Leaders Lab Class of 2025 Begins an Impactful Year

This September, a new cohort of leaders from across our local community gathered for the first meeting of the Leaders Lab of Greater Charlottesville Class of 2025.

The goal of the Leaders Lab is to build our community’s leadership capacity for positive change by growing individual leadership skills, building community networks, and inspiring action.

Cohort members began by sharing their leadership stories, recounting the pivotal moments that have shaped their journeys. By sharing in small groups, individuals had a chance to get acquainted with each other and gain insight into the many pathways to leadership.

Leaders Lab focuses on five key leadership competencies crucial for collaborative community problem-solving: collaboration, self-awareness, cultural competence, conflict management and adaptability. Participants discussed their experiences and completed a self assessment to reflect on what they do well and where they want to grow.

For the first Community Case Study of the year, we heard from two local women who launched community celebrations: Khalilah Jones spoke about the Soul of Cville Festival, and Sabrina Feggans spoke about Women's Empowerment Day. Khalilah and Sabrina shared about what inspires and fuels their work, as well as challenges and successes along the way.

Frank Dukes of the UVA Institute for Engagement and Negotiation, a founding partner of the Leaders Lab program, led the group through an exercise in healthy group dynamics based on the book he co-authored, Reaching for Higher Ground in Conflict Resolution: Tools for Powerful Groups and Communities.

Special thanks to Piedmont Virginia Community College for hosting the Class of 2025 in its beautiful new Bolick Center!