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Wednesday April 22, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm EDT
Cities across the country are experimenting with new ideas to address complex challenges—from housing and economic development to data-driven policymaking and community engagement. What can Charlottesville and the surrounding region learn from peer communities that are testing innovative approaches? This panel brings together local leaders and researchers to explore how “think tank”–style institutions—inside and outside of government—help cities analyze trends, generate ideas, and translate research into practical action. The conversation will examine how data, research, and cross-sector collaboration can help communities anticipate change and plan for the future. The session will highlight lessons from peer cities and consider what role regional research partnerships and civic “think tanks” can play in shaping smarter, more resilient communities.

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Note: This Summit session is ticketed.
Please purchase your tickets on Humanitix. You will then receive an email from Sched with login information that allows you to make your personal schedule.

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A special thank you to our sponsors: The 14th Annual Tom Tom Festival is presented with the University of Virginia, Virginia Tourism, R.L. Beyer Custom Homes, Ludwig Kuttner, and The City of Charlottesville
Speakers
avatar for Jeff Richardson

Jeff Richardson

County Executive, Albemarle County
Jeff has 34 years of local government experience in Virginia and North Carolina, including 21 years in senior management, and 9 years as Albemarle County Executive. Jeff serves on the Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport Authority, the Water & Sewer Authority, among other Boards. Jeff... Read More →
avatar for Knox White

Knox White

Mayor, City of Greenville
Knox White has served as Mayor of Greenville, South Carolina since December 1995. As Mayor he has the goal of making the City of Greenville, South Carolina “the most beautiful, livable, and welcoming city in America.
His tenure as mayor has been defined by neighborhood revitaliz... Read More →
avatar for Theodore Voorhees

Theodore Voorhees

Town Manager, Town of Chapel Hill
Theodore (Ted) L. Voorhees, ICMA‑CM, MPA, serves as Town Manager of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, where he leads a full‑service municipal organization dedicated to high‑quality service delivery, innovation, and strong community partnerships. His leadership emphasizes strategic... Read More →
avatar for Hamilton Lombard

Hamilton Lombard

Demographer
Hamilton Lombard is a Virginia-based demographer focused on population
change at the state and local level. He has produced Virginia’s
official population estimates for over a decade and helps state
leaders and communities understand how shifts in population, age
structure, and hou... Read More →
avatar for Ravi Cooper

Ravi Cooper

President & CEO, United Way of Greater Charlottesville

avatar for Andrea Copeland

Andrea Copeland

President & CEO, Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce

Sponsors
avatar for University of Virginia

University of Virginia

The University is an iconic public institution of higher education, boasting nationally ranked schools and programs, diverse and distinguished faculty, a major academic medical center and proud history as a renowned research university. The community and culture of the University... Read More →
Wednesday April 22, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm EDT
Irving theater, CODE Building

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