Toni Zollicoffer has been appointed chief equity officer for Fairfax County, effective Monday, Sept. 30. This role is a key component in advancing the One Fairfax policy, a racial and social equity initiative adopted by the Board of Supervisors to ensure that equity is at the core of all public policies and services. Zollicoffer succeeds Karla Bruce, the county’s first chief equity officer, who retires next week.

Zollicoffer has been with the Fairfax County Department of Family Services as the director of Domestic and Sexual Violence Services (DSVS) since May 2018, and brings over 25 years of leadership experience dedicated to improving outcomes for populations disproportionately affected in areas such as housing access, interpersonal violence and mental health to this new position. Her work has also been instrumental in embedding racial and social justice into the county’s violence interruption and prevention strategies, ensuring equitable outcomes for all residents.

As chief equity officer, Zollicoffer will lead the county's efforts to address disparities and promote fairness across all public policies and services. The One Fairfax policy aims to ensure that every resident, regardless of their background or circumstances, can fully participate in the county’s economic, social and cultural life.

“Toni’s exceptional track record in advancing equity and her deep understanding of community needs make her the ideal choice for this role. Her leadership will be crucial in continuing to move the One Fairfax policy forward and ensuring greater equity and inclusion in our community,” noted County Executive Bryan Hill. "I am happy for the overlap with Ms. Bruce, who has been one of my closest thought partners during the past seven years."

In her new role, Zollicoffer will oversee the integration of equity principles into the county’s policies and programs, collaborate with community stakeholders and provide guidance on addressing barriers to opportunity. She will also play a key role in the One Fairfax Community Roundtable, which supports the county’s commitment to equity by bringing together diverse voices to inform and shape policy.

Prior to her role with DSVS, Zollicoffer served as deputy director of victim services for the Executive Office of the Mayor in Washington, DC, and held senior positions at So Others Might Eat (SOME), Inc. Her education includes a certificate of advanced graduate studies and a master’s in clinical community counseling from Johns Hopkins University. She is also a licensed professional counselor and has been recognized for her work in social justice and community health.