Christopher Chin, Class of 2016

Christopher Chin
VP, Operations and Organizational Development, Robins Foundation
Moseley, VA

What is new and exciting with you now or since your time with Lead Virginia?
In the start of 2018, I transitioned into a new role with the Robins Foundation, a private, family foundation serving the Richmond region for 60 years. I shifted from my current role as Senior Program Officer to take on a new position at the foundation as Director of Operations. A highlight from 2017 was serving on Virginia's School Readiness Committee and co-chairing its Professional Standards Subcommittee.   

How has your Lead Virginia experience influenced or shaped you as a leader?
Lead Virginia provided me with a much deeper appreciation for the common and unique challenges faced by diverse communities throughout the Commonwealth and reinforced my view that effective solutions must build on existing community assets and include strong cross-sector leadership and collaboration.

Since Lead Virginia, how have you put your social capital to work?
I continue to connect both socially and professionally with many of my friends and colleagues from my Lead Virginia class. It is always helpful and interesting to talk with them about ways that our work intersects and brainstorm opportunities to partner and collaborate. Of course, it is also fun to reminisce about our Lead Virginia experience together.

What did you expect from Lead Virginia going in? Did the program exceed your expectations and broaden your horizons?
My expectation was that Lead Virginia would provide me with a stronger background and understanding of the challenges and opportunities across the distinct regions of the Commonwealth along with new professional networks to support both my current work in the nonprofit sector as well as my future career aspirations. I would say Lead Virginia clearly surpassed my expectations and continues to provide many opportunities for both professional development and social networking.