News
Virginia’s top public service leadership program continues a tradition of excellence and problem-solving
by David Slipher
In 1997, VCU assumed responsibility for the Virginia Executive Institute from the commonwealth. Since then, more than 1,400 public service leaders have completed the program. The list of alumni reads like a “Who’s Who of Virginia government”, including cabinet secretaries, agency heads, managers, directors, and other key decision-makers.
27 years later, VEI remains the premier leadership development program for leaders in Virginia government from all branches and regions — executive, judicial, and legislative — as well as universities, independent state agencies, and local governments across the Commonwealth.
“The Virginia Executive Institute continues to be a signature program in the development of Virginia's top leaders,” said Wilder School Dean Susan T. Gooden. “Through VEI, we are shaping skilled decision-makers and ethical leaders who are prepared to address the complex challenges of today and tomorrow. This commitment to excellence and problem-solving at the highest levels of government ensures that Virginia remains a leader in effective and responsive governance.”
Recognizing public service leadership
View the Wilder School VEI 2024 Spring State Capitol visit
View more 2024 VEI photos from the Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute
Offered in the spring and fall, VEI is a rigorous program that includes self-assessments such as the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator and 360 Feedback, a robust reading list, media training, conflict resolution and ethical decision-making sessions, and coaching. The class meets over several months at rotating locations throughout the state.
Each class is divided into groups and assigned a “leadership challenge” to research and present to a panel of state government leaders at graduation at the state Capitol. The 66th Governor of Virginia, L. Douglas Wilder, delivered remarks at their graduation.
“I was pleased to join the Virginia Executive Institute leaders and to address them. Having served as Vice Chairman of the Virginia Housing Study Commission, I can relate to the critical work VEI is doing in implementing solutions to meet the continuing needs in our communities today. This improvement is greatly needed in public leadership, and the findings of the VEI group presentations were eye-opening to me.”
— Governor L. Douglas Wilder
The 2024 Spring class groups developed solutions to a range of topics, presenting on:
- Developing Consistency for Conflict Resolution in the Workplace
- Feasible or Unreasonable? The Four-Day Work Week
- Living the Dream: The Struggle to Find an Affordable Home
- Service Beyond the Desk: Embracing Volunteerism to Support our Communities and Improve our Personal Wellbeing
- Virginia Flex: Transforming Virginia's Work Paradigm to Improve Organizational Culture and Performance Outcomes
The governor's office, legislative leaders, cabinet secretaries, or agency directors must nominate program candidates.
Applications for the 2024 Fall class are due Friday, June 28, 2024.
For more information, contact Sherida Haughton, Associate Director of Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute at haughtonse@vcu.edu or 804-986-3528.
View program requirements and nominate a candidate for the Virginia Executive Institute
Congratulations to the Virginia Executive Institute Spring 2024 Class!
Alexis Aplasca
Chief Clinical Officer
Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services
Seth Austin
State Registrar
Virginia Department of Health
Stacey Brown
Boating Division Director
Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources
Michele Crone
Director of Benefits
Virginia Department of Veterans Services
Aubrey Granderson
Director
Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services, Division of Licensure and Regulatory Services
Robert Arons
Director, Office of Research and Planning
Virginia Department of Social Services
Jeanine Black
Division Manager, Sr. Budget, Finance and Contracts
Virginia Department of Social Services
Aubrey Chigwada
Director, Office of Workers' Compensation
Virginia Department of Human Resource Management
Montwrace Cunningham
Program Manager, Virginia Military Survivors & Dependents Education Program
Virginia Department of Veterans Services
Denise Hayes
EBP Operations Administrator
Virginia Department of Corrections
Kimberly Jones
Chief Learning and Development Officer
Virginia Department of Social Services
Allison Lawrence
Executive Director
Virginia Senate Democratic Caucus
Amy Martin
Manager, Wildlife Information & Environmental Services
Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources
Richard Matthews
Chief Customer Experience Officer
Virginia Information Technologies Agency
Clay Mountcastle
Executive Director
Virginia War Memorial
Ty Parr
Division Director for Local Engagement and Support
Virginia Department of Social Services
Kathryn Perszyk
Land Protection & Revitalization Division Director
Virginia Department of Environmental Quality
Dominique Prophet
Branch Chief
Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency
Sarah Rogers
Director of Enforcement
Virginia Department of Health Professions 9
Kelli Spriggs
Branch Chief
Virginia Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency
Pam Stephenson
IT Director
Virginia Department of General Services
Albert Stokes
Deputy Chief, Administration
Richmond Police Department
Zuhairah Tillinghast
Deputy Insurance Commissioner
Virginia State Corporation Commission
Keith Tisdell
Director of Buildings and Grounds
Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services
Steven Williams
Program Manager
Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles
Nancy Wilson
Director, Tax Processing Operations, Business Support Services
Virginia Department of Taxation