The Danville Pittsylvania Chamber of Commerce is thrilled to announce the graduation of the Leadership Southside Class of 2025. The class was recognized at the Chamber’s Annual Awards Banquet last week at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research.
Leadership Southside is the Dan River Region’s premiere leadership development program for the business, education, public, and nonprofit sectors.
With this year’s 33rd graduating class, Leadership Southside boasts over 600 alumni. The Chamber is proud to include this year’s Class of 2025 graduates in this alliance of leaders who are striving to move both their careers and their communities forward.
Here’s what one of this year’s graduates had to say about Leadership Southside:
“Before Leadership Southside, I viewed leadership primarily as a position of authority—someone who sets direction and ensures tasks get done. But through the program, my perception has evolved. I now see leadership as more relational and service-oriented. It’s about influence, empathy, and being able to bring people together around a shared vision. The program emphasized self-awareness, communication, and community engagement, which helped me realize that effective leaders don’t just lead tasks—they lead people.”
- Sherri Dickens, Manager of ATDM Student Services at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research
Congratulations to the following 35 graduates who successfully completed the program:
| Name of Participant | Place of Employment |
| Abby Manasco | Manasco Realty |
| Amadeo Cabrera | Hitachi Energy |
| Amber Stone | Sovah Health |
| Amy Newell | Danville-Pittsylvania Community Services |
| Andrea Gillus | Danville Public Schools |
| Anjanette Farmer | PATHS |
| Caleb Ayers | Institute for Advanced Learning and Research |
| Carrington Chambers | Danville-Pittsylvania Community Services |
| Christopher Newnam | Hitachi Energy |
| Eben Leigh | United Way Danville-Pittsylvania County |
| Eric Minter | City of Danville, Fire Department |
| Henrietta Weaver | City of Danville |
| Jared Links | Kickback Jacks |
| Javier Perez Derat | Hitachi Energy |
| Jerry Hankins | First National Bank |
| Jessica Dalton | Danville Community College |
| Joel Keneipp | Polynt Composites |
| Justin Scarce | Institute for Advanced Learning and Research |
| Kimberly Whitehead | Signode |
| Laura Brown | 2 Witches Winery & Brewery |
| Mallorie Gomersall | Tyson Farms |
| Maria Vasquez | ValleyStar Credit Union |
| Megan Bowling | URW Credit Union |
| Mitchell Smith | Virginia International Raceway |
| Richard White | Hobbs and Associates |
| Rodney Logan | Hitachi Energy |
| Samantha Bagbey | City of Danville, Economic Development and Tourism |
| Seth Hawker | City of Danville, Community Development |
| Shanel Beard | Epic Health Partners |
| Sherri Dickens | Institute for Advanced Learning and Research |
| Sheryl Royal | City of Danville |
| Stefanie Hamilton-Jackson | PLDR Law |
| Dr. Takiwi Milton-Babalola | Danville Public Schools |
| Tiffany Calloway | Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co |
| Tracy Fink | Institute for Advanced Learning and Research |
Leadership Southside is a ten-month program that typically meets on the third Tuesday of each month from August-May. Session topics include leading a team, conflict resolution, nonprofit board leadership, communication skills, crisis leadership, equitable leadership, presentation skills, purpose-driven leadership, and transformational leadership. Throughout the program, participants have access to several assessments, including CliftonStrengths, the Enneagram, and a 360 assessment, to learn more about their own leadership style. In January, participants travel to Richmond for Chamber Day at the Capitol to hear from and engage with members of the General Assembly.
The Chamber is grateful to the program’s content sponsors for making these sessions possible:
- Mojo Consulting Group;
- River District Consulting Group; and
- Epstein Clark Consulting.
Applications are open now for the 2025-2026 program year. Those interested can apply at www.dpchamber.org/leadershipsouthside. Applications are due by 5 p.m. on Friday, June 27, 2025. Only complete applications will be considered.
The Chamber has contracted with Rachel Covington to lead and facilitate the program. Rachel has led this program since 2018. For more information about Leadership Southside, please contact Rachel at rcovington@dpchamber.org.
The Chamber is grateful to its Innovation Partners and other regional funders, without whom this program would not be possible.