Photo Gallery: Virginia Women's Municipal Leadership Institute kicks off 2025 sessions

Three women laugh across a round table with each other.

The Virginia Women’s Municipal Leadership Institute recently launched its fourth year with approximately 25 women gathering at The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center for the first of eight monthly sessions. This professional development initiative, a partnership between Virginia Women Leading Government and the Virginia Tech Roanoke Center, provides connections, content, tools, and opportunities for women aspiring to become local government leaders.

Bonnie Svrcek, the first female city manager of Lynchburg and former president of the International City/County Management Association, leads the institute. Participants meet at various Virginia Tech facilities throughout the commonwealth, including the Newport News Center and the Richmond Center.

The curriculum features workshops delivered by Virginia Tech faculty members and subject matter experts, covering both technical competencies such as budgeting and strategic planning alongside professional development in areas such as public speaking and navigating executive positions as women in local government.

For more information, visit the institute's website.

Photos by Diane Deffenbaugh for Virginia Tech.