Board
Jerri Wilson
Olivia Hilton
LeAnna Surratt
President
Vice President
Treasurer
Government Affairs Manager
City of Newport News
Town Manager
Town of Mt. Jackson
Town Manager
Town of Hillsville
With over 15 years of experience in state government relations and legislative priorities, Jerri Wilson leads VWLG with a deep understanding of the policy landscapes that shape our communities.
As the first female town manager in Mt. Jackson’s 200-year history, Olivia Hilton is a trailblazer in community engagement, tourism, and strategic municipal development.
A master of municipal finance and the youngest person to be certified as a Master Governmental Treasurer in Virginia, LeAnna Surratt ensures the fiscal health and stability of our organization.
Amy Southall
Sara McGuffin
Mandy Adkins
Secretary
Immediate Past President
Board Member
Community Engagement Director
King George County
Director of Cultural Placemaking &
Events, Town of Vinton
Town Manager
Town of Amherst
Amy Southall is an expert in local storytelling and community building, leading engagement initiatives that bridge the gap between residents and their government.
A veteran leader in local administration, Sara McGuffin provides vital institutional knowledge and a commitment to creating supportive environments for public servants.
Mandy Adkins brings a wealth of experience in tourism, recreation and local government, with a focus on the power of placemaking and events to create vibrant, connected communities.
Retta Jackson
Maggie Mace
Kristy Shifflett
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Director of Planning, Town of Christiansburg
Assistant Director of Parks, Recreation & Tourism, Roanoke County
Chief Operating Officer
Albemarle County
With more than a decade of local government leadership experience as both a Town Manager and Planning Director, Retta Jackson blends strategic thinking and community development to help communities thrive.
Maggie Mace brings 25 years of local government experience where she has successfully driven strategic initiatives and strengthened organization performance to enhance community well-being and quality of life.Â
Kristy Shifflett brings 14 years of local government experience and leads a portfolio of organizational improvement, strategic planning, measurement, human resources, and information technology in her current role with Albemarle.
Bonnie Svrcek
Board Member
Executive Director, Virginia Women's Municipal Leadership Institute
The former city manager of Lynchburg and a past ICMA President, Bonnie Svrcek is a legendary advocate for gender balance and inclusive leadership in local government. Bonnie is the primary architect of the Virginia Women's Municipal Leadership Institute (VWMLI) and served as its Executive Director from 2021-2026.
Meet the dedicated public servants steering the Virginia Women Leading Government (VWLG) mission. The VWLG board represents a cross-section of Virginia’s counties, cities, and towns.