About Us

Sarah Blankenship is a dedicated community leader and advocate in Lynchburg, Virginia. Grounded in a passion for local empowerment, she specializes in creating programs, securing resources, and building meaningful partnerships that directly serve residents and elevate local organizations.

Sarah Blankenship serves as the Executive Director of Pierce Street Gateway, where she leads community engagement initiatives, local programming, and resource development to empower Lynchburg residents and share the powerful message of the Pierce Street Renaissance Historic District. With leadership experience across higher education, banking, and the local nonprofit sector—including past roles as Executive Director for the Central Virginia Academy for Nonprofit Excellence and Interim Community Connections Coordinator at Central Virginia Community College—Sarah brings a strategic, community-first approach to nonprofit management.

Recognized as a Lynchburg Living Community Champion and an honorable mention recipient for Best Civic Leader, Sarah bridges local network connections with actionable solutions. She is a graduate of both Leadership Lynchburg and the Lynchburg Citizens Academy. Her expertise spans grant writing, event creation, brand marketing, and cross-sector partnership building—all driven by a personal mission to implement accessible, high-impact community solutions.

Hayley Jones serves as the Community Engagement Coordinator at Pierce Street Gateway, where she leads community outreach and local programming to support residents in Lynchburg's Pierce Street Renaissance Historic District. A dedicated non-profit leader, Hayley was recognized as a Lynchburg Living Community Champion for her work with Pierce Street Gateway and her role as Program Director for Girls on the Run Central Virginia & Blue Ridge. 

Hayley actively contributes to local initiatives as a volunteer with the Lynchburg Area Youth Sports Initiative (LAYSi) and Livable Lynchburg. With a foundational background in international humanitarian and volunteer work, she brings a neighbor-centric, relationship-focused approach to every effort—ensuring that local community programs are inclusive, sustainable, and directly responsive to the needs of the neighborhood.

Hank Hubbard is a Lynchburg native, Dunbar High School alumnus, and Director of Development & Community Engagement for the Community Access Network. Following a 30-year executive career with Aetna Insurance Company and founding a specialized insurance firm in Florida, Hank returned to Lynchburg in 2007 to champion civic advancement. He brings extensive nonprofit board leadership—spanning Amazement Square, Lynchburg Beacon of Hope, Centra Health, and the Greater Lynchburg Community Foundation—to Pierce Street Gateway, with a dedicated focus on early childhood education and closing the achievement gap for local students. 

Dr. Charles E. Gibson III serves as Chief Engagement and Belonging Officer at Randolph College, where he leads efforts to strengthen organizational culture, support religious and spiritual life, and build strategic community partnerships. He brings nearly two decades of experience spanning higher education, health equity, human resources, and the nonprofit sector. Gibson earned doctorates from Virginia University of Lynchburg and Appalachian State University. He serves in leadership roles with several local civic and community organizations, including as president of the Gamma Nu Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. As a Pierce Street resident, he combines professional expertise with a personal commitment to strengthening his neighborhood and the broader Lynchburg community.

Dr. Gerard 'Gerry' Sherayko is the Theodore H. Jack Professor of History and Professor of Museum & Heritage Studies at Randolph College, holding a Ph.D. in History from Indiana University with nearly three decades of expertise in public history and historic preservation. He leads physical preservation efforts as Board Member and Chair of the Buildings and Grounds Committee for Pierce Street Gateway, while also serving as President of the Board of Trustees for the historic Jones Memorial Library and Commissioner on the City of Lynchburg Historic Preservation Commission.

Dr. H.C. "Cap" Eschenroeder, Jr. is a retired orthopaedic surgeon specializing in joint replacement and former Chief Medical Information Officer for OrthoVirginia. A recipient of the Virginia Orthopaedic Society’s Lifetime Career Achievement Award and the 2024 William H. Barney Award for outstanding community service, Cap has served on the boards of Centra Health, the Centra Health Foundation, and the 500-Year Forest Foundation. He applies decades of leadership in innovation and regional governance to support Pierce Street Gateway's mission. 

Nathaniel "Nat" X. Marshall is a lifelong Central Virginia resident who spent over 40 years leading Human Resources and Communications at BWXT. Holding a Doctor of Humane Letters from the University of Lynchburg, Nat has dedicated his career to civic stewardship—serving on state and regional workforce and community college boards, as well as local organizations like Lynchburg Area Youth Sports Initiative (LAYSi), Big Brothers Big Sisters, and the Johnson Health Center. He brings decades of executive leadership, workforce development, and community-first advocacy to Pierce Street Gateway.

Dwana Waugh is an Associate Professor of History at Sweet Briar College specializing in civil rights, public history, and Southern historical memory. A Lynchburg native and former Pierce Street resident, her research examines the intersections of race, politics, and education in the U.S. South. She brings deep personal ties to the neighborhood alongside academic expertise in public history and collective memory to Pierce Street Gateway. 

Elizabeth Walsh is an independent corporate director, CPA, and business executive specializing in corporate governance, enterprise risk management, finance, and technology-enabled growth. A member of the Board of Directors at Carter Bank & Trust and Audit Committee Chair of Lester Development Corporation, Elizabeth brings extensive background in financial oversight, strategic planning, and real estate investment to Pierce Street Gateway.