Heather Burnett Gold, Class of 2006

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

What was the 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. read more>

Rex Hammond, Class of 2006

President & CEO
Lynchburg Regional Chamber of Commerce
Lynchburg

What is new and exciting with you now or since your LEAD VIRGINIA class year?

To say the least, the past few years have been busy and rewarding. Our Chamber is offering international trips to our members and residents to emphasize the importance of cultural awareness in expanding business and tourism opportunities with many countries all over the world. As a result, I was part of delegations that have toured China (twice), Italy and Israel in the past two years; our Chamber will be touring Ireland, Spain and China in 2012. In September, I began my pursuit of a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) degree from the University of Manchester (UK). I am wrapping up my first semester of the program, which has been extremely challenging and beyond difficult; meeting this year’s cohort of students from all over the world has been incredibly interesting and enlightening. Last year, our Chamber earned Five-Star Accreditation from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the highest distinction awarded to state and community chambers in America; we are one of 30 of the 7,000 chambers in the Nation to have earned Five-Star Accreditation, twice. Also last year, supporters of the US29 Bypass of Charlottesville broke through a 15-year stalemate when a succession of political events occurred that put the beleaguered project back into VDOT’s long-range plan. Recently completing its second full year of operation, Amtrak’s new Lynchburg to Washington to Boston service shattered ridership projections and continues to perform as one of the fastest-growing rail links in America. These highway and rail initiatives had been Chamber priorities for more than 10 years. This year, the Chamber will embark on a capital fundraising campaign for a new building and location at the intersection of US29, US460 and US501. I just completed my year as Chairman of the Board of Institute for Organization Management, a national professional development program offered by the U.S. Chamber at the University of Georgia. I continue to serve as Chairman of the Board for Fringe Benefits Incorporated, a for-profit subsidiary of the American Chamber of Commerce Executives. Most importantly, my parents are healthy and my children are growing up, now 9, 10 and 12.

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Amy Nisenson, Class of 2006

What is new and exciting with you now or since your LEAD VIRGINIA class year?

Since my LEAD VIRGINIA experience in 2006, I have changed jobs and am currently working in two roles as the Executive Director of the Mary Morton Parsons Foundation and in a consultative role to small and emerging nonprofits in the Richmond area. The Mary Morton Parsons Foundation provides financial support principally for capital projects for organizations in the Commonwealth of Virginia exempt from taxation under the Internal Revenue Code. As Executive Director, I am responsible for the day to day operations of the $85 million foundation and the due diligence and allocation of $3-4 million in grants annually. In my consultation business, I offer a variety of services business including strategic planning, group facilitation, board development, and resource development and fundraising. In addition, I offer consultation in the area of corporate community engagement, working to develop community engagement strategies and programs that support and further business objectives.

 

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