Ask A Virginia Woman

This week on Ask a Virginia Woman, I’m thrilled to be joined by Daphne Wotherspoon. Daphne is the Director of Sales for U.S. Markets in the Capitol Region at Akkodis—a global leader in digital transformation, technology modernization, and contingent staffing. With more than 20 years in technology consulting and another decade in talent acquisition, Daphne has helped clients strategically align people, processes, and technology to drive real results.Beyond the boardroom, Daphne is a force in the local tech community. She currently serves as President-Elect for Women In Technology and has held leadership roles with Dress for Success DC, STEM for Her, and previously served as WIT President in 2020–2021. Her commitment to empowering women and girls—especially in tech—is unwavering. Daphne is all about helping women connect, collaborate, and thrive.

This week on Ask a Virginia Woman, we’re joined by Jamie Lockhart, a passionate advocate for reproductive health and Executive Direcctor of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia. With more than a decade of experience in public health and policy, Jamie brings both strategic insight and a deep commitment to expanding access to care for all communities—especially those historically marginalized.In this episode, Jamie shares the journey that led her to reproductive rights advocacy, the challenges facing healthcare access in the Commonwealth, and the power of showing up—especially when the stakes are high. Tune in for a candid and inspiring conversation about policy, purpose, and the pursuit of equity.

Today I’m joined by Virginia State Senator Barbara Favola — a longtime champion for women, children, and families. Senator Favola represents the 40th District and has spent over a decade in the General Assembly fighting for progressive policies on health care, reproductive rights, education, and social justice. Her leadership has helped shape key legislation and bring critical resources to Northern Virginia and beyond. We’ll talk about her journey into public service, the battles she’s fought — and won — in the Senate, and what keeps her grounded and inspired.

Today’s guest on the “Ask A Virginia Woman” is Denise Harrington. She is a powerhouse --dedicated to education and advocacy—a woman who has spent her life breaking barriers, uplifting students, and fighting for equity in and out of the classroom. With a lifelong commitment to public education, she’s taught music, empowered English Learners, and led transformative programs in Virginia schools. A tireless advocate, she has lobbied at the state and national levels and currently serves as State Director of Advocacy for the League of Women Voters of Virginia.