Posted: December 9, 2011

Claudia "Dia" DuVernet has put her Ivy League education to good use: She helps those who have fallen on tough times.

In addition to a bachelor's degree in psychology from Yale, the executive vice president of The Up Center earned her master's degree in social work from Smith College. She uses her education and expertise to help those struggling with a downturn in their lives.

As a nonprofit leader, DuVernet understands the importance of running a good business while also doing good. For The Up Center, she has designed and instituted a continuous quality improvement process. She was originally hired to develop and manage an in-home counseling program, which is now one of the agency's biggest revenue-producing programs.

She has brought in more than $10 million in grant funding for the organization, advocated for and supported its child abuse prevention programs and improved the center's brand recognition.

Located in the warehouse community between Old Dominion University and the Ghent section of Norfolk, The Up Center helps more than 10,000 people a year.

"We empower people in crisis and strengthen them," DuVernet said.

The Up Center has a used book store and sells books on the Internet through Amazon, eBay and other sites. The store, warehouse and Internet sales are handled by the center's clients, who receive training. They can work with the book sales for up to six months.

DuVernet has worked for the center since 1999 when the organization was known as Child and Family Services in Portsmouth. In 2004, it combined with Family Services in Norfolk.

According to the center's president and DuVernet's mentor, Ed Welp, she was instrumental in combining the forces of the two nonprofit community groups by suggesting a merger to have more resources to serve the community. The annual operating budget was $1 million. Now it's $11 million.

Largely as a result of DuVernet's contributions to the organization, The Up Center has grown into the region's largest and most comprehensive nonprofit social serivces business, employing 80 full-time, more than 100 part-time, with seven offices throughout the region that help more than 10,000 people each year.

The name was changed to The Up Center in 2008 to avoid the misconception that it's a government agency. The name is based on its March fundraiser where participants climb the stairs of downtown's Dominion Tower.

DuVernet said that her colleagues and the work environment have helped her personally and professionally.

"There is a strong emphasis on work-life balance. There is flexibility," she said.

DuVernet's skills from her years as a therapist have helped the center, where there's a high burnout rate. She helps staffers keep their home life a priority.

For DuVernet herself, that means rising early to head to the gym.

"I have my cup of tea and then work out. That is something I do for me," she said.

- Susan Smigielski Acker