We are thrilled to announce the winners of the SHRM Virginia and DC 2025 Scholarship Program!
🎉 Congratulations to Our 2025 SHRM Virginia & DC Scholarship Winners! 🎉
Out of 17 outstanding applicants, we had the privilege of selecting five winners whose passion, dedication, and commitment to advancing the HR profession truly stood out.
A huge thank you to everyone who applied, we are inspired by the talent and leadership across our HR community.:
🌟 Simonne Clay – Richmond SHRM
🌟 Ledy Espinal – Prince William SHRM
🌟 Keri Purtell – Prince William SHRM
🌟 Natalie Sigmon – Roanoke Valley SHRM
🌟 Leann Vernon – Southwest Virginia SHRM
About our winners
Simonne Clay currently serves as a Human Resources Assistant with the Virginia Department of Housing & Community Development. She is also active in Richmond SHRM, where she engages with HR professionals in her community and pursues growth in organizational psychology, benefits administration, and related HR disciplines.
Simonne’s dedication to HR is grounded in both practical experience and a passion for learning. Her scholarship will support her continued development, in earning her SHRM certification, expand her HR expertise, and contribute new insights back to her chapter and peers.
Ledy Espinal is a Senior Business Systems Analyst (HR) and an active member of Prince William SHRM, where she currently serves as Secretary and will step into the role of Programs Director in 2026. Since joining the chapter, she has been deeply involved in monthly learning meetings, networking events, and planning the Annual Summit.
With a strong commitment to mentorship, Ledy also contributes to the Mentor HR Program, preparing to guide new HR professionals as they enter the field. She has previously been honored with two Presidential Service Awards for her dedication to volunteerism and community service.
Passionate about professional growth, Ledy plans to leverage her scholarship to attend the 2026 SHRM National Conference, expanding her knowledge and bringing valuable insights back to her chapter and the broader HR community.
Keri Purtell is a seasoned HR leader currently serving as Senior Human Resources Business Partner with Prince William County Government.
She holds multiple HR credentials—SHRM-SCP, SPHR, CCP, and PSHRA-SCP—and brings years of experience in workforce planning, employee relations, and organizational development to her role.
In her local SHRM community, Keri also serves on the Board of Prince William SHRM as its President, leading chapter initiatives, volunteer engagement, and programming for HR professionals in her region.
As a scholarship recipient, Keri plans to use this opportunity to further expand her HR expertise, attend national-level conferences, and bring fresh insights and best practices back to strengthen her chapter and the broader HR community across Virginia & DC.
Natalie Sigmon currently serves as Director of Talent Recruitment & Retention at Blue Eagle Credit Union. She also holds the role of Southern District Director for SHRM Virginia and DC.
With a strong commitment to both regional and chapter-level HR leadership, Natalie is known for her dedication to talent development, recruitment strategies, and retention practices. She actively contributes to the HR community in the Roanoke Valley by sharing insights, organizing events, and supporting peers.
Natalie plans to use this scholarship opportunity to further sharpen her expertise, attend industry conferences, and bring new perspectives and resources back to her chapter and district. Her leadership and vision continue to inspire those in her network and beyond.
Leann Vernon is a dedicated HR professional and active member of Southwest Virginia SHRM, committed to elevating the HR practice in her region. With a strong foundation in human resources, she has demonstrated leadership, passion, and service within her local chapter and broader HR community.
Leeann’s contributions include volunteering for chapter events, engaging in professional development opportunities, and supporting initiatives that strengthen networking, learning, and mentorship. She embodies the values of collaboration, continuous growth, and commitment to advancing the HR profession.
As a scholarship recipient, Leeann intends to leverage this opportunity to deepen her expertise, attend key HR conferences, and bring new insights and energy back to her chapter and fellow HR professionals across Virginia and DC.
Please join us in celebrating this year’s scholarship recipients and their commitment to professional growth!
Congratulations to our winners, and a heartfelt thank you to all who applied. Your dedication to the HR profession and your communities is truly commendable.
Desirée J. Alleyne, SHRM-CP, MBA-HR, MLAW-HR
Certification Director
