GAP launched the inaugural NEW Leadership Virginia® Program at the Schar School of Policy and Government in June as the sole NEW Leadership Network partner of the Center for American Women and Politics in the state.

Undergraduate students from colleges and universities across the Commonwealth made up the cohort for the weeklong program that included leadership classes, networking, Capitol Hill visits with members of Congress, and a policy action project guided by faculty in residence with legislative, lobbying, and legal expertise. Here’s a sampling of what the program entailed:

Accomplished and Caring Leaders and

Faculty in Residence

New Leadership Co-Directors Jill Deering and Bonnie Stabile with cohort graduate Karen Moyers (center).

New Leadership Faculty in Residence: Bonita Pennino, Former American Cancer Society Government Relations Director, and Virginia House Majority Leader Charniele Herring with GAP Director Bonnie Stabile (center), and Professor Shea Holman pictured on our Capitol Hill visit.

Real World Policy Action Project

Experts advising on the policy action project on data centers in Northern Virginia standing (left to right): Virginia Delegate Joshua Thomas; Juli Briskman, Vice Chair of the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors;  Darren Shumate, Managing Director at Shumate Engineering; Kate Smiley, Director of Virginia Government Affairs, Data Center Coalition; Buddy Rizer, Executive Director, Loudoun County Economic Development Department; Virginia House Majority Leader Charniele Herring; Schar Assistant Dean Jill Deering; and Julie Bolthouse, Land Use Director, Piedmont Environmental Council (in center of seated panel on right).

Expert-Led Class Sessions on Core Leadership Knowledge and Skills

National Science Foundation Public Affairs Specialist Lisa-Joy Zgorski (fourth from left, back row), led a session on press releases and briefings.

GAP board member and faculty-in-residence Shea Holman taught a session about the legislative process.

Collaboration and deal-making session led by Majority Leader Charniele Herring.

“Speaking Your Truth” session taught by Assistant Professor of Political Science at Virginia Commonwealth University Dr. Jatia Wrighten. 

Author and confidence coach Minna Taylor with students - each student received a copy of Taylor’s book "The Confident Body," at the end of the session.

Inspiring Panels with Next Gen Women Leaders Across Sectors

Careers in Public Service panelists included Health and Safety Advocate for AFSCME Shafuq Naseem; Communications Director for D.C. Deputy Mayor of Health and Human Services Rebecca Dooley, and Community Health Specialist, Fairfax County Health Department Lady Chioma Nwadike.

Emergency Management Professionals panel featuring Program Manager at the U.S. Senate Sergeant of Arms Katie Simon; Deputy Director at Arlington County Public Safety Communication and Emergency Management Hannah Winant; and Disaster Risk Reduction Planner at the Maryland Department of Emergency Management Vanessa Calaban.

Networking and Celebrating with Women Leaders

Networking session and ceremony for "Women Who Mind the GAP"  Leadership Awards honoring award recipients Naomi Barry-Perez, director of the Civil Rights Center at the U.S. Department of Labor, Kinsey Fabrizio, president of the Consumer Technology Association, and Diana Ortiz, CEO of Doorways, who also participated in a lively panel discussion. Thanks to our GAP Board and the many esteemed and accomplished community members who joined to network with our NEW Leadership Virginia® students!

Capitol Hill Visits with Lawmakers

Representative Kiggans' interns gave us a tour of the Capitol, and our students met with with Representatives Beyer, Spanberger, and McClellan.

Looking forward to NEW Leadership Virginia® 2025?  Click here for full 2024 program details and 2025 info coming soon!