Patrick County Tourism’s Marketing Manager Grace Cooper, is among those selected to attend the 2026 cohort of the Virginia Rural Leadership Institute (VRLI), the Commonwealth’s leading leadership development program dedicated to preparing current and emerging leaders from rural communities across Virginia.
Now entering its fifth year, VRLI continues to bring together dynamic leaders from diverse sectors including economic development, education, agriculture, local government, healthcare, small business, and nonprofit organizations. The program equips participants with the skills, relationships, and insights needed to strengthen rural communities and advance economic opportunity throughout the Commonwealth.
The 2026 VRLI program will begin with its opening session in Southside Virginia with stops in Danville and South Boston and will include immersive learning experiences in rural regions across the Commonwealth. Participants will engage with local leaders, explore innovative community initiatives, and participate in leadership development sessions designed to strengthen cross-sector collaboration and rural systems thinking.
“Each year, VRLI brings together an extraordinary group of leaders who are deeply committed to the future of rural Virginia,” said Kristie Proctor, executive director of the Virginia Rural Center, which made the announcement. “The program provides a unique opportunity for participants to build relationships, share perspectives, and develop ideas that strengthen their communities and the Commonwealth as a whole.”
Interest in the Virginia Rural Leadership Institute continues to grow as communities across the Commonwealth increasingly recognize the importance of investing in rural leadership development. Each year, the program attracts a strong pool of applicants representing a wide range of sectors all united by a shared commitment to strengthening rural Virginia. The competitive selection process reflects both the program’s strong reputation and the enthusiasm of leaders who are eager to collaborate, expand their leadership skills, and bring innovative ideas back to their communities. Through this growing network of over 100 engaged leaders, VRLI continues to foster partnerships and momentum that help advance economic opportunity and quality of life across rural regions of the Commonwealth.
A cornerstone of the program is the Community Impact Project, where each cohort member develops and implements an initiative that addresses a need or opportunity in their home community. These projects allow participants to apply their leadership training while creating tangible benefits for rural residents across Virginia.
Support from the business community and sponsors is essential to the continued success of the Virginia Rural Leadership Institute. Sponsorships help make the program accessible to leaders from across rural Virginia and support immersive learning experiences, leadership development programming, and the Community Impact Projects implemented in communities throughout the Commonwealth. Through their investment, sponsors play a direct role in strengthening rural leadership, fostering cross-sector collaboration, and advancing innovative solutions that improve the quality of life in rural communities.
Current VRLI sponsors include Virginia Housing, Dominion Energy, the Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission, Microsoft, Mid-Atlantic Broadband Communities Corporation, Commonwealth Fiber Services, the Virginia Poultry Growers Cooperative, and the RiverLink Group. Organizations and individuals interested in supporting the next generation of rural leaders are encouraged to learn more, visit https://www.cfrv.org/vrli.
