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By Rebecca Barnes, Publisher, Prince William Living
This September, Leadership Prince William will welcome its 20th Signature Class, marking a milestone that reflects nearly two decades of developing leaders, strengthening relationships, and bringing together people from across Prince William County, Manassas, and Manassas Park.
Since its founding in 2006, Leadership Prince William (LPW) has graduated more than 620 people who have gone on to serve as elected officials, nonprofit leaders, educators, entrepreneurs, first responders, public servants, and business executives. Their influence can be seen throughout the community, not simply through the positions they hold, but through the relationships they continue to build.
As the organization prepares to celebrate the graduation of its 20th Signature Class in 2027, its mission remains as relevant today as it was when a group of community leaders first imagined a program that could unite an increasingly connected region.
Building a Shared Table
Leadership Prince William was created during a time when collaboration across Prince William County, Manassas, and Manassas Park was far less common than it is today. Community leaders recognized that solving regional challenges required people who understood the entire community, not just their own
organizations or neighborhoods.
Leadership Prince William Class of 2019
Rather than placing the program under a single chamber or institution, LPW was established as an independent nonprofit dedicated to developing informed, engaged leaders from every sector. That decision laid the foundation for what has become one of the region’s most respected leadership programs.
More Than Leadership Training
Every Signature Class explores the issues, organizations, and people that shape Greater Prince William while encouraging participants to understand themselves and one another better. For Prince William County Executive Chris Shorter, the experience offered a broader appreciation of the community he now helps lead.
“Leadership Prince William gave me a deeper appreciation for the people, institutions, and partnerships that make our community so special,” Shorter said. “The experience strengthened my commitment to serving Prince William County and reinforced the importance of collaboration, trust, and shared leadership in moving our community forward.”
Relationships That Last
For many alums, the greatest takeaway is not a lesson from the classroom, but the relationships built along the way. Debbie Jones, retired president and CEO of the Prince William Chamber and a member of the Class of 2010, helped create LPW before becoming a participant herself.
Although she believed she already knew the region and many of her classmates, the program proved transformational. During a particularly challenging period in her professional life, the friendships and trust she built through LPW became an invaluable support system. “Access to regional knowledge and relationships with other leaders in the community is the superpower of LPW,” Jones said.
Gayle Whitlock, a member of the Class of 2013, credits LPW with giving her the confidence to pursue greater leadership opportunities. “LPW gave me the confidence to step into leadership roles, opening doors to personal and professional growth, meaningful friendships, and opportunities to serve our community,” Whitlock said.
That experience led Whitlock Wealth to become a longtime LPW sponsor while encouraging employees to participate in both the Emerging Leaders and Signature programs. “We believe that strong organizations are built by investing in people, and LPW does an exceptional job of developing leaders who create positive
impact,” she said.
For Bill Karlson, co-founder and CEO of KO Distilling and a 2025 graduate, the biggest surprise was realizing how long he had waited. “For more than 10 years, I didn’t think I had the time for LPW or that participating would benefit our small business,” Karlson said. “I couldn’t have been more wrong.” “My only regret is that I waited so long.”
Looking Toward the Next Twenty Classes
Alfranda “Al” Durr
Alfranda “Al” Durr understands LPW from two perspectives. A graduate of the Class of 2025, he now serves as the organization’s executive director as it welcomes its 20th Signature Class. “It is both humbling and exciting,” Durr said. “As a 2025 graduate and now Executive Director, I have the opportunity to honor LPW’s
legacy while helping shape its next twenty years of leadership and community impact.”
Durr believes the organization’s mission has become even more important as the community has grown. “Our community is more diverse and interconnected, and today’s challenges cannot be solved by one organization or sector alone,” he said. “LPW helps leaders build trust, understand different perspectives, and work toward shared goals.”
Looking ahead, Durr hopes the newest class embraces the experience with curiosity and a willingness to grow. “When they graduate, I want them to say they know themselves and their community better, built lifelong relationships, and are prepared to make Prince William stronger.” For Durr, success over the next
two decades is measured by more than the number of graduates.
“I hope LPW becomes the region’s premier leadership development organization and builds a lasting culture of collaboration,” he said. “Success will mean developing connected leaders who choose service over self and leave our community stronger for future generations.”
As the 20th Signature Class begins its journey, Leadership Prince William continues the work envisioned by its founders nearly twenty years ago: bringing together people from different backgrounds, professions, and perspectives to build one stronger community.
Rebecca Barnes is Publisher of Prince William Living and one of the founders of Leadership Prince William. She served as the organization’s first co-chair and graduated with the inaugural Signature Class. Her oldest son created LPW’s working logo during its early development, and her youngest son graduated from LPW’s youth leadership program. Barnes credits her Leadership Prince William experience as an important influence in the creation of Prince William Living.
