By: WHF Staff

It is with both gratitude and a touch of bittersweetness that we announce the retirement of Shelby Boltz from the Williamsburg Health Foundation (WHF). After more than two decades of dedicated service, Shelby leaves a legacy that has shaped the Foundation’s work and strengthened our community’s health. 

Shelby joined WHF on October 4, 2004, and over the course of her 21-year tenure, became a trusted and steady presence across nearly every area of the organization. From operations and administration to governance, grantmaking, and public engagement, her work has consistently supported the Foundation’s mission and has made a lasting impact. 

 Shelby’s service has included: 

• • More than 5,550 workdays
  • Collaboration with every member of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees since 2004
  • Significant contributions to 85 Foundation Board meetings, in addition to hundreds of committee meetings
  • Review of 2,271 grant applications
  • Oversight of 1,842 grants, totaling nearly $106 million invested in health and well-being across the Greater Williamsburg community.  

Beyond these numbers, Shelby’s education, experience, and skill have consistently elevated the quality of the WHF’s work. She is known for her integrity, humility, discretion, wisdom, kindness, and genuine positivity. Her deep institutional knowledge and careful attention to detail have been invaluable as the Foundation has evolved throughout the years, and her sense of humor, stories, and passion for sports brought warmth to the workplace. 

While Shelby prefers little fanfare, her retirement marks a meaningful milestone for the Board and Staff alike. We are deeply grateful for the opportunity to have worked alongside someone whose presence will be deeply missed. As Shelby begins her next chapter, we wish her happiness, fulfillment, and many new adventures. 

Shelby’s contributions have left a lasting mark on the Foundation and the Greater Williamsburg community. We invite colleagues and friends to join us in celebrating Shelby’s remarkable career and to share their appreciation and best wishes for her retirement. It has truly been an honor to work with her, and she will be missed. 

 WHF is an independent private health foundation with the mission to enhance health in Greater Williamsburg. The Foundation was established in September 1996 when the Williamsburg Community Hospital and Sentara developed an affiliation agreement and later merged. This agreement included a provision for a new, locally organized, and managed Foundation to benefit community health. Since inception, WHF has awarded over $119 million in grants to improve community health and well-being.