Executive Director Emeritus

Dr. Nelda K. Pearson is Beans and Rice, Inc.’s visionary founder and Executive Director Emeritus. She served as executive director for 14 years from 1997-2011 without earning a salary. During part of this time she did so while also working full-time as a professor of Sociology at Radford University. Nelda’s volunteer efforts on behalf of low-income children and families earned her state and regional volunteer awards such as the 2000 Virginia Governor’s Community Service and Volunteerism Award, the 2006 Excellence in Virginia Government Community Enhancement Award, and the 2010 New River Valley Leading Lights Neighbors Helping Neighbors award. Nelda served as board president from 2012-2014. Upon leaving the board she was formally named Executive Director Emeritus. Nelda remains involved in special projects and initiatives as requested by the board of directors and executive director.

Executive Director

Lee Spiegel Beans and Rice, Inc.’s Executive Director.

Board of Directors