Leadership Southside Class of 2026
[Danville, VA] – The Chamber has seen a significant increase in interest from its members for leadership development opportunities over the past several years. In response, the Chamber is proud to launch this year’s 34th Leadership Southside cohort, which will include 55 participants.
Of these 55 participants, 21 are from Hitachi Energy, a global technology leader in electrification, located in South Boston, VA. To accommodate this boost in participation, the Chamber has adjusted the program structure to ensure a meaningful and impactful experience for all involved. The program will feature a hybrid model: half of the sessions will be joint experiences for the full cohort of 55 participants, while the remaining sessions will be divided between the general Leadership Southside group and the dedicated Leadership Southside Hitachi Energy cohort. This tailored approach allows the Chamber to better meet the unique needs of Hitachi Energy employees while maintaining the program’s commitment to collaborative leadership development.
Hitachi Energy has been a valued and consistent supporter of the Chamber’s work, especially the Leadership Southside program, and so the Chamber is honored to help meet their professional development needs. This growing engagement highlights the commitment of our member organizations in investing in the growth and success of their employees and our region’s leadership base.
Additionally, Leadership Southside will partner with Leadership MHC, the leadership development program of the Martinsville-Henry County Chamber of Commerce, to offer joint networking opportunities and regional leadership discussions. This collaboration will strengthen connections across Southside Virginia and foster a broader exchange of ideas and leadership practices.
“We are proud to have curated a special program for Hitachi Energy, a longtime supporter and strong partner of the Chamber,” stated Anne Moore-Sparks, president & CEO of the Danville Pittsylvania Chamber of Commerce. “Their investment in Leadership Southside, along with the many other businesses who are supporting their employees through this program, shows a deep commitment to developing talent and strengthening the region’s leadership pipeline. By also partnering with the Martinsville-Henry County Chamber and its Leadership MHC program, we are taking a truly regional approach – connecting talent, ideas, and innovation across Southside Virginia.”
Listed below are the names and organizations of the Leadership Southside Class of 2026:
| Name of Participant | Employer |
| Abby Karavanic | Institute for Advanced Learning and Research |
| Amanda Redd | City of Danville, Utilities |
| Amy Elliott | First National Bank |
| Angela Wimberly | Danville Public Schools |
| Antwonette Harris | City of Danville, Finance |
| Ashley Covington | Danville-Pittsylvania Community Services |
| Ashley Mulero | Carter Bank |
| Brent Burnette | Danville-Pittsylvania Community Services |
| Chanse Mullinix | Blair Construction |
| Chassidy Coleman | Epic Health Partners |
| Chris Ford | Danville Community College |
| Cynthia McCullough | Negril |
| Dana Kern | City of Danville |
| Daniel Dalton | Institute for Advanced Learning and Research |
| Erik Radka | Goodyear Tire and Rubber |
| Jasmine Sutton | Danville Neighborhood Development Council |
| Jay Thornton | City of Danville, Fire Department |
| Jenn Hardy | TECHnista |
| Jo Ellen Hylton | Danville Public Schools |
| Joe Parker | Caesars Virginia |
| Joshua Bush | Signode |
| Justin Meadows | 2 Witches Winery & Brewing Co |
| Katie Mae Boyers | Ramsay’s Kitchen |
| Lisa Greer | City of Danville, Office of Economic Development and Tourism |
| Miranda Branch | City of Danville, Finance |
| Nikki Souser | First National Bank |
| Patrick Dewberry | Hampton By Hilton |
| Robert Morton | Blair Construction |
| Sajeewa Amaradasa | Institute for Advanced Learning and Research |
| Shanika Williams | City of Danville, Community Development |
| Sharon Hendricks | Haven of the Dan River Region |
| Shelby Barnhart | Goodyear Tire and Rubber |
| Tim Kruggel | Institute for Advanced Learning and Research |
| Tim Lasley | Dewberry |
| Amber Beadles | Hitachi Energy |
| Angie Abdi | Hitachi Energy |
| Angela Yancey | Hitachi Energy |
| Ann Franklin | Hitachi Energy |
| Anthony Holt | Hitachi Energy |
| Barbara Oliver | Hitachi Energy |
| Byron Williams | Hitachi Energy |
| Carissa Cash | Hitachi Energy |
| Chetan Kacha | Hitachi Energy |
| Christian Palmer | Hitachi Energy |
| Christie Lewis | Hitachi Energy |
| Devin Young | Hitachi Energy |
| Jennifer Hammock | Hitachi Energy |
| Jorge Hernandez Quintero | Hitachi Energy |
| Joseph Myers | Hitachi Energy |
| Kate Reese | Hitachi Energy |
| Kuineisha Robinson | Hitachi Energy |
| Lolita Walker | Hitachi Energy |
| Muhammed Ucar | Hitachi Energy |
| Mustufa Kaji | Hitachi Energy |
| Tara Jones | Hitachi Energy |
The Chamber is grateful to the program’s content sponsors for making these sessions possible:
- Mojo Leadership Group;
- River District Consulting Group; and
- Epstein Clark Consulting.
The Chamber has contracted with Rachel Covington to lead, develop, and facilitate the program. Rachel has led Leadership Southside for the last seven years. For more information about Leadership Southside, please contact Rachel at rcovington@dpchamber.org.
The Chamber remains dedicated to providing flexible, high-quality programs that support the evolving needs of its members. If your business is interested in tailored leadership training for its employees, please contact Anne Moore-Sparks at Anne@dpchamber.org.
The Chamber is grateful to its Innovation Partners and other regional funders, without whom this program would not be possible.
The Danville Pittsylvania 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.
