Having been dedicated to the Hampton Roads nonprofit community over the last 15 years, Maerine "Mimi" Mitchell earned her bachelor’s degree from Virginia Wesleyan University and her master's degree from Arcadia University in PA. Volunteerism, corporate philanthropy, and service hold profound significance for her and have played a pivotal role in initiating her professional career, including her service as an AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteer in Service to America). Currently, Mimi serves on the Habitat Virginia Board of Directors. She is a 2023 graduate of the CIVIC Leadership Institute. Additionally, she is actively working on publishing her first fiction novel for young adults. Mimi was born in New York City but currently resides in Portsmouth with her son.