CIVIC TEAM

Mary Kate Andris, Ed.D.

President & CEO

Mary Kate Andris, Ed.D., is President and Chief Executive Officer of the CIVIC Leadership Institute, where she leads the organization’s mission to foster leadership by connecting executive leaders from diverse backgrounds throughout Hampton Roads. Under her leadership, CIVIC has expanded its influence by convening senior executives and college scholars to collaborate, share knowledge, and address regional challenges through innovative solutions.

Prior to joining CIVIC, Dr. Andris served as Director of Council Partnerships for Girl Scouts of the USA, supporting more than 30 council CEOs and board chairs nationwide. In this role, she advised executive teams and board chairs on governance, strategic planning, and long-term sustainability, helping organizations navigate growth and organizational change.

Earlier in her career, Dr. Andris was President and CEO of YWCA South Hampton Roads, where she focused on strengthening philanthropic revenue, elevating brand visibility, and advancing the organization’s mission. During her tenure, the YWCA received its largest private gift to date, a $2 million unrestricted donation from philanthropist and author MacKenzie Scott.

Dr. Andris has served on various boards including the Virginia Council on Women, Habitat for Humanity South Hampton Roads, the Governor’s School for the Arts, as co-chair of the Anna Nitschmann Scholarship at Moravian University and has been recognized as an Inside Business Women in Business honoree in 2018. She holds an Ed.D. and a master’s degree in Higher Education Administration from Widener University and a Bachelor of Arts in International Management from Moravian University.

Mary Kate lives in Hampton Roads with her husband, Kevin, their two sons, and their dog, Nyx.

Kristin Stephens

Vice President of Strategic Initiatives

Kristin Stephens is a nonprofit and education leader with extensive experience in leadership development, experiential learning, and community engagement. She holds dual Master of Science degrees in Management & Leadership and in Family Financial Planning, along with a Master of Education in Instructional Design.

Before joining CIVIC, she served as Assistant Director for Experiential Learning at Old Dominion University, where she led initiatives focused on career readiness, mentorship, and internship development, strengthening pathways from college to career. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for Youth Volunteer Corps of Hampton Roads and is the founder and President of Tidewater LEAD.

Kristin has held senior leadership roles with several mission-driven nonprofit organizations, including Executive Director for Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, President of Okinawa Leadership Seminar, Education Manager for Junior Achievement, and as a faculty member with Western Governors University’s School of Business. Her commitment has been recognized with honors such as the President’s Volunteer Service Lifetime Achievement Award and the Virginia Association of Colleges and Employers’ New Professional Award.

Kristin resides in Chesapeake with her husband, a retired Naval aviator, and their two teenage sons. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, attending Broadway shows, hiking, and spending time with her family and two dogs.

Rhonda Varner

Administrative Assistant

Rhonda Varner is an accomplished leader with over 30 years of diverse experience in customer service, office management, and operational strategy execution. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from The College of William and Mary, where she cultivated her passion for communication and education. In her last position, she served the Virginia Department of Social Services as the Administrative Support Specialist for the Eastern Training Office providing support for the Learning, Training and Development Division.

Beyond her professional achievements, she is deeply committed to community leadership. She has served as Vice President for Membership and Engagement with the Parent Teacher Association at Plaza Middle School and as a mentor with the Excellence Girls Club, supporting young women in their personal and leadership development.

Most recently, she completed the Women Who Lead Professional Development Accelerator and endeavors to inspire others to live life out loud.