Valor RVA Announces First Full-time Executive Director as Nonprofit Seeks to Increase Impact Across Richmond Region

RICHMOND, VA— Valor RVA, the Richmond-based nonprofit dedicated to caring for First Responders and their families, has announced its first full-time Executive Director in the organization’s history. Founded in 1989 as The 100 Club of Richmond and best known for hosting its annual Valor Awards, Valor RVA has tapped Marissa Lima to lead the organization into a new chapter, with goals to increase its impact across the Greater Richmond region.

In appointing Lima as Executive Director, Valor RVA plans to expand its mission by creating programs designed to strengthen relationships between First Responders and the community, build trust, and encourage collaboration and mutual respect. In addition, Valor RVA will remain firmly committed to the programs that have defined its work for more than three decades, including grants for fallen or injured First Responders and their families, investments in preventative equipment and training, mental health initiatives, and the annual Valor Awards. As the organization expands its reach, that foundation will remain at the heart of its mission: supporting those who protect our region while building stronger connections between first responders and the communities they serve.

Lima, the daughter of a lifetime law enforcement officer, is a Richmond native and seasoned nonprofit leader with extensive experience advancing missions in healthcare, education, and the arts at organizations across Virginia and Tennessee, including the Virginia Tech Alumni Association, the University of Memphis, and most recently, the National Kidney Foundation Serving Virginia. In 2025, she was awarded Nexstar Broadcasting’s 2025 Remarkable Woman Award for her leadership in the American Cancer Society’s Memphis market.

“I’m excited about the opportunity to help steer Valor RVA into its next chapter. My father served with the Virginia State Police for 42 years, and with the U.S. Marshals Service for another 13, so the issues faced by First Responders and their families are very real to me,” said Lima. “I’m deeply honored to serve in this capacity and to help build the community of support that our First Responders deserve. By working together, citizens and First Responders can create a safer, more connected Greater Richmond, ensuring everyone feels supported, protected, and valued.”

“Over the past three decades, Valor RVA has grown and evolved in an effort to better meet the needs of our community, and we felt that the time was right to take that next step in hiring a full-time Executive Director to guide this next evolution,” said Scott Aronson, Chairman of the Valor RVA Board of Directors. “Marissa brings not only the non-profit leadership experience we were looking for, but also the personal lived experience as the daughter of a lifetime law enforcement officer.”

Lima takes the reins as Valor RVA is just four months away from hosting its 36th Annual Valor Awards Breakfast on December 10, 2026, at the Greater Richmond Convention Center. The morning brings together First Responders and community leaders from across the region to recognize those who have gone above and beyond the call of duty.

ABOUT VALOR RVA:

Founded in 1989, Valor RVA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to caring for our region’s First Responders and their families. Valor RVA is best known for its annual Valor Awards breakfast in December, which celebrates First Responders who go above and beyond while honoring the entire First Responder community for their courage and dedication. Through its grant program, Valor provides financial relief during times of crisis, funding for training and education that keep First Responders safe, and mental health and wellness initiatives that support the people behind the uniform.

Valor RVA supports the dedicated law enforcement, firefighters, and EMS professionals serving the City of Richmond, Town of Ashland, and the counties of Chesterfield, Hanover, Henrico, Goochland, and Powhatan. For more information about Valor RVA, please visit: www.valorrva.org.

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