{{Short description|American politician (born 1978)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=November 2024}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Danny Avula | image = Danny Avula - Mayo Island, Richmond - 9-9-25 (25) (cropped).jpg | caption = Avula in 2025 | office = 81st Mayor of Richmond | term_start = January 1, 2025 | term_end = | predecessor = Levar Stoney | successor = | birth_date = {{birth year and age|1978}} | birth_place = Hyderabad, India | death_date = | death_place = | party = Democratic | education = University of Virginia (BA)<br>Virginia Commonwealth University (MD)<br>Johns Hopkins University (MPH) }} '''Danny Avula''' (born 1978)<ref>https://richmondfamilymagazine.com/community/profiles/essential-leader-danny-avula</ref> is an Indian-American public health professional and politician who is the mayor of Richmond, Virginia, following his victory in the 2024 election. He is a member of the Democratic Party, and as an Indian-American, is the city's first Asian-American mayor.
== Early life and education == Avula was born in Hyderabad, India, and immigrated with his family to the United States a year after he was born. His father joined the U.S. Navy and his family lived in California until Avula's late elementary school years. After his father retired from active duty, both his parents spent their careers working for the Department of Defense.<ref name="mw-2024">{{Cite web |date=April 8, 2024 |title=Meet Dr. Danny Avula - Dr. Danny Avula for Richmond Mayor |url=https://dannyformayor.com/bio/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3qmf0b3f9pvK2_Vjcxb2LDISPg8_jC58CueAcurnNkirgpJ2pk2DtaDHY_aem_ZmFrZWR1bW15MTZieXRlcw |access-date=November 7, 2024 |language=en-US}}</ref> He grew up in Northern Virginia.<ref name="Roop-2020">{{Cite web |last=Roop |first=Jason |date=December 29, 2020 |title=Richmonder of the Year |url=https://www.styleweekly.com/richmonder-of-the-year/ |access-date=November 7, 2024 |website=Style Weekly |language=en-US}}</ref>
Avula attended the University of Virginia studying biology for his undergrad, graduating when he was 19.<ref name="Roop-2020" /> He then attended medical school at Virginia Commonwealth University to become a pediatrician.<ref name="McNamee-2024">{{Cite web |last=McNamee |first=Madison |date=September 24, 2024 |title=Meet Richmond mayoral candidate Danny Avula |url=https://www.12onyourside.com/2024/09/24/meet-richmond-mayoral-candidate-danny-avula/ |access-date=November 7, 2024 |website=WWBT |language=en}}</ref> Later, he earned a Masters of Public Health at Johns Hopkins University.<ref name="mw-2024" />
== Career == Avula gained prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic earning the nickname "Richmond's Dr. Fauci" and led vaccination efforts in Virginia.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Moreno |first=Sabrina |date=February 6, 2021 |title=One month in: How Danny Avula became Richmond's 'Dr. Fauci' and went on to lead the state's vaccination efforts |url=https://richmond.com/special-report/coronavirus/one-month-in-how-danny-avula-became-richmonds-dr-fauci-and-went-on-to-lead/article_f41c0891-05bd-5d5e-a6fb-5c73ac776cf0.html |access-date=November 7, 2024 |website=Richmond Times-Dispatch |language=en}}</ref> He previously served as director of the Health District covering Richmond and Henrico County.<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 6, 2024 |title=A look at Richmond's projected mayoral winner, Dr. Danny Avula |url=https://www.wric.com/news/local-news/richmond/a-look-at-richmonds-projected-mayoral-winner-dr-danny-avula/ |access-date=November 7, 2024 |website=WRIC ABC 8News |language=en-US}}</ref> In 2020, he was named Style Weekly's Richmonder of the Year.<ref name="Roop-2020" /> He went on to be appointed Commissioner of Social Services for the Commonwealth of Virginia by Governors Ralph Northam and Glenn Youngkin.<ref name="McNamee-2024" />
Avula announced his campaign for mayor of Richmond, Virginia, on April 10, 2024.<ref name="Moreno-2024">{{Cite news |last=Moreno |first=Sabrina |date=April 10, 2024 |title=Danny Avula announces run for Richmond mayor |url=https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2024/04/10/danny-avula-richmond-va-mayor |work=Axios}}</ref> On November 5, 2024, Avula won the 2024 Richmond mayoral election becoming mayor-elect of the city.<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 7, 2024 |title=Richmond mayor-elect Danny Avula shares his outlook for the city |url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/richmond-mayor-elect-danny-avula-012302113.html |access-date=November 7, 2024 |website=Yahoo News |language=en-US}}</ref> Avula was sworn in on January 1, 2025, making him the city's first immigrant mayor.<ref name="Moreno-2024" />
== Personal life == Avula is married to Mary Kay, a Richmond Public Schools elementary school teacher. He and his wife have five children.<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 15, 2020 |title=Essential Leader Danny Avula – Richmond Family Magazine |url=https://richmondfamilymagazine.com/community/profiles/essential-leader-danny-avula/ |access-date=November 7, 2024 |website=richmondfamilymagazine.com |language=en-US}}</ref> One of their children is adopted.<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 5, 2020 |title=Why children in Virginia's foster care system need a loving family more than ever |url=https://www.wtvr.com/community/why-children-in-virginias-foster-care-system-need-a-loving-family-more-than-ever |access-date=November 7, 2024 |website=CBS 6 News Richmond WTVR |language=en}}</ref>
He serves on the board of the Medical College of Virginia Foundation and previously chaired the Richmond Memorial Health Foundation.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Danny Avula, M.D. {{!}} Medical College of Virginia Foundation |url=https://www.mcvfoundation.org/about/board/danny-avula-md |access-date=November 7, 2024 |website=www.mcvfoundation.org |language=en}}</ref>
== References == {{reflist}}
{{s-start}} {{s-off}} {{s-bef|before=Levar Stoney}} {{s-ttl|title=Mayor of Richmond|years=2025–present}} {{s-inc}} {{s-end}}
{{Mayors of US State Capitals}} {{Mayors of Richmond, Virginia}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Avula, Danny}} Category:1978 births Category:21st-century mayors of places in Virginia Category:American mayors of Indian descent Category:Indian emigrants to the United States Category:Johns Hopkins University alumni Category:Living people Category:Mayors of Richmond, Virginia Category:University of Virginia alumni Category:Virginia Commonwealth University alumni Category:Virginia Democrats Category:Politicians from Hyderabad, India Category:American people of Telugu descent