Our mission

Joanne ("Josie") L. Webster, President

Ms. Webster has over 25 years of experience developing and administering private school education policy. She served the Virginia Council for Private Education (VCPE) for 19 years in multiple roles, eventually becoming the first Executive Director. During her time with VCPE, one of Josie's crowning achievements was her work to secure the successful passage of the Education Improvement Scholarships Tax Credit (EISTC) program. After her time at VCPE, she supported Chesapeake Bay Academy’s (CBA) legislative team in reforming the EISTC program to ensure fair access to low-income students with learning disabilities. The Virginia Foundation for Learning Disabled Students (VFLDS) was established in response to passage of this important component of the program. Josie currently serves as president of VFLDS.

Darlene Pierro,
Vice President

Ms. Pierro spent her entire career in independent education. Most recently, she served for 16 years as Head of McLean School in Potomac, Maryland, working with a broad range of students including those with learning differences. Prior to McLean, she spent 20 years at Maret School in Washington, DC, as teacher, business manager, and the assistant head. In retirement, Darlene is generous in sharing her experiences and collected wisdom with other school heads. In addition to service on the VFLDS board, Darlene serves as treasurer of the local citizens association in Rockville, MD. She is an avid gardener, maintains her Victorian home in the historic district of Rockville, enjoys travel, and indulges her political interests by taking online and in-person classes.

Matt Benedetti,
Treasurer
Mr. Benedetti has more than thirty years’ experience in business and government affairs. Matt Benedetti & Associates represents its clients’ interests before legislative bodies and administrative agencies at the state and local level, as well as helping navigate the often rough and muddy waters of the governmental procurement process. Mr. Benedetti has served on multiple boards including; Connecticut Retail Merchants Association, Retailers Association of Massachusetts, Retail Association of Maine, New Hampshire Retail Association , New Jersey Retail Merchants Association, North Carolina Retail Merchants Association, and the Pennsylvania Retailers Association, and CodeVA. Before government relations became his focus, he spent eight years in the energy sector. Matt graduated from James Madison University with a Bachelors of Business Administration. Matt and his wife have two adult children and reside in Bon Air, VA.

Josh Myers,
Secretary

Mr. Myers is the Director Of Government Affairs at Alzheimer's Association of Virginia.