Rally Regions
Click on each region to learn more.
Click on each region to learn more.
Nancy and her husband, Kevin, have called Virginia home since 1986, raising their three children in Roanoke. Nancy is a retired surgeon, and Kevin continues to practice gastroenterology full time.
Deeply committed to civic life, Nancy has long been active in the Roanoke community. Her service includes roles as PTA President and board member for numerous nonprofit organizations, including JDRF, the Community Foundation, the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra, Miss Virginia, and Crystal Spring Baptist Church, where she remains actively involved.
Nancy and Kevin frequently host charitable and political events at their home, Rockledge, on Mill Mountain. Appointed by the Mayor and City Council, Nancy serves on the Mill Mountain Advisory Board.
At the state level, Nancy is a member of the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors, where she chairs the Academic, Research, and Student Affairs Committee. In this role, she is a strong advocate for high-quality higher education, affordability and access, and the responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars.
Nancy has also had the unique opportunity to serve Governor Glenn Youngkin and the Commonwealth of Virginia. She was a member of the Governor’s Finance Committee, Transition Team, and Inaugural Committee, and later served in his administration as Senior Advisor for appointments to Boards and Commissions.
Firmly grounded in conservative values for Virginia and the nation, Nancy serves on the State Central Committee and is proud to help grow the influence and impact of Rally Virginia.
Shannon Hanson is a lifelong resident of Gloucester County and currently represents the York District on the Gloucester County Board of Supervisors.
A committed conservative with a strong grasp of local budgets and public policy, Shannon combines practical experience with principled judgment. Her career spans more than 30 years in opticianry and business, where she built a reputation for professionalism, fiscal responsibility, and helping families navigate complex healthcare needs. She is a licensed Virginia optician and is also licensed in property and casualty insurance, giving her a strong understanding of small business operations and consumer protection.
Beyond her professional work, Shannon has been deeply engaged in community advocacy. She has collaborated with members of Congress, U.S. Senators, and Virginia General Assembly representatives on issues ranging from healthcare access for military families and veterans to strengthening protections for women and children. Her experience in public speaking and legislative engagement has made her an effective voice for residents at every level of government.
Jenni Soult is a dedicated educator and grassroots organizer based in Stafford, Virginia, where she has resided since 2007. Originally from North Carolina, Jenni earned both her undergraduate and graduate degrees in Applied Mathematics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In 2005, she relocated to Virginia to serve as a research professional with the U.S. Department of Defense, leveraging her expertise to support critical national initiatives.
Jenni currently serves as an adjunct professor and homeschools her two teenage sons, fostering their academic and personal growth. Deeply engaged in her community, Jenni is an active participant in local politics, championing parents’ rights and advocating for conservative values. Her commitment to education, family, and civic responsibility underscores her impactful presence in Stafford.
In 1998, she co-founded Arvasoft Inc., a software consulting firm, and led its growth into a successful and thriving enterprise through strong leadership and strategic vision.
Today, she is fully focused on community outreach and development alongside her professional work, advancing meaningful initiatives in domestic violence prevention, mental health services, food security, education, and community empowerment.
For more than 33 years, she has supported nonprofit and government programs, playing instrumental roles in founding and serving on the boards of numerous nonprofit organizations dedicated to community service and cultural development.
A passionate advocate for community advancement, Aparna draws on her Master’s degree in Geography, with a specialization in urban and rural development. She has also earned professional endorsements for her expertise in municipal affairs and sustainable urban planning.
Guided by a mission to build strategic coalitions among community members and leaders, business executives, and policymakers, she believes these partnerships drive collaboration, leverage resources, and create lasting impact across Virginia’s communities. She is a dedicated member of the Rally Virginia leadership team.
Kay grew up in Newport News, Virginia, and returned home after earning her degree from Meredith College in North Carolina. A firm believer in giving back, Kay has dedicated her time to volunteering at her children’s schools and raising funds for organizations such as the American Cancer Society and the United Way. Kay has played a key role in organizing numerous community events in Newport News, including the Historic Hilton Village Centennial, gallery openings at the Peninsula Fine Arts Center, and galas at the Virginia Living Museum.
Kay spent her summers in upstate New York, where her grandfather served as a mayor, city councilman, and state senator. His leadership and dedication to conservative policies shaped her lifelong passion for advocacy.
Kay has been a key member of RALLY VIRGINIA ever since its inception. She served as State Director for Women for Youngkin, oversaw the inaugural celebration for Lt. Governor Winsome Sears, worked as an event coordinator for the Trump campaign for the Tidewater area, and was a finance committee member for Senator Danny Diggs.
Kay and her husband, Graham, continue to reside in Newport News, where they raised their two grown children, Ellie and Scott. When she’s not fundraising, gathering petition signatures, or campaigning at local parades and festivals, she serves as the director of a nonprofit raising awareness for the Type-1 diabetes community.
Melissa Ball is an accomplished entrepreneur and a passionate advocate for small businesses. She is the founder of Ball Office Products, a thriving company that exemplifies her commitment to excellence and community engagement. Melissa’s enterprising spirit is most evident in her championing of small businesses, a cause she pursues with determination and creativity.
Melissa’s leadership extends beyond the business realm. As a founding member of Rally Virginia, she played an instrumental role in its growth and branding, helping shape it into a powerful coalition advocating for commonsense policies and American values. Her leadership and dedication were recognized by Governor Glenn Youngkin, who handpicked Melissa to serve on his steering transition team to establish the new administration. Further demonstrating her expertise and influence, Governor Youngkin appointed Melissa to the Small Business Commission, where she continues to advocate for the needs and interests of entrepreneurs across the state.
Melissa Ball’s dynamic career and steadfast dedication to her community reflect her remarkable ability to lead and inspire. Whether revitalizing businesses, shaping policy, or supporting families in need, she exemplifies the power of entrepreneurial spirit and compassionate leadership.
With a distinguished career in speech-language pathology and a lifelong commitment to civic involvement, Deb Arnold has dedicated her work to strengthening communication, community, and leadership.
A respected community leader, Deb has given her time and energy to numerous organizations, including the Historic Foundation of Richmond and Goochland Cares, where she has played an active role in fundraising and community outreach. Known throughout Goochland for her integrity, compassion, and dedication to service, she has earned the admiration and respect of all who know her. Her active participation in conservative and civic organizations has reinforced her belief in the importance of common-sense values and citizen engagement.
Deb was drawn to Rally Virginia because of its clear and principled mission—advocating for public safety, promoting patriotism, supporting low taxes, and ensuring quality education for our children. A proud conservative and devoted patriot, she is honored to contribute to Rally Virginia’s efforts to preserve our freedoms and advance policies that reflect integrity, responsibility, and love of country.
Naomi was born and raised in Singapore to an Iraqi Jewish father and a European mother. After attending Perth College in Australia, Naomi lived in colonial Hong Kong for several years before moving to the United States.
Naomi’s dedication to supporting special needs children is evident in her founding of Aviva Bluma Consulting, a boutique advocacy agency for ensuring that special needs children receive the resources and accommodations they need in the public school system. Her agency’s mission was not just about policy—it was about giving a voice to children and families who often felt unheard, and fighting for their rights to a quality education. Naomi’s personal passion for this cause speaks to her deep empathy and lifelong commitment to making a tangible difference in their lives. She used her agency as a platform to help children with special needs overcome challenges and reach their full potential.
Naomi’s unwavering dedication to community togetherness and her deep passion for our Country perfectly embodies the mission at Rally Virginia. As a leader of our efforts in Albemarle County, she implements programs with remarkable precision and sophistication, making her an invaluable asset to our cause.
As a key member of Rally Virginia, Naomi is passionate about grassroots work. She is a strong Zionist. She actively supports MAGA values, law enforcement, the military, and veterans. Her most cherished role is being a full-time mother. She is married, has one child, and deeply loves her German Shepherd, Jonah.
Maggie Kilgore serves as Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney in Culpeper County, Virginia. She graduated with honors from Georgetown University in 2014, and with her J.D. from UVA Law School. Following law school, Maggie turned down an offer to work at a large law firm to work in Culpeper County as an Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney.
Maggie previously served as Deputy Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security for Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin. Prior to accepting this appointment, she was an Assistant United States Attorney for the Western District of Virginia. In that capacity, she handled predominantly gun and drug offenses throughout the Western and Southwestern portion of the Commonwealth. A career prosecutor, Maggie has appeared in state and federal courts in Abingdon, Harrisonburg, Charlottesville, Warrenton, Little Washington, and Roanoke. Maggie has received specialized training for crimes in which children are victims, which comprises the majority of her current caseload.
Melissa Robey is the esteemed Founder of We Back Blue, a national police advocacy organization dedicated to advancing professional and equitable public safety services for all communities. Her family heritage includes a proud lineage of law enforcement officers, including her father, grandfather, and sibling, which spurred her to action in response to the nation’s treatment of police professionals.
Under her visionary leadership, We Back Blue has grown into a national network of activists championing support for law enforcement and fostering strong community relationships. The organization has hosted over 100 events in more than 25 cities, including rallies, community engagement gatherings, and partnerships with government officials, demonstrating steadfast support for law enforcement.
Melissa became politically active in 2018 and also served as the Director of Law Enforcement for the Youngkin for Governor campaign, where she championed law enforcement across Virginia, organized various events for the Governor, and contributed to legislative/policy discussions. She is passionate about helping communities and amplifying voices to drive change across Virginia – and the nation.
A native of Richmond, Wendy Sydnor has spent 30 years as a lobbyist operating under the umbrella of Capitol Hill Services, Inc. During her tenure, she represented the Virginia Community College System, the Virginia Association of Public Television Stations and many others. She holds an undergraduate degree from Westhampton College, University of Richmond and a master’s degree from Virginia Commonwealth University.
Wendy Sydnor has served on the following boards:
– Virginia Capitol Foundation Board (Vice chair)
– Board of Trustees, Library of Virginia
– Board of Associates, University of Richmond
– Board of Trustees, TheatreVirginia
– Governing Board, Westhampton College (Chair)
– American Cancer Society Board, Richmond Chapter
Wendy is deeply involved in politics and policy, with a strong belief in the power of grassroots engagement to create meaningful change. Her dedication to community involvement drives her to work closely with local organizations, ensuring that the voices of her community are heard and represented in the political sphere. She is the proud recipient of the “Distinguished Alumna Award” from Westhampton College.
She resides in the City of Richmond with her sheepadoodle, proudly named by her late husband, “Dixie”.
Amanda Lawson Pillion currently serves as the Mayor of Abingdon. She is a native of Southwest Virginia, and has lived in Abingdon for over 20 years. She attended the University of Virginia, graduating with a B.S. and a M.S.Ed. degree. She is a licensed Audiologist and has worked in private practice and at the Mountain Home Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Johnson City Tennessee.
In 2020, Ms. Pillion was elected to the Abingdon Town Council. Additionally, she is involved in numerous community and philanthropic organizations. She serves on the Southwest Virginia Cultural Heritage Board and is appointed to serve on the Virginia Commission for the Arts.
Following the election of Governor Glenn Youngkin in 2021, Ms. Pillion was selected to serve on Governor-elect Youngkin’s transition team. At home, she serves on the Veterans Advisory Commission, the Abingdon Arts Commission, and the Johnston Memorial Hospital Foundation Board, among other community organizations. Governor Youngkin appointed Ms. Pillion to serve on the University of Virginia Board of Visitors 2022.
Amanda enjoys living in Abingdon with her husband, Senator Todd Pillion, and their four children. Their daughter, Virginia, and son, Teddy, attend the University of Virginia. Their sons, Henry and George, attend public school in Washington County. Amanda enjoys visiting her UVA kids, watching her boys run cross country and track, and walking with her husband and their dog, Max.
Leslie Haley is the Deputy Attorney General for the Commonwealth of Virginia. She has been practicing law in Virginia for over two decades and brings a unique combination of legal and business skills from her years of experience in private practice following her service as Senior Assistant Ethics Counsel at the Virginia State Bar, and her tenure in management and business development with Philip Morris, U.S.A.
During her 14 year term with the Virginia State Bar, Ms. Haley provided ethics consultation to members of the Bar, answering hundreds of ethics calls each year, drafting written advisory ethics opinions, and writing and speaking on ethics issues as they relate to lawyers and law firms’ practices. She writes and has presented over 200 CLE seminars to her colleagues and associates.
Additionally, Ms. Haley has worked extensively with the Office of the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court of Virginia, Court Improvement Program in developing and presenting educational workshops geared specifically to the Juvenile Court system to provide “best practices” to assist lawyers and judges in the important work they do with children and families.
Leslie’s credentials also include service on the Board of Supervisors in Chesterfield County representing the Midlothian District and in 2010 she received the Influential Women of Virginia Award.
