2026 Virginia Black Business Leaders Awards: PATRICE HINES JONES

Over the course of her career, Jones has led more than 500 people and advised senior leaders. She joined the Virginia Department of Veterans Services in 2016 as an operations analyst for the transition program. Following a series of promotions, Jones was named director of education and training programs in 2022. Two years later, she became head of the department’s education, transition and employment services, leading the commonwealth’s strategy to connect veterans, transitioning service members and military families to education, training and meaningful career opportunities. She’s known for building programs that are human-centered — designed to meet veterans where they are and to remove barriers to opportunity. Previously, Jones was enrollment services center coordinator and veteran services coordinator for J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College.

PROUDEST PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENT: Building and sustaining statewide systems that improve veteran education, employment and workforce outcomes in Virginia, systems that continue to operate and grow beyond me. Being promoted six times in under eight years affirmed not just my leadership, but my ability to build programs, teams and pipelines that last and truly serve people.

WHAT I’VE LEARNED: One powerful lesson I’ve learned in my career, across promotions, policy work, entrepreneurship, leadership challenges and moments where I had to navigate systems that weren’t built with me in mind, is that “I am enough.” Not when I got another credential. Not when everything was perfect. Not when the room finally validates me. I am enough right now to do what’s in front of me, and so are you! Don’t shrink to fit environments that weren’t designed for you or your growth, and start leading from where you are — authentically.