Lefcoe Leadership

05/02/2026

Well… like we didn’t already know Lefcoe had THE BEST facilitator!

Sincere congratulations to Patrick Whelan on his Virginia Business 40 Under 40 recognition. This is incredibly well deserved!!!

ASSISTANT VICE PRESIDENT AND TALENT ACQUISITION OFFICER TOWNEBANK | PORTSMOUTH

04/27/2026

Introducing Tracy Keller, CEO of the Girl Scout Council of Colonial Coast -and now a Lefcoe Alumni! She is also a graduate of the CIVIC Leadership Institute (Class of 2010) and has served on the Girl Scouts’ National Board since 2000, alongside leadership roles with the Great Bridge Rotary Club, The Friends of Foster Care, the Chesapeake Environmental Improvement Council, and the Virginia Council on Women. A Hampton Roads resident for more than 45 years and proud Chesapeake local, Tracy clearly brings a deep-rooted commitment to the region and its people.

Raised in a Navy family, Tracy developed an early respect for Hampton Roads’ maritime and military communities. Today, she channels that perspective into advancing equity and opportunity, especially for girls and women. From expanding access to STEM pathways to fostering broader community engagement in Portsmouth, Tracy is committed to building a stronger, more inclusive future for all.

04/27/2026

Officially announcing the Lefcoe Class of 2026! 🎉

These individuals have committed to three months of intensive learning- investing in their personal growth, strengthening their leadership, and deepening their understanding of Portsmouth. We’re excited to see how they’ll continue to shape and champion our community.

04/04/2026

Meet Natasha Quinn, founder and CEO of FAC Shopp. A Portsmouth resident for the past two years, Natasha is quickly making her mark in the local entrepreneurial ecosystem. She actively engages with programming through Bloom Coworking and Black BRAND to grow her startup, while also giving back as a mentor to young, aspiring entrepreneurs through Envision Lead Grow.

Natasha joined Lefcoe with a desire to be more deeply involved in shaping the conversation around Portsmouth’s future—bringing her perspective as both a business owner and passionate community advocate to the table.

04/02/2026

📚Attention Class! Now introducing Lauren Fuhrmann! Lauren splits her time professionally between Portsmouth Christian School, where she serves as an upper school teacher, and The Portsmouth Partnership, where, as the newest member of the team, she provides administrative support to the organization, board, and staff.

Lauren holds a degree in English Literature and Language from Virginia Tech and a Master’s in Human Rights & Rule of Law from Regent University. She brings a deep passion for the nonprofit sector, with international experience supporting organizations that create safe spaces and opportunities for women facing sexual exploitation abroad.

A Portsmouth native and current resident, Lauren feels a strong connection to the community and the relationships she has built here. Her decision to join Lefcoe was encouraged in part by her husband, Chris (Lefcoe Class of ’25), but more so by her own desire to better understand where Portsmouth is thriving—and where there is opportunity for continued growth.

03/25/2026

Hey, hey—it’s Miss Lisa!

For the past 47 years, Lisa Lawton has proudly called Portsmouth home- where she not only lives, but leads as a small business owner and community champion. As the owner of Nailz2C and More, Lisa brings passion, hustle, and heart to everything she does.

She means business, actively engaging with the Olde Towne Business Association and Retail Alliance while continuing to invest in her own growth through entrepreneurship courses with Portsmouth Public Schools Adult Education and the ODU Business Center.

Beyond her business, Lisa is deeply rooted in service. She has spent the last eight years supporting students through Hodges Manor Elementary School’s Angel Tree Program and continues to give back through organizations like Give Back 2da Block and Big Homies.

Lisa joined Lefcoe with a mission: to inspire her neighbors, friends, and family to celebrate the very best of Portsmouth -and help shift the narrative toward pride, possibility, and community.

03/25/2026

Now introducing, Christa Maria Franklin!

Originally from Cleveland, Christa Maria has proudly called Portsmouth home for the past eight years. She serves as the Chief Operating Officer of The Emzie Project, where she leads efforts to provide education and training for families, youth, and caregivers.

Christa Maria brings a powerful blend of expertise to her work, holding advanced degrees in nursing and business administration from Case Western Reserve University and American National University. Beyond her professional role, she is deeply committed to community impact, volunteering with Expressions of the Heart: Plan & Flourish, a national network of women entrepreneurs, and Community Outreach Coalition Inc, where she helps advance their mission through service and support.

Driven by her passion for people and place, Christa Maria joined Lefcoe to connect with others who share her dedication to Portsmouth’s growth and continued progress.

03/23/2026

Meet Michael Ford!

A Hampton Roads native and proud Western Branch High School alum, Mike continues to invest in that community, serving as a Girls Softball Coach and board member of Western Branch Little League Fastpitch Softball for the last five years.

Mike holds an MBA from Saint Leo University and currently serves as Vice President and General Manager of the Ship Repair Division at Fairlead. Through his work, he supports critical national defense missions while helping create meaningful career opportunities for local residents.

Driven by a passion for workforce development, responsible growth, and strong public-private partnerships, Mike is committed to helping Portsmouth thrive. Through the Vann H. Lefcoe Leadership Development Course, he’s looking forward to expanding his civic leadership skills, learning from fellow community leaders, and turning that knowledge into real impact for the city.

03/23/2026

Strong communities don’t happen by accident. They are built through care, connection, and commitment.

What we learned from our Volunteerism & Philanthropy Panel? When we invest in each other, we create a city where more people have the chance to thrive—not just get by. That kind of stability fuels economic growth, supports local businesses, and makes our community more resilient in the face of challenges.

Panelists:
Darrell Redmond, Founder Give Back 2 Da Block
Gary & Ann LeBlanc, Founders Mercy Chefs
Alex Westfall, Founder West Haven Civic League

03/20/2026

Hey everyone! Meet Christine Duer!

Christine is the Co-Founder and CEO of Kandu Leadership, where she helps organizations do more of what matters most through coaching and leadership development. Originally from Connecticut, she has called Hampton Roads home for decades and planted roots in Olde Towne five years ago.

A familiar and dedicated presence in the community, Christine is an active member of the Olde Towne Business Association and Olde Towne Portsmouth Civic League, regularly showing up to support and serve. She’s equally engaged in the professional sphere, contributing to organizations like the International Coaching Federation, Society for Human Resources Management, and the Association for Talent Development (ATD).

Christine holds a degree from Bentley University and a Master’s in Adult Education from Kansas State University, foundations that fuel both her professional work and her passion for helping people grow.

She joined LEFCOE with a deep appreciation for Portsmouth—not just its history and charm, but the resilience and passion of the people who call it home. Through the program, she’s eager to explore how she can play a meaningful role in shaping the city’s long-term vitality.