The Richmond Jewish community is celebrating an exciting moment as Nicoletta Shapovalova, a dedicated teen leader from BBYO Eastern Region: Virginia, has been announced as a candidate for International N’siah, the top leadership position in the global B’nai B’rith Girls (BBG) movement.
BBYO receives funding from the Jewish Community Federation of Richmond's Annual Campaign.
Shapovalova’s candidacy represents a significant point of pride for Richmond, highlighting the strength and growth of the area’s Jewish teen community. As BBYO continues to expand across the country and around the world, local leaders say her selection places Richmond on the international stage in a meaningful way.
A Source of Pride for Richmond’s Jewish Community
BBYO—one of the world’s largest pluralistic Jewish teen organizations—now reaches more than 65,000 teens across 63 countries each year, and includes a growing number of teens throughout Greater Richmond and Central Virginia. The movement is experiencing remarkable momentum, including a 19% rise in U.S. membership, signaling a strong resurgence in Jewish teen engagement nationwide.
The organization has also deepened its investment in teen leadership development. In 2025, BBYO announced the creation of the Miller Institute for Democracy, made possible by a $2.5 million endowment. The Institute strengthens programming that helps teens build skills in civic engagement, media literacy, and public discourse—skills central to the N’siah role Shapovalova now seeks.
For Richmond families, educators, and youth advisors, Shapovalova’s candidacy signals the continued success of a community committed to raising strong Jewish leaders.
About Nicoletta Shapovalova
Known across Eastern Region: Virginia for her warmth, creativity, and commitment to Jewish values, Shapovalova has distinguished herself as a leader who builds community and elevates the voices of her peers. Her candidacy for International N’siah places her among the most influential teen leaders in the global BBG movement.
If elected, she would take a gap year and travel the globe, leading programming and priorities for tens of thousands of Jewish girls—an extraordinary opportunity for a teen from Richmond and a testament to the strength of local BBYO chapters.
What Comes Next
Shapovalova will present her platform and vision at BBYO International Convention, starting later this week and welcoming over 5,000 Jewish teens to gather from across the globe. The Richmond delegation is among the largest in many years to the Convention. The election for the 82nd International BBG Board is a cornerstone of BBYO’s long-standing practice of youth-led leadership and programming.
Regardless of the election outcome, Shapovalova’s candidacy marks a proud milestone for Richmond, highlighting the city’s rising role within the global Jewish teen movement.
Hayden Newman Running for International Board
In addition, Richmonder Hayden Neuman is a candidate for the BBYO international Board as Grand Aleph Moreh, leading engagement and membership building throughout the order. He has been the President of Monarchs AZA #2534 for the past year. While this position would not take a gap year, it is significant as he would be involved in running a variety of Summer Programs and training.
With Neuman seeking the office, this also adds to the local BBYO Chapter gaining international recognition.
Editor's Note: While our local BBYO teens were not elected, a big Mazel Tov for both to step forward and seek leadership positions and recognition for the Chapter..