[Danville, VA] – The Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce has accepted 35 participants into this year’s Leadership Southside class.

Leadership Southside is the Dan River Region’s premiere leadership development program for the business, education, public, and nonprofit sectors.

In its 31st year, Leadership Southside develops participants’ leadership skills to strengthen their role as an individual, professional, and community member. From equipping participants with the understanding of a leader’s role in developing and communicating a transformative vision for the future to teaching them how to manage themselves and others effectively through conflict situations, this program is designed to build an alliance of the finest leaders for present and future leadership needs in the region.

The Chamber received 50 submissions during this year’s application period and is excited to increase the class size from 25 to 35 participants to meet this demand.

“The Chamber provides the most comprehensive leadership program in the region,” said Anne Moore-Sparks, the Chamber’s President & CEO. “Meeting the need for leadership development in the region and fostering the growth of leaders who will play a crucial role in shaping the future of the region is paramount. This program creates a network of exceptional leaders capable of addressing the current and future leadership requirements of a region that is rapidly growing and changing.”

Listed below are the names and organizations of the Leadership Southside Class of 2024:

Alex Hattwick
2 Witches Winery and Brewing Company

Ashley Smith
First National Bank

Beth Shackelford
Danville Police Department

Brandyn Smith
Danville Fire Department

Cameron Sowers
URW Community Federal Credit Union

Charisse Hairston
Haven of the Dan River Region

Chris Kidd
ValleyStar Credit Union

Crystal Stone
Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.

Drew Bailey
Averett University

Emily Fowler
Danville Area Training Center

Hosanna Pennell
Piedmont Triad Visitor Center

Jaime Muckey
Caesars Virginia

Janet Davis
Danville Utilities

Johnnie Walker
Piedmont Access to Health Services [PATHS]

Josiah Motley
River District Consulting Group

Justin Owen
Institute for Advanced Learning and Research

Kara Taylor
Tyson Foods

Katie Aceto
Animal Medical Center

Kathy Contratto
Danville Family YMCA

Katy Bradshaw
Danville-Pittsylvania Community Services

Kim Matthews
Pittsylvania County Public Library

Lori Flanigan
City of Danville

Lori Owens
SOVAH Health

Luvennia Williams
Negril

Mary Hammock
Farm Credit of the Virginias

Megan Nipper
Danville Public Schools

Melanie Kendrick
SoVa Legal

Natori Neal
Institute for Advanced Learning and Research

Noah Parsons
ServPro of Danville & Pittsylvania County

Sam Rippe
Rippe’s

Savannah Lind
City of Danville

Shekinah Millner
Epic Health Partners

Travis Koger
Dewberry

Vera Vaden
Danville Redevelopment & Housing Authority

Wayne Peters
Danville Community College

Leadership Southside is a ten-month program, typically meeting on the third Tuesday of each month from August through May. Participants will graduate in May 2024 at the Chamber’s Annual Awards Dinner.

The Chamber would like to thank Leadership Southside alumni, this year’s participants, and past and present employers for recognizing the value of leadership development as this community continues to evolve.

The Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce accelerates business growth by connecting its members to dynamic resources and networks. The Chamber’s number one goal is to help area businesses of all sizes to grow and prosper.