Chasity Barbour, Community Programs Director from the Town of Vinton, recently completed
the Virginia Women’s Municipal Leadership Institute, a partnership between Virginia Women
Leading Government and the Virginia Tech Roanoke Center to provide women aspiring to
become local government leaders with connections, content, tools, and opportunities to further
develop their skills and broaden their network.
Community Programs recently completed the Virginia Women’s Municipal Leadership Institute
program. (courtesy of Chasity Barbour)
Through this program, Barbour and 24 other high potential women from across the
commonwealth attended sessions designed to develop both their skills and confidence to pursue
positions as community leaders.
In Virginia, only 17% of top local government appointed chief administrative officials are held
by women, according to diversity dashboard.org. To institute coordinator Bonnie Svrcek, the
first female city manager of Lynchburg before her retirement in 2020, that number is
unacceptable.
“It is critical for communities to have leadership that reflects the demographic of their towns,
cities, and counties,” Svrcek said. “Inclusive leadership makes for better decision-making and
therefore stronger communities. In the private sector, research has shown that companies with
mixed-gender leadership have better profit margins. There is no doubt that mixed-gender
leadership in local government leadership yields stronger communities.”
The women participated in eight monthly gatherings, alternating between virtual and in-person
sessions around the state. Virginia Tech faculty members and other experts presented workshops
on topics incorporating both technical duties such as budgeting and “soft skills” such as public
speaking and life as an executive woman in local government.
“I now cannot imagine my career without the network of these 25 wonderful, growth-minded
women that are out here ‘boots on the ground’ putting the Virginia Women Leading
Government on the map,” Barbour said. “This program has fueled my soul and given me the
courage I needed to have the confidence to go face the challenges!”
“The institute is a perfect example of the ways the Roanoke Center and the university’s other
Commonwealth Campus Centers located in Richmond, Abingdon, and Newport News connect
their communities with university resources,” said Scott Weimer, executive director of Roanoke
Regional Initiatives. “The Virginia Women’s Municipal Leadership Institute is developing a new
generation of leaders who are poised to enhance local government across the commonwealth
with a wealth of diverse perspectives and skills,” he said. “Through this program, we’re helping
these leaders and the communities they serve achieve their full potential.”
Applications for the institute’s 2024 cohort will be accepted later this year, with sessions running
from March to October. For more information, contact Bonnie Svrcek at bsvrcek@gmail.com.
Submitted by Bonnie Svrcek, Virginia Women’s Municipal Leadership Institute
