The following story originally appeared as an online exclusive for the W&M Alumni Magazine. – Ed.
Judith “Judi” Starkey has been a dedicated supporter of William & Mary for more than 15 years, especially through her involvement with the Muscarelle Museum of Art.
On May 15 during Commencement Weekend, Starkey will be inducted as an honorary alumna in recognition of her outstanding service, support, advocacy and commitment on behalf of the university. She was selected by the W&M Alumni Association Board of Directors for this distinguished award based on nominations by her peers.
Before retiring and moving to Williamsburg and then Richmond, Starkey served as president and CEO of a large business association and as an executive with a national health care company in Fairfax County, Virginia.
As a leader on the Muscarelle foundation’s board of trustees, Starkey helped shape the museum into the important cultural resource it is today. She joined the board in 2017, becoming vice chair in 2023 and chair in 2025. Under her leadership, the board embraced a three-word guiding principle — invest, inspire, influence — values that Judi exemplifies through her exceptional commitment and leadership.
While also serving as a member of the MCV Foundation board, she was instrumental in connecting the Muscarelle with the MCV Foundation and VCU Health as lead sponsors for the museum’s annual Wine & Run for the Roses fundraising auction and has been a generous sponsor herself. Starkey has hosted numerous events in the Richmond area to help promote the Muscarelle Museum of Art and has introduced dozens, perhaps hundreds, of people to the museum by bringing them to exhibitions and special events.
Starkey and her husband, James “Jim” H. Starkey III, invested in the Muscarelle’s capital campaign leading to its recent renovation and expansion as part of The Martha Wren Briggs Center for the Visual Arts; the museum’s North Skybridge will be named in their honor. They have sponsored exhibitions including “Michelangelo: The Genesis of the Sistine” and “Abstract Expressionists: The Women” and helped facilitate corporate sponsorships. In addition, the Starkeys are helping to expand the museum’s art collection through outright and planned gifts.
Her giving has been recognized with membership in three prestigious giving societies: the Fourth Century Society, the Green & Gold Society and the Chancellor’s Circle.
In nominating her for honorary alumni status, former museum board chair Tom Gillman M.B.A. ’93, P ’07, P ’18 wrote, “Judi’s love for the Muscarelle and for William & Mary is palpable, and she carries the flag with grace and passion.”