Harrisonburg, Virginia, August 30, 2023

The Shenandoah Valley Technology Council (SVTC) Board of Directors has selected Leigh Evans to serve the organization as its new Executive Director resulting from a comprehensive search to fill the position following the approaching departure of long-time SVTC executive, Nicky Swayne. Evans comes to the Valley with extensive experience in nonprofit leadership, helping to guide large membership organizations through critical and challenging transformations. She also brings a wealth of knowledge in thoughtful, people-centered technology integration through virtual engagement as well as extensive hospitality and event delivery capabilities. Evans holds a Juris Doctorate with a concentration in Business Associations and Soft Intellectual Property from George Mason University School of Law, and a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Psychology with a concentration in Social and Political Philosophy from the University of North Carolina at Asheville. Evans was born and raised in Southwest Virginia and most recently resided in Northern Virginia for 14 years. She comes to Harrisonburg excited to engage in community leadership and connect with SVTC constituents.

The 20-member SVTC Board of Directors conducted its search via a hiring committee established in early 2023. “The SVTC Board could not be more pleased that Leigh Evans has agreed to lead us to our organization’s next chapter as our Executive Director. We believe she offers exceptional gifts, skill sets, and experience to move the Tech Council forward by providing tangible value to our members and other community stakeholders, and we cannot wait to introduce her to the Valley,” remarked Michael Goertzen, President of the Board.

Evans begins her work as Executive Director in October and looks forward to engaging with members and the community. In embracing her new role, Evans stated, “After making the decision to move to Harrisonburg to be surrounded by family, my sister sent me the posting for the Executive Director in a text that said, ‘I found your perfect role.’ I knew making the choice to move would open up new doors and opportunities and was ecstatic when I read the description for the Executive Director position. It was as if someone created a role specifically for me. I am so fortunate to embark on a path of community development, in a place that my family has been a part of for decades”.

Engagement efforts to introduce her to the community and SVTC members will include a meet-and-greet event slated for the evening of October 18. Details regarding this and other upcoming events will be published on the SVTC website and through its newsletter.

The Shenandoah Valley Technology Council (SVTC) is a nonprofit organization serving users and creators of technology throughout the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Based in Harrisonburg, the SVTC serves its members through events, programs, collaborations, and networking throughout the region from Lexington to Winchester, Virginia. This includes its annual signature event, Tech Nite, an awards gala held each spring to honor technology-based innovation, leadership, and entrepreneurship across 8 award categories. To learn more about Tech Nite, the SVTC, and its membership benefits, please visit www.svtc-va.org

Media Inquiries:

Michael Goertzen, President, SVTC Board of Directors

(540) 471-9799 or Email SVTC