Women Impact Virginia

Kiana's journey exemplifies the power of embracing your full self – both literally (as Ms. Full Figured Virginia 2023) and figuratively.  She ignites entrepreneurial spirit in young girls through the PrettyPreneur Expo and the co-ed MHC Excellence Scholarship, while fostering self-love as a mentor to young women.

As the Work-Based Learning Coordinator at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research, Kiana empowers the next generation through talent pipeline development opportunities for educators, students, and enterprise.

Join Kiana at the Women Impact Virginia Summit as she shares her story of overcoming imposter syndrome and building a life of purpose. Prepare to be disrupted.  Kiana will shatter the myth of the selfless leader. Join her as she explores the power of self-investment and ignites a movement of empowered women, rooted in rural Virginia.

Santana has been in the Hospitality industry for over 20 years and joined the team at Primland in 2012 as Lead Mixologist. In her time here, she has held roles as Food & Beverage Manager, Human Resource Assistant, and now leads L&D. She has had some great experiences here in Southwest Virginia, including joining the Leadership Patrick County group for the 2019-2020 season, is a local chapter member of NRV SHRM and earned her SHRM-CP here in 2023. 

Identified as a woman caregiver in the realm of birth work, Tamika extends holistic care, including prenatal massages, labor support, and nutritional guidance to mothers-to-be. Committed to community support, she strives to reduce maternal mortality rates among Black women during childbirth. Since completing training in December 2022, she has assisted twenty-two families through childbirth, equipping them with essential resources, and ensures  clients receive equal access to resources and education to support them on their breastfeeding journey and receive the necessary care.

When reflecting on her journey, Tamika believes that serving as a Doula is a calling orchestrated by a higher power. While previously unaware of the term, her innate inclination toward supporting mothers during childbirth became evident through personal experiences, including a misdiagnosis by a physician that led to mastitis surgery and postpartum depression. This challenging period fueled her dedication to assisting other families through their childbirth experiences, witnessing not only the growth of children but also the transformation of parents. 

Her involvement in the birthing community has been a source of immense fulfillment, offering a platform for empowerment and camaraderie among fellow birth workers. The sense of community and shared purpose within the community resonates deeply with her, reinforcing her passion for the invaluable role of a Doula. 

Olivia is a native of Southwest Virginia. She holds a master’s degree in Community & Organizational Leadership and bachelor’s degrees in Mass Communications and Public Policy & Community Service from Emory & Henry College. Olivia has more than a decade of experience in broadcast journalism, working at local and national news outlets throughout the country. Additionally, Olivia served the Southwest Virginia region as Director of Marketing for Friends of Southwest Virginia prior to joining the Office of the Attorney General. 

Olivia is involved in several volunteer service initiatives, including serving as a court-appointed special advocate and assisting the Isaiah 117 House to serve foster children in the region. In her free time, Olivia enjoys running, live music, and traveling.