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Monday 8:30am - 5pm Tuesday 8:30am - 5pm Wednesday 8:30am - 5pm Thursday 8:30am - 5pm Friday 8:30am - 5pm

CIVIC Leadership Institute

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CIVIC Leadership Institute

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Mission Statement:
CIVIC Leadership Institute connects executive leaders through service to improve life in Hampton Roads.

10/23/2026

𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝘅𝗲𝗰𝘂𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟳!

Christopher Pierson is Chief Operating Officer of the Franklin Group, which specializes in multifamily development and property management. He received a degree in Economics from UVA and a Master of Health Administration from VCU. Before joining Franklin Group, he built a successful career as a healthcare executive, demonstrating strong leadership and operational expertise.

In 2025, Chris was recognized by Virginia Business as a Top 40 Under 40 leader in Virginia, highlighting his professional impact and accomplishments. A big believer in giving back to the community, Chris has served on multiple nonprofit boards in Hampton Roads. He is married with 4 beautiful young kids.

10/22/2026

Thank you to all the CIVIC Alumni who joined us for our BYOP (Bring Your Own Perspective) Happy Hour at Elation Brewing!

We enjoyed reconnecting with Alumni, exchanging ideas, and hearing your perspectives on the events, programming, and opportunities you’d like to see from CIVIC. Your feedback is invaluable as we work to elevate the CIVIC Alumni experience!

A special thank you to our Alumni Engagement Committee for their support in making this event a success, and congratulations to Gucci Malfitano ('20), Anne Wilber ('23), and Ha Koehler ('26) on winning exclusive CIVIC merch!

Thank you for helping shape the future of CIVIC. We hope to see you at the next Alumni event!

10/21/2026

𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝘅𝗲𝗰𝘂𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟳!

Gaurav Bhatia is the President and CEO of Langley Federal Credit Union, based in Newport News, VA. Previously, he held leadership positions at PenFed Credit Union, AARP, NewDay USA, Capital One, and Sabre. He is a business leader with experience in business growth, transformation, digital, and marketing across the financial services industry. He has an MBA, an MS in Information Systems, and a degree in Mechanical Engineering.

10/20/2026

There’s still time to join us for the Darden Awards on November 18th!

Join us to celebrate this year’s honorees, R. Bruce Bradley and W. M. Jordan Company, and their outstanding leadership, service, and philanthropy while connecting with CIVIC alumni, regional leaders, and friends from across Hampton Roads.

Reserve your seat and be part of a meaningful evening celebrating leadership and impact across our region:
🎫 https://civichr.app.neoncrm.com/forms/160?storeMode=ITEM

10/19/2026

The CIVIC Executive Class of 2027 came together last week for a memorable two-day Opening Retreat at the Williamsburg Inn, setting the foundation for a year of learning, leadership, and connection.

During the retreat, the cohort explored the people, organizations, and issues shaping Hampton Roads. Conversations focused on regional collaboration, the role of our chambers, workforce and economic development, and how today’s leaders can help invest in Hampton Roads’ future.

Thank you to the many CIVIC alumni and regional leaders who shared their expertise and helped set the tone for an engaging year ahead:

• 𝗢𝗻𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗩𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 - 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗛𝗮𝗺𝗽𝘁𝗼𝗻 𝗥𝗼𝗮𝗱𝘀 𝗧𝗼𝗴𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿: Terry Banez (‘22), President & CEO of Greater Williamsburg Chamber and Tourism Alliance; Blair Durham (‘22), CEO of Black BRAND; Bob McKenna (‘20), President & CEO of Virginia Peninsula Chamber; and Bryan Stephens, President & CEO of Hampton Roads Chamber
• 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗘𝗰𝗼𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺 - 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗮 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗛𝗮𝗺𝗽𝘁𝗼𝗻 𝗥𝗼𝗮𝗱𝘀: Shawn Avery (‘16), President & CEO of Hampton Workforce Council; Nancy Grden, President & CEO of Hampton Roads Executive Roundtable; and Douglas Smith (‘01), President & CEO of Hampton Roads Alliance
• 𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝗟𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗚𝗼𝗼𝗱 - 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Brad McMurran and Rhett Epler of Push Comedy Theater
• 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘁𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗿𝘁 𝗠𝘂𝘀𝗲𝘂𝗺𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗺𝘀𝗯𝘂𝗿𝗴: Eric App, Director of Museum Operations
• 𝗟𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗼𝗴𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿, 𝗟𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁: Dr. Johnny Finn, Professor of Geography at Christopher Newport University
• 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗪𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗛𝗮𝗺𝗽𝘁𝗼𝗻 𝗥𝗼𝗮𝗱𝘀’ 𝗙𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲?: Greg Grootendorst (‘23), Deputy Executive Director of Hampton Roads Planning District Commission
• 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗹𝘂𝗺𝗻𝗶 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗿: Anthony Walters (‘20), President & CEO of YMCA of South Hampton Roads

10/14/2026

Many thanks to our Icon Sponsors of the 2026 Darden Awards. Thank you for your support!

10/13/2026

𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝘅𝗲𝗰𝘂𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟳!

Jarrett Beeler is the founder and CEO of Sway Creative Labs, an independent full-service advertising and marketing agency in Norfolk, Virginia. Built on a no-B-team philosophy, Sway has grown into a nationally recognized creative force specializing in destination marketing, corporate communications, and entertainment. Jarrett has led the agency from a boutique shop to a strategic innovator, earning recognition as one of Hampton Roads' most influential business leaders. When he's not building brands, he's an accomplished musician and songwriter. Jarrett lives in Norfolk with his wife, Reese, and their two daughters, and is an active voice in the city's civic and creative life.

10/12/2026

Many thanks to our Visionary Sponsor of the 2026 Darden Awards. Thank you, Sentara Health, for your support!

10/09/2026

𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝘅𝗲𝗰𝘂𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟳!

Dr. Aurelia Taylor Williams is Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs and Founding Executive Director of the Cybersecurity Complex at Norfolk State University, where she leads academic strategy, faculty excellence, research growth, and student success. A nationally recognized academic leader, she has helped secure more than $50 million in external funding and is recognized for strengthening institutions, developing people, and expanding opportunities. She earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in computer science from Norfolk State University and Johns Hopkins University, respectively, and her doctorate from Pace University. Fun fact: She is a Spartan daughter, mother, and spouse who has served NSU as faculty and administrator.

10/08/2026

𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘄𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗧𝗵𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆 | 𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝟯𝟬 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗜𝗩𝗜𝗖 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘂𝘁𝗲

This week’s Throwback Thursday brings together a few more moments from across the CIVIC experience, including Executive Program days, alumni events, and one of the first CIVIC Scholars Etiquette Dinners.

From learning alongside regional leaders to reconnecting with alumni and preparing the next generation of leaders, these photos reflect the many ways CIVIC brings people together across programs and class years.

Address

4211 Monarch Way
Norfolk, VA
23508

Opening Hours

Monday	8:30am - 5pm
Tuesday	8:30am - 5pm
Wednesday	8:30am - 5pm
Thursday	8:30am - 5pm
Friday	8:30am - 5pm

Website

http://civichr.org/

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