our team

lisa Max, Chair

Lisa Max is a results-driven, visionary executive with extensive experience in for-profit and nonprofit management. Having spent most of her career in technology, she assumed the helm of The Arc of Loudoun as Chief Executive Officer in 2018 where she works to create a just, equitable world for people with disabilities. Ms. Max’s fervent belief that each person deserves every chance to lead their best life has inspired minds to open and hearts to change throughout the Washington, DC region. Lisa is passionately committed to empowering innovation by baking accessibility, collaboration, diversity, equity, inclusion, justice, and respect into the values of organizations of all kinds. Her current volunteer endeavors include Member of the Board of Directors and Advisory Board Chair for the Northern Virginia Science Center Foundation, Member of the Loudoun County Multicultural Advisory Committee, Advisory Board Member for the Loudoun County Medical Reserve Corps, Chair of the Loudoun Human Services Network, and Member of the Board for Bridle Paths Equine Assisted Services.

Dr. Tonya Adkins, Vice Chair

Dr. Tonya Adkins, a board-certified Obstetrician-Gynecologist, is the CEO of
HealthWorks for Northern Virginia, a Federally Qualified Health Center serving
underserved communities. She began her medical career in the U.S. Navy stationed at
the USNH Okinawa. After leaving the Navy, Dr. Adkins worked in private practice and
then transitioned to a career in Community Medicine. Joining HealthWorks in 2016 as a
staff Gynecologist, Dr. Adkins took on increasing leadership roles leading HealthWorks
COVID-19 response as Chief Medical Officer and later becoming CEO in 2022. Dr.
Adkins is committed to expanding access to equitable care. She is married to retired
Marine Colonel Seth Ocloo and has two daughters.

Samantha Clarke, Treasurer

Sam has spent 28 years building a career in social work and advocacy, progressively channeling her passion into social justice and public policy to promote more effective social systems and trauma-informed services. She currently serves as CEO of LAWS Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services and has held key roles in government and nonprofit agencies across several states, including SCAN of Northern Virginia and Doorways in Arlington. As a trauma-informed provider and advocate, Sam leads teams and organizations to seek out creative solutions to complex problems and build alliances across systems and issues. A resident of Loudoun County, she is actively involved in the community and serves on multiple boards, including Equality Loudoun and the Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce. In her personal life, Sam is an animal rescuer of nearly three decades and a lover of music and plants. She lives in Purcellville with her Great Dane and three cats, and enjoys exploring plant nurseries, discovering new music, and playing the cello.

Kim Tapper, secretary

Kim is the Co-Founder & Executive Director of A Place To Be, which turned 15 years old this year! She has lived and worked in Loudoun County for 25 years with a career that spans nonprofit leadership, life coaching and grief/trauma coaching, wellness workshops, and a variety of roles in the arts as a writer, choreographer, and expressive art therapies practitioner. She previously served as Chair of the Loudoun Chamber’s Nonprofit Initiative Committee and has been a member of LHSN for many years and is honored to serve alongside so many passionate community organizers, leaders, and front-line workers every day!

Nicole Morris, Immediate Past Chair

Nicole Morris is the inaugural Executive Director of Women Giving Back (WGB), a nonprofit organization located in Sterling, Virginia. Under Nicole’s 7 years of leadership, WGB has rapidly expanded to be the largest free clothing provider, serving over 24,000 women and children a year across the Greater Washington DC area. Nicole first entered the nonprofit arena in 2009 when she left her corporate residential property management career to pursue a more fulfilling role in supportive affordable housing at Cornerstones Housing Corporation (formerly Reston Interfaith). During Nicole’s tenure, she helped acquire, develop, and preserve rental properties consisting of scattered site townhomes and a LIHTC multifamily apartment community. Nicole has extensive experience managing the CHDO and working with multiple HUD programs like HCV, Project Based, VASH, CDBG, HOME and NSP. Nicole was inducted into the Virginia Housing Alliance’s Top 40 Network in 2015 for her innovative work and earned her Housing Development Financial Professional designation through the National Development Council in 2016.

valerie pisierra, Program Manager

Valerie Pisierra has always encouraged people to strive to be a contributing force in their community; she believes getting involved is a great way to enrich your life and the lives of those you serve. Valerie was with Loudoun Cares for 8 years and served as their Executive Director from 2017 until she retired in July of 2024. During this time she was appointed to the Loudoun County Human Services Strategic Plan Advisory Committee (2019), was the Chair of the Loudoun Human Services Network (2022-2023), and Co-Chair of the Loudoun Chamber of Commerce Nonprofit Committee (2023). Valerie could not stay away and began as the LHSN Program Manager in September 2025. Valerie grew up in Arizona and attended college and graduate school earning a BS and an MBA in Business. As a military spouse she spent 20 year living and working overseas in Japan, Germany, and England.