The Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute (GEHLI) within the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs at Virginia Commonwealth University invites leaders and changemakers to gather for the 19th Annual HIGHER Ground Leadership Conference on Friday, November 7, 2025, from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Richmond Marriott Downtown.

This special half-day edition, “Resilience and Renewal: Navigating Leadership in Changing Times,” offers a timely space to recharge, reconnect, and explore strategies for leading with confidence through uncertainty.

“During a pivotal election season and a period of rapid social and organizational change, this conference provides practical tools and inspiring discussions that community leaders need to stay simultaneously grounded and adaptive,” said Nancy Calkins, SPHR, Senior Consultant and Facilitator at the  Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute.

Featured Guests

Keynote Speaker: Khalid Jones, Executive Director of the Virginia Lottery
We are thrilled to welcome Khalid Jones, whose dynamic career spans law, investment, and innovation. Under his leadership, the Virginia Lottery generated $5.7 billion in revenue and $901 million in profits for K–12 public education in FY25, while overseeing sports betting and casino regulation across the Commonwealth.

Jones’s insights have been featured in Forbes, Fox Business, and CNBC, and he has spoken at TEDx and the Global Gaming Expo. A graduate of Wake Forest University and Stanford Law School, he leads with passion, strategy, and integrity, offering timely wisdom on resilience, renewal, and leadership in changing times.

Emcee: Jasmine Turner, Emmy Award–winning Anchor and Reporter, NBC12
Guiding the day’s program is Jasmine Turner, a trusted voice in Central Virginia news. Since returning home to Henrico in 2016, Turner has covered pivotal events—from the Charlottesville unrest to Hurricane Florence—and leads NBC12’s On Your Side Investigators and Managing Your Mental Health series. Her energy, professionalism, and community focus promise to make the conference both inspiring and unforgettable.

What Attendees Can Expect

• Dynamic speakers and interactive workshops designed to deliver practical strategies.
• Opportunities to connect with HIGHER Ground alumni and other GEHLI alumni, peers, and emerging leaders.
• Engaging discussions focused on navigating uncertainty and sustaining resilience.
• Continental breakfast, networking lunch, and conference materials included with registration.

Whether you are a seasoned executive, an emerging professional, or simply curious about cultivating leadership in yourself and others, the HIGHER Ground Leadership Conference provides a supportive environment to build, boost, and expand your leadership outlook.

Registration Details

• Price: $300 from September 13 – October 30, 2025
  • Registration includes continental breakfast, lunch, program materials, and conference swag.
• Register by: October 30, 2025
• Continuing Education Units (CEUs) available.

Register now at https://gehli.vcu.edu/higher-ground-conference/2025-conference/.

Sponsorship Opportunities

Local businesses and organizations can contribute as sponsors and connect with more than 300 leaders across the Commonwealth. Details at https://gehli.vcu.edu/higher-ground-conference/sponsorship-opportunities/.

Event Details

Date: Friday, November 7, 2025
Time: 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Location: Richmond Marriott Downtown, 500 E Broad St., Richmond, VA 23219

The HIGHER Ground Leadership Conference welcomes all individuals who are committed to intentional, transformational leadership.

For media inquiries, interviews, or additional information, please contact Nancy Calkins, Senior Consultant and Facilitator at calkinsn@vcu.edu or (804) 828-3698 or visit https://gehli.vcu.edu/higher-ground-conference/2025-conference/.