The Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute within the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs, in partnership with the Commonwealth of Virginia's Department of Human Resources Management (DHRM), is proud to recognize the Fall 2025 graduates of the Commonwealth Leadership Academy (CLA). This fourth cohort of 29 senior executives from Virginia’s state agencies has just completed an intensive three-month program designed to sharpen their leadership and management skills to address some of the Commonwealth’s top challenges.

Sponsored by Governor Glenn Youngkin, CLA empowers agency leaders with skills to plan strategically, transform culture, drive innovation, and lead public servants through change in alignment with the Governor’s strategic priorities.  

Highlights of the Fall CLA 2025 Program
Participants immersed themselves in a rigorous curriculum that included strategic planning, cultural transformation, innovation and design-thinking, and change management. Through hands-on activities, guest speaker presentations, robust discussions, and peer collaboration, participants honed their leadership skills to navigate complex challenges and drive results more effectively. Key initiatives tackled by this year’s teams included:

1. Commonwealth of Virginia Emergency Preparedness Fund: A state-backed Virginia Emergency Preparedness Fund to ensure full-time local emergency management, set consistent standards, and improve disaster readiness for more than five million residents in preparedness gaps.
   • Group 1_Virginia_Emergency_Preparedness_Fund_Presentation (PDF)
2. Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Compass: Navigating Requests with Efficiency for Every Virginian Every Time.
   • Group 2_FOIA_Compass_Presentation (PDF)
3. DPOR Case Study:  Right License, Right Now!: Leverage best practices such as smart call technology, AI tools, and improved web features to enhance customer service efficiency.
   • Group 3_DPOR-Case-Study-From-Frustrated-to-Happy-Customer_Presentation (PDF) 
4. Measuring Return on Investment (ROI) on Technology Modernization Projects: Create an ROI framework and playbook that enables agencies to consistently measure technology modernization returns, improving financial clarity, investment transparency, operational efficiency, value assessment, and IT project prioritization.
   • Group 4_Measuring ROI (Return on Investment)_Presentation (PDF) 
5. The Commonwealth Connector: The program will establish a scalable framework that integrates key workforce strategies across Virginia agencies to help address agencies’ needs.
   • Group 5_Commonwealth Connector_Presentation (PDF) 

Team Projects for Transformative Outcomes
Working in cross-agency teams, participants provided real-world, scalable solutions to some of the Commonwealth’s greatest opportunities and pressing challenges. These collaborative efforts reflected the cohort’s strong commitment to enhancing government services and driving meaningful change across the Commonwealth.

The graduation ceremony, held on November 14th, honored the accomplishments of these outstanding leaders. In attendance were agency leaders, senior officials, and members of Governor Youngkin’s team, including Secretary Margaret “Lyn” McDermid. Inspiring remarks from former Governor L. Douglas Wilder highlighted the critical role of leadership excellence in advancing the importance and value of public service.

As graduates return to their agencies, they carry forward sharpened skills, bold strategies, and a shared commitment to improving outcomes for all Virginians, continuing the legacy of the Commonwealth Leadership Academy as a catalyst for impactful governance.

Congratulations to the Fall 2025 Commonwealth Leadership Academy Cohort!

For more information about the Commonwealth Leadership Academy and its mission to develop high-performing public service leaders, visit Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute.

Introducing the Fall 2025 Commonwealth Leadership Academy cohort