100 People to Meet in 2026 — and one cat

Virginia is full of fascinating people, and for the seventh year, Virginia Business has chosen 100 of them to highlight — challenging and encouraging our readers to get to know this cohort of scientists, real estate developers, attorneys, government contractors, physicians, writers, restaurateurs and others. 

Some are brand new to the commonwealth or their jobs, while others have made big discoveries or major professional moves in the past year. And most have significant plans for 2026, whether it’s Penny Parayo, general manager of Petersburg’s Live! Casino & Hotel Virginia, which is set to open a temporary venue in January, or .400 pinch hitter Aiden Harris, starting his second season with the University of Virginia’s baseball team in February. And for the first time, we’ve included a furry, four-legged 101st “person” to meet — the famous Richmond Lowe’s cat, Francine. 

You’ll definitely find a few folks here to introduce yourself to in 2026, and you can always break the ice by saying, “I read about you in Virginia Business!”

And to start off the new year on a fun note, here’s one famous Virginian you can easily check off your networking list:

FRANCINE

AMBASSADOR CAT, LOWE’S
RICHMOND

In late September, word started to spread that Francine, a calico cat who had lived at Richmond’s Fan District Lowe’s store for eight years, had not been seen lately. The unofficial store mascot’s whereabouts were suddenly the object of speculation.

Maybe she was sick or found a new home?

Ultimately, the truth emerged via security video: Francine had wandered onto a truck in mid-September and had been delivered by accident to a Lowe’s distribution center in Garysburg, North Carolina. Lowe’s staffers and Francine fans embarked on a mission to bring her home, establishing Instagram account “Where’s Francine?” to track her rescuers’ progress.

With thermal drones and humane traps set, Francine appeared on a store camera in the distribution center. In early October, Team Francine caught their quarry, and the cat came home, an event celebrated by national media outlets and on Lowe’s corporate website. Today, Francine can be found napping on her regular perch near the garden section — and she now wears an Apple AirTag to prevent a repeat journey.