Collaborating on Resilience Solutions
Resilient Virginia Collaborative Alliance
Turning Collaboration into Impact
Through focused working groups the RVCA drives local solutions, improves community health and security, and scales impact across Virginia. These results are only possible through collective action, shared expertise, and a commitment to building resilience together.
RVCA Working Groups
RVCA working groups are where ideas turn into action. They provide a forum to tackle high-priority issues like energy, water infrastructure, transportation, and economic development.
Bringing together stakeholders from across Central and Southwest Virginia, these groups focus on building capacity, developing and implementing projects, engaging communities, sharing knowledge, and setting measurable goals. Through collaboration and peer-to-peer exchange, they help chart a regional roadmap for climate resilience and stronger, more connected communities.
Agriculture and Food Systems Working Group
Clean Transportation Working Group
Join us on March 18th at 12:00 p.m. as we explore cleaner options for our most precious cargo, our kids. We are talking clean school buses. From electric to propane to biodiesel to natural gas, there are many ways to make the ride to and from school a healthier one. We will explore cost savings, fueling infrastructure, benefits, and challenges with those who make and manage these clean school bus fleets.
The Clean Transportation Working Group focuses on addressing climate resilience challenges in transportation, sharing best practices, and exchanging knowledge. It is currently co-led by Alleyn Harned and Tarah Kesterson of Virginia Clean Cities and Tracy Garland of TRC. The group meets monthly on the third Wednesday from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m.
Water Infrastructure Working Group
RVCA Working Group Leaders
THE CLEAN TRANSPORTATION WORKING GROUP
Tarah Taylor Kesterson
Tarah Taylor Kesterson joined Virginia Clean Cities in February 2025 as the Clean Communities and Economic Development Director for Southwest Virginia. Tarah assists in clean fuel needs west of Roanoke and is based in Bristol.
Before joining Virginia Clean Cities, Tarah served as the public relations manager for the Virginia Department of Energy. She spent a decade in local television news at the NBC affiliate in Bristol, WCYB, before beginning her career serving the Commonwealth.
A native of Raven, Virginia, Tarah is a graduate of Emory & Henry College (now University) and has a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications.
THE CLEAN TRANSPORTATION WORKING GROUP
Tracy Garland
Tracy Garland is a sustainability professional with over 25 years of experience in sustainable business and nonprofit development. In her current role at WSP, her focus is on advancing the deployment of electric vehicle fleets and infrastructure through innovative partnerships and creative funding strategies.
In her previous role as Program and Development Director for Resilient Virginia, Tracy supervised community-informed program development and supported the development work of the organization. She currently serves on the Advisory Board of Electrifying Virginia and on the Clean Transportation Working Group for the Resilient Virginia Collaborative Alliance.
Tracy has a Master’s of Business Administration degree with a concentration in Environmental Management.
THE WATER INFRASTRUCTURE WORKING GROUP
Denise Nelson
Denise Nelson is an Environmental Engineer and Planner, Certified Floodplain Manager, Envision Sustainability Professional, and LEED Accredited Professional, with 24 years of experience in sustainable development, community and coastal resiliency, stakeholder engagement, and creating training tailored for adult learners. Her background as a design engineer and more recent work in community development, policies, and stakeholder engagement provides extensive transferable knowledge for community planning, policy analysis, collaboration building, conceptual design, and grant applications (she has won over $82 million in grant funding for her clients since 2018).
Denise Nelson Advising (DNA) is a small, women-owned business (SWaM) focused on sustainable and resilient infrastructure solutions. Based in Richmond Virginia, DNA was founded in 2024 to provide support to government agencies in Virginia, the US, and nationally. DNA is a sole proprietor business backed by partnering organizations and a vast network.
The Regional Resilience Roadmap for Central and Southwest Virginia provides a shared framework for guiding long-term investment, collaboration, and action across the region. Developed with local governments, businesses, community organizations, and residents, the roadmap identifies top priorities, key challenges, and ongoing resilience efforts.
It highlights pressing issues—like climate impacts, aging infrastructure, funding gaps, and economic transitions—while identifying regional assets and initiatives that can strengthen communities, protect natural resources, and support economic stability.
- By setting shared priorities and strategies, the roadmap helps the region:
Attract public and private investment through a unified vision. - Strengthen cross-sector collaboration and reduce duplication.
- Prepare communities for emerging risks and opportunities.
- Advance equity so all residents benefit from resilience efforts.
- Protect natural and cultural resources vital to the region’s identity and health.
Serving as both a guide and a tool for coordination, the roadmap empowers leaders to align resources, build partnerships, and take collective action—helping Central and Southwest Virginia thrive in a changing world.
Regional Resilience Roadmap for Central and Southwest Virginia
Coming Soon
Invest in Regional Resilience
Investing in Resilient Virginia demonstrates leadership in building a resilient, sustainable, and equitable future across the Commonwealth. Your support fuels high-impact programs, fosters cross-sector collaboration, and drives practical initiatives that strengthen community preparedness and long-term resilience.
Through the RVCA Investment, you help align regional partners, build local capacity, and accelerate community-driven solutions—sustaining the people, systems, and strategies that are shaping Central and Southwest Virginia’s resilient future.
