The Top 50 Norfolk Women Leaders of 2026
Hampton Roads (the Norfolk-Virginia Beach-Newport News metro) runs on big, interlocking systems: shipbuilding and defense, ports and logistics, healthcare, higher education, tourism, and an increasingly consequential clean‑energy and offshore-wind supply chain. When leaders move these systems forward-whether by building talent pipelines, modernizing operations, expanding access to care, or investing in community capacity-the ripple effects touch virtually every employer and professional woman in the region.
The ranking below is editorial: it emphasizes scope of impact (workforce + budgets + jobs), regional “system leverage” (ports, hospitals, infrastructure, talent pipelines), and visible community influence (board leadership, convening power, public-private execution).
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#1 Kari Wilkinson
Running the nation’s only builder of nuclear-powered aircraft carriers is not just a “company leadership” job-it’s a regional economic engine role. Kari Wilkinson’s influence shows up in workforce scale, supplier ecosystems, apprenticeship pathways, and the long-term industrial competitiveness of the Peninsula. When shipbuilding capacity expands or modernizes, it impacts thousands of careers and a broad local vendor network-exactly the kind of durable, compounding influence that defines Hampton Roads leadership.
#2 Dr. Liisa Ortegon
As the division leader for Sentara’s flagship academic/tertiary hospital, Dr. Liisa Ortegon sits at the center of the metro’s most acute “people \+ productivity” issue: healthcare capacity. Her scope includes culture, operations, quality/safety, strategic partnerships, and financial performance-choices that directly affect care access for families and also talent retention for every employer competing for a healthy, stable workforce.
#3 Pat Davis-Hagens
Health systems help define a metro’s resilience: not only through patient care, but through employment, capital investment, and partnerships across behavioral health, chronic disease management, and community health needs. Pat Davis-Hagens’ role is influential because it connects clinical strategy to regional realities-workforce pressures, access points, and collaboration with civic and nonprofit partners to meet needs that no single institution can solve alone.
#4 Sarah McCoy
In Hampton Roads, “the port” is not a backdrop-it is a primary driver of trade, logistics, land use, and job creation. As Interim CEO, Sarah McCoy holds a seat where decisions can improve supply-chain reliability and regional competitiveness, shaping how easily businesses can grow and how well the region connects to global markets.
#5 Angela D. Reddix
Angela D. Reddix has become one of Coastal Virginia’s most visible examples of mission-driven entrepreneurship at scale. Through ARDX, her leadership intersects with healthcare data and back-office operations-work that quietly underpins quality, compliance, and efficiency across health systems. She’s also frequently recognized for women-led business leadership in Virginia, making her influence both practical (jobs, services) and symbolic (expanding the “who belongs at the top” narrative).
#6 Allison Stirrup
Ferguson’s headquarters presence anchors a significant professional workforce in the metro, and HR leadership at this scale is never just “internal.” Allison Stirrup’s CHRO role affects hiring and advancement systems, leadership development, and retention strategies-choices that can broaden pathways for women in corporate operations, sales leadership, and enterprise functions across a major employer with a national footprint.
#7 Anna Bonet
Transportation infrastructure is economic development in disguise: it determines commute feasibility, labor shed, freight flow, and quality of life. Anna Bonet’s CEO role is influential because it sits at the intersection of regional mobility, large-scale operations, and stakeholder expectations-where execution and customer trust matter as much as engineering and finance.
#8 Dawn S. Glynn
Bank leadership in Hampton Roads is especially consequential because so much growth depends on access to capital-small business lending, commercial real estate, and relationship-driven advisory work. Dawn Glynn’s role helps shape how the region’s entrepreneurs, developers, and nonprofit partners fund expansion, manage risk, and build durable organizations.
#9 Yvonne Toms Allmond
Influence is often about who gets access-access to credit, coaching, and the “inside track” knowledge that helps households and founders build stability. Yvonne Toms Allmond’s work centers financial engagement and inclusion, connecting institutional capacity to community outcomes. In practice, that means helping more people participate in the region’s economic upside, which raises the ceiling for talent and entrepreneurship.
#10 Jocelyn Konrad
With corporate leadership headquartered in the metro, Dollar Tree’s retail operations decisions have an outsized downstream effect-from jobs to vendor relationships to operational innovation. As Chief Retail Officer, Jocelyn Konrad influences store execution, customer experience, and the operational backbone that determines performance at scale-impacting not only the company, but the region’s reputation as a headquarters environment for major public firms.
#11 Jennifer Silberman
Corporate affairs and sustainability leadership increasingly shapes real-world outcomes: supplier expectations, public commitments, crisis readiness, and stakeholder trust. Jennifer Silberman’s role matters because it influences how a major headquarters employer navigates external accountability and long-term risk-issues that touch local brand strength, partnerships, and reputational gravity for the broader region.
#12 Deborah M. DiCroce
Regional philanthropy becomes more powerful when it acts like strategy-not charity. Deborah DiCroce leads an institution that can convene donors, nonprofits, and civic partners around shared priorities, helping fund what’s scalable: education opportunity, neighborhood stability, and long-run community capacity. That “multiplier” function makes this role especially influential in a metro where cross-sector collaboration is essential.
#13 Amy Sampson
Children’s health is workforce infrastructure: parents can’t work reliably if pediatric access is fragile. Amy Sampson’s leadership shapes care delivery, workforce priorities, and system resilience for a signature regional institution serving families across Coastal Virginia. In a tight healthcare labor market, steady executive leadership here has broad ripple effects-from patient outcomes to recruitment and retention across the region.
#14 Arketa Howard
Offshore wind has made Hampton Roads one of the most strategically positioned metros on the East Coast for clean-energy logistics and maritime support. Arketa Howard’s work sits where policy, infrastructure, and private-sector execution meet-helping translate the promise of offshore wind into real regional jobs, supplier opportunities, and long-term industry positioning.
#15 Lorraine Amesbury Holder
Manufacturing leadership matters in Hampton Roads because it anchors middle-class career ladders and long-lived industrial expertise. As SVP of Operations, Lorraine Amesbury Holder influences how an iconic Virginia Beach employer executes at scale-operational excellence, modernization, and the day-to-day decisions that shape productivity, safety, and workforce stability.
#16 Melody Doleman
In large-scale manufacturing, HR leadership is not just policies-it’s pipeline-building, retention, training, and culture. Melody Doleman’s role influences how a major employer competes for talent and grows leaders, which has an especially important effect on women’s advancement in industrial and operations-heavy environments.
#17 Dr. Javaune Adams-Gaston
Norfolk State is one of the region’s most important engines for talent and upward mobility. University leadership matters to professional women because it shapes workforce pathways, employer partnerships, and community leadership pipelines. Dr. Javaune Adams-Gaston’s role is influential precisely because talent strategy is economic strategy in a metro where employers compete on skills, not slogans.
#18 Alison Byrne
A thriving arts ecosystem is part of what attracts and retains educated talent-especially in metros competing for mobile professionals. Alison Byrne’s leadership at Virginia MOCA influences cultural visibility, education programming, and partnerships that deepen the region’s creative economy and civic identity, strengthening the “why live here” story that employers increasingly care about.
#19 Nicole J. Naidyhorski
Legal influence is often invisible until it isn’t: transactions, disputes, governance, risk, and regulatory decisions run through top counsel. As a partner at a major Hampton Roads firm, Nicole J. Naidyhorski’s impact shows up in the deals and legal frameworks that help regional businesses grow (and avoid costly mistakes), while also raising the bar for women’s leadership in high-stakes advisory roles.
#20 Brenda Karp
Real estate development shapes who can live where, where businesses can locate, and how cities evolve. Brenda Karp’s leadership touches the region’s growth mechanics-development strategy, housing supply dynamics, and the kind of investment choices that determine whether Hampton Roads can add capacity without losing affordability and quality of place.
#21 Denise Vaughn
Vaughn sets the ESG agenda for Ferguson, translating sustainability and social-impact commitments into measurable programs across a complex distribution footprint. By embedding strong governance, ethics, and climate-minded operations into day-to-day decision making, she protects trust while creating long-term value for customers, communities, and the business.
#22 Barbara Nelson
Nelson operates at the intersection of logistics and public policy, helping The Port of Virginia build the transportation and legislative partnerships that keep cargo moving efficiently. Her leadership strengthens regional competitiveness by aligning infrastructure priorities, stakeholder needs, and government relations to support jobs and economic growth across Hampton Roads.
#23 Melinda Montgomery
Montgomery leads day-to-day operations and operational strategy for the Norfolk Airport Authority, ensuring safe, reliable performance and a strong passenger experience at a critical regional gateway. Her execution focus helps the airport build capacity and service, strengthening business connectivity, tourism, and the broader economic engine of Hampton Roads.
#24 Kia Moten
Moten builds inclusive procurement and partnership pipelines for the Norfolk Airport Authority, expanding access for small, minority, and women-owned businesses to compete for meaningful opportunities. By linking airport spending and tenant relationships to local entrepreneurs, she turns a major public asset into a stronger engine for equitable economic development.
#25 Becky Sawyer
Sawyer shapes Sentara Health’s workforce strategy, aligning talent, culture, and leadership development to support high-quality care across a major regional health system. Her people-first leadership strengthens recruiting and retention for critical roles, improving operational performance while elevating the patient experience across Hampton Roads.
#26 Tennille J. Checkovich
Checkovich provides chief legal leadership for Smithfield Foods, guiding governance, risk management, and complex commercial decision making for a major global food enterprise. Her counsel helps the company navigate regulatory expectations and strategic growth with integrity, protecting reputation while enabling long-term investment in people and supply-chain partners.
#27 Tonya Byrd
Byrd connects Dominion Energy’s policy work to the communities it serves, elevating stakeholder voices in decisions that shape infrastructure, resilience, and long-term regional outcomes. Her engagement-driven approach builds trust and stronger partnerships, helping ensure community investment and workforce opportunity are part of how large projects deliver value.
#28 Barbara A. Blake
Blake expands Old Dominion University’s internship and co-op pathways, building employer partnerships that turn classroom learning into career-launching experience for students. By strengthening work-based learning at scale, she helps regional companies access talent and supports graduates in building long-term careers in Hampton Roads.
#29 Gymama Slaughter
Slaughter leads applied research efforts that translate university expertise into real-world solutions for government and industry partners. Her focus on collaboration and execution helps bring new capabilities and investment to the region while creating high-impact opportunities for researchers and students.
#30 Michelle Ellis Young
Young steers YWCA South Hampton Roads with a mission-driven operating model that delivers community programs at scale, strengthening support systems that families and employers rely on. Her leadership improves opportunity, safety, and stability across the region, creating ripple effects that bolster workforce readiness and economic participation.
#31 Sierrah Chavis
Chavis drives education strategies for United Way of South Hampton Roads, coordinating partners and resources to strengthen early learning and student success across communities. By aligning nonprofit, school, and community efforts around outcomes, she helps build a stronger future workforce and greater opportunity for families.
#32 Jill Ross
As a leader at Tidewater Community College, Ross helps expand accessible pathways from education to employment for students across South Hampton Roads. Her work strengthening programs and partnerships supports employers’ talent needs while helping more residents earn credentials that translate into economic mobility.
#33 Shalini Gupta
Gupta helps modernize the City of Norfolk’s technology capabilities, improving the digital services and internal systems that residents and businesses rely on every day. By prioritizing security, reliability, and user experience, she boosts operational efficiency and makes public services more responsive and transparent.
#34 Capt. Janet Days (USN, ret.)
Days brings high-level command experience to Suffolk’s economic development strategy, leading efforts to attract and retain businesses while accelerating job creation. Her track record in complex, mission-critical environments translates into decisive leadership that strengthens the region’s competitiveness and investment pipeline.
#35 Margaret Hu
Hu is a leading voice at the intersection of civil rights, national security, and emerging technology, helping institutions navigate the real-world implications of AI and surveillance. Through her Digital Democracy Lab leadership, she elevates the region’s influence in tech governance while mentoring future legal and policy leaders.
#36 Anna Hickey, Ph.D.
Hickey leads the Luter School of Business with a rare blend of executive education experience and mission-driven operational leadership. By preparing students for ethical, real-world decision making and deepening connections with employers, she strengthens the talent pipeline that supports regional business growth.
#37 Julia Hillegass
Hillegass elevates agriculture as an economic development priority in Suffolk, building relationships and practical support for the farmers and agri-businesses that anchor the local economy. Her work to preserve working lands, promote innovation, and connect producers with new markets helps keep a signature industry thriving for the next generation.
#38 Catarina Johnson
Johnson leads the Isle of Wight Chamber of Commerce with a collaborative, pro-business approach that connects employers to resources, advocacy, and community visibility. By strengthening networks among entrepreneurs, civic leaders, and major employers, she helps create the conditions for sustainable growth while protecting the county’s quality of place.
#39 LaShaunda Reese Kay, Ph.D., LPC, LSATP
Kay built Reese Family Services into a trusted provider of residential and day support services, delivering compassionate care for adults living with developmental disabilities and mental health challenges. Her entrepreneurial leadership expands critical services and creates jobs, strengthening the region’s support network for families and community partners.
#40 Rebecca Kleinhample
Kleinhample leads the Virginia Living Museum, combining education, conservation, and visitor experience to keep a major regional attraction financially strong and mission-focused. Her stewardship grows community engagement and environmental literacy, generating cultural value and economic activity through programming, events, and tourism.
#41 Lindsey Anderson
Anderson founded and leads Vision Driven 757, mobilizing workshops, events, and community initiatives that empower youth and strengthen local organizations. By converting grassroots energy into structured programs and partnerships, she creates durable impact that improves the region’s talent pipeline and community well-being.
#42 Skylar Bacevich
Bacevich shapes global internal communications for PRA Group, keeping teams aligned, engaged, and execution-focused across a distributed workforce. Her strategic storytelling and culture-building strengthen a Norfolk-headquartered company’s ability to perform at scale while reinforcing employee connection and clarity.
#43 Melissa Ramsey
Ramsey leads community relations for Rivers Casino Portsmouth, building partnerships and giving programs that connect a major employer to local nonprofits and neighborhood priorities. Her work channels corporate resources into visible community benefit, strengthening trust and maximizing the positive economic footprint of a large entertainment destination.
#44 Monique Adams
Adams helped build 757 Angels into a cornerstone of the region’s startup capital network, connecting early-stage founders with investors, mentorship, and disciplined due diligence. By expanding access to funding and guidance, she has helped keep promising companies growing in Hampton Roads and strengthened the area’s reputation as a place where entrepreneurs can scale.
#45 Kim McCoy Webb
McCoy Webb helped grow philanthropic support for the Virginia Arts Festival, strengthening a cultural institution that drives tourism, downtown vitality, and regional pride. Her commitment to service and continuous learning reflects adaptive leadership that helps community institutions remain resilient and relevant.
#46 Mary Kate Andris, Ed.D.
Andris leads the CIVIC Leadership Institute, connecting senior executives across sectors to tackle regional challenges and build the relationships that make collaboration possible. By developing leaders and convening decision makers, she strengthens Hampton Roads’ civic capacity and improves the environment for investment, workforce growth, and shared prosperity.
#47 Amy Markman Goldberg
Markman Goldberg turned Soup Love from a home-kitchen passion into a thriving food business built on craft, hospitality, and loyal repeat customers. Her entrepreneurial growth adds energy to the local makers economy and shows how product excellence and authenticity can create a standout brand in a competitive market.
#48 Virginia “Ginny” Batteen-Hawks
Batteen-Hawks provides financial and operational leadership for a major real estate firm, overseeing teams that support development and property management across multiple asset classes. Her disciplined stewardship helps owners and clients make smarter investment decisions while strengthening the stability and professionalism of Hampton Roads’ commercial real estate ecosystem.
#49 Elizabeth Chapman
Chapman delivers high-value real estate legal counsel that helps clients navigate complex transactions and leasing with confidence and speed. Her leadership in CREW Coastal Virginia advances mentorship and opportunity for women in commercial real estate, strengthening the region’s business community and deal-making network.
#50 Bonnie Moore
Moore leads Breeden Property Management’s residential and commercial operations, balancing customer experience, compliance, and asset performance across a large portfolio. Her operational expertise and culture-building approach help properties run better for residents and owners alike, reinforcing the region’s housing and commercial real estate foundation.
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