Staff Member

Director of Fund Development

Juanita Ashburne brings a wealth of experience and a passion for community advancement to her role as Director of Fund Development at the Maggie Walker Community Land Trust (MWCLT). With a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication – Radio/Television Journalism and a Master’s in Public Health Administration, Juanita has built a distinguished career leading strategic fundraising initiatives and cultivating transformative partnerships across the nonprofit and corporate sectors. Her portfolio includes collaborations with Fortune 500 companies such as Ashley Furniture, CarMax, Capital One, Chevy, JCPenney, Microsoft, Old Navy, Taco Bell, TownBanke, Walmart, and Wells Fargo. Juanita successfully secured major institutional funding, including the Title V Maternal and Child Health Block Grant, the Jeffress Memorial Trust Grant, the Kenan Charitable Trust Grant, and the Community Impact Award Grant from the Community Foundation for a Greater Richmond—each supporting critical work to advance health and equity throughout Virginia. She has also served in leadership roles with successful fundraising and community impact initiatives including Virginia Health Catalyst, American Cancer Society and Boys and Girls Clubs of Metro Richmond, securing grants and forging strategic partnerships to advance equity and community development for these organizations. She consistently exceeded fundraising goals, strengthened corporate and community partnerships, and enhanced mission visibility. Her prior experience as a Health Equity Project Manager at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) further underscores her dedication to reducing disparities and creating pathways to opportunity. In her role at MWCLT, Juanita leads efforts to expand philanthropic partnerships, enhance donor and grant stewardship, and grow community investment in permanently affordable housing. Guided by a belief in racial equity, community empowerment, and sustainable development, she is committed to advancing MWCLT’s mission to create inclusive, thriving communities where homeownership is accessible to all.