Alumna to serve as inaugural chair of new Women’s Impact Network
Sharon Darby, D.N.P. (B.S.’98, M.S.H.A.’01) has been named the inaugural chair of the newly launched VCU Women’s Impact Network.
By Kit Tindall
Sharon Darby, D.N.P. (B.S.’98, M.S.H.A.’01) has been named the inaugural chair of the newly launched VCU Women’s Impact Network.
Throughout her time – first as a VCU student, then two-time alumna, donor and retired VCU Health executive – she has demonstrated her dedication through service and leadership. She continues to be a driving force behind the creation of WIN, a network designed to unite and empower women who are passionate about shaping VCU’s future. Her appointment reflects her personal devotion to the university and her influential role in launching an initiative that aims to strengthen community and spark meaningful change.
Initially, VCU invited a group of 26 women with a strong history of service and support to join a steering committee, which met to discuss their priorities for the network and shape its mission. Darby was asked to join because of her longstanding engagement with VCU Athletics and leadership in both the VCU and local nonprofit community.
“There is a special kind of engagement you see from women who are passionate about their support of the VCU community,” Darby says. “I know there is an opportunity that we need to seize, and I had to be a part of that. The Women’s Impact Network is here to elevate VCU women to be leaders.”
Darby has never been one to sit on the sidelines. Soon after attending her first VCU basketball game, she purchased season tickets and helped build on the group now formally known as BoostHER to advance VCU women’s athletics programs through student-athlete empowerment, fundraising, fan engagement and community service. She joined the Ram Athletic Fund board of directors and eventually became the first woman to chair that board. Her commitment to fitness also moved her to serve as board chair of greater Richmond Fit4Kids, complete more than 30 half-marathons and finish two Ironman triathlons.
Darby retired from VCU Health in 2023 as the associate vice president of clinical operations at Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU. “My track record is that if I’m passionate about something, I’m exceedingly passionate about it,” Darby says. “I’ve fortuitously landed these opportunities to be the first or to trailblaze. I believe in the power of opportunity. Within WIN, we want to expand VCU’s reach to more VCU women to recognize their contributions and ignite their passions.”
After her active involvement in focus groups and the steering committee, which shaped WIN’s final form, Darby was appointed the inaugural chair. Now she is working with 20 other WIN Advisory Council members to ensure that the insights that emerged in the steering committee are used to create a program that can serve all VCU women.
WIN membership is open to anyone. Membership levels begin at a $500 annual commitment for recent VCU graduates or $1,000 for others. A portion of the gifts made through WIN will support the Women’s Impact Network Fund, which supports WIN’s strategic priorities and programming and university priorities. Members can also choose to direct up to 80% of their gift to the VCU fund(s) of their choice. Since WIN’s launch in March 2025, members have made more than $100,000 in new gifts and pledges to VCU.
WIN’s programming is designed for everyone, regardless of financial support or membership; WIN members give so that the entire VCU community can benefit from thoughtful, expert-led programming.
“WIN is a powerful community of women who are passionate about making a difference at VCU and the community,” Darby says. “Through our collective giving, we support initiatives that celebrate and connect VCU women in meaningful ways while strengthening their ties to the university. We are all about inspiring, empowering and advancing. We are igniting change together.”
Categories Alumni