[Danville, VA] – The Danville Pittsylvania Chamber of Commerce has accepted 36 participants into this year’s Leadership Southside class. To kick off the program year, the class attended their orientation this week, in addition to a social to network with Leadership Southside alumni.
Leadership Southside is the Dan River Region’s premiere leadership development program for the business, education, public, and nonprofit sectors.
In its 33rd year, Leadership Southside was created when Leadership Danville and Leadership Pittsylvania County combined programs in 1991. Leadership Southside develops participants’ leadership skills to strengthen their role as an individual, professional, and community member. This year’s cohort will participate in sessions to learn about conflict resolution, nonprofit board leadership, communication skills, crisis leadership, equitable leadership, presentation skills, purpose-driven leadership and transformational leadership. Throughout the program, participants also will have access to several assessments, including CliftonStrengths™, the Enneagram, and a 360 review, to learn more about their own leadership style. In January, participants will travel to Richmond for Chamber Day at the Capitol to hear from and engage with members of the General Assembly.
“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 2025:
Name of Participant | Place of Employment |
Abby Manasco | Manasco Realty |
Amadeo Cabrera | Hitachi Energy |
Amber Stone | Sovah Health |
Amy Newell | Danville-Pittsylvania Community Services |
Andrea Gillus | Danville Public Schools |
Anjanette Farmer | PATHS |
Caleb Ayers | Institute for Advanced Learning and Research |
Carrington Chambers | Danville-Pittsylvania Community Services |
Chris Newnam | Hitachi Energy |
Eben Leigh | United Way Danville-Pittsylvania County |
Eric Minter | City of Danville, Fire Department |
Henrietta Weaver | City of Danville |
Jaime Bethel | Fab’s Family Medical Transport |
Jared Links | Kickback Jacks |
Javier Perez Derat | Hitachi Energy |
Jerry Hankins | First National Bank |
Jessica Dalton | Danville Community College |
Joel Keneipp | Polynt Composites |
Justin Scarce | Institute for Advanced Learning and Research |
Kimberly Whitehead | Signode |
Laura Brown | 2 Witches Winery & Brewery |
Mallorie Gomersall | Tyson Farms |
Maria Vasquez | ValleyStar Credit Union |
Megan Bowling | URW Credit Union |
Mitchell Smith | Virginia International Raceway |
Richard White | Hobbs and Associates |