Leadership

Board of Directors: The volunteer, unpaid board charts the organization's strategic course and ensures it is effectively carrying out its mission.

Abigail Farris Rogers - Chair
Richmond
Member Since: 2020
Rogers is Senior Vice President and Chief Advancement Officer for YMCA of the U.S.A. She is a former GOP fundraiser.
Ross Grogg - Vice Chair
Richmond
Member Since: 2017
Grogg is a lobbyist with Kemper Consulting. He is a former legislative aide to Sen. Jeff McWaters (R-Virginia Beach).
Elizabeth Hooper - Secretary
Richmond
Member Since: 2020
Hooper is Associate Vice President of Government and Community Relations for Virginia Tech. She worked as an aide to Del. Ward Armstrong (D-Martinsville.)
Samantha Sedivy - Treasurer
Richmond
Member Since: 2021
Sedivy is Senior Legal Counsel for SAP NS2 and is an adjunct professor at the University of Richmond School of Law. She is a former Virginia lobbyist.
Bill Leighty - Immediate Past Chair
Bon Air
Member Since: 2019
Leighty, a partner in DecideSmart LLC, served as chief of staff to Governors Mark Warner and Tim Kaine.
Jeff Britt
Richmond
Member Since: 2014
Britt is SVP/Chief Government Affairs Officer at YMCA of the USA. Formerly a Senior Vice President at McGuireWoods Consulting, his political background includes work on two GOP statewide campaigns.
Tom Cosgrove
Williamsburg
Member Since: 2015
Cosgrove is manager of Corporate, Citizenship & Government Relations at Newport News Shipbuilding. He is a former executive director of the Virginia Senate Republican Caucus.
Deborah Oswalt
Richmond
Member Since: 2021
Oswalt is Executive Director of the Virginia Health Care Foundation, which helps bring care to underserved communities.
Michael Schewel
Richmond
Member Since: 2021
Schewel is a retired attorney who was a McGuireWoods partner and general counsel at the Tredegar Corporation. He served as Secretary of Commerce and Trade in the Warner administration.
Paul Shanks
Richmond
Member Since: 2022
Shanks is manger of digital communications and marketing for Dominion Energy. Before joining Dominion, Shanks was responsible for promoting the 2015 UCI Road World Cycling Championships in Richmond.
Steven Shapiro
Alexandria
Member Since: 2020
Shapiro is a former technology executive and high school math teacher. A Democrat, Shapiro teaches courses in data visualizations.
Nancy Smith
Henrico
Member Since: 2017
Smith is Political Director for Middle Resolution PAC and former campaign manager for Congressman Dave Brat (R-Henrico).
Harrison Wallace
Richmond
Member Since: 2021
Wallace is Program Officer with the Climate and Clean Energy Equity Fund.
Randy Pearson
Richmond
Ex-Officio Member Since: 2024
Pearson is a vice president at Two Capitols Consulting. He was previously the Chair of the VPAP Partners Board for two years.