Danny Avula, Mayor of the City of Richmond; “Moderated Q&A Session’s”
Dr. Danny Avula is the 81st Mayor of Richmond, Virginia, having assumed office on January 1, 2025. A Democrat, he won the nonpartisan election in November 2024, making history as the city’s first immigrant and first Indian American mayor. He is a prominent pediatrician and public health leader who has dedicated himself to over two decades of service our Richmond community.
Danny earned a B.A. in Biology from the University of Virginia and an M.D. degree from VCU. Public Health. He also holds a Master of Public Health from Johns Hopkins University. He practiced at Chippenham Hospital and served for 12 years with the Richmond and Henrico Health Districts, including 6 years as Director, targeting health disparities, poverty, and race.
Appointed by Governor Ralph Northam in 2021 to lead Virginia’s statewide COVID-19 vaccination program, Danny moved Virginia into the top 10 most-vaccinated states. He was then appointed by Governor Glenn Youngkin in 2022 to head the state’s Department of Social Services before stepping down to run for mayor.
As Mayor of Richmond, Danny focuses on expanding affordable housing, updating zoning laws, improving City Hall’s efficiency, and boosting public school funding. Born in Hyderabad, India, he immigrated to the U.S. as a baby. He has lived in Richmond’s East End for over 20 years with his wife, Mary Kay—a Richmond Public Schools teacher—and their five children.