Heather Burnett Gold, Class of 2006

Heather Burnett Gold
CEO, HBG Strategies, LLC
Loudoun, VA

What is new and exciting with you now or since your time with Lead Virginia?
Since I went through my Lead Virginia class, I have become more involved in broadband deployment and in understanding its importance, in particular, to rural economic development. While I did this through my former position, I am now more focused on working with entities that can impact rural broadband and helping them understand how to change the rural deployment equation.

How did Lead Virginia shape you as a leader?
By getting to tour the Commonwealth, I was able to see that many of the benefits we take for granted in Northern Virginia are not available everywhere. Lead Virginia also showed me that there are committed leaders who will work for change across the state.

Since Lead Virginia, how have you put your social capital to work?
I was part of Governor Kaine’s Broadband Roundtable where I used my fellow alumni to connect as we toured the state. I also work with many individuals across different industries and geographies, trying to achieve more vigorous broadband deployment.

What were your expectations of Lead Virginia prior to beginning the program? Did the program exceed or meet your expectations?
Prior to beginning the program, I didn’t really have any expectations, so everything was a plus. Getting to meet committed people from around the state was wonderful!

What was your biggest takeaway or lesson learned from Lead Virginia that continues to stick with you today? 
My biggest takeaway was that you need to reach out to a lot of people to make change truly successful.