SUSAN HORNE

From her local government service to building statewide networks of people and organizations, Susan Horne knows how to connect people.

Horne has been involved in Lead Virginia since its inception — first as a member of its steering committee and as a board member and then as a member of its second class in 2006. In 2007, she became the statewide leadership development organization’s president and CEO.

“A group of us around the commonwealth recognized that leaders across Virginia had little understanding of their shared interests and common challenges,” Horne says. “A nonpartisan approach to building a diverse yet cohesive network of leaders with shared perspectives could offer a 360-degree perspective of the challenges facing Virginia and uncover opportunities to uplift every region.”

The nonprofit connects leaders around Virginia to learn with and from each other about challenges and solutions facing the commonwealth’s different regions. Alumni include leaders in various industries around Virginia, including Helios HR CEO Kathy Albarado, Faneuil Inc. President and CEO Anna Van Buren and Kevin Allison, Virginia Commonwealth University’s associate vice president for strategy and development.

Horne’s work with Lead Virginia builds on her past experience as a member of the Leesburg Town Council and her time as president of Leadership Fairfax, a regional program similar to Lead Virginia. She enjoys having played roles in helping to connect people, but ultimately, it’s her role as a mother that makes her most proud.

“My absolute proudest accomplishment is raising two accomplished and wonderful young women,” she says.