Leadership Metro Richmond | Connect. Prepare. Engage.

Connecting Diverse Leaders and Preparing Them to Serve

Building a Stronger
Richmond Region

About Us

What is LMR?

Leadership Metro Richmond (LMR) is a community leadership development and engagement organization with a mission to strengthen our region by connecting diverse leaders and preparing them to serve.

Created in 1980 as an innovative program to address racial and gender divides in our area’s community leadership, LMR is now a network of 2,000+ members from the business, nonprofit and governmental sectors of our community who have the desire to serve and the ability to lead.

LMR’s role in our region has continued to evolve throughout the years. As regional issues become more complex and our community becomes more diverse, the need to connect, educate and inspire leaders is as critical today as it was in 1980.

What's Happening at LMR?

Board Connector
A free networking event connecting community leaders with nonprofit board service opportunities.
When: Wednesday, September 27 | 5:30 - 7:30pm
Where: Richmond Raceway, 600 E Laburnum Avenue

Woman Speak Your Truth (LMR Alumnae Only)
Guest Speaker: Melanie M. Lee, Esq.
Owner, Lee Law Office
When: Thursday, September 7, 2023 | 6:00 - 7:30 pm
Where: Womens Business Center RVA, Willow Lawn Dr. Ste 100

Leading Conversations: Best Practices in Facilitation
Facilitator: Jonathan Zur (LMR '08)
President & CEO, Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities
When: Tuesday, October 3, 17 & 31
Where: WellsColeman, 5004 Monument Avenue

Off the Cuff: Alumni Only

LMR Alumni are invited to join us for a hard hat tour of Henrico's state-of-the-art indoor sports and entertainment venue! Two tour options are available with limited space. Registration is free and limited.

When: Thursday, August 3, 2023

Where: Henrico County Sports & Events Center, 11000 Telegraph Road, Glen Allen, VA 23060

Time(s): Tours are available at 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.

Recognize a Community Leader in our Region

Take the opportunity to recognize and honor someone you know in the Richmond region who has stepped up and taken action in our community. 2020 has been a year of many challenges, but through these difficult times we have seen many individuals rise to the occasion by supporting those is need and finding innovative and creative solutions to unprecedented problems. As LMR celebrates its 40^th anniversary, they encourage everyone in our community to thank and recognize the leaders we see all around us.

LMR is partnering with Gifted RVA to create eight community leader gift boxes exclusively available this fall. Every item in these gift boxes is from a local small business, and every box will include a handwritten note from the sender. There are eight gift box options starting at $50, and a portion of proceeds will be donated to support the work of LMR. This is a great way to say thank you and give a nice surprise for a local leader who deserves recognition, while also supporting our small business owners.

Gift boxes are available for purchase now through October 31^st and deliveries will begin in mid-November.

Send a Gift Today

Available for a Limited Time Only!

Nonprofit Board Governance Workshops

Nonprofits play a vital role in our region, and prepared board members are critical for their success. LMR aims to ensure community leaders have the tools and insights they need to be effective and impactful nonprofit board members. Whether you want to get involved with a board or are currently serving, enhance your expertise by attending the 2023 Nonprofit Board Governance Workshop series. The sessions combine board governance standards and best practices with first-hand experiences from experts actively serving in the field.

REGISTER

Level up your board leadership!

Leading Conversations: Best Practices in Facilitation

Effective facilitation of challenging conversations in our communities is needed as leaders engage in our region. This three-part educational training, presented by Jonathan Zur, President & CEO of the VA Center for Inclusive Communities, will equip you with the tools needed to lead conversations in an inclusive, informative, and effective manner. This program will not only offer up practical tips for facilitators but will also allow you to put your new skills into practice. Participants must attend all three sessions.

REGISTER

Lead meaningful conversations!

About Leadership Quest

Leadership Quest, LMR's flagship program, connects a diverse group of community leaders, increases their knowledge and perspectives on regional issues and inspires them to embrace inclusion, collaboration, and servant leadership. Through this ten-month program, which includes leadership training, access to high-impact decision-makers, and networking opportunities, individuals develop the necessary framework to make a positive and lasting impact in the greater Richmond region.

What Leaders Are Saying

"LMR has done a lot for me in my life and career – even though I go all the way back to 1985, I have not forgotten the lessons learned, still cherish the friendships made, and benefit from the sense of commitment and community engagement that the program brought into my life."

Willard Scribner, LMR Class of 1985

, Principal & Architect, Scribner Messer Brady & Wade

"I was fortunate to become a member of LMR very early in my professional and community life in Richmond. Both the networking and the various forums are as valuable now as they were then to listen and to speak."

Janine Y. Bell, LMR Class of 1992

, President & Artistic Director, Elegba Folklore Society

"Time and time again, I hear the following from LMR graduates- native Richmonders and those who call the region their new home- 'Without my experiences in LMR, it would have taken me years to develop the appreciation I have for our region's needs.' Indeed, as LMR graduates, we all have acquired the knowledge of Richmond's assets and challenges and can relate readily to the needs of our region, and the resources which exist to address them...

Dr. Stewart D. Roberson, LMR Class of 1997

, President & CEO, Moseley Architects

"During my class time in LMR, I was elected to Richmond City Council which has given me the opportunity to be engaged in many issues facing our region. I know that so many people affecting change have been a member of LMR and appreciate the concept of servant leadership."

-

Christopher Allen Hilbert, LMR Class of 2005

, Senior Community Housing Officer, Virginia Housing Development Authority
Councilman, Richmond City Council, Northside 3rd Voter District

"Leadership Metro Richmond played an integral part in my acclamation to the greater Richmond and Virginia communities. I cannot imagine a better introduction, and particularly value my colleague LMR classmates, many of whom I keep in close contact with today. I applaud the LMR for its consistently strong programs, and for keeping a pulse on what is important in our community."

Toni Ardabell, LMR Class of 2012

, Associate Chief, Inova Health System

"LMR offers tremendous opportunities to learn more about our community and in so doing be better prepared and positioned to build a greater Richmond. I met many terrific and committed community, business, municipality and learning leaders who were generous in sharing their knowledge and experience. The Quest immersion project was one that I'll value and look back on fondly for years to come."

Jean Segner, LMR Class of 2017

, Former Group Vice President, Communications & Community Engagement, SunTrust Mortgage, Inc.

Connecting Leaders to Board Service

Leadership Metro Richmond is committed to connecting mission-driven organizations with community leaders who have the ability to lead and the desire to serve. We host biannual Board Connector events and offer individual consulting through our Board Concierge services.

Get Connected

Society of Leadership Advocates

The Society of Leadership Advocates (SOLA) honors our most generous benefactors, who give $500 or more each year. As a leadership advocate, your donation supports our mission to provide programs and opportunities for community leaders to connect, to gain a deeper understanding of key community issues, and to better serve our region.

Become a Leadership Advocate

Refer a Prospect

Help Us Recruit Community Leaders

Do you know a passionate community leader in the Richmond Region? Refer them to our Leadership Quest program using this form.

Candidate Name
First Last
Candidate Employer
Candidate Title
Pronouns

Please indicate the candidates pronouns.
Candidate Email
Candidate Phone
Referred By
CAPTCHA
Please indicate the candidate's pronouns.

Corporate Partners

Become a Sponsor