The Harvest Foundation
 
Partner Profile
LEAD Virginia
Organization Information:
Executive Director: Susan Horne
Phone: 804-237-1461
Fax: 804-783-6112
Office Address: 9 South Fifth Street Richmond, Virginia 23219
Mailing Address: 9 South Fifth Street Richmond, Virginia 23219
Email: shorne@leadva.org
Website: www.leadva.org

LEAD VIRGINIA connects diverse leaders to promote a statewide perspective about the quality of life in the Commonwealth. Participants in this educational forum grapple with challenges, opportunities and major issues facing the Commonwealth. Technology, health, military, government, education, economic development, industry, immigration and transportation are among the topics participants explore.

LEAD VIRGINIA stirs the knowledge, understanding and leadership capacities of participants to LEAD VIRGINIA toward a better future.

Who We Are:

Mission

LEAD VIRGINIA links diverse proven leaders to promote a statewide perspective and improve the quality of life in the Commonwealth.

Goals

LEAD VIRGINIA seeks to build social capital through a forum for:

  • sharing knowledge and gaining deeper insights into complex statewide issues
  • generating visionary solutions to statewide challenges networking,
  • collaborating and exchanging resources

Some 20 years ago the Commonwealth’s corporate and civic leaders knew each other by name and face. Today, that is no longer true. As Virginia has grown in complexity with an influx of new industries and a more diverse population, combined with the impact of the global economy, leaders with a shared, statewide perspective are few.

LEAD VIRGINIA is creating such a non-partisan network of informed, active leaders with a shared vision for the Commonwealth’s future. Graduates are challenged to work within and outside the political arena to usher in positive change for the state. LEAD VIRGINIA prepares these leaders to: 

  • identify statewide common problems, opportunities, priorities and solutions
  • understand each others’ individual challenges, priorities and concerns
  • focus more on the greater good for all Virginians and less on regional and partisan priorities when acting on the state level
  • solve problems and seek wise public policy and visionary infrastructure that will take Virginia into the future

LEAD VIRGINIA educates participants about regional differences and statewide needs through the shared experience of seven intense monthly sessions held across the state. The program is endorsed and designed by the Virginia Chamber of Commerce and state universities, and many other states successfully run such programs, making this a proven model for developing a statewide network of leaders.

Grants Awarded to LEAD Virginia:
Oct 28, 2009 $ 25,000 over 1 year to provide leadership training to Martinsville-Henry County residents
Dec 13, 2007 $ 50,000 over 2 years to support and sustain a statewide leadership program for proven leaders in Virginia. The program is to create and link leaders across the state that are empowered to drive momentum for positive economic and social change for all Virginians with a special focus on serving low to moderate income families and/or individuals in the Commonwealth. Graduates of this program are to return to their respective regions with a statewide perspective on the challenges and resources of each region.