CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) — Kimberly Sheffield has been appointed as the Jefferson School Foundation’s new Executive Director, the foundation’s Board of Directors announced on Monday.

“Kimberly Sheffield understands the heart of this institution and the community it serves,” Board Chair Martin V. Burks III wrote in a release announcing the move. “Her commitment to relationship building and strategic growth has strengthened the foundation. We are excited for the future under her leadership.”

Sheffield assumed the position on Jan. 1, stepping in for outgoing executive director Bernard D. Whitsett II following his retirement. Whitsett had served in the role since March 1, 2022.

“I do feel like Bernard has raised me up in the organization and given me all the tools,” Sheffield told Cville Right Now, “so I’m excited.”

The foundation works to preserve and sustain the Jefferson School City Center, which opened in 1865 and, in 2006, received designation as an historic site.

Prior to this appointment, Sheffield had served as the foundation’s Director of Community Engagement since April 2023, spearheading its rebrand to “Reimagined, Redefined, and Refueled for the Future,” and leading initiatives like, among others, the rotating art project Sanctuary of Soul, Charlottesville’s local edition of the Red Cross’ Sickle Celebration Blood Drive and Revive & Thrive, which brought together Bank of America with mental health professional and wellness practitioners to promote wellness mentally, physically, spiritually and financially.

Sheffield said she plans to remain “in front of everything” as Executive Director, and said she see this change in leadership as a “refueling” for the foundation.

“You know with any long trip that you take, you have to stop and refuel for gas,” she said, “and I think the board is looking at this as a refueling. We’re refueling with all hands-on deck.”

She said the community can expect more from the foundation in the future, whether that be programming from the City Center, further community involvements or simply “opening our doors more.” The foundation has recently adopted a new strategic plan and hired two new additional team members.

Overall, Sheffield said she is thrilled to step into her new role at a place that has been “a sanctuary” for her, where she has been able to refine herself as a professional while serving the community, which she called her calling in life.

“I don’t think the community necessarily understands the totality of how much actually happens in this building,” she said, “and it’s something so beautiful about reporting to a building where every has the same goal, and that is to uplift the community. And for me to be stepping into an executive director role where that is the focus, I couldn’t be more thrilled.”