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Inside IALR Podcast: Women at the Torch: Leading and Inspiring at ATDM

Inside IALR Podcast: Women at the Torch: Leading and Inspiring at ATDM

What is it like to be a woman teaching advanced manufacturing in a field where men make up the majority?

Hear it from three members of the Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing (ATDM) instructional team: welding instructor Makayla Baker, metrology instructor Holly Lyle and welding technician Autumn King. As the only women on a team of nearly 40 instructors and technicians, they share their career journeys, classroom experiences and what it means to mentor the next generation of manufacturing talent.

Through their stories, you’ll hear how ATDM’s fast-paced, 600-hour program equips students for life-changing careers in welding, metrology and more—and why representation matters in the skilled trades. This conversation highlights the impact of teaching, perseverance, and opportunity.

Welding instructor Makayla Baker, metrology instructor Holly Lyle and welding technician Autumn King

🎙️Topics Covered:

  • How each instructor found her way into manufacturing and teaching
  • What it’s like to guide students in ATDM’s intensive four-month program
  • Challenges and opportunities for women in male-dominated fields
  • Inspiring student success stories, from “last shot” moments to certification triumphs
  • Why role models matter in shaping the next generation of manufacturing talent

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Inside IALR Podcast: Growing Talent at the CEA Innovation Center

Inside IALR Podcast: Growing Talent at the CEA Innovation Center

What happens when Ph.D. candidates, master’s students, undergrads and interns all share the same greenhouse? You get a powerful, layered research environment that grows more than just plants.

In this episode of Inside IALR, we explore how the Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) Innovation Center is not only advancing sustainable agriculture but also training the next generation of researchers and industry leaders. A partnership between IALR and Virginia Tech, the CEA Innovation Center blends hands-on research, mentorship and workforce development.

You’ll hear how students at four different educational levels are conducting applied research on plant disease management, beneficial microbes and nutrient optimization. From mentoring interns to designing dissertation-level experiments, these students are learning and growing.

🎙 Guests:

  • Dr. Kaylee South – Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist, Virginia Tech (stationed full-time at IALR)
  • Colin Fite – M.S. Student, Virginia Tech
  • Praveen Gajula – Ph.D. Student, Virginia Tech

🔍 Topics Covered:

  • What Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) is and why it matters
  • How beneficial microbes are being tested in vertical farms and greenhouses
  • The role of students in maintaining IALR’s demonstration farm
  • Mentorship across education levels—from intern to Ph.D.
  • Career goals of students entering the CEA industry
  • Opportunities for students to join the CEA Innovation Center

Whether you’re an educator, student, grower or just curious about the future of agtech, this episode offers a glimpse into how research, education and industry come together under one greenhouse roof.

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Inspire Tomorrow’s Workforce at the 2025 Career ChoICE Youth Expo

Inspire Tomorrow’s Workforce at the 2025 Career ChoICE Youth Expo

The Career ChoICE Youth Expo, Southern Virginia’s premier hands-on career exploration event, is back this fall. It offers local businesses, organizations and community members an opportunity to impact our region’s future workforce. Coordinated by the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR), Career ChoICE connects thousands of middle and high school students with local industries, highlighting the exciting career paths at home.

Two Locations, Endless Opportunities

  • Sept. 17 & 18 – East at the Joan Perry Brock Center, Longwood University (Farmville)
  • Oct. 1 & 2 – West at the Old Dominion Agricultural Complex (Chatham)

These events engage over 4,500 students annually from across Amelia, Buckingham, Brunswick, Charlotte, Cumberland, Lunenburg, Mecklenburg, Nottoway, Prince Edward, Danville, Halifax, Henry, Martinsville, Patrick and Pittsylvania schools.

Ways to Get Involved:

Host an Interactive Exhibit

Showcase your industry to enthusiastic students through hands-on demonstrations, equipment displays, or engaging conversations. Exhibitors receive booth setup support, tables, chairs, and power access, plus breakfast and lunch. This is your chance to help students visualize future career possibilities while promoting your business’s visibility in the community.

Sign up to Exhibit Today

The deadline to register for an exhibit is Sept. 3 for Career ChoICE East (Farmville) and Sept. 17 for Career ChoICE West (Chatham).

Sponsor the Expo

The Career ChoICE Youth Expo is entirely sponsor-funded, ensuring the event remains free for both exhibitors and school attendees. Your sponsorship directly covers, meals, materials, and event logistics. Multiple sponsorship levels are available, each recognized at the event and in promotional materials. Make a lasting investment in Southern Virginia’s future talent pipeline.

Explore Sponsorship Opportunities

The sponsorship deadline is Aug. 12.

Volunteer Your Time

Volunteers are crucial for creating a welcoming and organized experience. Help guide student groups, distribute materials, or assist with logistics. No specific experience is needed—just your willingness to help. Whether you volunteer for an hour or the whole day, your involvement significantly impacts the event’s success.

Become a Volunteer

The volunteer registration deadlines are Sept. 3 for Career ChoICE East (Farmville) and Sept. 17 for Career ChoICE West (Chatham).

Submit a Young Professional Profile

Highlight your organization’s emerging talent by encouraging a young professional (under 35) to share their career journey. These profiles inspire students by providing relatable examples of local individuals thriving in their chosen fields.

Submit a Young Professional Profile 

All Young Professional Profiles must be submitted by Aug. 12 to be considered for the printed Career ChoICE booklet.

The Career ChoICE Youth Expo aligns with 14 in-demand career clusters and features over 90 employers. It provides students with invaluable insights into local training and career pathways. Participating is simple, rewarding and impactful.

National Defense Manufacturing Program Marks Major Graduation Milestone

National Defense Manufacturing Program Marks Major Graduation Milestone

ATDM celebrates 1,000th graduate since launch of program

DANVILLE, Va. (July 31, 2025) – Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing (ATDM) recently celebrated its 1,000th program completer, highlighting the program’s continued success in building the defense workforce.

Glenn Claypool was recognized as the 1,000th program completer and joined fellow students in celebrating the cohort’s completion of the 16-week rigorous workforce training. Claypool discovered ATDM after completing a bachelor’s degree in business management and working in sales before deciding to pursue certification in non-destructive testing.

“ATDM has given me a second chance at having a fulfilling career that provides a true sense of purpose,” said Claypool. “It’s not just a job, it’s a path that has equipped me with skills that I’ll carry with me for the rest of my life.”

Created to support defense manufacturing initiatives across the United States and supply workers for the maritime industrial base, ATDM is well on its way toward its goal of 800-1,000 skilled tradespeople completing the program each year.

“Reaching 1,000 ATDM graduates bolsters a skilled workforce that our maritime industrial base needs urgently,” said Matt Sermon, direct reporting program manager of the Maritime Industrial Base Program. “ATDM graduates are contributing directly to building and sustaining our Fleet. As we scale this proven model nationwide, we’re helping our maritime industrial base develop the workforce needed to maintain maritime superiority for generations to come.”

Will Kaisen, the student speaker for cohort 17, speaks during the ATDM Completion Ceremony.

Graduating students complete 600 hours of intensive, hands-on training over 16 weeks, earning certifications in one of five high-demand defense industry skilled trades. These are high-paying careers in additive manufacturing, CNC machining, non-destructive testing, quality control inspection (metrology) and welding.

“ATDM’s Maritime Training Center is a vital component of the work we do at IALR to support and pioneer new accelerated training methods that build the future workforce for defense, maritime and advanced manufacturing,” said Telly Tucker, president of the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR).

Congresswoman Jen Kiggans addressed the finishing cohort at their completion ceremony, highlighting her unique connection to ATDM’s purpose as a member of the House Armed Services Committee and the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, as well as being a Navy veteran herself and the wife of a Navy veteran.

Congresswoman Jen Kiggans speaks during the completion ceremony for the 17th cohort of the Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing (ATDM).

“This year the ATDM program is celebrating another major milestone, its 1,000th graduate, and that number represents the 1,000 men and women trained with the specialized skills needed to rebuild American manufacturing and support our defense industrial base, and that’s something to be proud of,” said Congresswoman Kiggans. “Graduates of this program are not just entering a workforce; you are stepping into a mission. Whether you’re heading to shipyards, maritime manufacturing facilities or defense plants across the country – your work will directly impact our national security.”

A distinguishing feature of the ATDM program is that students are prepared for the workforce beyond technical training. ATDM staff assist with resume development, interview preparation and direct employer connections, leading to an 85% employment rate for completers within a month of finishing the program. ATDM partners with more than 200 employers across the United States for job placement as well as job training, a strong indicator of the program’s success.

ATDM Cohort 17 Completion Ceremony

“ATDM has been a tremendous asset to our workforce development efforts. The program consistently turns out graduates who are not just technically capable, but ready to contribute from day one,” said Kristi Rowe, people director at Keel. “One of our recent hires has already made a strong impression in his welding role—bringing precision, confidence, and a solid grasp of quality standards. What really stands out is how well ATDM’s training aligns with the real-world demands of our work. It makes the transition from training to the job smooth and effective. We’re excited about the future and look forward to continuing this successful partnership.”

“I’ve met people from a wide range of backgrounds, different cultures, life experiences, education levels and career paths, but the one thing we all share is that we came to ATDM looking for new skills and opportunities,” said Claypool.

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About ATDM
Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing (ATDM) was created to teach the skills needed to increase military equipment production in the United States. The program is located at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research in Danville, Virginia. Students at ATDM are trained in the skills needed to repair, upfit and build submarines, and these skills are transferable to other defense industry companies. Students earn the certifications needed to secure great-paying, in-demand defense industry jobs in these skilled trades: Additive Manufacturing, CNC Machining, Non-Destructive Testing, Quality Control Inspection (also known as Metrology) and Welding. For additional information, visit https://atdm.org/.

About IALR
The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research serves Virginia as a regional catalyst for economic transformation with applied research, advanced learning, manufacturing advancement, conference center services and economic development efforts. IALR’s major footprint focuses within Southern Virginia, including the counties of Patrick, Henry, Franklin, Pittsylvania, Halifax and Mecklenburg, along with the cities of Martinsville and Danville.

 

Inside IALR Podcast: Inside the Internship: Stories from IALR’s Summer Interns

Inside IALR Podcast: Inside the Internship: Stories from IALR’s Summer Interns

What is it like to be an intern at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research? In this episode of Inside IALR, hear from five of the 18 interns who spent their summer working across IALR’s divisions—from applied research and economic development to manufacturing advancement and GO TEC.

You’ll hear from:

  • Grayson Snead, an ag tech intern researching bacterial endophytes in broccoli microgreens
  • Dilara Sultanova, a data-savvy Empower intern building automation tools and career resources
  • Daniel Olasoko and Moiz Fakhri, who worked with machine learning models to support student success in the ATDM program
  • Dakotah Younger, who helped train teachers and guide students through hands-on technology with the GO TEC team

They reflect on what they learned, the real-world impact they made, and how the experience is shaping their future careers.

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Inside IALR Podcast: Tracking Plant Growth Pixel by Pixel

Inside IALR Podcast: Tracking Plant Growth Pixel by Pixel

What if you could track a plant’s health and growth every 15 minutes, all automatically and without ever touching it?

In this episode of Inside IALR, Dr. Scott Lowman, Vice President of Applied Research at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research, explores the SMART Platform—IALR’s Spatially and Mechanically Accurate Robotic Table system. These high-tech tables combine robotics, precision imaging and automation to capture tens of thousands of data points per experiment, helping researchers analyze plant growth, stress response and even subtle movements in real time.

Learn how the SMART Platforms allow for entire plant life-cycle testing for beneficial microbes and enable real-time monitoring of plant health. You’ll hear about how interns have played a central role in coding and refining the system, how companies can contract research on the tables and how this technology is helping lay the groundwork for more sustainable agriculture.

Whether you’re into agtech, robotics, plant biology or data science, this episode connects it all. Plus, you’ll hear how this one-of-a-kind platform is opening doors for students and researchers alike.

🔍 Topics Covered:

  • What makes SMART Platforms unique
  • How 80,000+ images become meaningful plant health data
  • Intern-driven innovation in Python and computer vision
  • Industry collaboration and commercialization opportunities
  • The future of AI in agriculture and early stress detection

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Regional Partnership in Southern Virginia to Strengthen Healthcare Workforce Development

Regional Partnership in Southern Virginia to Strengthen Healthcare Workforce Development

~ Claude Moore Opportunities bringing together public and private sector stakeholders, including educational institutions and employers, to better align the region’s healthcare workforce development efforts and create career opportunities ~

As part of a new statewide initiative called the Virginia Partnership for Health Science Careers, a regional partnership in Southern Virginia will bring together schools, hospitals, healthcare providers, and workforce development professionals from the public and private sector to expand the area’s healthcare workforce, create meaningful career opportunities, and meet the needs of communities throughout Southern Virginia. The Southern Virginia Partnership for Health Science Careers will work to implement Collaborating to Address Regional Workforce Challenges: A Roadmap, an “off-the-shelf” guide to establish and operate regional, employer-engaged workforce development collaboratives in Virginia with a focus on healthcare careers.

The regional healthcare workforce partnership will be coordinated by Dr. Julie Brown, Vice President of Advanced Learning at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR), and involve partners including Sovah Health, Sentara Halifax, PATHS, VCU Health Community Memorial Hospital, GO Virginia Region 3, Southside Virginia Community College, Danville Community College, Patrick & Henry Community College, and Virginia Career Works South Central and West Piedmont regions, along with the region’s Community Service Boards. The partnership will serve communities including the cities of Danville and Martinsville; and the counties of Amelia, Brunswick, Buckingham, Charlotte, Cumberland, Halifax, Henry, Lunenburg, Mecklenburg, Nottoway, Patrick, Pittsylvania, and Prince Edward.

To support the partnership’s success, Claude Moore Opportunities has helped convene the needed regional stakeholders, provided financial support for the partnership and healthcare workforce development programs throughout the region, and its partners at the George Mason University Center for Health Workforce have provided data on current and expected healthcare workforce shortages in the region.

“At Claude Moore, we believe that coordinated, regional partnerships are the most promising approach for creating meaningful career opportunities while meeting the healthcare needs of our citizens and strengthening regional economies throughout Virginia,” said Dr. Bill Hazel, CEO of Claude Moore Opportunities. “We are proud to be part of a true collaborative effort that builds on the work that local officials have been doing for years and look forward to the positive impact that this partnership will have on families and communities throughout the region.”

“IALR is proud to serve as a convener in GO Virginia Region 3, activating The Roadmap developed by Claude Moore and the Secretary of Labor and replicating the successful Blue Ridge Partnership model,” said partnership coordinator Dr. Julie Brown (IALR’s Vice President of Advanced Learning). “Developing collaborative partnerships, driven through private sector engagement and focused on data-driven solutions, will enable us to collectively address our region’s healthcare talent needs.”

In addition to the regional partnership for Southern Virginia, partnerships have now been established in each region of the state as part of the Virginia Partnership for Health Science Careers, a new statewide effort led by Claude Moore Opportunities to better coordinate healthcare workforce development in communities around the Commonwealth. The network’s workforce development efforts will focus on the careers that create strong, accessible medical, dental, and behavioral/mental health systems such as technicians, assistants, and aides, with an emphasis on the positions that community leaders and healthcare providers identify as most critical for their region.

The Southern Virginia Partnership for Health Science Careers has already begun its work and held several regional meetings, while the overarching Virginia Partnership for Health Science Careers has held two statewide summits to share strategies and best practices.

The Healthcare Workforce Shortage in Southern Virginia

According to a comprehensive 2023 study for the Virginia Health Workforce Development Authority, 102 of Virginia’s 133 localities are federally designated “Health Professional Shortage Areas” and 93 localities are “Mental Healthcare Professional Shortage Areas,” meaning about 30% of Virginians live in a community without a sufficient number of primary and behavioral healthcare providers.
Based on an analysis of active job ads performed by the], it is estimated that, in order to meet the community’s healthcare demands in Southern Virginia, the region needs:

  • 905 registered nurses
  • 382 social and human service assistants
  • 252 licensed practical nurses and licensed vocational nurses
  • 227 physical therapists
  • 156 nursing assistants
  • 121 personal care aides
  • 109 mental health and substance abuse social workers
    *(As of 2024Q3)

Southern Virginia also needs 131 postsecondary health specialties teachers to train and educate the next generation of healthcare and life sciences workers.
The GMU Center for Health Workforce analysis found that the Commonwealth of Virginia as a whole needs:

  • 17,537 registered nurses
  • 10,670 medical and human services managers
  • 9,171 social and human services assistants
  • 3,751 physical therapists
  • 3,090 licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses
  • 2,760 nursing assistants
  • 2,412 mental health and substance abuse social workers
  • 2,282 personal care aides
    *(As of 2024Q4)

The Commonwealth also needs 1,711 postsecondary health specialties teachers to train and educate the next generation of healthcare and life sciences workers.

About The Roadmap and Sector Partnerships

The Roadmap was developed collaboratively by Claude Moore, Virginia Works, and Virginia Secretary of Labor Bryan Slater with input from stakeholders around the Commonwealth including public and private sector workforce and economic development professionals, educators, and major employers. It represents a significant new embrace of the “sector-based strategy” that is emerging nationally as a successful method of creating a larger pool of skilled workers to capitalize on a community’s strengths and meet its unique needs.
The keys to the success of The Roadmap’s approach are its emphasis on wide stakeholder engagement to ensure a region’s trainings and educational offerings match its needs, and the creation of flexible professional development opportunities with “on and off ramps” so that Virginians can take their education as far as they wish while staying engaged with the workforce.
The Roadmap was released in September 2024 to stakeholders who contributed to it and public and private sector partners who can benefit from its use including local workforce boards, economic and workforce development professionals and agencies, the Virginia Community College System, Chambers of Commerce, major employers, and more.
The strategies explained in the Roadmap are applicable to any industry or sector that requires concerted workforce development efforts with a specific focus on healthcare workforce because of Virginia’s considerable needs, the complexity of healthcare workforce development, and Claude Moore’s unique expertise in this area.

Five IALR Employees Complete Regional Leadership Programs

Five IALR Employees Complete Regional Leadership Programs

Five employees from the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) recently completed regional leadership development programs designed to cultivate personal growth, strengthen professional skills and enhance community engagement.

Four of these employees graduated from Leadership Southside, a long-standing leadership development program hosted by the Danville Pittsylvania Chamber of Commerce. One employee completed the Martinsville-Henry County Chamber of Commerce Leadership Program, a project-based experience focused on leadership effectiveness and community connection.

Leadership Southside Graduates

The following IALR employees recently graduated from Leadership Southside:

  • Caleb Ayers, Communications Content Manager
  • Tracy Fink, Vice President, Institute Conference Center
  • Sherri Dickens, Student Services Manager, Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing (ATDM)
  • Justin Scarce, Manager, ATDM Industry Engagement

Now in its 33rd year, Leadership Southside helps professionals across the business, education, nonprofit and public sectors build their capacity to lead with empathy and purpose. Through 10 months of interactive sessions, personal assessments and networking opportunities, including a visit to Richmond for Chamber Day at the Capitol, participants gain insight into their personal leadership style and how it affects their ability to influence and collaborate with others.

“Before Leadership Southside, I viewed leadership primarily as a position of authority—someone who sets direction and ensures tasks get done. But through the program, my perception has evolved. I now see leadership as more relational and service-oriented. It’s about influence, empathy and being able to bring people together around a shared vision.” – Sherri Dickens, Student Services Manager, Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing (ATDM)

“My favorite part of Leadership Southside was getting to connect with so many passionate, driven people from our region. Every session brought a fresh perspective—not just on leadership, but on how we can make a real impact in our community. I walked away with new friendships, valuable insights and a stronger sense of purpose in both my work and community involvement.” – Tracy Fink, Vice President of the IALR Conference Center

“Leadership Southside helped me assess and understand my own workplace tendencies and motivations and gave me the tools to see the motivations and desires of my colleagues.” – Caleb Ayers, Communications Content Manager, IALR

“Leadership Southside helped me understand the value of different leadership styles and how each brings unique strengths to a team. It taught me how to better collaborate by recognizing and adapting to those differences for more effective teamwork and impact.” – Justin Scarce, ATDM Industry Engagement Manager, IALR

The Chamber recognized the Class of 2025 during its Annual Awards Banquet at IALR. With this year’s cohort, more than 600 individuals have completed the program.

Martinsville-Henry County Leadership Program Graduate

In addition to the Leadership Southside participants, Brian Stanley, Advanced Learning Program Coordinator II with IALR, completed the leadership program offered by the Martinsville-Henry County Chamber of Commerce. This project-based leadership program is designed to help participants sharpen their leadership vision and effectiveness and discover their personal leadership styles.

Stanley and the other participants designed a mentorship program connecting high school students with industry professionals, which they presented to area leaders, including the Martinsville City Mayor, a Martinsville City Council representative and several of the Chamber’s board members.

“The Leadership program from the Martinsville and Henry County Chamber of Commerce has reshaped how I view myself as a leader by empowering the skills I already possess and introducing me to new methods that I can now share with my current and future teams. This program not only enabled me to connect with individuals whom I would most likely never have met but also created valuable connections that will continue to facilitate the development of programs that engage new partners in Martinsville and Henry County, showing the potential for growth and development.” – Brian Stanley, Advanced Learning Program Coordinator II, IALR

About IALR

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research serves Virginia as a regional catalyst for economic transformation with applied research, advanced learning, manufacturing advancement, conference center services and economic development efforts. IALR’s major footprint focuses on Southern Virginia, including the counties of Patrick, Henry, Franklin, Pittsylvania, Halifax and Mecklenburg and the cities of Martinsville and Danville.

Dr. Julie Brown Wins WE Lead Award

Dr. Julie Brown Wins WE Lead Award

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) proudly shares that Dr. Julie Brown, IALR’s Vice President of Advanced Learning, has been awarded the WE Lead Award from the Danville Pittsylvania Chamber of Commerce. The award was announced during the Chamber’s Annual Awards Banquet hosted at the IALR Conference Center on May 30.

The Chamber’s WE Lead program, which stands for Women Empowered, provides access to dynamic programs designed to develop leadership skills and build professional networks for women in business. This prestigious honor celebrates a transformative leader who has shown extraordinary dedication and service to Danville and Pittsylvania County.

Knyla Harris Photography

“I am truly honored and humbled to receive this recognition from WE Lead and the Chamber. As a product of numerous empowered women who have supported and mentored me during my life and professional career, I hope I can pay that forward to the next generation of women leaders.” – Dr. Julie Brown, Vice President, Advanced Learning, IALR

Dr. Brown has led the implementation and sustainability of many visionary programs and initiatives that have significantly impacted Southern Virginia and the entire Commonwealth. She has spearheaded the execution and expansion of the Great Opportunities in Technology and Engineering Careers (GO TEC®) program, which is on track to serve 73 schools and reach over 11,000 students annually by the 2025–2026 academic year.

“Julie Brown’s leadership spans sectors, generations and communities. She is a visionary leader who lifts others, creates opportunities and inspires progress. For her impact and her approach to serving her community, Julie is more than deserving of this WE Lead Award.”  – Anne Moore-Sparks, President and CEO, Danville Pittsylvania Chamber of Commerce

Dr. Brown has driven the success of the Dan River Year AmeriCorps program, which logged over 16,000 service hours last year as one of Virginia’s largest AmeriCorps service-learning programs. Over 10 years ago, she spearheaded the creation of the annual Career ChoICE Youth Expo, now serving over 4,500 students annually across two locations. Dr. Brown leads a high-caliber team that, just last year, served over 14,500 STEM learners and connected 46 interns and 50 apprentices to regional employers. Her excellence has been recognized with the Danville Hometown Hero Award, a gubernatorial appointment to the Virginia Workforce Board and selection and induction into the Academy of Community Engagement Scholarship.

Brown is a graduate of the Chamber’s Leadership Southside as well as statewide programs like the Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership and Lead Virginia. She serves on numerous boards, including the Center for Early Success, Sovah Health, the West Piedmont Workforce Development Board and the Danville Public Schools Education Foundation. Her commitment to civic engagement extends to her longtime active membership in Riverview Rotary, the Wednesday Club and the Legislative Committee of the Danville Pittsylvania Chamber of Commerce.

“Dr. Julie Brown is a leader and innovator with a tireless commitment to creating opportunities for others. She brings vision, energy and a deep passion to everything she does. Julie is an incredible asset to IALR and Southern Virginia.” – Telly Tucker, IALR President

Knyla Harris Photography

Linda Green, IALR’s Vice President of Economic Development and Executive Director of the Southern Virginia Regional Alliance, received the inaugural WE Lead Award in 2024 and presented Dr. Brown’s award during the 2025 Chamber Annual Awards Banquet.

The WE Lead Award was Dr. Brown’s second award of the night. She and her family also received the Chamber’s Pinnacle Small Business Award for 2 Witches Winery & Brewing Co., which she helped to co-found.

About IALR

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research serves Virginia as a regional catalyst for economic transformation with applied research, advanced learning, manufacturing advancement, conference center services and economic development efforts. IALR’s major footprint focuses on Southern Virginia, including the counties of Patrick, Henry, Franklin, Pittsylvania, Halifax and Mecklenburg and the cities of Martinsville and Danville.