These leaders in business and development, education, government, health care, philanthropy, and more have made an impact in the last year on where Northern Virginians live and work, where they go for entertainment, and how they spend their time. Our editorial team has evaluated criteria including their achievements, cultural significance, peer recommendations, and community involvement. Meet The 50 Most Influential of 2025, including 10 individuals we’ve selected to highlight this year with a Q&A.
By Amy Ayres, Michele Kettner, Maggie Roth, and Debbie Williams
All photos are courtesy of each individual’s company or organization unless otherwise noted.
Jump to: Profiles | A–D | E–J | K–Q | R–Z
Barry Biggar
President and CEO, Visit Fairfax
Barry Biggar has been championing Fairfax County’s many visit-worthy attractions since joining Visit Fairfax in 2008, and his efforts are working: The tourism economy in Fairfax County has doubled since he took the role. He also continues to lead as a founding member of the Fairfax County Economic Development Commission and the Sports Tourism Task Force.
What advice would you give to the next person who wants your job?
“Be passionate about the community in which you live. Understand that what you do is important, and that your work is for the benefit of everyone in this community. Tourism raises critical tax revenue that helps fund our schools and the many great services that we enjoy as residents of Fairfax County.“
Sage Bolte
Chief Philanthropy Officer and President, Inova Health Foundation
Sage Bolte joined Inova in 2004 as an oncology counselor, and now oversees the health care system’s philanthropic strategies, including its Do. More. Together. campaign to raise $500 million by the end of 2029. Nationally recognized for her expertise in sexual health and cancer, she also serves as acting president of Inova Behavioral Health Services.
What do you love most about living and working in Northern Virginia?
“Northern Virginia is a vibrant tapestry of cultures, innovation, and heart. I love how deeply people here care — not just about progress, but about each other. It’s also where I’m raising my children, and I’m grateful for strong public schools, access to the arts, and abundant outdoor spaces that invite connection. Whether cheering at a local hockey game or collaborating with community leaders, I see a shared commitment to making this region healthier, stronger, and more inclusive. It’s a place where vision meets action — and where my family and I truly feel at home.”
Kevin Davis
Chief, Fairfax County Police Department
A fourth-generation public safety servant, Davis has led Virginia’s largest police agency in its efforts to protect the county’s nearly 1.3 million citizens since 2021. Last year, under his leadership, FCPD’s Real Time Crime Center used cutting-edge tech to solve cases quickly, and Operation Press Check helped remove illegally possessed firearms from the community.
What’s the best part of your job?
“The small victories with the crime fight and community are the best part of my job. The things that don’t make the 6 o’clock news but profoundly improve human conditions for people, families, and neighborhoods. I often say that, unlike the weather, there is no inevitability to policing. What we do matters, and our actions change outcomes in the lives of others. What an awesome responsibility.”
Greg Fairchild
Campus CEO and Dean, UVA Northern Virginia
This year, Greg Fairchild — an experienced professor of business administration — celebrated the opening of UVA’s new 55,000-square-foot Fairfax Campus. The satellite campus hosts programs from nine of the university’s 12 schools and allows NoVA learners to take master’s programs in topics like data science, information technology, and business in a region where those skills are in high demand.
What experience most influenced who you are today?
“As a child, I was able to see many different communities, domestic and abroad (my father had an earlier military career). I learned early the importance of service, and recognizing there are several viable ways of looking at any issue.”
What’s the best part of your job?
“Personally seeing the excitement learning can create. There’s a moment when the concept ‘clicks’ — you can see it in the eyes. Priceless.”
Stephanie Landrum
President and CEO, Alexandria Economic Development Partnership
Under the leadership of Stephanie Landrum, a Fairfax County native living in Alexandria’s Potomac Yard, the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership has continued to diversify and grow Alexandria’s economic footprint. A testament to this is Virginia Tech’s new $1 billion campus, which opened earlier this year near the new Potomac Yard–VT Metro station.
What advice would you give your younger self?
“Take more pictures! As I accumulate more experiences, having visual reminders of people, places, adventures — and even being able to see my own growth and change — is something I can never have too much of!”
Jeff McKay
Chair, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors
As a lifelong Fairfax County resident with two children in the county’s school system, Jeff McKay is a strong advocate for Fairfax County Public Schools, affordable housing, transportation, and equity. He’s a member of the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority, the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, and serves on the DMVMoves Task Force, a first-of-its-kind initiative to improve regional transit.
What do you love most about living and working in Northern Virginia?
“Our rich culture and diversity are among Fairfax County’s greatest strengths. We’ve shown that being a welcoming community isn’t just the right thing to do — it’s a recipe for success. Here, you can experience the world without ever leaving the county. You can spend a morning at a cultural festival listening to music from halfway across the globe, then share a meal at a family-owned restaurant serving recipes that have been passed down for generations.”
Marcus Silva
President and CEO, The Villagio Group
Entrepreneur Marcus Silva’s bustling NOVA Live campus expanded once again this year with the opening of Proof Kitchen + Bar and a new location of MurLarkey Distilled Spirits — and a hotel is also under construction on the grounds. The Manassas site continues to draw crowds with its mix of live music and a plentitude of food and drink options.
What experience most influenced who you are today?
“The experience that shaped who I am today really started with my parents. I’m the only child of two immigrants who sacrificed a lot to come to this country from Portugal. They valued education above everything else and poured everything they had into making sure I got the best one possible. That meant there wasn’t much left over for the wants instead of the needs, but that turned out to be a gift.”
Jennifer Taylor
President and CEO, Northern Virginia Technology Council
Jennifer Taylor leads one of the nation’s largest and most influential regional tech councils, comprised of more than 500 member organizations including small businesses, Fortune 100 companies, academic institutions, service providers, and nonprofits. Last year, NVTC published a Data Center Impact Report and launched a Northern Virginia Tech & Innovation Study to spotlight NoVA’s status as a top U.S. tech hub.
What experience most influenced who you are today?
“Moving often as a kid — about every four years — had a huge impact on who I am. I lived in places as different as Barcelona and Paris to towns in Ohio and the Detroit suburbs. It wasn’t easy to start over again and again, but each move taught me how to adapt quickly, build relationships from scratch, and stay grounded in who I am. I learned that even when you feel like an outsider, you can find connection if you’re willing to take the first step.”
Mark Warner
U.S. Senator
The state’s senior senator and former governor, Alexandria resident Mark Warner serves as vice chair of the Select Committee on Intelligence, where he exercises oversight authority to hold officials accountable for their actions. He’s also a member of the Senate Finance; Banking, Housing, & Urban Affairs; Budget; and Rules & Administration committees. He’s authored legislation aimed at rebuilding our nation’s infrastructure, improving cybersecurity, restoring domestic manufacturing, and protecting national security.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to have your job one day?
“There are jerks on both sides of the aisle — aim to not be one of them. Throughout my career in the Senate, I’ve had the privilege to participate in bipartisan negotiations on a whole host of foreign and domestic issues, and the thing about the rooms where decisions are made is that jerks are not often invited. Forget what you’ve seen on TV and in the movies. In real life, politics is often the culmination of compromise and collaboration. It’s the result of cultivating genuine relationships with people who don’t always agree with you.”
Gregory Washington
President, George Mason University
Gregory Washington has faced pressure from recent federal investigations, but received support from the local business community and the school’s students and faculty. Under his watch, George Mason has continued to grow its Fuse at Mason Square campus in Arlington and expand its high-tech curriculum, including a new Ph.D. program in robotics and a Master of Science degree in artificial intelligence, the first public programs of their kind in Virginia. George Mason also announced its largest incoming class in history for fall 2025.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to have your job one day?
“These once coveted jobs have become really difficult. Develop a deep understanding of who you are and what kind of university you want to support. I chose Mason because of its focus on access. It speaks to the kid I was. Our students, faculty, and staff are outstanding ambassadors for George Mason and care deeply about this place. I knew that from the moment I started here.”
Greg Baroni
Founder and CEO, Attain Enterprises
Attain’s portfolio of brands reaches nearly every corner of life in NoVA, from its consulting firm’s work in education, nonprofit, health care, and state and local government markets to Attain Sports’ role as the owner of the Loudoun United FC soccer team. Greg Baroni was recently named as board chair for the Northern Virginia Technology Council and works with area nonprofits like The Women’s Center.
Irma Becerra
President, Marymount University
Under Irma Becerra’s leadership, Marymount University earned its first national ranking from U.S. News & World Report. It was one of only 33 colleges and universities recognized by Carnegie for both research and opportunity. Now in its 75th year, the Arlington school keeps on growing, welcoming its largest first-year class and marking several years of enrollment growth.
Stephanie Berkowitz
President and CEO, Northern Virginia Family Service
Since 2015, Stephanie Berkowitz has been at the helm of NVFS, a pivotal nonprofit that provides more than 40,000 individuals and families per year with food, housing, mental health services, legal assistance, and more. Her guidance and strategic planning have been key in maintaining the 100-year-old organization’s growth and stability through multiple mergers and acquisitions.
Don Beyer
U.S. Representative, Virginia’s 8th District
Now in his fifth congressional term, Don Beyer is the senior House Democrat on the Joint Economic Committee and serves on the House Ways and Means Committee. He was chair of the Virginia Economic Recovery Commission and co-founded the Northern Virginia Technology Council. This year, he has been active in advocating for the 76,000 federal employees who live in his district.
Chris Clemente
CEO and Chair, Comstock
Under Chris Clemente’s leadership, residential, commercial, and mixed-use developer Comstock has helped transform the Dulles Corridor. Its flagship Reston Station project is home to 2,000 residents and a hotel, plus major employers like Google, Carfax, and Rolls Royce Aerospace. Comstock plans to complete phase two of the project — The Row at Reston Station — in 2026.
Terry Clower
Director, Center for Regional Analysis, Schar School of Policy and Government, George Mason University
Terry Clower has established himself as a go-to voice when it comes to the region’s economic stability; he’s well versed in the factors at play, including housing, transportation, land use, and the workforce. He has authored or co-authored more than 150 articles, book chapters, and research reports about economic and community development in NoVA.
Lance Collins
Vice President, Virginia Tech
With Lance Collins at the helm, Virginia Tech’s Alexandria campus enrolled some 455 students this year for its inaugural spring semester. The school is focused on accelerating the area’s tech economy by training cutting-edge computer science and engineering experts and encouraging them to collaborate with some of the region’s top tech companies as part of their studies.
Kevin Costello
Director of Tourism, Visit Prince William
Kevin Costello is making Prince William County shine as a tourism destination. Since starting his role in 2022, he’s helped draw in big events like the 2024 LPGA Solheim Cup and the 2025 LIV Golf tournament, both held at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club. He’s also helping to facilitate the expansion of the 12-acre NOVA Live campus.
Jayden Daniels
Quarterback, Washington Commanders
In just one season, Jayden Daniels was able to reinvigorate the Washington Commanders franchise and its loyal fan base. After being selected as the No. 2 NFL draft pick, the rookie led his team to an unexpected 12-5 record, leading Washington to its first NFC Championship game since 1991. To top it off, Daniels was also named the league’s Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Beth Erickson
President and CEO, Visit Loudoun
Loudoun County is striving to make its mark as the place to be for top-tier Virginia wine, small-town charm, and all things equestrian. Beth Erickson is spreading that message far and wide as she works to maintain the county’s role as a top tourism destination — and the highest generator of visitor spending in the commonwealth.
Bryan Hill
Fairfax County Executive
Known for his open-door approach, community outreach, and habit of walking through county buildings to connect with staff, Bryan Hill heads Fairfax County’s efforts in key issues like ethical AI, cybersecurity, and environmental sustainability. Hill, who has been in his role since 2018, has achieved and maintained the county’s AAA bond rating. He also hosts the nationally recognized Connect with County Leaders podcast.
Robert Hisaoka
Chair, Inova Health Foundation
As chair of the Inova Health Foundation, Robert Hisaoka raises funds to support four of Inova’s critical care areas: expanding Inova Fairfax’s adult and child emergency departments; providing leading-edge cancer treatment; advancing heart and vascular care; and expanding access to mental health services. Prior to this position, he named the Joan Hisaoka Healing Arts Gallery at Inova Schar in honor of his sister, who died of cancer.
Victor Hoskins
President and CEO, Fairfax County Economic Development Authority
The NoVA region has faced workforce changes following federal layoffs this year. And under
Victor Hoskins’ leadership, FCEDA has worked with its partners to connect displaced government workers with new opportunities. Meanwhile, several high-profile companies have made substantial commitments to the county recently, including Medallia, Google, and Booz Allen.
Deshundra Jefferson
Chair, Prince William County Board of Supervisors
Deshundra Jefferson made history last year when she was the first person of color elected as Prince William County’s board chair. Since taking office, she’s worked to address the rising cost of living and to prioritize education and affordable homeownership. She’s also voiced support for an upcoming mixed-use development called The Landing and plans to create a new county-wide restaurant week.
Sheila Johnson
Founder and CEO, Salamander Collection
Sheila Johnson — a billionaire entrepreneur and philanthropist — opened Salamander Middleburg more than a decade ago. Today, the 340-acre luxury resort and spa, known for community events like The Family Reunion, is a massive tourism draw for Loudoun County. Johnson is also a major stakeholder in the Washington Mystics, Wizards, and Capitals and founded the popular annual Middleburg Film Festival.
Dr. J. Stephen Jones
President and CEO, Inova
J. Stephen Jones has led Inova — the area’s largest nonprofit health care provider and one of the region’s biggest employers — since 2018. The system operates five top-ranked hospitals, runs Northern Virginia’s only Level 1 Trauma Center and Level 4 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, and is building two new hospitals. This year, Inova was also named the Health System of the Year by Press Ganey, a respected provider of patient-experience analytics.
Tim Kaine
U.S. Senator
Tim Kaine, who was first elected to the Senate in 2012, has been outspoken this year about the impact of Trump administration policies on Northern Virginia school districts, massive cutbacks to the federal workforce, and safety at Reagan National Airport. The former Virginia governor serves on the Armed Services; Foreign Relations; Budget; and Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions committees.
Takis Karantonis
Chair, Arlington County Board of Supervisors
A multilingual economist with more than 25 years of urban and regional planning experience, Takis Karantonis was first elected to the Arlington County board in 2020. He’s focused on supporting Arlington’s small businesses, expanding sustainability and climate resilience, preserving and creating affordable housing, and leveraging technology to make Arlington’s government more transparent and efficient.
Matt Kelly
CEO, JBG Smith
Under Matt Kelly’s leadership, JBG Smith has redeveloped parts of Arlington’s Crystal City and Pentagon City to create National Landing, a mixed-use urban community that features a blend of housing, retail, restaurants, and public spaces. Now, JBG Smith plans to apply that strategy to a recent acquisition in Tysons. JBG Smith also runs an affordable housing investment platform and is committed to creating green buildings.
Anne M. Kress
President, Northern Virginia Community College
As the head of the state’s largest community college — serving more than 70,000 students across six campuses — Anne M. Kress is working to make education accessible for everyone. This year, NOVA launched a new program, NOVAnext, to help former federal workers transition to new careers with virtual workshops, certifications, and $1 million in dedicated scholarship aid.
Chuck Kuhn
Founder and CEO, JK Moving Services
Chuck Kuhn founded JK Moving Services at just 16 years old and has grown it into the largest independent moving company in North America. He also created JK Land Holdings and is now responsible for conservation easements on nearly 22,000 acres, including 150 acres in Purcellville that he donated to create JK Community Farm, which grows crops for those facing food insecurity.
Arvind Manocha
President and CEO, Wolf Trap
Wolf Trap is the heart of NoVA’s entertainment scene, and Arvind Manocha is making sure it continues to thrive. Since joining Wolf Trap in 2013, Manocha has worked to increase philanthropic support and audience turnout. And last year, the venue completed a multiyear improvement plan, which included a new front gate, the reopening of the Ovations restaurant, and better accessibility.
LaTanya McDade
Superintendent, Prince William County Public Schools
LaTanya McDade is making waves in her tenure as the head of Virginia’s second-largest school system. She took the job after 23 years of experience in Chicago’s public schools, becoming the first woman and the first Black person to hold this role. Under her leadership, PWCS hit a record 94.3 percent on-time graduation rate in 2024 and reduced chronic absenteeism by 5.4 percent.
Jason Miyares
Attorney General of Virginia
Although Jason Miyares doesn’t live in NoVA, his office has been making local headlines for investigating the admissions policy of Fairfax County’s Thomas Jefferson High School and alleged Title IX violations in Loudoun County Public Schools. And, following a child abduction attempt at Fair Oaks Mall, Gov. Glenn Youngkin has tasked him with an investigation into Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano.
Todd O’Leary
CEO, Visit Alexandria
Formerly vice president of marketing for Sonoma County Tourism in California, Todd O’Leary traded wine country for Old Town’s charm when he became CEO of Visit Alexandria in 2024. He oversees strategic planning, community stakeholder interaction, and revenue generation for the city, which ranked No. 5 on Travel + Leisure’s Best Cities in the U.S. list this year.
Alex Ovechkin
Left Wing, Washington Capitals
The top sports story of the year so far was Alex Ovechkin’s pursuit of the NHL all-time goal scoring record. On April 6, the chase officially ended when the Capitals captain scored goal No. 895 against the New York Islanders — breaking Wayne Gretzky’s 31-year-old record.
Troy Paino
President, University of Mary Washington
Under Troy Paino’s nearly decade-long tenure, UMW has increased its retention rate and garnered accolades. The Princeton Review has ranked the school in the top 20 nationally for internships and making an impact. And last year, U.S. News & World Report listed UMW in the top 10 public liberal arts and sciences colleges in the country.
Jon Peterson
CEO, Peterson Companies
The Peterson Companies, now under Jon Peterson’s leadership, is one of the most impactful developers in the region. Marking 60 years in the business this year, the organization has crafted many transformative projects around Northern Virginia, including Fair Lakes, Fairfax Corner, and nearby National Harbor. Meanwhile, its philanthropic arm, Peterson Family Foundation, supplies crucial donations to many nonprofits in the region, including Inova.
John E. “Jack” Potter
President and CEO, Metro Washington Airports Authority
This year, under Jack Potter’s leadership, MWAA began a new 15-year lease agreement with the airlines that will invest about $9 billion in infrastructure. At Dulles International Airport, an updated master plan adds a fifth runway, additional concourses, and new shopping and dining. At Reagan National Airport, the DCA Reimagined multiyear project includes new concessions, upgraded restrooms, and new amenities in Terminal 2.
Phyllis J. Randall
Chair, Loudoun County Board of Supervisors
A longtime Loudoun County resident and mental health therapist, Phyllis Randall made history in 2015 when she became the first person of color to be elected chair of a county board in Virginia. She’s chair of the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority and a member of Leadership Greater Washington, an organization designed to foster communication and cooperation among the area’s most influential leaders.
Michelle Reid
Superintendent, Fairfax County Public Schools
Under Michelle Reid’s leadership, FCPS has seen an 18.5 percent increase in students taking Algebra 1 by eighth grade, and 44 schools are now Green Flag Schools, a designation recognizing environmental stewardship. She faced a challenging budget process this year and is currently leading the commonwealth’s largest school district of 180,000 students and 200 schools through a massive redistricting process.
Buddy Rizer
Executive Director, Loudoun County Department of Economic Development
Love them or hate them, data centers are one of the most influential economic forces in NoVA. And under Buddy Rizer’s leadership, data centers now account for one-third of Loudoun County’s revenue. His team has also attracted more than $58 billion in new commercial investment and helped create more than 54,000 new jobs.
Trinity Rodman
Forward, Washington Spirit
California native Trinity Rodman has been a star on the pitch since the Washington Spirit soccer team drafted her in 2021. And 2024 proved to be another breakout season; she won gold at the 2024 Olympics and was named an NWSL MVP finalist. After a lingering back injury, she made her 2025 season debut in August, scoring a thrilling game-winning goal for the Spirit in the 90th minute of the game.
Dwight and Martha Schar
Philanthropists
Dwight and Martha Schar have donated more than $125 million to Inova over the last three decades, including $75 million in 2023 — the largest single donation to the nonprofit health care system — to support the heart and vascular program. The couple also gave $10 million to George Mason for what is now the Schar School of Policy and Government.
Aaron Spence
Superintendent, Loudoun County Public Schools
Aaron Spence is now in his third academic year leading Loudoun’s 100 schools and centers and 83,000 students. Last year, LCPS collaborated with Amazon to bring STEAM-focused “Think Big Corners” to elementary schools, approved a new Academy of Global and Linguistic Studies, and opened two new schools: Watson Mountain Middle and Henrietta Lacks Elementary.
Suhas Subramanyam
U.S. Representative, Virginia’s 10th District
Suhas Subramanyam succeeded Jennifer Wexton to represent the 10th Congressional District, including all of Loudoun and Fauquier counties and parts of Prince William and Fairfax. He is the ranking member of the Oversight Subcommittee on Military and Foreign Affairs and a member of the Cybersecurity, Information Technology, and Government Innovation Subcommittee.
Toni Townes-Whitley
CEO, SAIC
Toni Townes-Whitley has been at the helm of SAIC, a Reston-based tech company that employs more than 24,000 and generates $7.5 billion annually, since 2023. She previously served as president of Women in Technology and has been a longtime supporter of The Women’s Center of Northern Virginia and the Peace Corps.
Eugene Vindman
U.S. Representative, Virginia’s 7th District
Eugene Vindman came to the U.S. as a refugee from Soviet Ukraine at age 4 and served 25 years in the Army. The Dale City resident took office in January representing Virginia’s 7th District, which includes Stafford County, part of Prince William County, and Fredericksburg, succeeding Abigail Spanberger. He serves on the U.S. House Armed Services Committee and the U.S. House Agriculture Committee.
Christina Winn
Executive Director, Prince William County Department of Economic Development and Tourism
In partnership with George Mason University and the City of Manassas, Christina Winn is currently leading the development of a world-class Innovation District aimed at attracting research-driven companies and high-wage jobs to Prince William. The project — backed by a $2.4 million grant — seeks to blend academic, commercial, and residential spaces.
Glenn Youngkin
Governor of Virginia
Now in his final weeks as Virginia’s governor, Glenn Youngkin has focused on issues in education, public safety, and economic development. He’s enacted cellphone-free public school policies, cut state regulatory requirements by 25 percent, and led anti-fentanyl initiatives. At the end of FY 2025, Virginia had $4.7 billion in rainy day funds. The state has remained high on CNBC’s Top States for Business list, though it dropped from No. 1 to No. 4 this year.
Feature image of Jayden Daniels (courtesy Washington Commanders), Sen. Mark Warner (courtesy Warner), Sage Bolte (by Emily Campos), and Kevin Davis (by Emily Campos)
This story originally ran in our October issue. For more stories like this, subscribe to Northern Virginia Magazine.
