Meet The Board

With over 40 years of experience as a Registered Nurse, Dawn Beninghove has dedicated her career to compassionate, community-rooted care. Her background spans Brain Injury Rehabilitation and Home Health, and for 22 years, she successfully owned and operated her own Home Care company. Today, she provides private care management and professional trainings throughout Central Virginia.

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Over the years, Dawn has encountered countless individuals with a true calling to serve in healthcare—but without the financial means to pursue formal training. This reality inspired the founding of the Trained to Care Foundation, which helps bridge that gap by offering scholarships for Personal Care Aide and Certified Nurse Aide courses—creating life-changing opportunities for aspiring caregivers.

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As Chairman of the Board, Dawn offers vision, leadership, and strategic guidance to ensure the mission of Trained to Care is carried out with excellence and impact.

In addition to her nursing work, Dawn is also a licensed and credentialed minister, faithfully serving her community at a small chapel in Bon Air, Virginia.

With a degree in Social Work and over 37 years of experience in healthcare marketing and admissions in the Richmond area, Patricia Ann Williams brings a wealth of knowledge, heart, and community connection to the Trained to Care Foundation. She currently serves as the Community Relations Manager at Companion Extraordinaire, a locally owned and operated Home Care Agency, where she builds trusted relationships with caregivers and families alike.

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Patricia’s passion lies in motivating people toward change and helping them discover fulfilling careers. During her 13 years in higher education, she found deep joy in watching students succeed and step confidently into their goals. That same passion continues today as she mentors and supports PCAs and CNAs entering the home care field—sharing opportunities that can lead to meaningful, life-changing work.

As Vice President, Patricia plays a key role in both the internal and external growth of the foundation. She assists in scholarship decision-making, promotes the mission of Trained to Care throughout local schools, and actively researches grant opportunities to expand the foundation’s reach and impact.

A firm believer in optimism, Patricia says, “My glass is half full even when times are hard—I count my many blessings.” In her free time, she enjoys swimming, reading, and relaxing on her front patio, chatting with the birds and squirrels who stop by to visit.

Donna Swiney brings over 30 years of experience as an Executive Assistant and more than two decades of board involvement to her role as Secretary of the Trained to Care Foundation. Known for her strong organizational skills and attention to detail, Donna plays a key role in supporting the board’s operations, structure, and effectiveness.

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Her passion for the foundation’s mission is deeply personal. Donna’s daughter began her healthcare journey as a Personal Care Aide (PCA) before becoming a Registered Nurse—a path that offered invaluable hands-on experience and shaped her success in the field. Donna understands firsthand how meaningful and empowering a PCA role can be, whether as a starting point or a lifelong calling.

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In her role as Secretary, Donna ensures clear communication, accurate recordkeeping, and strategic organization—helping the board stay focused and aligned in its mission to equip future caregivers.

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Outside of her work with the foundation, Donna enjoys spending time with her family and finds joy in reading—especially books that encourage personal growth.

Clyde brings a lifetime of leadership, discipline, and mentorship to his role as Member-at-Large with the Trained to Care Foundation.

Now retired, Clyde served for 30 years as Director of Bands at Hermitage High School in Henrico County, Virginia, and for 7 years as Professor of Brass Studies and Conductor of the Symphonic Band at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. In addition, he is a retired Lieutenant Colonel with the U.S. Army Reserve, having completed 38 years of maximum military service.

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His commitment to Trained to Care is personal. After undergoing back surgery, Clyde experienced firsthand the vital role of trained Personal Care Aides and Certified Nursing Assistants in recovery and daily care.

This experience solidified his passion for supporting aspiring caregivers and ensuring they have access to the education and training they need. He believes that scholarships are a powerful tool for empowering compassionate, skilled individuals to step into these essential roles.

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With decades of experience supervising and evaluating thousands of individuals in both the military and academic settings, Clyde offers a discerning eye and deep insight into the scholarship review process. His leadership and evaluative skills are invaluable to ensuring scholarships are awarded thoughtfully and meaningfully.

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Though retired from full-time work, Clyde remains active as an adjudicator for major instrumental music festivals and competitions, continuing to influence the next generation of young musicians across the region.

Russel Shon is a seasoned real estate entrepreneur with a heart for empowering others. With a lifelong belief in self-motivation and personal responsibility, Russel brings a unique perspective to the Trained to Care Foundation—helping individuals recognize their potential and take confident steps toward financial independence and career growth.

Passionate about creating opportunities for driven individuals, Russel supports the foundation’s mission of equipping future caregivers with the training and tools they need to thrive.

His guiding philosophy—"Your life is your business"—reflects his belief that with preparation and intention, anyone can turn opportunity into lasting success.

As Member-at-Large, Russel offers insight, encouragement, and practical wisdom to help expand the foundation’s reach and impact.

He often reminds those around him, “Luck is when preparedness meets opportunity,” and is committed to helping others prepare well.

Virginia Lowe brings over 33 years of professional experience in Communications and Business Management to the Trained to Care Foundation. Now retired from a diverse and impactful career in the telecommunications industry, Virginia’s roles included Administrator, Instructor, Facilitator, and Public Relations Manager. In her PR work, she coordinated corporate events, managed media communications, led community initiatives such as blood drives and walkathons, and participated annually in the Special Olympics at the University of Richmond. Her heart for service extended into tutoring and mentoring children with special needs—planting seeds for her later work in caregiving.

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Virginia’s journey into healthcare began from a deeply personal place—after losing her mother to lung cancer, she felt a call to become a nurse. That path led her to meet Dawn Beninghove, CEO of Companion Extraordinaire, whose mission inspired Virginia to pursue certification and serve seniors through in-home care. She proudly represented the organization at local festivals and health fairs, offering free blood pressure checks and connecting community members to vital services.

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As a board member of the Trained to Care Foundation, Virginia is honored to help further a mission close to her heart: providing scholarships to students pursuing careers in healthcare. A passionate advocate for education and mentorship, she recently awarded a scholarship to a young recipient now beginning classes in June 2025—an experience she considers both meaningful and inspiring.

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Virginia actively supports the foundation’s growth through outreach, sponsorship development, and her steadfast commitment to its vision. She believes in being present, involved, and prayerfully intentional about the impact they create.

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She is also proud to be affiliated with several professional and cultural organizations, including the Metropolitan Executive & Professional Registry, the American Business Women’s Association (ABWA), and the Richmond Jazz Society, Inc.

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In her free time, Virginia enjoys silk floral designing, cake decorating, gardening, and hosting family game nights. A woman of deep faith, she holds close the scripture:
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” – Philippians 4:13

Amanda Simpson is a dedicated Registered Nurse committed to delivering compassionate, high-quality care with dignity and purpose. With plans to advance as a Geriatric Nurse Practitioner, she is passionate about serving older adults and veterans through patient-centered care, advocacy, and clinical excellence. Amanda brings strong leadership, regulatory awareness, and a heart for community impact to every space she serves, striving to elevate caregiving standards and support families during moments that matter most.

Holly Pugh is a native of the Richmond area, and grew up in Lakeside.  She lived in and around Richmond/Henrico/Goochland for most of her life apart from a foray into farming in Halifax County from 1995-2000 where she and her former husband raised goats.  Holly is a Registered Nurse and retired from teaching nursing at Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing in December of 2024.    She spent the early part of her career working in critical care nursing, primarily in the cardiac surgery subspecialty.  She later moved into more administrative roles at St. Mary’s Hospital serving as chair of the Nursing Coordinating Council and unit manager, before transitioning to education, specializing in healthcare simulation education.  She served as treasurer of her professional organization, Virginia State Simulation Alliance for 13 years. She holds degrees from VCU, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a Master of Science in Health Administration.  Holly enjoys reading, organic gardening and the study of herbs in her leisure time.  She completed the Extension Master Gardner with the Goochland-Powhatan program in 2025.