Leadership Academy
Leadership Academy
APA Virginia's Leadership Development Program
In the planning field, we need more people that are up for the challenge of leadership, including the required investment of time and energy to address the planning issues of our generation, such as housing, climate change, and racial equity. Above all, leadership is a commitment to people and the greater good. If you're looking to take that next step in your career, this Leadership Development Program will help to guide you in your pursuit to become the effective leader you wish to be. The program has a $75 registration fee for candidates who are accepted, due prior to the first class session.
Completed applications must be submitted to the APA Virginia Chapter at past.president@apavirginia.com no later than Friday, February 27, 2026.
Program & Schedule
2026: Meetings are scheduled over the course of a four-month period in. The first three courses are scheduled as 5-hour sessions (10:00AM-3:00PM , including lunch) held in Richmond, Virginia. The final 3-hour session will be held at the annual conference in Danville, Virginia on the Sunday afternoon from 2-5:00PM prior to the opening reception. Prior to each meeting, participants are expected to complete the requested course prep assignment to help them prepare for the meeting.
Location: Richmond, Virginia
Saturday April 18, 2026
Session 1 (morning): Introduction & Leadership Values - Kurt Christiansen, FAICP & Andrew Hopewell, AICP
Session 2 (afternoon): Mindset - Julie Pastor, FAICP & Earl Anderson, AICP
Saturday June 6, 2026
Session 3 (morning): Emotional Intelligence - Kurt Christiansen, FAICP, & Vlad Gavrilovic, AICP
Session 4 (afternoon): Negotiation - Glenn Larson, FAICP & Lorna Parkins, FAICP
Saturday June 27, 2026
Session 5 (morning): Diversity, Equity & Inclusion - Arlova Vonhm, AICP & Jeryl Phillips, AICP
Session 6 (afternoon): Conflict Resolution - Rob Stalzer, FAICP & Andrew Hopewell, AICP
Sunday July 26, 2026 (Danville, Virginia)
Session 7 (afternoon): Leadership Reflections - Lorna Parkins, FAICP, Kurt Christiansen, FAICP & Andrew Hopewell, AICP
If you have any questions about the class, email Andrew Hopewell at past.president@apavirginia.com.
