James H. Starkey, III Celebrated for Strengthening the MCV Foundation’s Impact at VCU Health

There’s more to philanthropic investments than seeing numbers grow.

Donor intent is paramount, and no one knows that more than James H. Starkey III, who joined the MCV Foundation as a board member in 2005 and served in several key roles, including finance and audit committee chair, board vice chair, and investment committee chair for a decade.

You knew Jim was going to be prepared, and he was going to show up, and he was going to be knowledgeable about what was going on across campus.

Keith Middleton, member, MCV Foundation Leadership Council

“He is committed to doing what’s right for the institutions we support, but more importantly he keeps his eye on the ball to make sure we honor the intent of our donors and deliver what they wanted their money to do,” said Harry Thalhimer, former MCV Foundation board chair and lifetime honorary trustee.

“He leads by example,” Thalhimer added, noting that Starkey and his wife, Judi, have made tremendous contributions across the health system and health sciences campus, for pulmonary critical care, for cancer and more.

James H. Starkey III, an MCV Foundation board member, is the 2026 recipient of the MCV Foundation’s esteemed Trani Award. Photo: Daniel Sangjib Min

For his decades of steadfast experience, Starkey is the 2026 recipient of the MCV Foundation’s esteemed Trani Award. Established in honor of Eugene P. Trani, Ph.D., who served as president of VCU from 1990 to 2009, this award recognizes exceptional dedication and support of the MCV Campus. 

Starkey is known to fellow board members as someone who tackles challenges head on. 

“You knew Jim was going to be prepared, and he was going to show up, and he was going to be knowledgeable about what was going on across campus,” said Keith Middleton, a member of the foundation’s leadership council.

Middleton said when he joined the board and later became chair of the finance and audit committee, it was Starkey who, as investment committee chair, mentored him and taught him the role and mission of the foundation in furthering care, research and education throughout VCU Health. 

“He helped me get up to speed and think through the impact of the decisions we were making,” Middleton said. “He speaks his mind and he’s passionate about doing the right thing and making things better.”

Lee Krumbein, MCV Foundation lifetime honorary trustee, said Starkey could build consensus even among a diverse group.

“Jim had the ability to distill complicated issues and information into simple terms that allowed the committee to understand the decisions it was making,” Krumbein said. “There were a lot of investment professionals and smart people on that committee, and Jim was really good at making sure everyone had a voice and felt valued.”

“The ability to do that is one of the hallmarks of great leadership, and he had it in spades,” Krumbein said. “He was one of the best investment committee chairs I’ve ever had the pleasure to work with.”