LEAD Peninsula

LEAD fills the need to Learn, Explore, Absorb, and Disseminate the portrait of the Virginia Peninsula!

LEAD Peninsula is a community immersion program, which can best be described as an experience in understanding a community mosaic…the Peninsula mosaic.  LEAD Peninsula fosters opportunities for increased communication and cooperation among the private, public and nonprofit sectors. Through a series of initiatives and programs, the LEAD Peninsula program provides opportunities for both recognized and emerging leaders to work collaboratively on issues of importance to the Peninsula community.

Since 1984, LEAD Peninsula (formally Leadership Institute of the Virginia Peninsula) has been introducing its class members to the major facets of the greater Peninsula community through an intensive ten-month program. The LEAD Peninsula members participate in educational sessions, tours, and candid conversations with community leaders. The goal is to provide intellectual and personal connectivity experiences with the various aspects of our community – business, education, public safety, health and human services, environment, local, state and federal government, workforce development, military and federal impact, transportation, infrastructure (water/sewer), etc.  The objective of this diverse array of topics is to challenge members to see their community as they never have before and to expand their knowledge on the different aspects that influence their community as a whole.

Since its beginning, LEAD Peninsula has graduated over 1000 diverse and accomplished individuals.  While no two participants share completely the same background, all share a commitment to the Virginia Peninsula, influenced by their individual cities and counties as a part of a major economic region.  Most importantly, all participants have a desire to take an active role in determining the Peninsula’s future.

Testimonials

Bo Garner - Manager, PBMares, LLP

"The LEAD Peninsula Program has given me the opportunity not only to connect with future leaders of the area, but to befriend them. I have also had the privilege of getting behind the scenes tours of the major drivers of the peninsula economy including military, healthcare, education, political, transportation, science and environmental facilities. It has been an eye opening experience for me, and I have a deeper understanding and appreciation of how the region operates."

Colonel David Stanfield - US Air Force

"The LEAD Peninsula Program was an amazing experience! The monthly immersions into the myriad of issues facing the Hampton Roads community proved to be invaluable to my professional development and facilitated a greater appreciation for the complexity of city management. Moreover, the Cohort experience yielded friendships and connections I will always treasure. Without a doubt, I'm a better citizen, leader, and professional due to the LEAD program."

Lieutenant Molly B. Bartley - Newport News Police Department

"I recently graduated from the 2016-2017 Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce LEAD class, which ran from September 2016 to June 2017.  LEAD, Learn Explore Absorb and Disseminate, is a wonderful community immersion program for leaders in our region.  The course topics covered a wide variety of fields from Public Safety; Health & Human Services; Education; Government; Technology; Transportation; Environment and Federal.  In each session, leaders in each field provided a presentation on their business and how it impacts us and the citizens in our communities.  The networking provided local leaders an opportunity to share information from varying fields and prompts leaders to immerse themselves in community interaction, collaboration and partnerships.  Thank you to the Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce!"

Class of 2017

LEAD Peninsula 2016-2017 Program Day Sponsors