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Leadership Fauquier Class of 2027 Launches Four Community Impact Projects

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Leadership Fauquier Class of 2027 Launches Four Community Impact Projects
 
Warrenton, VA 10/28/26
For Immediate Release

     Twenty-three members of Leadership Fauquier's Class of 2027, known as ROOT '27, have selected four community impact projects in partnership with local organizations. The projects will address business recycling, native plant conservation, older adult awareness, and professional leadership development.

     Cohort members reviewed proposals from seven organizations before selecting their projects and forming teams. Community impact projects are a key component of Leadership Fauquier's signature program, giving participants opportunities to practice leadership, collaboration, and project management while supporting meaningful initiatives in Fauquier County. This year’s projects reflect a renewed emphasis on community partnerships, with cohort members working alongside established organizations to advance initiatives that respond to identified local needs.

     “We don't need to reinvent the wheel to make a difference,” said Stephanie Hanson, Executive Director of Leadership Fauquier. “Our community partners are already doing important work. By connecting their needs with the energy and skills of our cohort members, we can create meaningful learning experiences while strengthening existing community initiatives.” 

     Three teams will work in partnership with Fauquier County Environmental Services, Fauquier County Parks & Recreation, and Encompass Community Supports. A fourth team will collaborate with Leadership Fauquier to develop its new Emerging Leaders Program.

Fauquier Green Business Initiative

Cohort members Lauren Buffum, Hutch Putnam, Mary Rose Hanson, Michael Fisher, and Katie Oleson will partner with Fauquier County Environmental Services to launch the Fauquier Green Business Initiative.

The project aims to increase recycling practices among local businesses, supporting the department’s broader mission of advancing community sustainability, increasing material recovery, and reducing waste throughout Fauquier County.

Native Seed Collection and Seed Library

In partnership with Fauquier County Parks & Recreation, Amanda Aiyar, Garrett Higdon, Julia Hoffman, Stefani McCulla, and Brent Olsen will develop a native seed collection and seed library initiative.

The project will help educate residents about native plants, increase plant diversity, and strengthen pollinator habitats throughout the county. The team will also develop outreach strategies to engage both businesses and homeowners, expanding community participation in native plant conservation.

Older Adult Community Awareness Campaign

Alison Lewis, Christine Craddock, Ia Gomez, Melanie Renner, Rachel Moore, and Lauren Polizzi will work with Encompass Community Supports to develop a community awareness campaign highlighting the needs and experiences of older adults in Fauquier County.

The team will collect stories, create informational materials, and develop outreach strategies designed to increase community understanding of the challenges facing older residents and encourage greater awareness and engagement.

Emerging Leaders Program Development

A fourth team will work directly with Leadership Fauquier to develop and help launch its inaugural Emerging Leaders Program, a new professional and leadership development opportunity for individuals in the first decade of their careers.

The program, scheduled to launch in spring 2027, is supported by a grant from the Patricia and Nicolaas Kortlandt Memorial Fund, administered by the Northern Piedmont Community Foundation.

Hanson will work with cohort members Amie Bowman, Carissa Wadding, Christen Grimes, Christine Kriz, Jacob Ballantyne, Leigh Ross, and Nancy Griffin-Bonnaire to develop the program, which will provide a pathway for professionals in the first decade of their career to strengthen their leadership skills, build relationships, and become more engaged in the Fauquier County community.

The four teams will work on their projects throughout the program year, sharing their progress and outcomes as part of Leadership Fauquier’s June 2027 graduation.

About Leadership Fauquier

Founded in 2014, Leadership Fauquier is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to create a thriving community through informed and connected leaders. Through its signature community leadership program, Leadership Fauquier brings together professionals from the public, private, and nonprofit sectors to develop leadership skills, deepen their understanding of Fauquier County, and build relationships that strengthen the community.
 

 

Leadership Fauquier Class of 2027 Launches Four Community Impact Projects