Diversity and Inclusion in Health Care
When Diane Holland walked into her department at Eastern Virginia Medical School, worry hit her. “It looks like a jail,” she thought. “No one’s going to want to come see me.” It was July 2021, and she had been hired as the school’s first assistant director of training and ombudsperson in the department of diversity […]
A New Brand for Anthem
You know them as Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, the health insurer offering benefits to many in Coastal Virginia. And you’ll still know them by the same name, for now anyway. In June, the company officially became Elevance Health, with Elevance being a combination of the words “elevate” and “advance.” You’ll hear Carelon and […]
Created in CoVa Sept/Oct 2022
SunnySnacks Organics (Photo above courtesy of SunnySnacks Organics) Virginia Beach As a new parent, Liz McNulty was having difficulty finding tasty, wholesome, organic snack foods that her family would enjoy, so she sprang into action. Starting with a cereal recipe that doubled as a portable snack, her first products were taste-tested on family, friends and […]
Health, Wealth and Hiring a Senior
We keep hearing our population is aging, and that’s certainly the case in Williamsburg. The Williamsburg Health Foundation concluded in its 2022 study, “Older Adults: Where We Are and Where We’re Going,” that the Greater Williamsburg area (GWA) grew in individuals 60 and older by 22.5% in an eight-year span. The average growth rate in […]
Human Resources and Abortion
Kristina Vaquera, director of programs for Hampton Roads Society for Human Resources Management (HRSHRM), knew the Supreme Court’s reversal of Roe v. Wade would spark questions in her membership, especially for those with multi-state businesses. How would states now being solely responsible for laws affecting access to abortion affect businesses and their employees? “Our membership […]
Sustainable Buildings: The Meaning of Green
More and more builders, business owners and private citizens are seeking to work and live in spaces that are friendly to the environment or our overall health and well-being. With that in mind, CoVa BIZ consulted a local expert for clarification on some of the distinctions between various of types of sustainability certifications that buildings […]
Marine Ecology and the Coastal Virginia Economy
Derek Aday is director of the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) and dean of William & Mary’s School of Marine Science. A renowned scholar and researcher in the fields of marine science and ecology, he was appointed to this lead position in September 2021. In a recent interview, we asked Aday for his perspectives […]
New Solar Co-Op Means Business
The popularity of solar power continues to heat up and lower energy bills, but getting panels installed requires a significant up-front investment. So, one nonprofit is making sure local business owners can take advantage of the benefits without getting burned. Solar United Neighbors (SUN) is an advocacy organization that works in Virginia and nationwide to […]
Sustainability in Hospitality
“They brought in the state of Rhode Island and dumped it,” jokes Will Smiley, resident ecologist at the Tides Inn resort in Irvington, Virginia. Well, not exactly, but it paints picture of the sheer volume of sand and soil that was required to replenish and reconstruct portions of the property’s picturesque waterfront along Carter’s Creek. […]
FinFit Financial Wellness Platform
When FinFit President and CEO David Kilby was a CPA and auditor working for one of the world’s largest accounting firms, he was responsible for meeting with an organization’s long-time employee, a single mother who’d appropriated thousands of dollars in company funds. The theft was uncharacteristic. The employee had been a responsible and respected team […]