SWVA Economic Forum
Thursday, May 21, 2026
8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Agenda
Time | Event | Speakers |
|---|---|---|
8:00-9:00 a.m. | Check-In & Networking Breakfast | |
8:55-9:00 a.m. | Meet the Emcee | T. Michael W. Halcomb Author, Educator, Presenter, Podcaster, Comedian |
9:00-9:05 a.m. | Opening Welcome | Donna P. Henry, Ph.D. Chancellor The University of Virginia's College at Wise |
9:05-9:15 a.m. | 20 Years of Impact: CGI in Southwest Virginia | Vijay Srinivasan President, U.S. Commercial & State Government Operations CGI |
9:15-10:00 a.m. | State of Rural America: Trends Shaping What's Next for Southwest Virginia | Amanda Weinstein, Ph.D. Director of Research Center on Rural Innovation |
10:00 a.m.-10:20 | Keynote Speaker: Governor Abigail D. Spanberger | The Honorable Terry Kilgore Virginia House of Delegates, 45th District The Honorable Abigail D. Spanberger Governor, Commonwealth of Virginia |
10:20 a.m.-11:15 | Aligned for Impact: How Virginia's Agencies Are Investing in Rural | Carrie H. Chenery Secretary of Commerce and Trade Office of the Governor, Commonwealth of Virginia Tamarah Holmes, Ph.D. Director Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development Eric Lin Director Virginia Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity Rita McClenny President & CEO Virginia Tourism Corporation Jason El Koubi President & CEO Virginia Economic Development Partnership |
11:15-11:30 a.m. | Break & Networking | |
11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Breakout Session—Data to Grow On: Informing Destination Development for Stronger Local Economies | Doug Jackson Capacity Development Specialist Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development Dan Roberts Vice President of Research & Strategy Virginia Tourism Corporation Kim Davis Executive Director Friends of Southwest Virginia Kalen Hunter Senior Destination Development Manager Virginia Tourism Corporation Michelle Workman Senior Destination Development Manager Virginia Tourism Corporation |
Breakout Session—From Zip Code to Career Code: Enhancing Workforce Participation in Southwest Virginia | Dana Westgren Senior Policy Advisor Virginia Works | |
Breakout Session—Rooted to Rise: Cultivating Regional Business Growth and Economic Diversification | Lennie Gail Mitcham Executive Director Southwest Virginia Alliance for Manufacturing Bruce Crowder Vice President, Intellectual Property, Utilities and Energy Solutions CGI Melanie Protti-Lawrence President Lawrence Brothers, Inc. Steve Jones Executive Vice President & CFO VFP, Inc. | |
Breakout Session—From the Ground Up: Building a Regional Innovation Ecosystem | Molly Pyle Chief Program Officer Center on Rural Innovation | |
12:30-1:15 p.m. | Lunch & Networking | |
1:15-1:30 p.m. | Sandy Ratliff Community Champion Award Presentation | Cindy Green John Kilgore |
1:30-2:15 p.m. | AI and the Future of Work: Impacts and Opportunities | Mike Malone Partner Economic Leadership |
2:15-2:30 p.m. | Closing Remarks | Donna P. Henry, Ph.D. Chancellor The University of Virginia's College at Wise |
2:30-3:00 p.m. | Networking Reception | |
3:00-5:00 p.m. | Regional Housing Symposium | This optional event following the Forum will convene policymakers, developers, and community leaders for a deep dive into regional housing challenges and opportunities. You can register using the same link for Forum registration. The Symposium ticket will be available as a ticket add-on and is free of cost. Additionally, you can register for the Symposium without registering for the Forum. |