The Virginia Executive Institute (VEI), hosted by the Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute within the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs, celebrated the graduation of its Spring 2026 cohort on June 12 at the historic Virginia Capitol. This exceptional group of leaders from across the Commonwealth spent two weeks honing their leadership skills and tackling some of Virginia’s most pressing challenges.

A Transformative Leadership Journey

The program kicked off with an immersive week in Virginia Beach, where participants delved into core leadership principles. Utilizing tools such as the 360 Assessment, the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, and the EQ-i (Emotional Intelligence Assessment), they developed a stronger sense of self-awareness, a foundational leadership skill. Throughout the week, these leaders explored a range of critical topics, including servant leadership, civil discourse in public leadership, crisis communication, and innovative design thinking. Sessions were led by distinguished guest speakers, including Justice Bill Mims, Senators Mamie Locke and Ryan McDougle, and Dr. Garrett Westlake.

Week Two, held in Charlottesville, built upon the foundational skills developed during Week One and immersed participants in more advanced leadership concepts. Attendees explored the influence of organizational culture, the future of artificial intelligence, strategies for managing up, and effective engagement with federal and state agencies. Special guests included Harold Clarke, former Director of the Virginia Department of Corrections; Janet Lawson and Stacy Pendleton from the Department of Human Resource Management; and VCU professors Jason Burkett and Christopher Whyte. In addition to this distinguished lineup, Chief Diversity Officer Dr. Sesha Joi Moon moderated a panel discussion featuring Curtis Brown, Dr. Chernoh Wurie, and Ed Reed of Two Capitols Consulting.

This dynamic and rigorous curriculum equipped participants with the tools, insights, and diverse perspectives needed to navigate the complexities of leadership in Virginia’s public sector, culminating in the impactful Leadership Challenge Project presentations.

Leadership Challenge Presentations

A key feature of VEI is the opportunity to discuss and address real and current leaders encounter in state government. As part of the VEI experience, each participant works in a small group representing multiple agencies to address a challenge or opportunity facing the Commonwealth.  

The Spring 2026 Cohort’s final projects addressed critical topics:

1. Effectuating Statewide Employee Engagement Surveys

Engaged employees are more focused, motivated, and committed to delivering on the initiatives of the Administration for the citizens of the Commonwealth. Employee surveys provide critical insight into topics impacting the engagement of the workforce. Leaders can gain awareness into what is working well and where improvements are needed. This project provides information learned from the statewide surveys conducted by comparable state governments. The presentation will address key considerations to make a statewide survey a routine tool for data-backed decisions.

-Brahma Alaparthi, VITA; Chris Grab, DHRM; Matthew Hudson, CSOSA; Amy Pierce, SCC

Effectuating Statewide Employee Engagement Surveys (PDF)

2.  Strengthening Change Management to Improve Workforce Stability

The Commonwealth of Virginia is undergoing significant agency-wide transformation — from new technologies and updated processes to shifting organizational priorities. While change is necessary for modernization, many supervisors, managers, and directors are struggling to guide their teams through it. This gap in Change Management capability has created uncertainty, reduced morale, and contributed to challenges in both employee retention and recruitment. Our project explores how strengthening Change Management practices can help leaders better support their teams, reduce resistance, and create a more stable workforce across the Commonwealth.

-Paul Battle, VA Lottery; Nikia Jones, DJJ; Crystall Pinkston, VA Tax; Jamey Stone, SCC; Heather Wheeler, VDACS

Strengthening Change Management to Improve Workforce Stability (PDF)

3.  Strengthening the Commonwealth’s Workforce Pipeline Through Career Access and Advocacy

This project seeks to increase the visibility and advocacy of state government career opportunities that do not require a college degree through the establishment of a Commonwealth Career Access Coordinator. This dedicated role would collaborate with agency recruiters, vocational and technical schools, work-study program administrators, and recent high school graduates to promote Commonwealth employment. By proactively engaging talent pipelines and aligning individuals with meaningful career pathways, the Coordinator would help address current workforce needs and reduce the recruitment burden on individual state agencies.

-Andrew Blake, VA Tax; John Hall, DVS; Alka Lohmann, DFS, Megan Richard, APA; Mary Tacconi, VCU Health

Strengthening the Commonwealth’s Workforce Pipeline (PDF)

4.  Preserving Medicaid Coverage for Commonwealth Caregivers

Virginia must implement new federal Medicaid eligibility and renewal requirements that substantially increase documentation and verification demands. Although caregivers may qualify for exemptions, many risk losing coverage due to limited awareness of these protections, unclear processes for confirming caregiver status, and administrative delays. With fixed federal timelines and caregivers already stretched thin by work and care responsibilities, executive leadership has a brief window to build proactive safeguards that preserve eligible caregivers’ coverage and prevent system strain.

-Mary Harper, DSS; Elizabeth Horton, VCU Health; Cletisha Lovelace, DSS; Richard Rhodemyre, Treasury, Kiersten Ware, DARS

Preserving Medicaid Coverage for Commonwealth Caregivers (PDF)

To see the full presentations, visit here: https://gehli.vcu.edu/trainings-and-institutes/virginia-executive-institute-vei/

These presentations demonstrated the cohort’s ability to apply their learning to actionable strategies for positive change within the Commonwealth. Please explore their presentations and contact any of our esteemed VEI graduates with questions or to discuss how we can implement these ideas going forward.

Recognizing the Graduates

VEI’s Spring 2026 graduates represent diverse expertise and dedication to public service. Congratulations to:

About the Virginia Executive Institute

VEI, part of the Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute at VCU’s L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs, has been developing senior leaders in Virginia state government for over twenty years, helping these participants lead with vision, adapt to change, nurture innovation, and build a robust network of public service professionals dedicated to improving and enhancing the lives of citizens across the Commonwealth.

The Spring 2026 graduates are now part of VEI’s distinguished alumni network of over 1,500 leaders across the state. As they return to their agencies, their work will continue to create meaningful impact in Virginia.

Congratulations, graduates, and thank you for your commitment to leadership and service!

For more information about VEI, visit: https://gehli.vcu.edu/trainings-and-institutes/virginia-executive-institute-vei/