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.
Mike Anderson
Vice President
Whiting Turner
Charlottesville
John Arczynski
Senior Vice President & COO
Index AR Solutions
Williamsburg
Martina Arel
Director, Economic Development & Energy Research
Mangum Economics
Glen Allen
Russ Bencks
Managing Principal
Top Line Search
Richmond
Corrie Bobe
Director of Economic Development & Regional Collaboration
Danville Regional Foundation
Danville
Jamie Booth
Vice President Client Solutions
Hourigan
Virginia Beach
Dr. Robert Brandon
President
New River Community College
Dublin
Dr. Christopher Bright
Consultant and International Affairs Specialist
Self Employed
Oakton
Connie Bruce
Associate Executive Director & COO
Virginia CEOs
Glen Allen
Denise Counce
Director of Diversity and Belonging
TowneBank
Suffolk
Kristin Creasy
President/Principal
Guernsey Tingle
Williamsburg
Brooke Davis
Chief Financial Officer
Ballad Health
Abingdon
Mike Davis
Vice President, Consulting Services
CGI
Richmond
Mike Dawson
Senior Vice President & Market Lead
JLL
Richmond
Ron Estep
Associate Vice President, Contract Operations
Didlake, Inc.
Norfolk
Bridget Fitzpatrick
Chief Operating Officer
Bon Secours St. Mary's Hospital
Richmond
Dr. Felicia Ganther
Senior Vice Chancellor
Virginia Community College System
Richmond
Dr. Tina Garrett-Ragland
Chief Administrative Officer
Save the Children, US
Washington, D.C.
LaShaun Graham
Vice President, Human Resources
Institute of Advanced Learning and Research
Danville
Christina Gibson
Chief People Officer
Hampton Roads Sanitation District
Virginia Beach
Dr. Abbi Haggerty
Executive Director
Richmond Performing Arts Alliance
Richmond
Ernisha Hall
President & CEO
Virginia Black Chamber of Commerce
Fredericksburg
Lesa Hanlin
Executive Director, Professional Enrichment Programs and Strategic Initiatives
University of Virginia
Charlottesville
Lauren Hansen
Chief Communications Officer
Jefferson Lab Virginia Tech
Newport News
Kendra Hayden
Director of Community and Economic Development
Smyth County
Marion
Jess Jarrett
Director of Operations
The Lester Group
Martinsville
Meredyth Jenkins
Vice President, Strategy
Charles Ryan Associates
Richmond
DJ Johnston
Fire Chief
Powhatan Fire and Rescue
Powhatan
Ashley Jones
Principal
Baskervill
Richmond
Donovan Jones
Director, Regional Operations
Virginia Natural Gas
Virginia Beach
Patrice Jones
Director, Veteran Education Transition & Employment
Virginia Department of Veterans Services
Richmond
Jeannie Keen
Owner/CEO
Sunbelt Business Brokers of Roanoke & Lynchburg
Salem
Dr. Amanda Kellogg
Director of Professional Development
James Madison University
Harrisonburg
Josh Kugelman
Vice President
Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
Henrico
Jodi Kuhn
Executive Director
Joint Commission on Technology and Science
Richmond
Alex Littleton
Vice President & Chief Operating Officer
Communities In Schools of Appalachian Highlands
Bristol
Rob Mann
External Affiars Manager
Appalachian Power
Lynchburg
Dr. Kim McKnight
Director, Center for Teacher Leadership and Anna Lou & Bob Schaberg Chair of Practice
Virginia Commonwealth University
Midlothian
Katrina Melton
System Vice President of Post-Acute and Palliative Care
Sentara
Virginia Beach
Dr. Daryl Minus
President
Eastern Shore Community College
Melfa
Alan Miller
Market President
Atlantic Union Bank
Roanoke
Dr. Venita Mitchell
Vice President Student Engagement
Averett University
Danville
Amanda Morrison
Director of Corporate Affairs
Clark Construction Group
Richmond
Stephanie Norris
Regional Economist & Associate Director, Community College Initiative
Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond
Richmond
Andrew Powell
Chief Growth Officer
Strongbridge
Sterling
Maggie Rice
Associate Director
Accenture
Washington, D.C.
Mayana Rice
Director
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Abingdon
Nick Serfass
Chief Executive Officer
Richmond Technology Council
Richmond
Jon Clark Teglas
Chief of Staff, Divison of Facilities
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg
Glenn Thompson
Vice President Business Development
WM Jordan
Newport News
Sarah Turner
External Affairs Representative III
Dominion Energy
Staunton
Paul Vidonic
Manager Environmental Regulations
Dominion Energy
Richmond
April Wade
Executive Director
Virginia Nuclear Energy Consortium
McLean
Julian Walker
Vice President of Communications
Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association
Glen Allen
Dr. Willis Walter
Interim Vice President, External Relations and Advancement
Virginia State University
Chesterfield
Jason Ward
Vice President - New Construction Submarine Program
Newport News Shipbuilding
Newport News
Ridge Williamson
Chief Operations Officer
Negril Inc.
Danville
Petrina Jones Wrobleski
Director, Government & Public Affairs
Columbia Gas of Virginia
Chester
Angela Yancey
Community Relations Coordinator
Hitachi Energy
Halifax