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Driving Economic Transformation

IALR’s Brian Stanley Named to Chamber’s Inaugural 40 Under 40 class

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IALR’s Brian Stanley Named to Chamber’s Inaugural 40 Under 40 class

IALR’s Brian Stanley Named to Chamber’s Inaugural 40 Under 40 class

Brian Stanley, Program Coordinator II at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR), has been named one of the Martinsville-Henry County Chamber of Commerce’s inaugural 40 Under 40 honorees. He was recognized during the Chamber’s Annual Business Appreciation Dinner on May 13.

The Martinsville-Henry County Chamber of Commerce 40 Under 40 program celebrates emerging leaders, innovators and changemakers under 40 who live or work in Martinsville-Henry County and are leading, serving or making an impact in the community. Honorees represent some of the region’s brightest talent and are featured in the 2026 edition of Discover MHC Magazine.

“It is an honor and a privilege to receive this award from the Martinsville-Henry County Chamber of Commerce alongside so many inspiring leaders in our hometown. Serving our region through education and service fuels my passion for uplifting and empowering our communities and ensuring we all have the skills and knowledge to thrive. I am grateful for the support of this community, which makes our collective progress possible.” – Brian Stanley, Program Coordinator II, IALR

At IALR, Stanley oversees Wonder Community, a lifelong learning program where members meet curious people, share their passions and talents and learn new things. Frequent workshops provide members the opportunity to learn unique skills, understand topics of interest or explore new places.

Stanley also works extensively with the Dan River Year AmeriCorps program. This IALR initiative has served Southern Virginia for more than a decade by connecting individuals with opportunities to serve in schools, neighborhoods and community organizations. Originally launched as a STEM tutoring initiative, Dan River Year AmeriCorps has evolved into a multi-faceted program focused on STEM and literacy education, youth mental health and community health outreach. Members serve in classrooms, after-school programs, community sites and behavioral health settings, where they support students, lead health workshops and contribute to prevention and outreach efforts.

Through his leadership in Wonder Community and support of the Dan River Year AmeriCorps program, Stanley contributes to IALR’s mission to serve as a regional catalyst for economic transformation by fostering lifelong learning, civic engagement and workforce development.

“Brian’s creativity, innovation and dedication to transformation exemplify excellence, while his supportive nature makes a lasting impact on both colleagues, IALR and the community.” – Dana Silicki, Director, STEM, Service and Lifelong Learning, IALR

About the Martinsville-Henry County Chamber of Commerce 40 Under 40
The Martinsville-Henry County Chamber of Commerce 40 Under 40 program recognizes emerging leaders, innovators and changemakers under 40 who live or work in Martinsville-Henry County and are leading, serving or making an impact in the community. Honorees are featured in the annual Discover MHC Magazine and recognized at the Chamber’s Business Appreciation Dinner.

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.

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.

Inside IALR Podcast: The Wonder Community of Lifelong Learning

Inside IALR Podcast: The Wonder Community of Lifelong Learning

The Wonder Community is a lifelong learning program where members join to meet curious people and learn new things. A great network for people of all ages, Wonder provides all types of workshops and skill development opportunities. Brian Stanley, Advanced Learning Program Coordinator, discusses how Wonder got started, shares what makes the community so special and highlights some of the different workshops that have been offered. Jessica Hardy, IT Technician I, shares how she got involved as a member and the skills that she has gained.

If you are interested in joining the Wonder Community, please visit wondercommunity.org. Remember, 60% of your paid membership is donated to a nonprofit of your choice!

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