Our Team

Leidra McQueen serves as the Executive Director of Lynchburg Beacon of Hope.

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Throughout her time with Beacon, she served as the Deputy Director, Director of the Office of College and Career Success, and the Future Center Director at her alma mater, Heritage High School.

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She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from the University of Virginia. Leidra is a former member of the University of Virginia’s College Advising Corps, where she assisted hundreds of students and families through the college admissions and financial aid process in Martinsville, VA. After her tenure with the University of Virginia, she transitioned to the University of South Carolina’s TRIO programs in Columbia, SC. There she continued her work in college access and student development. Ultimately, her passion for student access and success in higher education for students in her hometown brought Leidra back to Virginia in 2013.

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Through Beacon of Hope, Leidra hopes to contribute to true community transformation and irreversible impact in Lynchburg City.

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Mrs. McQueen can be reached through her email leidra@beaconofhopelynchburg.org or at (434) 941–3145.

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Macey serves as the Director of Operations and Finance for Lynchburg Beacon of Hope.

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Growing up outside of Houston, Texas, Macey moved to Lynchburg in 2019. She graduated from Texas A&M University and the University of Houston, and she has a background in health education and business. After pursuing her MBA at the University of Houston, she worked with American Cancer Society and a national service sorority.

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Macey has always been service-oriented and believes in the importance of asking the right questions to influence the lives of others. She admires the mission of Beacon of Hope because Beacon is asking the right questions to open the door for students to help create their future.

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When she isn't crunching the numbers or coordinating chaos at Beacon, she enjoys walking her dog, exploring new hobbies, and conquering house projects! Macey can be reached through her email macey@beaconofhopelynchburg.org.

Dennis Coan is the Deputy Director for Lynchburg Beacon of Hope.

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Growing up in Northwest Indiana (go Cubs!) and Jacksonville, Florida (go Jags!), Dennis has chosen Lynchburg as his hometown and has spent his entire professional career serving our community. He began his career in education, spending 14 years in middle and high schools as a social studies teacher and coach. His experience coordinating a federal GEAR UP grant sparked a passion for expanding college and career opportunities for students and shifted his professional focus beyond the classroom.

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Since joining Beacon of Hope, Dennis has served as a Future Center Director, Director of K-12 Programs, and is now Deputy Director. Drawing on his experiences across education, college and career access, and nonprofit leadership, he is committed to helping young people achieve their goals and strengthening the Lynchburg community for future generations. Dennis also serves as a board member and President of the Virginia College Access Network, where he works alongside leaders across the Commonwealth to advance postsecondary access. You can reach Dennis at 434-610-3847 or dennis@beaconofhopelynchburg.org.

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Virginia Scott is Lynchburg Beacon of Hope's Director of Communications and Development.

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Born and raised in the area, Virginia holds a degree in English from the University of Mary Washington and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Randolph College. With 13 years of teaching experience in central Virginia, she taught a range of subjects, including English and Spanish, across grades 8-12. Her roles have also encompassed leading a theater program and coaching various VHSL athletic teams during her time as a teacher.

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Recognized for her impactful work in classrooms across Amherst, Albemarle, and Greene counties, Virginia now extends her commitment beyond the classroom in her role at Beacon of Hope. A passion for holistic student development drives her and is a key motivator for building strong community connections while ensuring all Lynchburg City Schools students have access to the resources they need to shape their futures. Virginia can be reached at virginia@beaconofhopelynchburg.org.

Mikayla Harris serves as the CVCC Assistant Site Director with Lynchburg Beacon of Hope.

Mikayla earned dual bachelor's degrees in Cinema and Theatre Design from Virginia Tech and is currently pursuing a Master of Education in Higher Education Leadership and Policy at Virginia Commonwealth University. She brings experience in college access and student success initiatives through her work as a Pathways Adviser with AdviseVA, where she supports high school students in postsecondary planning, financial aid navigation, and career exploration.

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Passionate about expanding educational opportunities for young people, Mikayla is committed to helping students recognize their potential and pursue meaningful pathways after high school. She believes every student deserves access to the resources, guidance, and encouragement needed to achieve their goals and is excited to support Beacon of Hope's mission to increase educational attainment throughout the Lynchburg community.

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As a proud Lynchburg native, Mikayla is especially grateful for the opportunity to serve the community that helped shape her. Outside of her professional work, she is an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, through the Gamma Iota Omega chapter, where she continues her commitment to service, leadership, and community engagement.

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Rachel Madigan serves as the Office of College Success CVCC Site Director.

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Rachel moved to Lynchburg in 2009 and served as a teacher in the Lynchburg City Schools for six years prior to joining Beacon of Hope. She received her undergraduate degree at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona in Hospitality Management and her Master’s Degree from Hope International University in Education.

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Rachel also has multiple years of experience working with high school students as a youth leader. She has a sincere passion for students and helping them in their educational success.

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Mrs. Madigan can be reached through her email rachel@beaconofhopelynchburg.org.

Originally from Maryland, Andria moved to Lynchburg in 2012 to attend Liberty University. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Clinical Health and a Master's degree in Education. She began her career teaching science at Dunbar Middle School before later becoming an instructional coach.

During her time as a classroom teacher, Andria developed a passion for exposing students to pathways to success and led an after-school program that provided opportunities for students to learn from entrepreneurs, tour colleges, and contribute to their local community. Her commitment to students led her to join Beacon of Hope, where she continues to support them in achieving their goals.

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When she isn't working, you can find Andria at the gym, listening to 90’s R&B, or curled up with a good book.

Noah Winton serves as the Director of the Office of College and Career Success.

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Growing up in South Alabama, Noah never imagined he would call Virginia home, but now he wouldn’t want to live anywhere else! Noah began working with Lynchburg Beacon of Hope during his freshman year at college through the Middle School Heroes Program, which sparked his passion for working with students. Throughout college, Noah experienced all of Beacon of Hope’s programs and excelled as a Future Center Advisor. Then, as the director of the Future Center at Heritage High School, he worked every day to help students discover their passions and connect them with the resources they need to pursue their post-secondary dreams. All that experience with Beacon and college and career access prepared him for leading the Office of College and Career Success.

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Noah’s ultimate goal is to partner with young adults to map out what’s next in their lives and do everything he can to fuel their journey. You can reach Noah at noah@beaconofhopelynchburg.org or (434) 300-9453.

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Kara Douglas is the Future Center Director at E.C. Glass High School, where she provides comprehensive support in areas like career counseling, college applications, SAT prep, financial aid, scholarships, resume building, and interview skills.

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Previously, as a Career & Internship Counselor at the University of Lynchburg, she helped students with career planning and professional skill development. Kara also has experience as an Instructional Designer, creating impactful courses and training materials. In addition, Kara is an active member of the Leadership Lynchburg Council, where she seeks to help in the continuous advancement of our community, particularly through the development of its future leaders. Kara's diverse background in education and career services combined with her dedication to Lynchburg youth fuels her dedication to empower students, helping them achieve their educational and career goals.

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Outside of work, Kara enjoys crafting, shopping, and listening to her favorite artists (Latto, Saweetie, and Doja Cat), balancing her creative side with her dedication to education. Kara can be reached at kara@beaconofhopelynchburg.org.

Patty Worsham is a special advisor to the Future Center at E. C. Glass. Patty retired from the English department at Glass after a 46-year career. Her love of young people and all things E.C. Glass make this her “dream job” in retirement.

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After graduating Summa Cum Laude from Lynchburg College in 1976, Patty started working at Glass. She then went on to earn an M.A. in English and later became the first teacher in Lynchburg City to become a National Board Certified Teacher. She estimates that she taught close to 6,000 students during her time at E.C. Glass. In addition to serving as English department chair, Patty sponsored The Mercy Care Council and formed a sister school relationship with the Mercy Care Center, a school in the slums of Nairobi, Kenya. She was fortunate to volunteer at the school several summers and, in 2008, took twenty students from Glass to volunteer and travel in Africa. An avid traveler, Patty chaperoned over twenty European trips for Glass students.

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Patty has received several awards for her work with students and the Holocaust Education Foundation, including The VCIC Humanitarian of the Year Award, The YMCA Academy of Women Award, and most recently, The Seed of Hope Award from the Interfaith Outreach Association. She has been Teacher of the Year for E.C. Glass and Lynchburg City Schools and a Regional Teacher of the Year for the state of Virginia.

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Patty is married to the artist Charles Worsham; they have two sons and four grandchildren. Next to spending time with family, especially her adorable grandchildren, Patty enjoys traveling, reading, and walking on Blackwater Creek trails.  

Erin serves as a Programs Coordinator, working closely with our Office of College and Career Success for Lynchburg Beacon of Hope.

Originally from Missouri, Erin moved to Lynchburg in 2021. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Liberty University and is currently pursuing her Master's in Clinical Social Work, bringing a diverse background of social services, healthcare, and education to her role at Beacon. Throughout her life and academic experience, Erin  has developed a passion and interest in helping direct those she serves towards their goals, whether that be traditional students or young adults searching for their right next step outside of college. Before becoming a formal member of the Beacon of Hope team, she interned at E.C. Glass' Future Center, where the Hilltoppers benefited from her guidance, advocacy, and meaningful support.

Erin can be reached through email at erin@beaconofhopelynchburg.org or (434) 941-7873.

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