Laura Coleman
From Community to Connection: My Leadership Halifax Journey
Join us in congratulating Laura Coleman, our coworker at the SOVA Innovation Hub, on her recent graduation from the Halifax County Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Halifax program!
Leadership Halifax is a respected program that brings together emerging leaders from across the community to deepen their understanding of local issues, build connections, and grow as professionals. Laura’s participation reflects her strong commitment to personal development and to making a positive impact in our region.
Read all about her experience and what she gained from the program.
There are seasons in life and leadership where you do not just grow professionally—you grow roots.
Joining the Halifax County, VA Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Halifax program came during one of those seasons for me.
In my role as Entrepreneur Impact Manager with Community Investment Collaborative, I’m often deep in the work—coaching entrepreneurs, facilitating programs, tracking impact, building partnerships. But this time, I wanted to zoom out. To pause. To connect on a broader level. I wanted to listen to the heartbeat of Halifax County—to the people, systems, and stories shaping this region I serve every day.
Leadership Halifax was more than a program. It became a lens—a way for me to better see, serve, and support the entrepreneurs and ecosystem I love. For me, participating in the Leadership Halifax County program was exactly that kind of transformative experience—a season where I didn’t just grow professionally, I grew roots.
Why I Joined Leadership Halifax
At this phase of my journey as Entrepreneurial Impact Manager serving Southern Virginia’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, I was craving more than just professional development. I was craving context.
I wanted to zoom out from the daily hustle and bustle. I wanted a broader understanding of the systems that shape Halifax County—to better understand who’s doing the work behind the scenes in education, healthcare, government, tourism, public service, and economic development. And I wanted to find ways to connect the dots between those systems and the entrepreneurs who keep our communities vibrant and resilient.
Leadership Halifax promised exactly that—and it delivered.
Session Highlights
A Tapestry of People, Places, and Purpose
Each monthly session felt like stitching together a patchwork of community insight—building a clearer picture of the Halifax County I serve and love.
Session 1: Personal Development & Teamwork
We kicked off with the CliftonStrengths assessment facilitated by River District Consulting Group, which helped me put language to how I naturally lead and connect. As someone who works one-on-one with entrepreneurs and leads complex regional programs, understanding my own strengths helped me become more intentional in coaching and communications. Our afternoon of team building at World of Sports wasn’t just fun—it reminded us how important it is to listen, empower, and uplift each other in a shared mission.
Session 2: Cultural Awareness and Responsiveness
This was my aha moment. Dr. Annie Wimbish led a deeply meaningful session that left a mark on me. Discussing how understanding the difference between equality and equity and unconscious bias in the workplace is pivotal as leaders. The DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) panel gave voice to diverse perspectives—from LaTonya Hamilton (Department of Tourism), Liam Hudson (LeanIn Project VA), Taquan Logan (LIFE Nonprofit), and Frankie Martinez (Frankie’s Spicy Farm). The panel was honest, powerful, and personal—emphasizing the real-world impact of representation. That day enhanced how I approach ecosystem building: with even more empathy, accountability, and action. It was a powerful reminder that equity is not a side mission. It is the mission!
Session 3: Pre-K to Adult Education
As someone invested in entrepreneurship education, this session was eye-opening. Hearing from Dr. Amy Huskin, Superintendent of Halifax County Public Schools, and touring local schools like South Boston Elementary, GO TEC at Halifax County Middle School, and the new HCHS campus gave me an energy boost to serve our younger innovators. When Dr. Betty Adams walked us through the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center, it reinforced the importance of bridging education and economic development, especially for young people in rural communities. The connection between education and entrepreneurship is undeniable—and seeing it in action showed why workforce development must be part of our entrepreneurial pipeline.
Session 4: Local Government and Tourism
This session expanded my appreciation for the roles of elected officials and municipal leaders. Hearing from Scott Simpson, County Administrator; Matt Candland, South Boston Town Manager; Carl Espy, Halifax Town Manager; and Dennis Witt, past Board of Supervisors Chair, helped me connect the dots between policy, resource allocation, and small business growth. During lunch, LaTonya Hamilton, Tourism Director, helped us understand how cultural storytelling and tourism are tied to our region’s economic identity. I saw firsthand how tourism, local policy, and leadership intersect to create the economic conditions that either help or hinder small business growth. That afternoon’s scavenger hunt was so much FUN! Who knew driving around Halifax County could be an adventure. It wasn’t just about fun—it helped us see our county’s vibrancy through a different lens.
Chamber Day at the Capitol
A highlight outside our regular sessions was joining the Chamber Day at the Capitol in Richmond on January 15th. Our Leadership Halifax cohort was part of the largest gathering in the event’s history, where business leaders and community stakeholders from across Virginia connected directly with legislators. This experience showed me how chambers serve as powerful advocates for business interests at local, state, and federal levels.
Session 5: Economic Development
This session was a favorite. Kicked off by Lin Hite of the Longwood Small Business Development Center, then to a dynamic small business panel discussion, and off to site visits at local manufacturers like IperionX, Annin, Hitachi, and Gloster, this session felt tailor-made for someone interested in economic development and growth. Hearing from Scott Sparks, Co-founder and COO of IperionX, brought home the message that innovation is happening right here in our backyard. It was invigorating to hear directly from business leaders, understand their growth challenges, and identify how initiatives like RISE Collaborative can support the continuum from startup to scale. It was confirmation that rural regions like ours are ripe for transformation.
Sessions 6 & 7: Health, Public Services & Civic Engagement
Sessions 6 and 7 were combined due to inclement weather during session 6. We kicked off this combined session diving into civic engagement and learning about community organizations that serve Halifax County. This was a full-circle moment for me. My group’s civic project with Tri-River Habitat for Humanity wasn’t just meaningful—it was mission-aligned. We also learned about other organizations like the American Red Cross, Southside Behavioral Health, Department of Social Services, Rotary Club, Virginia Employment Commission, Tri-County Community Action Agency, and more.
After group presentations, we had the opportunity to hear from health and public service leaders. Brian Zwoyer, President of Sentara Halifax Regional Hospital, discussed the vision for the Sentara Hospital being built and fielded questions regarding the reason for this major change in Halifax. He helped bridge the connection between healthcare and local economic needs.
Leaders like Sheriff Fred Clark, Lt. Clint Mann, and Commonwealth’s Attorney Tracy Quackenbush Martin helped us explore civic systems, public safety, and community engagement through a leadership lens. It reinforced the necessity for equity and empowerment in rural and diverse communities. These public services are not adjacent to entrepreneurship—they’re foundational to creating environments where businesses and families can thrive.
New Connections, Lasting Impact
One of the unexpected gifts of this experience was the relationships. I built meaningful connections with professionals in sectors far outside my usual circle. Leadership Halifax became a relationship incubator in the best way. Leadership Halifax didn’t just expand my network—it expanded my vision.
Leading With a Broader Lens
Leadership Halifax has equipped me with a more holistic understanding of Halifax County—its people, its possibilities, and its pulse. I now bring that insight into every entrepreneur meeting, grant report, and ecosystem partnership. It deepened my belief that leadership is not about having all the answers—it’s about staying curious, building bridges, and walking alongside others with humility and purpose.
“Leadership Halifax reminded me that economic development is not just about jobs—it’s about people, purpose, and partnerships.”
And those three words—people, purpose, partnerships—have become a filter for how I lead and serve every day.
A Word of Thanks
To the Halifax County, VA Chamber of Commerce, the incredible facilitators, and my fellow cohort members: thank you for your leadership, laughter, wisdom, and willingness to dig deep. I’m grateful to have walked this journey with you.
So if you’re someone who wants to expand your impact, build real relationships, and better understand the community you call home—Leadership Halifax is calling.
Answer the call!
Laura Coleman is a passionate advocate for entrepreneurs in Southern Virginia. As a RISE Navigator and Program Manager with the Community Investment Collaborative (CIC), she supports small business owners in building confidence, developing their skills, and growing their ventures. Based at the SOVA Innovation Hub, Laura serves as a local resource and connector for the region’s entrepreneurial community.