The L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs proudly introduces the graduates of the inaugural Commonwealth Leadership Academy (CLA). This diverse group of 30 executives, representing various Virginia state agencies, participated in a comprehensive 10-week program designed to enhance their management and leadership skills.
CLA was initiated by Governor Glenn Youngkin and developed by the VCU Wilder School’s Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute in collaboration with the Secretary of Administration and the Department of Human Resource Management. Its primary goal was to equip both new and long-term agency leaders with the necessary knowledge and resources to develop and maintain a high-performing workforce.
“The Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute is named after a woman who dedicated her life to public service. We are honored to continue that legacy by helping to shape our future and its leaders in partnership with this administration” said Sherida Haughton, MBA, CAPM, Associate Director of the Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute.
Topics covered in the program included talent management, work culture, change management, stakeholder engagement, performance management, IT, situational analysis, strategy alignment, and more. In addition to learning from the Wilder School’s own facilitators, participants benefited from the insights and expertise of guest speakers from various state agencies and institutions of higher education.
“Participating in the inaugural cohort of the Commonwealth Leadership Academy (CLA) proved instrumental in fostering collaboration among agency leaders. Sharing best practices, experiences, and resources within this network underscored the significance of collective knowledge in effective governance. As a collaborative think tank with opportunities to address real-time statewide challenges, CLA has the potential to shape the future of state leadership. I’m honored to have been selected in this inaugural class” said Patrice Jones, Acting Deputy Commissioner at the Virginia Department of Veterans Services.
Throughout the academy sessions, participants were tasked with aligning the Governor's vision for the Commonwealth of Virginia with the objectives of their respective agencies. They gained a deeper understanding of the Commonwealth's legislative and budgeting processes, honed their critical thinking skills, engaged in collaborative decision-making, and explored effective ways to utilize the state's resources.
“I thoroughly enjoyed my time during the Commonwealth Leadership Academy. Both the content and format were presented in a thought-provoking manner by a knowledgeable team. An especially valuable benefit of this experience was the networking opportunities. I’ve forged lasting professional friendships that will no doubt come in handy now and down the road” mentioned Jason Brown, the Chief Administrative Officer at the Virginia IT Agency (VITA).
The Academy's graduation ceremony took place on December 13th at the Virginia Museum of History and Culture. This event celebrated the participants' achievements, featuring congratulatory remarks from Governor L. Douglas Wilder, Wilder School Dean Dr. Susan Gooden, and Virginia Secretary of Administration Lyn McDermid. The graduation of the inaugural class from the Commonwealth Leadership Academy marks a significant step forward. These leaders are poised to elevate the quality of services across Virginia, ensuring exceptional outcomes for its citizens. We look forward to their continued impact and the enduring legacy they will create in public service.
Introducing the first Commonwealth Leadership Academy cohort
Jason Brown
Chief Administrative Officer
VITA
William Childress
Executive Director
Motor Vehicle Dealer Board
Kristin Collins
Assistant Commissioner of Tax Policy
Department of Taxation
Andrew Diefenthaler
Chief of Staff
Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services
Princy Doss
Director of Policy and Planning
Department of Labor and Industry
Alvie Edwards
Director of Administration
Department of Environmental Quality
Laura Ellis
Deputy Director for Administration and Finance
Department of Conservation and Recreation
Kevin Erskine
Chief Deputy Commissioner
Department of Social Services
Laura Farmer
Chief Financial Officer
Department of Transportation
Deanna Goldstein
Workforce Development & Programs Director
Department of Human Resource Management
Charles Green
Deputy Commissioner
Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services
Sarah Hatton
Deputy of Administration and Coverage
Department of Medical Assistance Services
Jessica Hendrickson
Director of Policy and Legislative Affairs
Department of General Services
Craig Herndon
Senior Vice Chancellor for Administration, Finance, and Technology
Virginia Community College System
Bryan Horn
Director
Department of Housing & Community Development
Nikia Jones
Deputy Director of Administration and Finance
Department of Juvenile Justice
Patrice Jones
Acting Deputy Commissioner
Department of Veterans Services
Susan Landis
Unemployment Insurance Director
Virginia Employment Commission
Verniece Love
Deputy Director
Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity
Cathy McGhee
Chief Deputy Commissioner
Department of Transportation
Rick Mitchell
Commissioner
Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired
Darin Moore
Deputy Executive Director for Administration and Outreach
Department of Wildlife Resources
Kerri O'Brien
Communications and Digital Media Manager
Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation
Justin Shreve
Director, Office of Workforce Engagement
Department of Human Resource Management
Amanda Simpson
Director of Compliance Oversight and Federal Reporting
Department of Accounts
Michael Skiffington
Chief Operating Officer
Department of Energy
Stephen Versen
Deputy Director
Tobacco Commission
Michael Watson
Chief Information Security Officer / Deputy CIO
VITA
Stephanie Williams
Deputy Director
Department of Historic Resources
Stuart Williams
Director, Cash Management & Investments
Department of the Treasury