LEAD Hampton Roads

08/27/2026

Coffee, a walk along the Elizabeth River Trail, a day at East Beach Norfolk, and a slice from Sour Street Pizza? That sounds like a pretty perfect Hampton Roads day to us! For LEAD757 Class of 2026 member Alcee Flores, it's also a glimpse into what makes this region special for her.

A Texas native, Alcee has called Hampton Roads home for the past eight years. As Director of Operations for Neighborhood, she brings a passion for learning and a love of reading to her work and leadership. One quote that has stayed with Alcee comes from Maya Angelou's I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings: “All knowledge is spendable currency, depending on the market.”

Her pursuit of learning has played a meaningful role in shaping who she is today, and we're excited to see how that curiosity continues throughout LEAD757. Welcome to the , Alcee!

08/12/2026

For Class of 2026 member Nikki Southall, being part of Hampton Roads means showing up for the community and enjoying everything it has to offer along the way. As Business Development Manager for the City of Norfolk, she brings a passion for connection and a love for the people and places that make our region special.

A graduate of Virginia State University with a degree in English/Mass Communications, Nikki has experience behind the microphone as a play-by-play and color analyst for football and basketball. If she weren't working in business development, she says she'd be a sports broadcaster or analyst.

These days, you'll find Nikki cheering on Hampton Roads in a different way by supporting local restaurants and attending Norfolk Festevents with the Bayou Festival and Latino Festival among her favorites. And when it comes to Norfolk dining, No Frill Bar and Grill Norfolk is her go-to spot.

Her background may span sports, communications, and business development, but one thing connects it all: people. We’re excited to have Nikki bring that strength to the !

08/11/2026

08/10/2026

Strong leadership starts with strong connections. 💪

LEAD757 is proud to support opportunities like Powered to Lead that bring our region’s current and emerging leaders together to learn, connect, and grow.

Join us for a great day of leadership development, networking and inspiration!

08/05/2026

For Richard Gabris, Director of Revenue for Elizabeth River Crossings and a member of the LEAD757 Class of 2026, a move to a new state became so much more than a change of address, it became a place to build a career, raise a family, and call home.

Since relocating to Virginia from Connecticut 23 years ago with his wife and two sons, Hampton Roads has become the setting for his family's story, including the addition of a daughter born right here in Virginia.

Guided by the idea that the glass is half full, Rich approaches each day with optimism and a focus on opportunities rather than obstacles. And when asked about his favorite local view, his answer perfectly captures the spirit of our coastal community: looking out past the bow of a boat heading toward the Chesapeake Bay on a hot summer day!

Rich's journey is a reminder that Hampton Roads is strengthened by the people who choose to build their lives here. We're so glad to have him in this year’s !

07/28/2026

Today we’re shining the spotlight on Nicole Benson, Assistant to the City Manager for the City of Chesapeake and a member of the vibrant LEAD757 Class of 2026!

Nicole has spent her entire life in Hampton Roads, growing up on the Peninsula before making the Southside home. That lifelong connection has given her a deep appreciation for the people, places, and communities that make our region special.

She enjoys supporting local businesses, especially independent favorites like in Norfolk, where great coffee and friendly faces keep her coming back. And it's no surprise that Nicole's favorite views in our region all involve the water. Whether she's taking in a quiet stretch of marsh, a sandy shoreline, or the region's busy industrial waterfront, she finds beauty in the landscapes that define our home. One of her favorite experiences is watching the sunrise or sunset while crossing the Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel.

Nicole's passion for Hampton Roads and commitment to serving the community make her a welcome addition to the LEAD757 Class of 2026. Thank you for being part of the , Nicole!

07/22/2026

Get to know Ryan Gilliland, Owner of Gilco Transport Services and a member of the LEAD757 Class of 2026!

Born and raised in Hampton Roads, Ryan has spent nearly four decades living, working, and building relationships throughout our region.

As a business owner, he’s always looking for ways to grow. Right now, he’s diving into the world of social media marketing. And if his career had taken a different turn? He says more than a few people have suggested he should have gone into politics!

When he's not working, you'll most likely find Ryan in his garage or taking in the view from the top floor of Hilton Norfolk THE MAIN overlooking the Elizabeth River.

We're grateful to have Ryan as part of LEAD757 and proud to spotlight another outstanding leader in the

07/16/2026

Great leaders understand that their impact is often seen through the success of others. That mindset guides Shannon Gibson-Moye, Human Resources Director with The Founders Inn and Spa and a member of the LEAD757 Class of 2026!

Through her work and community involvement, Shannon is passionate about creating opportunities for others to learn, grow, and succeed. She especially enjoys supporting organizations that invest in children and youth, knowing that mentorship and education help strengthen the future of our entire community.

If she weren't working in human resources, Shannon says she'd be a college professor. Her love for education and mentoring reflects her desire to help others reach their full potential.

When it’s time to recharge, she enjoys spending a quiet Saturday at home in her backyard, where she can peacefully reflect before the week ahead.

Leaders like Shannon make Hampton Roads stronger, and we’re thrilled to have her be part of the . Welcome, Shannon!

07/10/2026

Yesterday, our LEAD757 class explored the powerful intersection of arts, tourism, philanthropy and the vital role each plays in strengthening Hampton Roads.

From learning about the impact of the Chrysler Museum of Art and touring it's incredible Glass Studio to hearing from leaders in philanthropy, tourism, destination marketing, and its positive impact on our economy, today reinforced that thriving communities are built through collaboration, creativity, and a shared commitment to serving others.

A few takeaways that stood out to me:

- Arts and culture are powerful economic drivers that attract visitors, talent, and investment.

- Philanthropy creates lasting impact by investing in people and communities.

- Tourism is about more than travel it's about showcasing what makes our region unique while supporting local businesses and creating opportunity.

- Strong partnerships between nonprofits, businesses, government, and community leaders are what move our region forward.

Thank you to everyone who shared their expertise and inspired our class today, including the teams from the The Chrysler Museum of Art, VisitNorfolk, Virginia Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau, Norfolk International Airport, Nauticus, Virginia Arts Festival, Norfolk Botanical Garden, Norfolk Festevents, Ltd., Virginia Stage Company and all of our incredible speakers.

We are grateful to be part of a cohort of leaders who are passionate about making Hampton Roads an even better place to live, work, and thrive. Every LEAD757 session reminds us that leadership is about building relationships, listening to diverse perspectives, and finding ways to create meaningful impact together.

Erik Neil
Serena Amerson, MA, CFRE
Renee Duval Fairchild
Virgina Thumm
Sarah Hughes
Maria Herring
Nancy Helman
Mark Perryman, Assoc. AIA
Stephen Kirkland
Alli Pereira
KELLY WELSH
Ted Baroody
Tom Quaintance

Hampton Roads Chamber

07/07/2026

Leadership starts with curiosity, and that's exactly what drives Matthew Conley, Manager of Pipeline Safety with Virginia Natural Gas and member of the LEAD757 Class of 2026.

Hampton Roads has always been home for Matthew. After graduating from Virginia Tech, he returned to the region, launching his career in submarine engineering before joining VNG in 2015. Over the last 10 years, he's built a career focused on pipeline safety while serving both VNG and Southern Company Gas.

Currently, Matthew has challenged himself to learn more about the natural gas industry beyond his own area of expertise. He believes the best leaders are lifelong learners and is always looking for ways to become a stronger teammate, husband, and father to his two boys. And if his career had taken a different path, he says you’d likely find him in a coaching or training role helping people grow and perform at their best.

Thank you for being part of this year’s LEAD journey Matthew, and welcome to the !