Across the Commonwealth of Virginia, just 16 percent of town, city, or county managers or administrators are women. To address this disparity, the Virginia Women’s Municipal Leadership Institute (VWMLI) was created to develop women in leadership roles.
Led by Bonnie Svrcek, the former assistant town manager of Blacksburg and the first female city manager of Lynchburg, the institute has developed four cohorts since its beginning in 2022. Each cohort participates in eight monthly gatherings, virtual or in-person, on topics from the technical – budgeting, to “soft skills,” such as public speaking.
VRSA has sponsored the institute since its inception, and furthers its support by providing grants to members who may not have the funds to attend. This October, the institute graduated its fourth cohort, comprised of 23. Of those, 10 received grants from VRSA to attend. The group agreed that their participation in the institute has been transformative and has helped build their confidence. VRSA staff met with the group to discuss their experience, which you can watch in the video below.
Each year, the VRSA Members’ Supervisory Board allocates funds back to our communities through the Risk Management Grant program. A portion of these funds are earmarked to support professional management and leadership training – like the institute. Supporting quality professional and personal development of our next generation of local government leaders is one way to support good governance for the future.
For more information on the VRSA Risk Management Grant Program, contact your VRSA safety consultant at: 800-963-6800