2025 40 Under 40 Winners

Payton has consistently met or exceeded her annual fundraising goals over the past five years, securing an average of $2 million per year and over $3 million from new major donors in FY25 alone. She played a critical role in raising over $70 million toward the $100 million goal for the Children’s Inpatient Tower, a transformative capital project at Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU. 

Payton successfully secured a $2 million outright gift to establish a new endowed chair for the Center for Inherited Myology Research, attracting a donor entirely new to the organization. She developed and manages the Community Internship Program at Children's Hospital Foundation, an immersive donor engagement initiative that has attracted 88 participants and inspired several six- and seven-figure gifts. 

Like many in this field, I fell into philanthropy somewhat by accident. After undergrad, I was planning to attend law school and was looking for a temporary, but meaningful, job in the meantime. Through a longtime friend and board member, I was introduced to development work at VCU Massey Cancer Center. I started in fundraising events and eventually transitioned into major gifts, and I haven’t looked back. I quickly realized that philanthropy offered everything I was looking for: purpose, connection, and the ability to make a lasting impact. What began as a short-term role has grown into a deeply fulfilling career.

I chose healthcare philanthropy because it combines purpose and people. I love working alongside physicians and research faculty to help bring their ideas to life, whether it’s advancing a new treatment or expanding access to care. I’m equally inspired by the opportunity to connect with patients and families who want to honor their medical journeys in meaningful ways. No two days in fundraising are ever the same, and that constant energy keeps me engaged and motivated. It’s incredibly rewarding to be a bridge between medical innovation and the generous people who make it possible.

A pivotal moment in my career came in 2022, when I left VCU Health System’s development team to join the fundraising shop at Children’s Hospital Foundation. I had been part of VCU in one role or another since 2010, so it was a big move, both professionally and personally. What made the transition exciting was the opportunity to stay connected to VCU and the medical campus, while expanding my focus into pediatrics. It’s been incredibly meaningful to support the opening of the region’s first inpatient children’s hospital and to be part of a mission that directly impacts the lives of kids and families across Central Virginia.

My greatest passion is helping people feel connected to something larger than themselves - whether that’s a cause, a community, or a personal legacy. In healthcare philanthropy, I get to channel that passion every day by connecting donors to opportunities that truly matter. I love translating complex medical ideas into easy-to-understand formats, and it’s deeply fulfilling to help families honor their journeys or support research that could change lives.

Don’t be afraid to take on opportunities that challenge you or even scare you, that’s where the most meaningful growth happens. Whether it’s making your first big ask, speaking up in a meeting, or learning a new area of medicine, leaning into discomfort is often where confidence and competence are built. Healthcare philanthropy is complex and ever-evolving, but if you stay curious and open to growth, it’s incredibly rewarding.