Pam Northam

As First Lady of Virginia, Ms. Northam utilized her background as a pediatric occupational therapist and science educator to lead the Northam Administration’s initiatives to expand access to quality early childhood care and education from 2018 to 2022. During her tenure, over $340 million in new funds were dedicated to Virginia’s early education system, including $42.9 million from innovative federal preschool development grants. Under her leadership, the Virginia Preschool Initiative's funding more than doubled, and the program expanded to serve a record 25,000 students, including three-year-olds for the first time. The Virginia Child Care Subsidy program's participation also increased from 21,000 to over 30,000.

Previously, Ms. Northam served as the community outreach coordinator for the environmental nonprofit Lynnhaven River NOW, where she led advocacy and outreach programs to promote sustainability among homeowners, congregations, and businesses. Before joining the organization, she taught high school biology and became a nationally recognized science specialist, developing an inquiry-based, hands-on curriculum for K-5 students.

Mrs. Northam has chaired both the Virginia Children’s Cabinet and the Virginia STEM Education Commission. She is a board member of the innovative E3 School in Norfolk, Eastern Virginia Medical School, and serves in Public Relations and Education at the Elizabeth River Project’s new Ryan Resilience Lab.