2024 Women Impact Virginia Summit uplifts female leaders from across commonwealth

A woman stands behind a podium and speaks into a handheld microphone. — Kim B Miller was the opening keynote speaker for the 2024 Women Impact Virginia Summit held Oct. 22 at Kingsmill Resort in Williamsburg, Virginia. Photo by Diane Deffenbaugh for Virginia Tech.

Nearly 100 women came together on Oct. 22, 2024, for the Third Annual Women Impact Virginia Summit, held this year at Kingsmill Resort in Williamsburg.

Women Impact Virginia is a collaboration between the university's Commonwealth Campus Centers in Abingdon, Newport News, Richmond, and Roanoke, as well as the Reynolds Homestead in Patrick County.

The 2024 theme "Rooted in Purpose" brought inspiring women leaders from across Virginia to speak about finding, keeping, and balancing purpose with growth.

Kim B Miller started the day with a presentation “Are Your Roots Adaptable?” and shared nontraditional haiku to launch each segment of her conversation.

She was followed by breakout sessions that equipped participants with actionable plans and resources for professional growth.

A Hokie Highlight discussion “Indigenously Rooted: Past, Present, and Future” elevated Virginia Tech faculty, staff, and students Victoria Ferguson, director of Virginia Tech's Solitude-Fraction; Mikaela David-John, a graduate student at Virginia Tech, and Mackenzie Locklear, a Virginia Tech junior majoring in environmental science.

The day closed out with celebrity chef Chef T of Union 41 restaurant in Bristol, Virginia. She shared the story of how her roots influenced her journey and built her into the successful chef and restaurant owner she is today.

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