Presenting Sponsor
The Virginia Chamber of Commerce Foundation was pleased to present the 2026 Virginia Women’s Leadership Forum on Thursday, March 12, during Women’s History Month.
This special event featured influential voices from Virginia’s female leaders working to improve the Commonwealth. The forum also highlighted the newly formed Women in Business Leadership Council, which is working to advance Blueprint Virginia 2035 priorities. Through candid conversations and shared leadership perspectives, attendees gained real-world insights while building connections among women working to improve all facets of life in Virginia.
Agenda
View the agenda by clicking here.
Highlights
- Thought-provoking conversations with women leading in business, government, and public service.
- Personal leadership stories and real-world lessons from trailblazers across Virginia.
- Networking opportunities with professionals, advocates, and changemakers committed to equity and impact.
- Celebration of women’s civic and economic contributions, past and present.
Speaker biographies
View speaker biographies by clicking here.
Discussion topics
Power, Purpose, and the Path to Leadership
This panel brought together some of Virginia’s top female business leaders—from C-suite executives to small business owners and entrepreneurs. These accomplished professionals shared their personal career journeys, offering insights shaped by leadership across organizations of all sizes. From overcoming bias to creating work-life balance to mentoring the next generation, the discussion provided an honest and empowering look at what it takes to lead, grow, and thrive at every level of business leadership.
Women in the Care Economy: Healthcare, Housing, Education, and Childcare
This dynamic conversation featured leaders shaping industries that directly impact women’s lives and livelihoods: healthcare, childcare, higher education, and housing. Panelists shared insights from these critical sectors, discussed cross-industry challenges and opportunities, and offered practical perspectives on leadership, influence, and the future of women-centered industries.
Reflecting on Personal Stories of Professional Women
Attendees broke out into small groups to discuss their experiences in the workforce. These conversations created space for authentic dialogue among forum participants. Time permitting, table leaders shared notable highlights from the breakout sessions.
Blueprint Virginia 2035: How the Business Community’s Recommendations Support Women in Virginia
Co-chairs of the new Women in Business Leadership Council shared how the recommendations in the newest Blueprint document directly affect women and how attendees can lend their knowledge and expertise to help shape the future of women in Virginia’s business community.
Keynote Speaker
The Honorable Secretary Candi Mundon King
Secretary Candi Mundon King is a community servant and elected official with over two decades of experience designing and implementing high-impact advocacy programs in education, public safety, economic development, and social justice. During her tenure in the House of Delegates, she championed meaningful change across sectors. Her legislative successes include securing pay raises for teachers, protecting victims of human trafficking, providing paid sick leave for home health care workers and safeguarding renters from unauthorized home access. Most notably, she passed the historic Virginia MOMnibus, which transformed maternal healthcare across the Commonwealth. She also founded the Sickle Cell Caucus and the Black Maternal Health Caucus. Prior to her elected role at the House of Delegates, Mundon King worked in philanthropy, advocacy, and public policy at global organizations.
