2026 Virginia Black Business Leaders Awards: ERIC L. CONLEY

Since 2024, Conley has overseen 12 hospitals in Virginia and North Carolina for the $13.2 billion Sentara Health system as well as a systemwide pharmacy and inpatient rehab, home health and hospice services. Responsible for setting the strategic direction for acute and post-acute care delivery across the organization, he supervises 20,000 employees. Additionally, he represents Sentara Health on the Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association’s board of directors.

Conley didn’t grow up dreaming of a career in health administration. As a student at Slippery Rock University in Pennsylvania, he just knew he wanted a career that allowed him to help people. Over one summer, he worked in a health clinic and saw firsthand the positive impact it had on the community.

After graduating with a degree in hospital administration, Conley got a job as a unit secretary at Ohio State University Hospital. From there, he took roles requiring more complex duties at different hospitals and health systems, including KentuckyOne Health and Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Most recently, Conley was president of the south region of Froedtert ThedaCare Health and president of Froedtert Hospital in Wisconsin.

He is an advocate for addressing the social determinants of health and of community-based violence intervention programs such as the Foresight Violence Intervention program at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, which provides health services and home support to patients injured due to violence.

Conley has a master’s in hospital administration from Ohio State University. Born in Pittsburgh, he is a hardcore Steelers fan.