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.
2025 Sessions and Dates
Session 1 - Southside Virginia
May 7, 8, & 9
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Session 2 - Southwest Virginia
July 9, 10, & 11
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Session 3 - Shenandoah Valley
September 17, 18, & 19
Session 4 - Middle Peninsula & Northern Neck
October 15, 16, & 17
Meet the VRLI 2025 Cohort
Listed in Alphabetical Order by Last Name
Dylan Andrews
Montgomery County
Virginia Tech Center for Economic and Community Engagement, Economic Development Specialist
Michael Barakey
Suffolk
City of Suffolk Department of Fire & Rescue, Fire Chief
Tom Bennett
Radford
Radford University, Executive Director
Jessica Blythe
Staunton
City of Staunton, Assistant Director of Economic Development
Lauren Chitwood
Hillsville
Town of Hillsville, Tourism Director/Farmers Market Manager
Frances Chambers
Wakefield
Town of Wakefield, Council Member / Nansemond-Suffolk Academy, Director of Academic Affairs / Commonwealth Fiber Services, LLC, Co-Owner
Robin Daniel
Brunswick County
Southside Virginia Community College, Director of Institutional Effectiveness & Strategic Initiatives
Will Drewery
Isle of Wight County
Isle of Wight Fire Rescue, Battalion Chief/Emergency Management Coordinator
Ann Glave
Hanover
Hanover County Economic Development, Existing Business and Project Manager
Nichole Hair
Christiansburg
Radford University Economic Development & Corporate Education, Director of Economic Development & Community Engagement
Devin Journiette
Roanoke
International Economic Development Council, Fellow
J. Erin Kelley
Tappahannock
The Rappahannock Times, Owner
Heidi King
Harrisonburg
Appteon, Inc., Workforce Analyst
Latoshua LeGrant
Martinsville
New College Institute, Chief Information Officer
Rob Mann
Lynchburg
Appalachian Power Company, External Affairs Manager
Eireann Maybach
Culpeper
Virginia Tech, Student
Chris McNamara
Richmond
Virginia Housing, Strategic Housing Officer-Economic Development
Anne Moore-Sparks
Danville
Danville Pittsylvania Chamber of Commerce, President & CEO
Rebekah Morgan
Patrick County
West Piedmont Planning District Commission, Community Development Director
Jen Otey
Wytheville
Friends of Southwest Virginia, Outdoor Recreation Development Manager
Nellie Philpott
Roanoke County
Roanoke County, Economic Development Specialist
Tom Powell
Suffolk
The Addison Group, President
Travis Pruitt
Ridgeway
County of Henry, Board of Supervisors - Ridgeway District / Southern Software, INC., Director of Local Government Sales
Tyler Topping
Emporia
Topping Investment Group, Owner/Manager
Bobbie Wagner
Alleghany County
YMCA of the Alleghany Highlands, Chief Executive Officer
Questions?
Please Contact:
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Chandler Vaughan
Coordinator and Facilitator
Virginia Rural Leadership Institute
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!
2025 Annual Sponsors
