Creating a Thriving Community Through Informed and Connected Leaders
TESTIMONIALS
TESTIMONIALS
I went through Leadership Fauquier as a new transplant to the area. Leadership Fauquier provided me with the tools I needed to understand our local community and its values much more quickly than I would have. If anybody wants to know how to become involved in Fauquier County professionally, politically, or through service, Leadership Fauquier is a must.
Carl Chapman
Warrenton United Methodist Church – 2020 Cohort
Smith-Midland has been a sponsor of Leadership Fauquier since its inception because we know that the value of having great leaders in our community make Fauquier a better place to live and work. Fauquier County has been our home since my grandfather, David G. Smith, founded our company in 1960 and we want to give back by supporting other Fauquier businesses and organizations who want to develop strong, engaged leaders.
Matthew Smith
Smith Midland Corporation - Ongoing Sponsor
I am a proud graduate from Leadership Fauquier’s Class of 2018! I currently serve as Budget Services Manager in Fauquier County’s Office of Management and Budget, but at the onset of the Leadership Fauquier program I was a Budget & Management Analyst II. As I’ve grown in my career, it has become increasingly important to not only understand what makes Fauquier unique, but also meet with and network among private and non-profit sectors. I thoroughly enjoyed my LF days – often filled with a field trip, discussion, and networking. The program renewed my love of service to the community and was a catalyst to long-lasting relationships.
Mallory K. Stribling
Fauquier County Government, Cohort 2018
For me, Leadership Fauquier strategically connects Fauquier County human capacity/resources, provides the structure of understanding the community, and sets the precedent for ongoing collaboration and actionable change. During the 10-month program, I gained in depth appreciation and understanding of how communities work. The critical contributions of each sector inherently depend upon each other.
My takeaway was the critical importance of all community sectors working alongside one another to champion change. The Leadership Fauquier cohort puts names and faces to county resources, so each member knows who/how to contact when an opportunity to initiate a change lands in front of you. It starts small, with a phone call to a classmate to ask a question. Before you realize it, you and your classmates have actioned an improvement, initiated a recommendation, or made an impact.
Our 2018-2019 class coined the name “19 Strong” as we were an original group of 19. Our cohort continues to meet 5-6 times a year to honor the mission of “Creating a thriving community through informed and connected leaders.
Michelle Cribbs
Laurel Ridge Community College, 2019 Cohort
Participation in Leadership Fauquier was pivotal for me both as a community leader and for our organization (The Arc of NCV). I gained invaluable insights about our community from the unique opportunities to directly connect with local leaders. In addition to personally building confidence and skills over the course of the year, our organizational connections within the community multiplied. This growth was instrumental in meeting our first major funder. The comradery of Leadership Fauquier continues to be a cornerstone of growth.
Marilyn McCombe
The Arc of Northern Virginia, Cohort 2016
"I have supported Leadership Fauquier during my tenure as a local government manager and as a non-profit executive and Board member, because I, personally, view it as the most important institution in our community focused on developing next-generation leadership. The program is important to the Piedmont Environmental Council because of its 'whole community' thinking, in engaging a broad cross-section of interests to help its graduates understand all of the various factors that make our community great. Leadership Fauquier is the county's pipeline for creating educated, engaged, and empowered community leaders."
John McCarthy
Senior Adviser & Director of Strategic Partnerships - Piedmont Environmental Council
