Why is mentorship such an important part of growth both personally and professionally? Join the Chamber’s Network of Enterprising Women on March 22nd for in depth discussions and a panel of professionals to learn more. The CNEW Women’s Symposium is a half-day event designed to bring our women of the business community together, equip them with skills to be successful in life and business, inspire them to be their best, and renew their spirit.
Join us at the Women Symposium!
Corinne N. Geller, Public Relations Director, Virginia State Police- For 23 years, Corinne Geller has been providing public and media relations for the Virginia State Police. Since 2005, she has overseen the agency’s statewide public and media relations efforts as the Public Relations Director. Corinne’s experience with state police ranges from responding to media regarding large-scale traffic incidents and fatalities to complex criminal investigations. Her crisis communications experience stems from numerous incidents, including the 2022 active shooter incident at Bridgewater College; 2020 Summer of Civil Unrest; 2020 Lobby Day/2A Rally in Richmond; 2017 Charlottesville “Unite the Right” Rally; the 2015 double homicide of a local TV news crew during their live shot at Smith Mountain Lake and subsequent search and apprehension of the suspect; the 2014 multi-fatality hot-air balloon crash in Caroline County; the 2013 attempted-murder/suicide involving a Virginia Senator and his son; the January 2010 mass murder of eight individuals in Appomattox County; and the nation’s worst school massacre on the campus of Virginia Tech in April 2007. She has earned awards from the Virginia Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) for her office’s Facebook series promoting its Academy classes and for her work with Roanoke County Police during the 2010 disappearance of 13-year-old Brittany Smith. Prior to joining the state police, Corinne spent five years as a broadcast journalist in Johnson City, Tenn., and Richmond, Va., and earned two Associated Press awards for her reporting in both markets. She is a graduate of Ohio University’s E.W. Scripps School of Journalism with a degree in journalism. She resides with her husband and four children in Chesterfield County.
Dr. Gaila Sims, Curator of African American History and Special Projects at the Fredericksburg Area Museum- Originally from Riverside, California, she received her BA in History and African American Studies from Oberlin College, and her MA and PhD in American Studies from the University of Texas at Austin. Prior to joining the FAM, Dr. Sims worked at a variety of museums and archives in the Austin, Texas area, including the George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center, the Harry Ransom Center, and the Bullock Texas State History Museum.
Susan Spears, President and CEO of the Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce- Susan’s background includes more than 15 years in retail management. She joined the Chamber staff in 2004 and was appointed President of the Chamber in 2010. Susan is Leadership Fredericksburg’s founding Executive Director (2008 – present). At the Chamber, Susan specializes in leadership development, coaching, team building, strategic planning, governance, advocacy, partnerships, and organizational management. She conducts workshops and facilitates discussions on various leadership topics for the Chamber and external organizations throughout the Commonwealth. Susan has served on many expert panels and she has provided keynote remarks at a wide variety of events, to include women’s forums, graduations, and business events. In the community, she serves as Secretary on the Families of the Wounded Fund Board of Directors and is a member of the Rappahannock Goodwill Industries Board of Directors. She serves on the US Chamber Foundation Institute for Organization Management Northeast Board of Regents and the University of Mary Washington Leadership Colloquium Advisory Board. She is Past President of the Virginia Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (VACCE). Susan served two terms on the Virginia Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. She is a member of the Rappahannock-Fredericksburg Rotary Club and Shiloh Baptist Church (Old Site). Susan is a former member of Fredericksburg’s Planning Commission, Historic Preservation Task Force, Riverfront Task Force, and Memorials Advisory Committee.Susan was recognized by the University of Mary Washington’s Leadership Colloquium with the Patricia Lacey Metzger Distinguished Achievement Award. Susan was voted “Chamber Executive of the Year” by her VACCE peers. She received the Women Who Build Community Award from the Greater Fredericksburg Habitat for Humanity and the Environmental Citizenship Award from Marstel-Day.Susan is the host of the Chamber’s Leader 2 Leader podcast. She is a certified executive, leadership and mentoring Coach. She is a graduate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Institute for Organization Management. She is a PLP graduate of the Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership at the University of Virginia. Susan is a certified Planning Commissioner through the Citizens Planning Education Association of America certified. She holds a B.M. in Music Composition from Virginia Commonwealth University. Susan and her husband Richard live in Fredericksburg with their two black Labradors, Theodore and Miss G
Susan Coleman, CEO of Coleman Coaching and Consulting Services– Susan is dedicated to life-long learning and is a fellow of the Fredericksburg Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Fredericksburg Program, Class of 2019. She is also a certified Business Coach, Trainer, and Speaker under the John C. Maxwell Team. As the CEO of Coleman Coaching and Consulting Services, Susan is committed to using her experience and continuing education to inspire others to reach higher. Susan’s 35-year career has mainly been in the corporate, non-profit, and small business segment, serving in the areas of banking, marketing, professional development/education, and financial management. She has held many roles to include CEO, Executive Vice President, and Director as part of her professional journey. Susan began her banking career at Wells Fargo, followed by PNC (formerly known as The National Bank of Fredericksburg). Continuing her career growth journey, Susan held the role of Director of Marketing and Communication for HCA Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center for the past 10 years. While simultaneously working in the healthcare industry, she launched her coaching and consulting business. Recently Susan retired from the corporate world and now works closely with Elevate VA 360 as an instructor bringing professional development opportunities across the state of Virginia to businesses, organizations, and non-profits and continues to offer services with Coleman Coaching and Consulting.
Veronica Curry, Associate Vice President of Human Resources at Germanna Community College– As Associate Vice President of Human Resources, Ms. Curry is responsible for developing and guiding human resources strategy, processes, policies, and services that support all Germanna employees. Prior to her current role in Human Resources, Ms. Curry held the position of Director of Equity Advancement & the Barbara J. Fried Center. In this role, Ms. Curry was responsible for providing leadership for the Office of Equity Advancement where she collaborated across the institution promoting diversity programming and procedures, college-wide mentoring, and ombudsperson support for employees and students. This role also included operational oversight of the Barbara J. Fried Center in Stafford, Virginia. Ms. Curry has served as a counselor as well as an adjunct instructor teaching SDV 100 (College Success Skills) and custom training courses for business leaders. Before joining Germanna, Ms. Curry held leadership positions where she supported large organizations with globally dispersed employees and staff. These key positions include Operations Manager, General Manager and Human Resources Strategic Consultant for senior executive leaders in Chicago O’Hare, Miami, and Dallas Fort Worth International Airports. She advised senior leaders on HR strategic initiatives, training, organizational development, performance management, employee relations and succession planning. Ms. Curry earned her MA from Valparaiso University and her BA in Psychology from Swarthmore College.