Leadership Louisa Class of 2025 Celebrates Graduation and Community Impact
LOUISA, VA – On Tuesday, June 17, the Louisa Forward Foundation and the Louisa County Chamber of Commerce proudly celebrated the graduation of the Leadership Louisa Class of 2025, the program’s largest cohort to date with 18 graduates. The event, held at the Louisa Arts Center, featured a high-energy Community Action Project (CAP) Pitch Competition followed by a formal graduation ceremony and celebration.
The Leadership Louisa program is a six-month leadership development experience designed to inspire individual growth and expand awareness of the unique dynamics shaping Louisa County. Participants take part in immersive learning sessions, leadership coaching through Innerwill Leadership Institute, and a team-based CAP in partnership with local nonprofit organizations.
This year’s CAP Pitch Competition saw teams present innovative solutions to real-world challenges faced by four community partners: Beautiful Brokenness, LASER, Lake Anna Rescue, and Louisa Rotary Club Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. A panel of distinguished judges, Lisa Dearden (ChiknEgg Productions), Chip Measells (The Point Church), and Wesley Chiles (Chiles Enterprises), evaluated the pitches, and Team LASER was honored with the “Top Dog” award for their outstanding presentation and actionable proposal.
Christina Miller, 2025 Program Chair and Deputy Director of Louisa County Parks, Recreation, and Tourism, shared her appreciation for the Class of 2025 and the program’s impact:
“Watching this class grow in confidence, connection, and purpose has been incredibly rewarding. They embraced every challenge, supported one another, and found creative ways to serve our community. I’m proud to have served as their Program Chair and look forward to seeing how each graduate continues to lead in their organizations and beyond.”
The highlight of the event was the Leadership Louisa song and Class of 2025 reflections video produced by Rappahannock Electric Cooperative and testimonials from graduates. 2025 Class President Alexandra Stanley, Executive Assistant and Deputy Clerk for the County of Louisa, was introduced as the 2026 Program Chair, continuing the tradition of peer leadership.
Leadership Louisa Class of 2025 Graduates:
- Brittany Anderson – Louisa County Public Schools
- Rosemary Beard Heflin – Child Health Partnership
- Joel Belnap – Clark Technologies
- Doris Bolton – Walmart Distribution Center #7016
- Becky Brown – Becky’s Got Your Back
- Madison Chandler – Louisa County Parks, Recreation & Tourism
- Christine Dereemer – Find Homes Realty
- Amanda Dove – Diamond Electric, LLC
- Elizabeth Eastep – Louisa County Public Schools
- Chad Foster – Rappahannock Electric Cooperative
- Jennifer Mastro – Lake Anna Swim Company
- JP Peoples – Shenandoah Crossings, a Bluegreen Vacations Resort
- Jim Robertson – Virginia, Maryland & Delaware Association of Electric Cooperatives (VMDAEC)
- Thomas Rockson – Piedmont Virginia Community College
- Ryan Sampson – Louisa County Fire EMS
- Mitchell Sasser – The Central Virginian
- Alexandra Stanley – County of Louisa
- Kiara Timberlake – Blue Ridge Bank
The Louisa Forward Foundation extends its deepest gratitude to all volunteers, speakers, class hosts, and sponsors who made the 2025 program possible, including:
Rappahannock Electric Cooperative (Founding Sponsor), AWS InCommunities, Innerwill Leadership Institute, Louisa Arts Center, Piedmont Virginia Community College, S&N Communications, and Walmart Distribution Center #7016.
Leadership Louisa is now accepting applications for the Class of 2026 as we celebrate our 5th Anniversary with a bold goal of “26 in ’26”! Whether you’re ready to grow as a leader, serve as a class host, provide a tour experience, or support the program as a sponsor, we invite you to be part of this milestone year. Learn more and get involved at www.LouisaForward.org.
About the Louisa Forward Foundation
The Louisa Forward Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit created to support the economic, educational, and community development programs of the Louisa County Chamber of Commerce. The Foundation expands the Chamber’s reach by aligning philanthropic investments, grant opportunities, and collaborative partnerships that foster leadership, enhance nonprofit capacity, support education, and strengthen the cultural and economic fabric of Louisa County—helping ensure inclusive growth and long-term community resilience.
Learn more at www.LouisaForward.org.
About the Louisa County Chamber of Commerce
Established over 95 years ago, the Louisa County Chamber of Commerce is the trusted voice for business in Louisa County. The Chamber serves as a convener, connector, and champion for businesses of all sizes, dedicated to strengthening the local economy by advocating for business-friendly policies, supporting entrepreneurship, and fostering a connected and thriving community. Through events, partnerships, and strategic initiatives, the Chamber delivers measurable value to its members while helping all businesses grow and succeed. Learn more at LouisaChamber.org.
About Rappahannock Electric Cooperative
Serving more than 182,000 connections across 22 Virginia counties, REC is a pillar in its communities, with over 18,000 miles of power lines extending from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Chesapeake Bay. For more information on REC’s initiatives, visit www.myrec.coop and follow REC on Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.