This year has been historic: Virginia has elected its first woman governor, and America celebrates its 250th year. Milestones such as these invite the bold question: what does it mean to lead – in work and in life? What does it mean to be a leader writing history? On November 6, 2026, the Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute with the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs at Virginia Commonwealth University answers that question and more at its 20th Annual HIGHER Ground Leadership Conference, running from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The Lineup: Women Leading the Way
This year’s conference features the women who lead at Virginia’s highest levels of public service and lead in their lives as mothers, conservationists, sorors, teachers, and more. An all-star plenary panel opens the morning with Lieutenant Governor Ghazala Hashmi, Deputy Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security Jacquelyn Katson, Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Katie Frazier, Deputy Secretary of Commerce and Trade Kristen Dahlman, and Tax Commissioner Kristin Collins. At lunch, the Honorable Traci DeShazor, Secretary of Administration, delivers the keynote address.
With Grace, We Rise: Breaking Through to HIGHER Ground
With this year’s conference and its theme, “With Grace, We Rise: Breaking Through to HIGHER Ground,” sponsors and attendees honor the legacy of Dr. Grace E. Harris, whose story embodies both grace and the breakthrough to HIGHER Ground. Dr. Harris, who was originally denied admission to Richmond College (as VCU was then known) overcame the odds in an era of steep societal barriers and rose to serve as Provost and Interim President of the university. Her path demonstrates that leadership means more than holding a title: it means having the courage to pave the way and open doors for others.
Come Ready to Participate
Nobody sits on the sidelines at the HIGHER Ground Leadership Conference. Engaging speakers, dynamic workshops, and interactive sessions invite attendees to share stories, strengthen their capacity to lead, and discover fresh insights.
Designed for Leaders at Every Stage
The conference is open to a wide range of professionals: whether you are a seasoned executive, an emerging leader, or someone simply curious about cultivating leadership in yourself and others, this conference is for you. The annual event offers several concrete benefits: interactive workshops that provide practical strategies that participants can apply in their own lives and at work and the opportunity to connect or reconnect with HIGHER Ground alumni and peers. The conference offers a supportive environment in which attendees can reflect, build self-awareness, and emerge with tips, tricks, and tools to rise to HIGHER Ground.
Join us November 6th and help write the next chapter of Virginia’s remarkable history:
2026 Conference – The Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute – Virginia Commonwealth University.
