UVA Wise Celebrates Graduation of Inaugural LEAD SWVA Cohort

Kelly Moody
LEAD SWVA cohort members

The University of Virginia’s College at Wise (UVA Wise) proudly marked a major milestone this month as the inaugural cohort of its regional leadership development initiative, LEAD SWVA, graduated at a ceremony held at the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center.

Launched in May and running through November, the seven-month program brought together community-minded professionals from across Southwest Virginia to Learn, Engage, Aspire and Deliver.

The curriculum addressed key themes shaping Southwest Virginia, including entrepreneurship, workforce development, downtown revitalization and outdoor recreation and tourism, pairing experiential site visits with workshops on leadership styles, engagement strategies and collaborative problem-solving. 

UVA Wise Chancellor Donna Henry opened the graduation ceremony with remarks highlighting the College’s commitment to regional development. Addressing the cohort, she emphasized that leadership is more than a title—it is a responsibility that exists at every level of an organization and throughout the community.

“When we first envisioned LEAD SWVA, our goal wasn’t simply to create another leadership program. We wanted to create an experience that celebrates who we are as a region, one that builds bridges between sectors, communities and generations,” Henry said. “Through participation in LEAD SWVA, you’ve joined a growing network of people who are ready to lead thoughtfully, creatively and courageously. I hope your experience has inspired you and reminded you that leadership doesn’t always come from a position of authority. It often begins with one person who chooses to act.”

Her words set the tone for the graduation, framing leadership as both a personal choice and a collective effort and reinforcing LEAD SWVA’s mission to cultivate leaders who are grounded in service, collaboration and community impact.

Mike Quillen, a deeply rooted leader in Southwest Virginia’s economy and energy industry, also delivered remarks reflecting on his extensive career and personal leadership journey. Raised in Gate City, Quillen began his career working underground in coal mines, an experience that shaped his work ethic and leadership style.

“My life has always been tied to this region, and I believe deeply in Southwest Virginia’s people and its potential,” Quillen said. “If we understand the systems that shape our communities, we can build with purpose and more effectively help. The leadership in this room can rewrite what’s possible for our towns, our families and generations to come.”

A highlight of the graduation was the presentation of capstone service projects, each designed to address critical community needs across the region.

Among them was a business co-op project presented by Tabitha Hibbitts Grieger, who co-founded Appalachian Rising Venures LLC with her husband, John Grieger. She shared, “LEAD SWVA has allowed me to make connections with people who not only believe in my vision but are willing to help bring it to life. Appalachia is full of hardworking people who simply need access to resources and encouragement. Through this initiative, we are building a network that supports and sustains businesses—businesses that strengthen our towns, create opportunity and preserve the place we proudly call home.”

Another participant, Rachel Stiltner, senior engagement specialist with Ballad Health, found that LEAD SWVA offered more than professional development: “It was an invitation to slow down, an opportunity to recalibrate, rethink my pace, my priorities and my purpose, and reconnect with myself and my roots.”

Her capstone centered on supporting the Resilience Adaptation Feasibility Tool (RAFT) initiative in Dickenson County. The RAFT provides a comprehensive assessment of local resilience challenges and assets, offering a roadmap for action tailored to each locality. The goal is to strengthen the ability of Southwest Virginia communities to withstand, adapt to, and recover from events such as natural disasters, economic shifts and healthcare disparities.

Other capstone projects addressed a wide range of regional needs, including disaster response and recovery, catalytic capital, transportation workforce initiatives, school fundraising strategies and leveraging New Market Tax Credits to support community investment.

Shannon Blevins, vice chancellor for strategic engagement and government relations, praised the cohort, “Leadership in Southwest Virginia is a high calling, and this cohort has risen to the challenge. Each project, each idea and each participant is like a thread in a larger tapestry—diverse, unique and essential. Together, you are weaving a stronger, more connected region, and your contributions will leave a lasting mark on the communities you serve.”

Richard Johnson, community development manager at UVA Wise, closed the ceremony, noting, “It’s been inspiring to see this cohort’s growth—to watch you go from participants to partners, from strangers to collaborators and from learners to leaders. That’s exactly what we hoped this program would create: a space where talented and motivated people could learn with and from each other while strengthening the fabric of Southwest Virginia.”

LEAD SWVA extends its deep appreciation to the Anne & Gene Worrell Foundation and the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Association (VCEDA) for their generous sponsorships, which helped make the program possible. Special thanks also go to the many organizations and localities whose partnership enriched the program experience: the Town of Wytheville, the City of Galax, Southwest Virginia Community College, Southern Gap Outdoor Adventure, VCEDA, Dickenson County, Breaks Interstate Park, the Southwest Virginia Cultural Center and Marketplace, Clinch River State Park, Whistle Pig Country Store, Blue Highway Fest and the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center. Their collaboration and commitment strengthened each learning module and underscored the region’s shared investment in cultivating future leaders.

Now officially LEAD SWVA alumni, this inaugural cohort is poised to deliver on their projects and continue contributing to the vitality and growth of Southwest Virginia. The application period for the next LEAD SWVA cohort is expected to open in February 2026.

2025 LEAD SWVA Cohort Members:

  • Shiloh Brooks
  • Kelly Charapich
  • Nicholas Childers
  • Tammy Jo Franklin
  • Tabitha Hibbitts Grieger
  • Lauren Ketron
  • Leia King
  • Gavin Lester
  • John Rose
  • Rachel Stiltner
  • William Teaters
  • Brittany Woodby
  • Emma Wyatt