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LENNIE GAIL MITCHAM | Executive director, Southwest Virginia Alliance for Manufacturing
When Lennie Gail Mitcham joined the Southwest Virginia Alliance for Manufacturing in 2013, the organization had eight manufacturing members and no active programs or initiatives. “Tasked with revitalizing the organization, I focused on increasing membership, community awareness and value for our members — despite having no prior nonprofit experience,” she says. Mitcham developed programs for[...]
TAMMY NEALE | CEO, Virginia Housing
Tammy Neale, who in 2024 was named CEO of the self-supporting state organization helping Virginians attain affordable housing, has overseen the investment of $730 million in financing that has created over 4,000 housing units. Virginia Housing has also supported more than 4,500 single-family mortgage loans totaling over $1.4 billion, with 96% of borrowers receiving financial […]
NICOLE NEWSOME | Chief strategy and growth officer, Qantm Creative
In 2023, Five Hill Capital, a Norfolk-based investment firm and the parent company of WB Marketing, a Norfolk marketing and communications firm, acquired Meridian Group, a Virginia Beach agency. The next year the two shops were combined to create Qantm Creative. A sales and marketing veteran, Nicole Newsome was director of digital marketing for WB […]
SHANNON O. PIERCE | President and CEO, Virginia Natural Gas; Senior vice president, Southern Company Gas
A Surry County native, Shannon Pierce succeeded Robert Duvall in April as leader of Virginia Natural Gas, the utility serving more than 310,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in Southeastern Virginia. She also serves as an executive for Southern Company Gas, VNG’s parent. Although Pierce has spent her entire career in energy, mere chance delivered […]
SUSAN PILATO | Owner and principal, PC&A Business Environments; CEO, Mantra Inspired Furniture
At the age of 5, Susan Pilato knew she wanted to own her own business. She realized that goal at the age of 25, when she and Donna Counts launched what is now known as PC&A Business Environments, a commercial furniture dealership and interior design business based in Norfolk. A new opportunity presented itself with […]
AMBER PRICE | Senior vice president and chief nursing officer, Sentara Health
In February, Amber Price stepped into a new position at Sentara Health, overseeing nursing practice and care across the Hampton Roads health system. She also serves as executive sponsor for Sentara’s women’s health team and the women’s employee resource group. A certified nurse-midwife, Price has delivered more than 1,000 babies. She has numerous degrees including […]
LINDA RABBITT | Founder and executive chairman, Rand Construction
Today Rand Construction reports an annual revenue of more than $600 million and has regional offices across Texas, Atlanta, Denver and Salt Lake City, in addition to its Alexandria headquarters. But back in 1989, when Linda Rabbitt founded the company, Rand didn’t seem destined to be a success. She was one of few female executives in […]
ANGELA REDDIX | Founder, president and CEO, ARDX
Angela Reddix has so many titles you couldn’t possibly squeeze them onto a business card. In 2006, Reddix, who has a doctorate in business administration, launched ARDX, a Norfolk health care management and IT consulting firm. With clients that include government agencies, small businesses and nonprofits, the business specializes in health and policy regulation, big […]
REBECCA RIORDAN | Chief people and culture officer, Chartway Federal Credit Union
After joining Chartway in 2020, Rebecca Riordan championed an effort to refresh the federal credit union’s competency model. “We have eight competencies — grounded in agility, accountability, inclusion and innovation — that serve as a blueprint for how we lead and grow,” Riordan explains. “From hiring and coaching to performance development, they help our team […]
KELLY SCHLAGETER | Chief people officer, Acentra Health
Kelly Schlageter joined CNSI, a McLean-based health care tech company, as chief marketing and communications officer in 2019, and helped steer its merger with Kepro in 2022 that created Acentra Health. Throughout the integration process, Schlageter helped unify employees. Now, in her role as chief people officer, Schlageter oversees human resources and communications. She’s also […]
MONICA SCHMUDE | Virginia president, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield
Monica Schmude grew up in a small town in the Midwest. Her mom ran a small business, while her dad juggled farming and a factory job, where he was known for a decades-long record of not taking a sick day. “The values in our home were simple but enduring: Work hard, stay grounded and show […]
CYNTHIA W. SPANOULIS | President and CEO, Virginia Aquarium
In 2018, Cynthia Spanoulis became head of Virginia Beach’s aquarium and marine science center, as well as its foundation, which partners with the city in funding the attraction that drew more than 625,000 visitors in fiscal 2024. It’s an important job. The aquarium delivers more than $265 million in economic benefits annually, and employees care […]
