Mission
The mission of the Virginia Rural Leadership Institute (VRLI) is to retain, attract, and develop rural Virginians into innovative, responsible, and civic minded leaders who build strong communities.
2026 Sessions and Dates
Session 1
Southside Virginia
April 22, 23 & 24
Session 2
Middle Peninsula and Northern Neck
June 10, 11 & 12
Session 3
Southwest Virginia
August 12, 13 & 14
Session 4
Shenandoah Valley
September 30, October 1 & 2
Community Impact Projects
Designed over the 4 sessions, Community Impact Projects are the capstone of a VRLI Cohort Members experience and provide tangible impact in rural communities. This ongoing return on investment and pledge by cohort members to better their communities proves VRLI’s model and promise for rural Virginia. Learn more about these projects of our alumni below!
Questions?
Please Contact:
Chandler Vaughan
Coordinator and Facilitator
Virginia Rural Leadership Institute
Meet the 2026 VRLI Cohort
Listed in Alphabetical Order by Last Name
Daniel Black
Winchester
Owner, Upward Tree Service
Philippe Bone
Staunton
Regional Planner, Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission
Dr. Aariyana Britton
Sussex County
Community Health Practitioner
Marilynn Cabiness
Mecklenburg County
Owner/CEO, Cabiness Coaching & Consulting Group, LLC
Carl Caudill
Carroll County
Broadband Project Manager, VA Department of Housing and Community Development
Lane Chambers
Wakefield
General Manager, Commonwealth Fiber Services
Royce Coleman
Amelia County
Environmental Manager, Amelia County
Grace Cooper
Patrick County
Marketing Manager, Patrick County Tourism
Desiree Dyer
King William
Senior Director of Grant Operations, Upper Mattaponi Tribe
Catherine Fox
Abingdon
Director of Regional Destination Development, Friends of Southwest VA
Rachel Gardner
Richmond City
Senior Policy Analyst, VA Department of Housing and Community Development
Alexandria Gearin
Frederick County
Community Development Program Coordinator, Northern Shenandoah Valley Regional Commission
Shannon Goad
Hillsville
Chief of Police, Town of Hillsville
Amanda Gray
Martinsville
Tourism & Marketing Specialist, West Piedmont Planning District Commission
Ryan Hall
Winchester
Executive Director, Shenandoah Community Capital Fund
Amanda Hudgins
Radford
Director of Research and Innovation, College of Nursing, Radford University
Jeff Mutter
Lebanon
Conservation Specialist, Clinch Valley Soil & Water Conservation District (CVSWCD)
Amy Novak
Smithfield
Parks Director, Town of Smithfield
Eric W. Payne, Esq.
Martinsville
Executive Director, Economic Development Authority of the City of Martinsville, VA
Leo Priddy
Montgomery County
Economic Development Planning Specialist, New River Valley Regional Commission
Maria Saxton
Clifton Forge
Director of Planning & Community Development, Town of Clifton Forge
Jake Stewart
Christiansburg
Instructor, Radford University
Evan Stone
Franklin County
General Manager, Minute Markets
Ingrid Thompson
Quicksburg
Outreach Coordinator, Shen-Paco Industries, Inc.
Candice Turner
Richmond City
Strategic Housing Officer, Virginia Housing
Kelli Weaver
Rockingham County
Destination Development Manager, Virginia Tourism Corporation
2026 Annual Sponsors
