager with Fauquier Family Services and the Vint Hill Transitional Housing Program. Melanie’s extensive work with community-based nonprofit support created a passion for directly supporting her community, and she is excited to be part of the PATH Foundation’s impact. Melanie has lived in Fauquier County since 1991, where she and her husband Rob are currently raising their three children.

Susan Necci

Financial Analyst

Susan Bartenstein Necci is a native of Fauquier County. She returned to the area over 15 years ago to be closer to family after living all over Virginia. Susan graduated from Coker College in Hartsville, SC, with degrees in Economics and Business Education. Her career has involved years of work in the customer service and accounting sectors. Since joining the original Fauquier Health Foundation in 2006, Susan has performed various functions relating to the banking and database side of the business. She is now the Financial Analyst for the PATH Foundation.

Grant Pearse

Chief Financial Officer

Grant Pearse joined the PATH Foundation in 2023 as the Director of Finance and brings over 20 years of accounting, budgeting, compliance, tax, and financial management experience having served in various public sector, private sector, and non-profit roles in Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Prior to joining PATH, Grant founded and ran his own tax and accounting practice serving individuals, small to medium-sized businesses, and non-profits. He now serves as the Chief Financial Officer. Prior to starting his own firm Grant served as the Chief Financial Officer of the Foothills Housing Corporation, where he focused on creating a financially sustainable organization, developing operational procedures, and implementing large scale affordable housing projects in the Virginia Piedmont region. Previously, Grant held financial leadership roles with local government authorities in Australia and with major global companies such as Flight Centre and EDF Trading. He also served on the Board of Directors for Direct Employment Services, a non-profit specializing in employment and training services for people with disabilities. Grant is a licensed Enrolled Agent (EA) and received his degree in commerce and accounting from James Cook University in Cairns, Australia.

Amy Petty

Vice President of Communications

Amy has more than 20 years of experience working in communications, marketing and public relations in the non-profit healthcare arena. Before joining the PATH Foundation, Amy served as Director of Marketing for Fauquier Health, overseeing all aspects of advertising, public relations, community outreach and publications for the health system. Prior to moving to Warrenton in 1999, she served as Director of Communications and Education for the North Carolina Health Care Facilities Association in Raleigh, NC. She also previously worked for the American Health Care Association and the American Pharmaceutical Association, both in Washington, D.C. She previously served on the board of the Fauquier Chamber of Commerce and as chair of the Marketing Committee. She has a B.A. in Communications from Mary Baldwin College in Staunton, VA.

Christina Pierce

Program Officer

Christina joined the PATH Foundation as a program officer in January 2026. She brings 10 years of experience working in faith communities, where she enhanced organizational capacity, executed key programs, and managed community relationships. Christina graduated from Pepperdine University in 2016 with a B.A. in International Studies and a minor in Hispanic Studies. During her sophomore year, she studied abroad in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where she became fluent in Spanish and developed a deep appreciation for Latino cultures. In 2019, she earned a Master of Public Administration from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey. Christina moved to Warrenton in 2020 and met her husband the following year. Originally from Prince George's County, Maryland, she now happily calls Warrenton "home." In her free time, she enjoys singing, spending time outdoors, and watching movies.

Yesenia Reyes

Community Link Manager

Yesenia Reyes joined the PATH Foundation in 2018 as the Community Link Manager. Prior to joining the PATH Foundation, Yesenia was the Community Outreach Coordinator at Fauquier Health, scheduling classes, lectures, and events for the hospital as well as tending the physician referral line. She previously worked for CFM Management as a Community Service Representative for 5 years. She has a B.A. in Health Science from George Mason University.

Michele Stamper

Staff Accountant

Michele is a native Virginian who joined the PATH Foundation in 2017. She earned her bachelor’s degree in accounting (with a minor in business management) from Strayer University, and her master’s degree in accounting from Southern New Hampshire University. Prior to joining the foundation, Michele’s previous accounting experience includes more than 20 years working in private industry with a background in medical, construction and engineering. She has lived in both Fauquier and Culpeper Counties for the past 15 years, and currently resides in Culpeper.

Margy E. Thomas

Senior Program Officer

Margy Eastham Thomas is a lifelong Fauquier County resident. Margy has a B.A. in Foreign Affairs and a Master of Public Health with concentration in Health Policy, Law & Ethics, both from the University of Virginia. As part of her undergraduate work, Margy studied in Switzerland, working with the Global Polio Eradication Initiative on polio endgame strategies. She was part of the 2020 class of Hull Fellows, the flagship leadership program of Philanthropy Southeast. Margy is an active member of St. James’ Episcopal Church and avid community volunteer. She previously worked for the Virginia Center for Health Innovation, the Town of Warrenton, and the University of Virginia’s Curry School of Education.