Kasia Grzelkowski
President & CEO

The leader of VersAbility Resources since 2006 grew up surrounded by books and ideas. Her parents were sociology professors who instilled in their daughter a sense of justice, engagement and obligation. Those principles and a core belief in the value of diversity only intensified as Kasia became an adult who embraced her strengths as a problem-solver committed to solutions that can only be achieved through cohesion and collaboration.

Born in Indiana and raised in Maine, Kasia graduated third in her high school class, imagining a future in space or as an engineer. Attending Cornell University, she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Government, which led to a first job in organizational consulting. That experience opened her eyes to the possibilities of urban planning and inspired her to return to Cornell to complete a graduate degree in City and Regional Planning. Before leaving, she established the university’s first conflict resolution center.

“I thrive on systems thinking and working with all three sectors of the economy and how they can come together to do more. You don’t solve problems by only working with one entity or one group. We miss out on opportunities if we don’t make connections.”

Even though Kasia had never been to Hampton, an opening in the city’s Neighborhood Office appealed to her enough to make the move south. In her four years there, she facilitated the development of the city’s strategic plan while implementing many of its initiatives and started the Neighborhood Commission, a voice for the city’s neighborhoods.

Kasia briefly worked a similar role in Washington, D.C., before transitioning to the nonprofit sector, becoming Vice President of Community Building for the United Way of the Virginia Peninsula. She reformed the Community Investment Team there, filling the seats of those who make funding decisions with diverse leaders, one of her proudest accomplishments from a role that lasted five years.

Kasia shed being a facilitator and embraced becoming a doer as CEO and President of VersAbility Resources, a multi-service organization serving more than 1,700 people with disabilities. She is the face of the organization, a tireless advocate, a liaison in multiple boardrooms and a leader in the region with a results-oriented approach to bring multiple sectors together to expand employment opportunities for people with disabilities. Under her direction, VersAbility has more than doubled its Government Contracts program that supports the U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force and generates hundreds of jobs through three national contracts and five regional contracts. No matter the program or service, the nonprofit follows a person-centered approach, prioritizing the individual and his and her likes, interests and tastes, over the disability.

Kasia has been the recipient of multiple honors and awards, including the Hampton Citizens’ Unity Commission Unity Award, Inside Business’ Entrepreneurial Excellence Award and YWCA’s Virginia Peninsula Women of Distinction Award. She was named to The Power List of 75 People Who Shape and Influence Hampton Roads and inducted into both Lead Peninsula and CIVIC Leadership Institute. At present, Kasia is a current Board member of the Virginia Chamber of Commerce and serves on the executive committees of the Hampton Roads Workforce Council and Greater Peninsula NOW.

Finding free times remains a challenge, but whenever she is able, Kasia enjoys hiking, reading and traveling abroad with her parents.

Linda Kerns
Chief Community Living Officer

Linda Kerns has a heart for improving the lives of those around her.

She was a teenager when a little-known George C. Scott TV series from the 1960s called East Side/West Side that starred the well-known actor as a passionate social worker spoke to her. At 18, she announced her intent to be a social worker in order to “make a difference,” which led her to earn an undergraduate degree in social work at East Tennessee State University.

Linda began her career developing hospital social work departments in North Carolina, Virginia, Kansas and California. She worked in Child Protective Services in Kentucky during her professional journey, roles that combined detective work with enforcer skills to keep families and children safe. “I got to experience life in a rural county with people who were not open to having social workers around. That taught me a lot about different cultures and ways of living and what living without was and what a need there is to assist and make a difference in people’s lives.”

Linda returned to Newport News where she was born and raised to develop community-based services — emergency services, case management, residential, outpatient and day support for individuals with behavioral health needs. She was the first liaison to Eastern State Hospital for people discharged into the community in need of resources for successful reentry to society. She completed her master’s in social work degree from Norfolk State University, became a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and worked at Hampton-News Community Services Board, remaining there for almost 18 years until she started at VersAbility Resources in 2005.

Her focus for the nonprofit as its Chief Community Living Officer is supporting adults with intellectual disabilities, a job that allows her to engage closely with families and individuals. She is responsible for overseeing five intermediate care facilities and three community homes as well as managing two day support programs.

“Regardless of what may be seen as a limitation, all of the individuals we support are in a position to make choices. No matter what they’re cognitive abilities are, they can all make known what their preferences are. I’m proud to be part of a staff that acknowledges and respects that.”

Linda and her husband, Rick, are proud parents of what she calls an unbelievable cat named Zoey. She’s a certified yoga instructor who enjoys the benefits of exercise and weightlifting, and is committed to both in her spare time.

Tammy Robbs
Chief Financial Officer

Numbers always made sense to Tammy Robbs, especially the rules of accounting. Starting an accounting class at Henrico High School, she mastered the book in two days, turning it in for another. By two weeks she was done with the class. While it only made sense to make a career in the field, Tammy took a circuitous route. She married at 21 and had three children over the next few years, delaying completion of her college degree until she was 36.

On the heels of her graduation from Christopher Newport University, she signed up for the CPA exam. At the time, only 5% of applicants passed on their first attempt. Tammy was part of that 5%. Her license in hand, she worked in multiple accounting roles for local businesses, achieving a director’s position until she grew interested in working for VersAbility Resources. The nonprofit has been her work home for the last 11 years.

“Everything is different every day here. I really enjoy talking to the staff and the individuals we serve. I’ve been able to experience a lot of wonderful things while I’ve been here.”

Tammy and her husband, Tim, reside in York County and are parents to three adults children. In her free time, Tammy crochets elaborate blankets, a self-taught skill via YouTube. She’s an avid board game player who enjoys Carcassonne, Settlers of Catan and Zootopia. She is also devoted to her rescue dog, Gunner.

Joe Harrow
Chief Development Officer

Joe Harrow joined VersAbility Resources in September 2022, bringing with him 35 years of business success in the banking and insurance industries.

Joe was the Virginia Regional President of Towne Insurance and formerly owned his own insurance firm in Williamsburg. He is a former Board Member and Chair of Hospice House & Support Care of Williamsburg and Historic Virginia Land Conservancy. Joe has also served on the boards of Grove Christian Outreach Center, Angels of Mercy Medical Center and Avalon Center, a domestic violence shelter in Williamsburg.

“I enjoy giving back and doing something that can have a real impact on this community and in people’s lives.”

Joe is a graduate of Randolph-Macon College. He and his wife, Leanne, reside in Williamsburg.

As Chief Development Officer, Harrow strives to raise the visibility of VersAbility and identify new sources of funding that contribute to its growth. He spends his free time with family and friends and enjoys being outdoors.

Reneé Rose
Chief Operations Officer

Reneé Rose started at VersAbility Resources as a two-week temp covering the front desk. More than three decades years later, she is the Chief Operating Officer and the nonprofit’s longest tenured employee.

Reneé grew up inspired by her great grandmother, who was legally blind but able to live independently for 14 years after her husband passed. “She helped me see how capable people with disabilities are.”

Reneé has changed hats multiple times over the years, including a three-year stint serving as a Direct Support Professional where she delighted in seeing the joy that a sense of accomplishment brought to those she worked alongside. She also found rewards in managing VersAbility’s Government Contracts program, which provides employment for people with disabilities in jobs that include ship provisioning for the Navy and providing mail room services at Langley Air Force Base.

Her affinity for numbers and knack for navigating Excel spreadsheets led her to accounting, and she assumed the role of COO in March 2020. Reneé is something of a historian at VersAbility — the go-to for any question and a leader able to bring perspective to most any situation. She touts the terrific team around her that has been flexible and positive throughout her tenure.

“It’s nice to work somewhere where you believe in its purpose, and I absolutely do. It’s a great mission. The services we provide touch a lot more people than the person with the disability. Everyone has different experiences in their lives that help shape them. We don’t provide cookie cutter services here. We provide services that help people enhance their capabilities in ways they’ve indicated they want support. To do that every day is truly amazing.”

Outside of work, Reneé enjoys spending time with her longtime partner, Ed, as well as socializing with friends and family. She enjoys reading true crime and suspense, writing poetry and playing cards. Reneé dotes on her two Shih Tzus, Rico and Duke.