Introducing VersAbility’s New Vice President of Marketing and Development: John Rodenberg
Stories are what people remember. It’s what people connect to, what moves them to action and what inspires them to give to organizations working to change the world.
That philosophy has guided John Rodenberg throughout his over 25 year career in fundraising and is what he brings to VersAbility Resources as the organization’s Vice President of Marketing and Development.
“I knew right away VersAbility was going to be a great fit for me at many levels,” John said after joining the Hampton-based nonprofit in 2024. “The mission is clear: we are focused on people with disabilities. Having a clear mission – a clear drive to who we serve and how we serve them – is paramount to the success of the organization and my work as a fundraiser.”
And what John knows is how to successfully fundraise.
Before joining VersAbility, John served as Vice President of Foundation at United Way South Hampton Roads, Vice President of Mission Implementation for CCH, a national senior housing organization, and Director of Development for DSF, an educational foundation.
John studied at the Drucker School of Management at Claremont Graduate University in California, received a certificate in Fundraising Management from Indiana University, earned a Master of Divinity from Lexington Theological Seminary and Bachelor of Arts from Texas Christian University.
Having lived outside of the United States for 12 years and travelled extensively all over the world, John has a passion for removing the barriers which often divide and separate humanity. He has worked with the poor in India, Africa and Appalachia and believes all people have worth and dignity.
“VersAbility Resources is rapidly becoming a national non-profit and making our model and service and footprint even larger,” John said. “I’m excited about how we build on our wider audience and our identity.”
Building, he said, “begins close to home in ensuring we are good and clear in our message, in our story.”
John is married to Dr. Tamara Nichols Rodenberg, President of Higher Education and Leadership Ministries. They have two children. John and Tamara love all activities in the beautiful outdoors of the Virginia Peninsula, most notably cycling, kayaking and hiking.
