Leadership Vance

Leadership Vance, hosted by the Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce, is a dynamic, hands-on leadership development program designed to equip emerging and established leaders with the knowledge, networks, and skills needed to strengthen Vance County’s future. This multi-month program brings together professionals from business, government, education, and non-profit sectors for an immersive experience focused on community understanding, personal growth, and collaborative problem-solving.

Program Goals

• Cultivate Leaders: Build a pipeline of diverse, informed, and engaged
  community leaders.
• Strengthen Community Awareness: Provide participants with a
  behind-the-scenes understanding of Vance County’s key industries, challenges,
  opportunities, and assets.
• Develop Leadership Skills: Strengthen communication, team-building,
  strategic thinking, and civic engagement.
• Encourage Collaboration: Foster relationships that inspire cross-sector
  partnerships and positive community impact.
• Promote Chamber Engagement: Connect participants to opportunities within the
  Chamber to help them and their organizations connect, grow, and prosper.

Program Cost

Program cost is $600 for Chamber Members and $850 for non-Chamber members. The tuition fee includes all course materials, meals, travel, graduation, and one ticket to the Chamber’s Annual Meeting and Banquet.

Class of 2026

Suquana Charley, Community Health Worker III, Green Rural Redevelopment

Miranda Brown, Human Resources Analyst, City of Henderson

Robert Bowen, Clinic Support Supervisor, Granville Vance Public Health

Shaheem Clements, Shipping & Receiving Operations Manager, Walmart
Distribution

Whitney Davis, Curriculum & Instructional Management Coordinator, Vance
County Schools

Nastassia Debnam, Assistant Director, Perry Memorial Library

Michael Ellington, Agent – Horticulture & Field Crops, NC Cooperative
Extension

Hollie Garrett, Dept. Chair, Business Technologies, Vance-Granville
Community College

Tiffany Hawkins, Relationship Specialist, Benchmark Community Bank

Lisa Holland, Business Services Manager, Kerr-Tar Council of Governments

Rhonda Long, Practice Manager, Maria Parham Health

Tracy Madigan, Downtown Development Director, City of Henderson

C. Renee Perry, County Manager, Vance County Government

Haley M. Rawles, Elections Director, Vance County Board of Elections

Angie Ryan, Substitute Teacher, Vance Charter School

Nicole Shah, Counselor, Clearview Church

Heddie Alston Somerville, Director of YouthBuild, Franklin-Vance Warren
Opportunity

Janice D. Ward, Agency Director, Advantage Care in Home Service

Larry West II, Resource Conservation Manager, Vance County/USDA