Dear Unwavering Champions in the UMFS Community:
Passion Unleashes Greatness is just one of our five core values at UMFS, but it’s one that speaks volumes in this moment. For 120 years, UMFS has adapted time and again to meet the changing needs of children, teens, and families, and we’ve been able to endure as an organization because of the passionate people who make up our community. From employees, to donors and volunteers, to faith and community partners, it takes us all and our collective commitment to do this important work.
The announcement that UMFS President & CEO Greg Peters, LCSW, will retire in the spring of 2021 and the introduction of Chief Operating Officer Nancy Toscano, Ph.D., LCSW, as his Board-appointed successor marks another milestone in a long UMFS legacy. Greg has been President & CEO since 2000, and his service to UMFS spans an incredible 40 years. He was appointed by the last five Virginia governors to serve on the State Executive Council of the Children’s Services Act. Additionally, Greg has been instrumental in the development and implementation of the UMFS Master Plan, which includes a new Child & Family Healing Center and addition to Charterhouse School in Richmond. Greg has a bachelor’s degree from Bridgewater College and a master’s in social work from Virginia Commonwealth University.
Over the last several years, the UMFS Board and a consultant consulted with Greg and developed a process to identify an outstanding successor, whom they found in Nancy. Nancy has been with UMFS since 2007 and will be UMFS’ first female President & CEO. She’s a lifelong learner with a bachelor’s degree in social work from Siena College, a master’s in social work from New York University, and a Ph.D. in public policy and administration from VCU. Early in her career, Nancy championed for youth and families as a social worker in New York City, a member of the Jesuit Volunteer Corps in California, and as a counselor for young people on the autism spectrum at Tasker College in England. She’s a founding member of the IMPIAN School for Autism, the first specialized school in Malaysia for youth on the spectrum.
UMFS opened its doors on Broad Street in Richmond in 1900, and now we have nine locations throughout Virginia. Our longevity and growth are thanks in large part to the greatness of the many passionate people who’ve come before us. We’re grateful for the foundation they built yesterday, we’re humbled to serve as unwavering champions today, and our vision is to build an even brighter tomorrow.
With gratitude,
Greg Peters, LCSW
UMFS President & CEO
Nancy Toscano, Ph.D., LCSW
UMFS Chief Operating Officer