YMCA's Wagner Among Latest Virginia Rural Leadership Institute 'Grads' Richmond, VA — The Virginia Rural Center is proud to announce the participants of the Virginia Rural Leadership Institute (VRLI) 2025 cohort. Entering its fourth year, VRLI remains the Commonwealth’s only leadership program dedicated exclusively to cultivating the talents of current and emerging rural leaders. “Each year, we are inspired by the energy, innovation, and commitment our participants bring,” said Kristie Proctor, Executive Director of the Virginia Rural Center. “VRLI continues to be the destination where leaders from across rural Virginia can build lasting connections, sharpen their leadership skills, and find creative solutions to strengthen their communities.” Excitement around VRLI continues to grow, exemplified by the strong number of applicants and the competitive selection process for the 2025 cohort. The 26 chosen members represent a broad range of rural towns and counties and bring diverse professional experiences and perspectives to the program, including backgrounds in economic development, education, community services, tourism, public safety, media, and local government. “The continued success of VRLI is a testament to the incredibly talented folks in rural Virginia,” said Senator Creigh Deeds, Chair of the Center for Rural Virginia. “We are proud to support a program that not only nurtures leadership but also strengthens the deep sense of community pride that defines our rural areas.” As a signature part of VRLI, cohort members will also complete Community Impact Projects — real-world initiatives that leverage their leadership training to create positive change within their communities. Each project is supported by guidance from a wide range of subject matter experts. The 2024 cohort, which graduated in November 2024, is currently finalizing their projects, while the incoming 2025 cohort will launch their initiatives this spring and complete them by 2026. “Community Impact Projects are a powerful way for cohort members to take what they learn and immediately reinvest it into their communities,” said Bryan David, Chair of the Council for Rural Virginia. “These projects embody the spirit of VRLI — leading by example, strengthening communities, and giving back to ensure a stronger future for rural Virginia.” The 2025 VRLI program kicks off May 7-9 in Danville, South Boston, and Halifax and includes additional sessions across rural Virginia, with visits slated in Southwest Virginia (Abingdon, Marion, and St. Paul), the Shenandoah Valley (Luray, Broadway, and Weyers Cave), and the Middle Peninsula and Northern Neck (Tappahannock, Warsaw, and King William County). Each session immerses cohort members in local success stories and challenges while offering hands-on leadership and community development training. Current VRLI sponsors include Virginia Housing, Dominion Energy, Microsoft, Mid Atlantic Broadband Communities Corporation, the Virginia Poultry Growers Cooperative, Danville Community College, and the RiverLink Group. The Center continues to expand partnerships as momentum around the program grows. Meet Our 2025 VRLI 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 April Collins Carroll County Blue Ridge Crossroads Small Business Development Center, Director 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 * * * The Virginia Rural Center is a collaborative partnership of the Senator Frank M. Ruff, Jr. Center for Rural Virginia and the Council for Rural Virginia which work together toward the mission of economic prosperity for rural communities throughout Virginia. Together, the Center and the Council work with federal, state, and local policymakers as well as private sector stakeholders to improve economic opportunities and preserve the quality of life throughout rural Virginia. Learn more about the Center and Council at www.cfrv.org.

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