Board of directors 

About us

Christine Costello

Christine Costello

President/CEO

Christine grew up in Rockingham County, VA. She is a wife and mother to two boys. She was adopted as an infant. She and her husband adopted their children from the foster care system in 2018. She attended Virginia Tech and has her Bachelors of Science degree in Business Management. She previously managed numerous operations teams for manufacturing companies before becoming a stay at home mom. She and her husband are current foster parents and know first-hand the situation for children entering foster care and foster families. 

In her spare time, she enjoys working out, reading, and spending time with her husband and children. 

Charity Trissel

Charity Trissel

Vice President - Community Outreach

Charity has deep family roots in Rockingham County dating to the early 1700’s.  She has a bachelor’s degree in nursing and is currently pursuing a master’s degree at James Madison University.  She is employed at a local hospital.  Charity has been married to her biggest supporter, Cory for 20 years and together they have 3 biological children, run a farm, and are active foster parents.  Knowing first hand the struggles, commitment, and compassion surrounding foster care she spends her extra time volunteering with her church, local families, and organizations near to her heart.  She has an adopted niece and nephew and sees firsthand the needs in the community.

Enjoying the outdoors, volunteering, traveling, and spending time with family are her biggest joys in life.

“Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.  Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.  As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.”  1 Peter 4:8-10

Kristina Ferrara

Kristina Ferrara

Vice President - Marketing

Kristina grew up on Long Island, NY and now lives, works, and studies in Massachusetts. Foster care and adoption have a special place in her life as both her grandmother and mother were in the foster system as children in New York. Kristina is a Director of Product Management and Customer Experience for Staples e-commerce websites and is currently pursuing her MBA at UMass Boston. 

For fun, Kristina enjoys camping, crafting, home improvement, golfing, skiing, and spending time with family, friends, and her dogs Siena and Tocarra.

John Costello

John Costello

Secretary

John grew up in Massachusetts. He and his wife adopted their children from the foster care system in 2018. He has a Bachelors of Mechanical Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology and a MBA from the University of Florida. Presently, he works full-time as a client executive in the energy industry. 

In his spare time, he enjoys home projects, movies, reading, watching the Patriots/ Red Sox and spending time with his family. 

Danielle Sponaugle

Danielle Sponaugle

Director of Community Engagement

Danielle has lived in the Valley her whole life. Starting her college career studying nursing, Danielle was lead down a different path and found a love in the real estate industry. Before college, Danielle worked at Rockingham County Parks and Recreation as an After School Program Site Director as well as at Sentara Wellness Center working with children. Danielle has been working with Blue Ridge Foster Love since it’s early days. When Danielle is not assisting her clients with their real estate goals, she is with her family or playing with her two dogs, Charlie and Cooper.