100 People to Meet in 2026: Rainmakers

These are the professionals who attract and grow businesses and industries, making the commonwealth wealthier.

BRIAN DONAHUE

DIRECTOR, PORTSMOUTH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, PORTSMOUTH

Having held multiple development roles in Portsmouth since 2009, Brian Donahue has developed a deep understanding of the city’s landscape and its business community. He became Portsmouth’s economic development director in 2022 and has since worked to strengthen the city’s reputation as a national leader in the maritime industry, build a thriving small business and startup ecosystem, and attract new housing developments across the city.

Looking ahead, Donahue expects to redevelop the downtown waterfront and revitalize Portsmouth’s new innovation district, dubbed the LINC, next to the Lincolnsville neighborhood. He also has his eye on expanding the city’s entertainment district, anchored by Rivers Casino Portsmouth.
“Portsmouth is a wonderful historic seaport community,” Donahue says, “but it’s also evolving, innovating and improving every day.”

Before joining Portsmouth’s economic development team in 2018, Donahue was the Portsmouth Redevelopment and Housing Authority’s director of development, overseeing residential and commercial revitalization efforts.

ANGIE RODGERS

DIRECTOR OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, CITY OF RICHMOND, RICHMOND

Angie Rodgers took over as Richmond’s economic development director in August, migrating south from Prince George’s County, Maryland, where she oversaw 10 agencies as deputy chief administrative officer for economic development. Rodgers also previously served as chief of staff for Washington, D.C.’s deputy mayor for planning and economic development.

Rodgers is one of several new leaders in Richmond, including Mayor Danny Avula and Chief Administrative Officer Odie Donald II, who has called Rodgers “a trusted leader who can harness [economic] opportunity in a way that uplifts our community.”

Rodgers has a bachelor’s degree in government and African American studies from Wesleyan University and a master’s degree in public policy from the University of California, Berkeley.

MICHAEL STEELE

PRESIDENT AND CEO, ACTIVATION CAPITAL, RICHMOND

In August, Michael Steele was appointed head of Activation Capital, the Richmond-based support organization for startups in life sciences, a field expected to expand dramatically soon in Central Virginia.

The accelerator arm of the Virginia Biotechnology Research Partnership Authority, Activation Capital developed the 34-acre Virginia Bio+Tech Park and launched Frontier BioHealth, an accelerator program.

A James Madison University graduate and Virginia native, Steele previously worked more than two decades in leadership roles for biotech companies, and he calls this era in Virginia’s life sciences industry a “pivotal moment.” In addition to the pharmaceutical hub expanding in Petersburg and Richmond, Eli Lilly and AstraZeneca announced this fall they will build manufacturing plants in Goochland and Albemarle counties. The two pharma giants and Merck also have pledged $120 million to develop a workforce training center in Central Virginia.

SEAN M. WASHINGTON

DIRECTOR OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, CITY OF NORFOLK, NORFOLK

As Norfolk’s economic development leader, Sean Washington leads with a collaborative, partnership-driven approach. He joined the city’s economic development department in 2017 and advanced to assistant director before being named interim director in 2022.

The following year, he became the city’s permanent economic director, going on since then to announce 22 new projects expected to produce 1,449 jobs and more
than $295 million in capital investment.

A Hampton University graduate, Washington was an assistant vice president for Truist bank before entering the public sector. He also serves on the boards of Volunteer Hampton Roads and Parents Against Bullying VA. Outside of work, he enjoys reading, exercising and traveling with his wife, Jessica.

Click here to return to the 100 people to meet list