Elaine Fogliani was born and raised in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. After graduating from Radford University, Elaine proudly served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Micronesia where she taught English as a Second Language. After earning her master’s degree and a Ph.D. from the School of Education at the University of Virginia, she taught in secondary, middle, and elementary schools in three school districts in Virginia; Shenandoah County, Orange County, and Albemarle County. She was honored to serve as an assistant principal in Albemarle County and this experience gave her insight in the significant role school level leaders play in the success of schools and their students. She went on to serve as Assistant Superintendent for the Town of West Point Schools, a nationally recognized school district in Virginia, and then as the Superintendent of Schools in Westmoreland County, Virginia.
She spent seven years at Longwood University as the Executive Director of the Southside Virginia Business and Education Commission and collaborated closely with employers and Virginia’s Community College system to create a blueprint for a workforce development system for Virginia. Returning to her love of teaching and mentoring, Fogliani served on the faculty of the School of Continuing and Professional Studies at the University of Virginia and as the Executive Director of Women Education Leaders in Virginia (WELV). Fogliani’s many years of leadership in education received recognition when she was selected as the Virginia Region III Superintendent of the Year and when UVa honored her with its Outstanding Superintendent Award.
She lives near Gordonsville, Virginia, with her husband, Doug and enjoys gardening and supporting the Thomas Jefferson Garden Club. She also loves the theater and is a long supporter of Four County Players, acting, directing, serving on the Board of Directors, and serving as the President of the non-profit arts group.