Built on CareExploring and celebrating the place we all love to call home.
VOL. 307 / Built On Care
Meet this week’s guest editor, Penny Simpson Stein. As co-founder of CARE360, a Virginia-based social venture rooted in Richmond and Charlottesville, Penny is helping empower leaders to navigate a rapidly changing future shaped by AI, sustainability challenges, and social transformation. Through CARELab, CARE360’s educational initiative, she and her team are helping prepare the next generation of leaders, innovators, and changemakers through responsible AI, creativity, and human-centered leadership.
After a career leading innovation and product development teams for a Fortune 100 science and technology company, Penny shifted her focus toward building organizations and initiatives that create meaningful community impact. Her work has ranged from helping revive a woman-owned small business, to building a STEM program for a startup school, to supporting the Science Museum of Virginia and its growing environmental and educational initiatives.
After several career pivots, Penny thought she and her husband were entering an early “second act” focused on family, travel, and leisure. But as the mother of three next-generation children, she found herself drawn toward a bigger question: how do we help prepare young people to thrive — not just professionally, but as thoughtful, ethical, and deeply human leaders in an AI-driven world?
That question gained momentum after Penny met her cofounder, Dr. Ira Kaufman, at a local Encorepreneur event, where they discovered a shared passion for helping the next generation navigate a rapidly changing future. Together, they cofounded CARE360 and CARELab — an effort Penny often describes as a kind of love letter to the next generation and the future they will inherit.
CARELab focuses on helping late high school and college students unlock AI as a strategic thinking partner that expands creativity, innovation, and problem-solving. Students work alongside entrepreneurs, business professionals, and civic leaders to tackle real-world community challenges while strengthening the human leadership skills needed to guide technology wisely and create positive impact.
This July, CARELab will host two immersive summer studios, one at the University of Virginia and the second at the University of Richmond, for students interested in leadership, innovation, responsible AI, and social impact.
We’re excited to have her join us this week to share a few of her favorite Richmond discoveries.
Take it away, Penny…
The Green at the Science Museum of Virginia
If you work or live near the Science Museum of Virginia, I highly recommend taking a lunch break or afternoon walk around The Green. Let’s face it — Scott’s Addition is one of the coolest and fastest-growing parts of Richmond, but it has limited greenspace. In a world increasingly shaped by screens, speed, and constant stimulation, these kinds of community greenspaces are becoming more important than ever.
The Science Museum has already transformed portions of former parking lots into vibrant public greenspace and ultimately plans to convert more than 20 acres of its campus into native landscapes, gathering spaces, outdoor learning environments, and places for exploration and connection. Best of all, it’s free and open to everyone — you don’t even need a museum ticket to enjoy it. I honestly imagine The Green becoming something like Richmond’s own version of Central Park.
One of the things I love most about Richmond is that innovation here often starts at the grassroots level. I’d encourage Richmonders to explore our growing community composting movement through organizations like Compost RVA, which provides residential and business pickup services and community drop-off options across the region. Many people don’t realize how much food waste can be diverted from landfills and transformed into nutrient-rich compost that supports local gardens, farms, parks, and greenspaces.
Did you know that food waste makes up about 24% of material in landfills and is one of the largest sources of methane emissions — a greenhouse gas far more potent than carbon dioxide in the short term? Richmond’s composting movement is a simple but powerful example of circular thinking in action: turning waste into a community resource while strengthening our environmental ecosystem. I love that Richmond is embracing this kind of practical, community-driven innovation!
Vitals: Compost RVA / Residential + Business Composting Services / Community Drop-Off Options
Experiences That Prepare Students for an AI-Driven Future
One of the best investments we can make as a community is helping young people prepare for a world being rapidly reshaped by AI and technological change. We’re entering what I often think of as the AI-Humanity Paradox: as technology becomes more powerful, uniquely human capabilities like empathy, ethics, creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking become even more important.
That’s why I’m passionate about programs like CARELab, which help students strengthen leadership, adaptability, innovation, and purpose-driven thinking alongside technological fluency. This summer’s CARELabs at the University of Richmond and University of Virginia will bring together students, entrepreneurs, business professionals, and civic leaders to tackle real-world community challenges while exploring responsible AI and human-centered leadership.
CARELab partners with the University of Virginia Contemplative Sciences Center and the University of Richmond Innovation Studio to provide immersive, intergenerational learning experiences for late high school and college students. Through the program, students work alongside entrepreneurs, business professionals, and civic leaders while developing leadership, collaboration, strategic creativity, and responsible AI skills. Students also tackle real-world community challenges provided personally by city mayors.
CARELab studios combine human-centered leadership and mindfulness, entrepreneurship and innovation, responsible AI and prompt engineering, sustainability and social impact, design thinking, and team collaboration and public speaking. Students leave with stronger confidence, expanded leadership capability, and a deeper understanding of how to use AI and innovation to create positive impact in both career and community. Limited partial and fully sponsored seats are available!
Something Worth Barking AboutExploring and celebrating the place we all love to call home.
VOL. 306 / Something Worth Barking About
Meet this week’s guest editor, Tamsen Kingry. Tamsen is the CEO of the Richmond SPCA, a nonprofit, no-kill humane society that saves the lives of 4,000 homeless animals each year. The organization also delivers a wide range of safety-net programs — including a pet pantry, behavior helpline, high-volume spay and neuter services, crisis boarding, low-cost and full-service veterinary care, youth education, and training — reaching tens of thousands of pets and the people who love them across the region.
If you had told Tamsen during her senior year at VCU that her internship would turn into a 24-year career, she might have asked what you were feeding the animals. But that’s exactly what happened. In 2002, thanks to some serendipitous timing (and a departing communications manager), she stepped into her first full-time role at the Richmond SPCA.
Over the last two decades, she has had a front-row seat to the organization’s evolution and growth, working in communications, development, and operations before becoming CEO in 2019. Along the way, she has adopted three dogs and two cats, fostered many others, and happily played matchmaker for countless friends looking for a new companion. Outside Richmond, she serves on Best Friends Animal Society’s Network Strategy Council, collaborating with shelter and rescue leaders across the country to strengthen the future of animal welfare.
Tamsen has called Richmond home since 1999 and shares her home with her husband, daughter, and adopted dog and cat. When she’s not at the humane center, you can find Tamsen — often joined by her dog Bart — at some of her favorite spots in the Fan, including Jardin, Susie’s, Celladora, and Blanchard’s. She’s also a frequent flier at the Broad Street Lowe’s, where she never misses the chance to say hello to the one-and-only Francine.
Take it away, Tamsen …
Bark in the Park
Bart isn’t the only one in my family angling for a game of fetch. When we’re not at my daughter’s softball games, we enjoy cheering on our local baseball team, the Richmond Flying Squirrels. I was fortunate to get a sneak peek of CarMax Park (a neighbor of the Richmond SPCA) before it opened and cannot wait to catch up with Nutsy and Nutasha at the first dog-friendly game the team hosts this season.
The Flying Squirrels return home against the Binghamton Rumble Ponies on Tuesday, May 19. Bark in the Park takes place every Wednesday home game from now through September 9, so grab your furry friend and head to the ballpark. During Bark in the Park games, presented by Tito’s Handmade Vodka, a portion of proceeds from the Squirrel Chaser specialty cocktail will be donated to the Richmond SPCA.
Vitals: Binghamton Rumble Ponies, Tuesday, May 19 / Bark in the Park, every Wednesday home game through September 9 / CarMax Park, 1771 Encore Avenue
Sharp's Island
Now I’m letting you in on a well-kept secret. There’s a private island full of fascinating history near the Mayo Bridge called Sharp’s Island. The only way to access it is by kayak or canoe, which is part of the charm and adventure — and very Richmond. It’s an excellent place to access the James River and camp, offering the only legal camping within Richmond city limits.
Hollywood Cemetery is a great place to walk while taking in breathtaking views of downtown Richmond and the James River. Not many cities give you high-rises, train crossings, bridges, and rapids all in a single glance. It’s one of the things that makes Richmond unique, and I like to take advantage of that whenever possible.
I also recommend joining a History Hounds tour, a partnership between the Richmond SPCA and The Valentine Museum. You can explore the history of some of Richmond’s most iconic neighborhoods, including Church Hill and the Museum District, with your dog at your side. You’ll even get to meet a dog available for adoption.
Want to take your exploration of Richmond to the next level? Join the Richmond SPCA for our Amazing Tails Scavenger Hunt on Saturday, May 30.
Think you have what it takes to race, solve, and strategize like a pro? Inspired by The Amazing Race, this interactive scavenger hunt is your chance to compete for a cause. Gather a team and hit the streets of Carytown, tackling clues and connecting with local businesses along the way. Every step supports the lifesaving work of the Richmond SPCA — and your team could take home a prize.
Registration closes on May 20, and only 20 teams can compete, so secure your spot now. Keep tabs on all upcoming events, classes, and more at the Richmond SPCA!
Always RevolutionaryExploring and celebrating the place we all love to call home.
VOL. 305 / Always Revolutionary
It’s National Travel and Tourism Week, and there’s no better time to welcome Katherine O’Donnell, President & CEO of Richmond Region Tourism, as our guest editor. For more than 20 years, she has helped the region shine, turning tourism into a force for community impact. At her core, she’s a builder who believes tourism can make the Richmond Region stronger, more connected, and more vibrant.
A graduate of University of Richmond, Katherine came for school and stayed for the community. She started out creating maps and visitor guides and worked her way up to leading the organization, where she now sets the strategic vision, priorities, and long-term sustainability of Richmond Region Tourism while aligning its work with the region’s economic prosperity and quality-of-life goals. Along the way, she has championed initiatives that celebrate and support the region, including OutRVA, BLK RVA, and the launch of Virginia’s first Tourism Improvement District.
Outside of work, Katherine and her husband, Darby, are raising their two children, Norah and Henry, who are growing up immersed in the region’s tourism scene — from NASCAR and Kings Dominion to the Virginia Derby, Richmond Flying Squirrels games, and GalaxyCon Richmond.
On the weekends, when she’s not attending a local event or cheering on her kids at sports games, you’ll likely find Katherine walking her dog, Ginger, around the lake at the University of Richmond. She’s an avid reader, loves to travel, and appreciates a good spicy margarita.
We’re honored to have Katherine join us this week as she shares her tips for exploring and celebrating this place we all love to call home.
Take it away, Katherine…
India's Great Mughals: Art, Power, and Opulence
I can’t wait to check out India’s Great Mughals: Art, Power, and Opulence at Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, which opened last week. The exhibition brings together more than 200 stunning works — from jeweled objects to textiles and manuscripts — and offers a glimpse into the richness and global influence of the Mughal Empire. It’s exactly the kind of world-class experience that makes the Richmond Region so special.
One experience I always recommend is seeing a reenactment at St. John's Church. It’s a powerful way to step right into the moment of Patrick Henry’s famous “Give me liberty or give me death” speech. It’s also part of the new Always Revolutionary digital trail, which highlights the people and places across the Richmond Region that helped shape our nation’s story. With events, exhibitions, and experiences happening through 2026 to commemorate the 250th anniversary, it’s a great way to explore the region’s history in a meaningful, immersive way.
Vitals: St. John's Church / Summer Sundays — May 24 through Sept. 6 / 2401 East Broad Street
Discover Richmond Tours
If you have friends or family in town, or are simply looking for an adventure in your own backyard, Discover Richmond Tours offers fun walking food tours, brewery tours, and scavenger hunts that reveal the neighborhoods, flavors, and stories of RVA. With tours focused on pizza, ice cream, offbeat history, and more, there’s something for everyone.
Vitals:
Tours take place throughout the week – pre-registration is required / Discover Richmond’s website includes a calendar with locations
More About Richmond Richmond Tourism.
At Richmond Region Tourism, we get to tell the story of this place we all love, inviting visitors who support the businesses and experiences that make our community so special. We represent seven localities across the Richmond Region, and we see every day how tourism strengthens our economy, supports small businesses, and builds pride in where we live. It truly is a force for good.
With National Travel and Tourism Week taking place May 3–9, it’s a great moment to recognize the impact of travel here at home. The Richmond Region continues to outperform state and national trends, and in 2025 alone, we welcomed 19.1 million visitors.
If you’re curious to learn more, our free I Am Tourism workshops offer a fun, behind-the-scenes look at how it all comes together and why the Richmond Region is such a vibrant, can’t-miss destination. Our next session is May 20 at Richmond Raceway.
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