VCU Alumni 10 Under 10 award recipients to be honored for noteworthy achievements

By Dedrain Dennis

When families of children with developmental disabilities suddenly found themselves without support during the COVID-19 pandemic, Caitlyn Berry responded. She founded Adapt and Grow, a private therapy group that brings culturally responsive occupational therapy into homes, schools and community settings. Children could receive therapy tailored to their unique environment, improving individual outcomes and strengthening trust and resilience during an especially challenging time.

Berry, one of this year's 10 Under 10 honorees, has built her career in disability services. Her advocacy work is rooted in the belief that people with disabilities are the experts on their own lives and communities are strongest when everyone has equitable access to participation.

After earning her master's degree in occupational therapy from the Virginia Commonwealth University College of Health Professions in 2015, Caitlyn began her career at SOAR365, providing in-home therapy for young children with disabilities and developmental delays.

In 2021, Berry joined the staff of Sportable Adaptive Sports and Recreation, whose mission is to create opportunities and transform the lives of individuals with physical disabilities and visual impairments through sports and recreation. She had first connected with the local nonprofit as a student volunteer. "Service to the community was a value instilled in me at a young age. VCU, with its deep connections across the region, reinforced that value and gave me new opportunities to serve the region I've always called home," she said.

At Sportable, she led the launch of new wellness programs including mindfulness and wheelchair ballroom dance, established the Athlete Ambassadors leadership initiative and led three state-funded projects to remove systemic barriers and expand access to adaptive sports. Today, as Sportable's director of government relations, she works with state agencies, municipal leadership and policymakers to advance disability health and inclusion.

Caitlyn Berry is a lifelong Richmonder and the daughter of two proud VCU alumni. She is deeply connected to both her community and her alma mater. "VCU has always been part of my story, and I'm grateful for how it continues to shape my journey," she said.

"My passion has always been ensuring that people with disabilities have equitable access to opportunities," she said. "True inclusion strengthens our entire community and helps us all live healthier, happier lives."

On Oct. 25, Berry will be one of 10 individuals honored by VCU Alumni at its 10 Under 10 awards event, which will be held in person (invitation only). The program celebrates notable alumni who have earned their first VCU degree within the past 10 years. This year's honorees represent eight schools, seven of the honorees represent minority populations and seven are advanced degree holders.

A glance at the 2025 10 Under 10 honorees:

Jose Alcaine, Ph.D.
2016 Doctor of Philosophy
2022 Graduate Certificate

Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs

Fadel Allassan
2019 Bachelor of Arts
College of Humanities and Sciences

Caitlyn Berry
2015 Master of Science in Occupational Therapy
College of Health Professions

Stone Brickhouse
2020 Bachelor of Science
School of Business

Douglas Eck, D.P.T.

2016 Doctor of Physical Therapy

College of Health Professions

Michelle Laws, Ph.D.
2016 Doctor of Philosophy

School of Medicine, now School of Public Health

Brent Monseur, M.D.
2016 Doctor of Medicine

School of Medicine

Farhana Sakloth, Ph.D.
2015 Doctor of Philosophy
School of Pharmacy

Athira Varma Jayakumar
2020 Master of Science

School of Engineering

Olivia Wood
2018 Bachelor of Science
School of Business