Lead Virginia Class of 2024

2024 Class Profile

Our Program


A Diverse Group of Leaders

Each year the Lead Virginia class comprises a diverse group of more than 45 high-performing leaders from large and small businesses, economic development agencies, elected and appointed local and state government positions, education, and nonprofit organizations across Virginia. Participants may also be volunteers or retirees.

The commonality of all participants is a willingness to contribute their time and talents effectively to meet the rapidly changing needs and challenges facing Virginia. Lead Virginia aims to cultivate their interest and statewide knowledge and to build a strong network of people with a high level of civic concern and participation.

Mr. Tony Bartlett
VP of Business Operations
Sumitomo Drive Technologies
Chesapeake

Ms. Rebecca Bennett
Vice President, Center Operations and Special Initiatives
The SkillSource Group, Inc.
Vienna

Dr. Frank Cirioni
Dean of Student Development
Germanna Community College
Fredericksburg

Mr. Thomas Cross
Director of State and Local Government Affairs
The Port of Virginia
Norfolk

Mrs. Gizelle Curtis
Senior Economic Development Market Specialist
Dominion Energy
Richmond

Dr. Mariane Doyle
Executive Director
The Center for Nonprofit Excellence
Charlottesville

Mr. Christopher Finley
AVP, Community Engagement
HCA Healthcare
Richmond

Ms. Danielle Gilbert
HR Director
ChildSavers
Richmond

Mr. Cullen Glass
Vice President, Supply Chain
Newport News Shipbuilding – HII
Newport News

Mr. Michael A. Harris
Principal Attorney
Michael A. Harris Law, PLLC
Hampton

Mr. Michael Henley
Vice President, Central Virginia
Hourigan Group
Richmond

Dr. Doug Hochstetler
Associate Dean, College of Health and Behavioral Studies
James Madison University
Harrisonburg

Ms. Suzanne Holland
Senior Regional Outreach Specialist
Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond
Richmond

Ms. Barbara Hunter
Executive Director
National School Public Relations Association
Rockville, MD

Ms. Carly Katz
Senior Director of Federal Relations
Virginia Commonwealth University
Washington, D.C.

Mr. Spencer Koger
Executive Director
Uptown Partnership
Martinsville

Ms. Emma Lugar Sellers
Associate Vice President of Philanthropy
Averett University
Danville

Ms. Alexis Majied
Chief Communications Officer
Hampton Roads Transit
Norfolk

Mr. Mathew Marry
CEO
Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association Solutions
Glen Allen

Mr. Dave Mason
Vice President
The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company
Richmond

Mr. Aaron Mathes
Senior Vice President
CGI
Richmond

Mr. Jim Miller
President/CEO TowneBank Mortgage
TowneBank
Norfolk

Mrs. Jennifer Montague
President and Chief Operating Officer
Columbia Gas of Virginia
Chester

Ms. Allison Moore
Director, Public Relations & Communications
Institute for Advanced Learning and Research
Danville

Ms. Anne Moore-Sparks
President & Chief Executive Officer
Danville Pitsylvania County Chamber of Commerce
Danville

Ms. Lisa Morgan
Market President and Wealth Relationship Director
Atlantic Union Bank
Norfolk

Ms. Shannon Murphy
Chief of Staff
Sentara Health
Virginia Beach

Mr. Grant Neely
Managing Partner
S.I.R.
Richmond

Ms. Angela Oakes
VP of Strategy
Greater Richmond Partnership
Richmond

Ms. Emily Pelliccia
Deputy Chief of Community Risk & Resilience
Albemarle County Fire Rescue
Charlottesville

Ms. Shannon Pierce
Vice President, Strategy & Chief Administrative Officer
Virginia Natural Gas
Virginia Beach

Dr. Tricia Reagan
Founder & CEO
Syncroz Language Solutions
Ashland

Mr. Scott Reamy
Manager of Electric Distribution Design
Dominion Energy
Herndon

Mr. John Richardson-Lauve
Senior Director of Community Outreach and Trauma-Informed Care
St. Joseph’s Villa
Richmond

Mr. Hassan Riggs
Chief Executive Officer
Smart Alto
Ashburn

Mr. Dan Roberts
Vice President of Research and Strategy
Virginia Tourism Corporation
Richmond

Ms. Laila Salguero
Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer
Peraton
Alexandria

Ms. Diana Schwartz
Chief Executive Officer
River District Association
Danville

Ms. Candace Vanderwater
EVP/COO
Volunteers of America Chesapeake & Carolinas
Alexandria

Mr. Dan Welsch
Director
Accenture
Arlington

Ms. Brenda Woodcock
President, Southside Medical Center and Southern Virginia Medical Center
Bon Secours Mercy Health
Petersburg