Leadership Metro Richmond names new CEO

Leadership development organization Leadership Metro Richmond announced Monday that Chris Edwards will be its new president and CEO, effective Aug. 11.

Edwards is succeeding Myra Goodman Smith, who served in the role for 15 years and will retire July 31.

LMR was founded in 1980 by Richmond’s chamber of commerce to improve racial, gender and socio-economic divides in the community. The organization connects leaders and partners with organizations to create community engagement opportunities. LMR has six staff members.

More than 2,000 leaders have participated in the organization’s 10-month leadership development program, Leadership Quest.

Edwards most recently served as director of mission advancement at SupportWorks Housing (formerly Virginia Supportive Housing), where he guided strategic operations, helped secure $1.2 million in annual philanthropy and led a rebranding and renaming initiative across multiple regions.

In his new role, Edwards will help the organization expand its reach and accelerate innovation.

“We are thrilled to welcome Chris to lead our organization into its next era,” Jeff Conley, chair of LMR’s board of directors, said in a statement. His strategic insight, deep commitment to inclusive leadership and proven track record in developing high-performing teams make him the right leader for this transformative chapter.”

Edwards has a bachelor’s degree from Washington and Lee University and a master’s from Portland State University. He is a native of Birmingham, Alabama, but has called Richmond home for most of his adult life.