Tuesday, August 15, 2023
Virginia Beach, VA – After a competitive process, the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center has selected Shandra Cummings as the new Chief of Staff. Cummings joined the Virginia Aquarium in March 2023 as the Executive Assistant to the Director and will now take on this role as the primary liaison with the City of Virginia Beach’s Human Resource department, where she will be responsible for leading the Human Resource function at the Aquarium.
“As anticipated with her positive reputation within the City of Virginia Beach, Shandra has quickly proven herself here at the Aquarium,” expressed Cynthia Whitbred-Spanoulis, Director of the Virginia Aquarium. “With her exhaustive experience, reliability, and vast understanding of the City’s department policies, she will continue to be an asset for the Virginia Aquarium, and I am excited to see what she does in her role as Chief of Staff.”
Cummings joins the Aquarium with more than 25 years of professional administrative experience both in the private and public sector. Of those 25 years, Cummings has spent 11 years with the City of Virginia Beach, working for a variety of City departments. Prior to joining the Virginia Aquarium, Cummings began her City career in the Department of Human Resources as an Executive Assistant for Regina Hilliard, Director of Human Resources. After two years, Cummings moved to the City Attorney’s Office working under Mark Stiles, City Attorney. After three years in the City of Attorney’s office, Cummings was promoted to the City Manager’s Office as Executive Assistant III. While in this department, Cummings worked with Deputy City Managers, Tom Leahy, David Bradley, and Dr. Ken Chandler.
Cummings brings a diverse professional background and industry skills from working within Information Technology, Human Resources, Legal, and Finance and is an active member of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums.
Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center
The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums. The Aquarium is also a member of World Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The Virginia Aquarium's mission is to inspire conservation of the marine environment through education, research, and sustainable practices. It is located at 717 General Booth Boulevard, just south of Rudee Inlet in Virginia Beach. Visit www.VirginiaAquarium.com for more information.
The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, supports the work of the Virginia Aquarium. The Foundation procures and maintains the Aquarium's exhibits, including the animals and habitats. It is also responsible for annual and capital fundraising, administration and funding for the Virginia Aquarium Stranding Response Program, conservation and scientific research efforts, and the Aquarium's mission-related education programs. You can be a part of our mission by making a tax-deductible donation to support our programming.
# # #
