Women Impact Virginia Impact Report 2023

Theme

Amplifying Voices. Her Story. Our Story.

Speakers

Fourteen speakers from communities spanning the commonwealth shared stories that aligned with the theme “Amplifying Voices. Her Story. Our Story.”

They followed multiple tracks including amplifying voices, curating collective stories of impact, and the power of your story.

Two powerful keynote speakers, Dr. Winifred Bragg of the BraggFactor and Andrea Lynn White with Genworth Financial, bookended the day with powerful messages outlining how they have worked to amplify their voices with dynamic leadership lessonswoven in. Breakout sessions featured a range of professionals working in advocacy, arts & culture, finance, health care, higher education, media, nonprofits, public service, and social justice.

A special Hokie Highlight showcased three dynamic leaders within the university who shared how their work and outreach amplify voices, highlighting lessons learned through their individual careers and professional journeys.

Participants

About 150 participants registered for the 2023 Women Impact Virginia Summit. One-third of registrants opted to participate in a pre-conference event which was held at Twisted Track Brewpub in downtown Roanoke and served as an opportunity to meet and connect with participants and speakers before the event.

Participants represented a diverse collection of professional working women acrossindustries, career stages, and geographic locations.

Industry representation included communications, local government, construction, health care, economic development, public relations, entrepreneurs, finance/banking, government contracting, higher education, K-12 education, tourism, and others.

Partners

Twenty-three program sponsors invested just under $15,000 to support the Women ImpactVirginia Summit.

New sponsors joined loyal contributors to create a diverse mix of industry support representing large corporations, small businesses, and nonprofit organizations spread across the commonwealth.

Ut Prosim (That I May Serve)

During the 2023 Women Impact Virginia Summit, participants took action to advance Virginia Tech’s motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve). Participants helped to support the Blue Ridge Literacy program with a supply drive. The donations collected were used by 82 learners who participated in BRL's fall semester of ESOL classes between Sept. 7 and Dec. 21, 2023. In addition, the donated children's books and materials were distributed among 35 children who accompanied their parents at BRL's annual celebration held on Oct. 28. 

Planning committee

The Women Impact Virginia planning committee is comprised of women spanning the Commonwealth who represent various centers within Outreach and International Affairs. The university's network of Commonwealth Campus Centers located in Abingdon, Roanoke, Richmond, and Newport News, plus the Reynolds Homestead in Critz, Virginia, engage with their communities to build cross-sectoral partnerships, provide professional development programs, develop community engagement initiatives, and promote diverse collaborations to enrich research, discovery, and student learning.

The Women Impact Virginia Summit is just one way the university's Commonwealth Campus Centers can serve communities by providing professional development and personal enrichment programs.