For Toi Hunter, Vice President of Business Retention & Expansion at the Hampton Roads Alliance, leadership has always been about more than just showing up. It’s about being present, engaging meaningfully and pushing beyond comfort zones to truly connect with people and communities.
Recently, Hunter took a bold step in her leadership journey by committing to and graduating from the LEAD Peninsula Class of 2024—a transformative experience that gave her a deeper understanding of the Virginia Peninsula’s business landscape and its people.
What is LEAD Peninsula?
LEAD Peninsula, a flagship program of the Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce, is designed to develop and inspire local leaders to engage more deeply with the community.
Through a nine-month immersive experience, participants are exposed to key issues and assets across the Peninsula, including sectors like government, education, healthcare, economic development and public safety.
The program fosters a comprehensive understanding of the region’s challenges and opportunities, while also offering a platform for building meaningful connections with leaders from diverse industries.
Participants in LEAD Peninsula gain valuable insights into the complexities of regional leadership, exploring the balance required to address the needs of various sectors and stakeholders. The program is designed not just to educate but to also cultivate a sense of civic responsibility, encouraging graduates to apply their knowledge and leadership skills to enhance the quality of life on the Peninsula.
By bridging gaps between industries and fostering collaboration, LEAD Peninsula plays a critical role in the long-term economic and social development of the region.
A New Chapter in Regional Engagement
Having spent years working in economic development for Hampton Roads, Hunter had a strong grasp of the region, particularly the Southside where she lives and works. However, she felt there was something missing. While she had deep-rooted connections on the Southside, she realized that her relationships on the Peninsula weren’t as strong. This became a personal project for her: to build meaningful relationships on the Peninsula, just as she had on the Southside.
“I pushed myself to be present on the Peninsula,” Hunter said. “I wanted to have meaningful relationships there, just like I do on the Southside. Being a part of the business community for as long as I had been, I was already familiar with the regional assets—NASA, Virginia Tech, Newport News Shipyard. But for me, it was the individual relationships with people that I knew would become the most meaningful.”
Learning from New Perspectives
Hunter’s goal wasn’t just about networking; it was about understanding the unique dynamics of the Peninsula’s business community.
“The shipyard in Newport News, for instance, is difficult to fully comprehend because it’s so vast,” she said of the world’s only construction site of nuclear powered aircraft carriers. “Being able to sit beside people who are involved in its supply chain or who work as buyers helped me understand more about how it all operates. That was really meaningful to me.”
But the learning went beyond industry insights.
Hunter recalled one day dedicated to learning about local government that gave her a fresh perspective on the pressures faced by council members.
“Even though I’ve worked in local government myself, going through the council process helped me put myself in their shoes. Balancing the competing desires of constituents is no easy task, and it was great to experience that firsthand.”
Going Beyond Business: Becoming a Student Again
For Hunter, one of the key takeaways from LEAD Peninsula was the importance of approaching the program not just as a professional, but as a student.
“Being present is more than just showing up,” she said. “You have to pay attention.”
So much so, Hunter said, that she pretended there would be a quiz on everything she learned to really ensure she stayed present.
This mindset allowed her to truly absorb the full breadth of the Peninsula experience, from learning about public safety strategies in Newport News to understanding the efforts underway to curb crime.
“I was pretty shocked to hear about the number of cameras in Newport News,” she said. “It made me think, how does anyone even commit a crime in this day and age? The city is investing so much time, money and resources into public safety, which was really eye-opening.”
A Broader View of Hampton Roads
One of Hunter’s biggest realizations: how crucial it is for economic developers—especially those based on the Southside—to fully understand the Peninsula.
“We are one region,” she said. “We depend on every corner of Hampton Roads to sell the region as a whole. Whether you work for Virginia Beach or Portsmouth, it’s still important to understand the Peninsula to make the business case for Hampton Roads.”
The Peninsula community, Hunter said, is a powerhouse in its own right.
“There are some major manufacturers and a plethora of industries. But it’s not just about business—you learn about the community, education, and the good work that nonprofits are doing. You have to go in, take off your professional lens, and be present as a student to really take it all in.”
The Value of True Connections
While Hunter learned a great deal about the Peninsula’s business and government sectors, the most meaningful aspect of her LEAD Peninsula experience was the people.
“In real life, you go to networking events or work on a project and meet new people, but you never really get to know people as friends,” she says. “There are very few opportunities as an adult to make new friends, but I did in LEAD Peninsula. I built deeper connections with people who aren’t in my industry—people I wouldn’t have met otherwise. The friendships were the most valuable part of the experience.”
As Hunter moves forward, her focus remains clear: “We’re all one region, and the relationships we build are what will truly make Hampton Roads thrive. LEAD Peninsula was a great reminder of that.”
Photo courtesy of Heather Hughes Photography.
