Lead Virginia Class of 2025

2025 Class Profile

Our Program


A Diverse Group of Leaders

Each year the Lead Virginia class comprises a diverse group of more than 50 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.

Jon Arena
Vice President and Chief Counsel
HII-NNS
Newport News 

Mark Banks
Director of Regulatory Affairs
Columbia Gas
Chester

Antoine Banks
Director of Government & Regulatory Affairs
Comcast Cable - Beltway Region
Henrico

Lindsey Bertozzi
Assistant Vice President, International Trade
Virginia Economic Development Partnership
Richmond

Tiffany Boyle
Commissioner of the Revenue
City of Newport News
Newport News

Danya Bushey
Vice President, Corporate Communications & Public Relations
Sentara
Virginia Beach

Michelle Butler
EVP, Director of Private Banking
TowneBank
Suffolk

Susan Carroll
President, Inova Loudoun Hospital/Senior Vice President Inova Health System
Inova Loudoun Hospital and Inova Health System
Leesburg

Bob Clark
President/CEO
Baskervill
Richmond

Katie Conner
Senior Destination Development Manager
Virginia Tourism Corporation
Richmond

Kim Davis
Executive Director
Friends of Southwest Virginia
Abingdon

Michael Dawson
Vice President, Project & Development Services
JLL
Richmond

Rachael Deane
Chief Executive Officer
Voices for Virginia's Children
Richmond

Dr. Yvette Dorsey
Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs
HCA
Richmond

Eric Fiening
Vice President
Whiting Turner
Herndon

Bree Fouss
Account Director
Accenture
Arlington

Peter Garvey
Vice President - Growth Officer - Mid-Atlantic
Dewberry
Fairfax

Dr. Zenora Gay
Manager, Web Applications & Integrated Solutions
Norfolk State University
Norfolk

Dr. Nanette Graham
Associate Vice President Health Sciences
Germanna Community College
Locust Grove

Paul Gravley
CEO
Didlake
Manassas

Chris Gullickson
Director, Development Engagement
Port of Virginia
Chesapeake

Kristy Hall
Vice President of Financial and Administrative Services
Mountain Empire Community College
Big Stone Gap

Renee Hamilton
Executive Leader
Transportation and Tolling
Fairfax

Kate Hanger
Executive Director
Virginia Victim Assistance Network
Henrico

Quinton Harrell
Founder
Heritage United Builders
Charlottesville

Emily Hartka
Co-founder/Director
Charlottesville Ballet
Charlottesville

Dan Hayes
Executive Director
Community Foundation of the Dan River Region
Danville

Sheila Heaphy
Vice President, Public Sector Business Strategy and Development
Anthem BCBS
Ashburn

Jake Holmes
External Affairs Manager
Applachian Power
Glade Spring

Alan Hutson
Chief Administrative Officer
Gateway Homes
Richmond

Dante Jackson
Vice President, Manager of Institutional Initiatives and Strategy
Atlantic Union Bank
Glen Allen
 
Dr. Deborah Jonas
Vice President & Practice Director
Westat
Rockville

Cassie Jones
Associate Vice President of University Marketing and Communications
Averett University
Danville

Chris Jones
Director of Consulting Services
CGI, Inc.
Richmond

Genna Kasun
Associate Vice Chancellor of Marketing & Communications
University of Virginia’s College at Wise
Wise

Ashley Kelly
Vice President of Outpatient Services
Bon Secours Mercy Health
Richmond 

Craig Kotarski
Principal
Timmons Group
Charlottesville

Tyler Lake
Director, Strategic Planning and Regulatory Affairs
Virginia Natural Gas
Virginia Beach

Chris Layne
Market President
Blue Ridge Bank
Richmond

Matthew Lewis
Principal
2RW
Charlottesville

Angelika Matczak
President & CEO
SBA Home NC
Danville

Lauren Mathena
Director of Economic Development & Community Engagement
Mid-Atlantic Broadband Communities Corporation
South Boston

Susan McCulloch
Division Director of Housing & Development
City of Danville
Danville

Keith McKenna
Market President - Virginia West
Truist Bank
Richmond

Sean O'Hara
Economic Outreach Analyst
The Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond
Richmond

Chelsea Olivieri
Managing Director
Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center
Virginia Beach

Andrew Palmer
Vice President
The Lester Group Inc.
Martinsville

Fred Parry
Director - Federal Energy Solutions (FES) - Business Operations
Dominion Energy
Alexandria

Dillon Porter
Vice President, Western Virginia 
Hourigan
Charlottesville 

Casey Roberts
Executive Vice President of Strategy and Development
VersAbility
Hampton

Heidi Schlicher Cook
Senior Vice President
Old Dominion Public Affairs
Henrico

Nick Setliff
Vice President & Chief Operating Officer
First Piedmont Corporation
Chatham

Brandon Sieg
Partner
O'Hagan Meyer
Richmond

Lisa Snider
Vice President Virginia/District of Columbia
Volunteers of America Chesapeake and Carolinas
Lanham

Peter Thompson
Retirement Program Director
Commonwealth Savers Plan (Formerly Virginia 529)
Richmond

Telly Tucker
President
Institute of Advanced Learning and Research
Danville

Mallory Tuttle
Associate Director - Newport News Center & Center for Economic and Community Engagement
Virginia Tech
Newport News

Ann Wall
Deputy County Executive
Albemarle County
Charlottesville

Jennifer Wold
Managing Partner
Forvis Mazars, LLP
Richmond

Baron Wright
CEO
Upper Mattaponi Indian Tribe Technologies
King William