Welcome to nexEO 2025
A bold gathering for our region's future.
October 2-3, 2025 | EO Regional Workforce + Child Development Hub
nexEO is more than just an event - it's a launchpad for systems change.
Join bold thinkers, frontline leaders, and decision-makers from across the region for two transformative days of conversation, collaboration, and co-creation. Hosted at the EO Regional Workforce + Child Development Hub, nexEO is where vision meets action - and where the future of our region begins. This isn't your typical conference. It's hands-on. It's high-impact. It's built for real-time solutions.
Who should attend
If you're shaping the future of our region as a:
- Policymaker
- Nonprofit leader
- Business executive
- Community advocate
- Funder
- Economic developer
- Government official
- Educator
...then you belong at nexEO. This is your chance to be in the room where alignment happens, partnerships form, and momentum builds.
Event Themes and Panels
1. Early Childhood Next Voices Panel
Laying the Groundwork for Thriving Families and a Stronger Workforce
High-quality early childhood care is more than family support. It’s economic infrastructure. This panel explores the direct connection between early learning and long-term regional vitality. Panelists will discuss challenges facing our region and innovative models that offer scalable, sustainable solutions.
Key Topics:
- Workforce participation and childcare access
- Public-private partnerships in early education
- Health systems aligned with family outcomes
Panelists:
- Kathy Glazer, President, Virginia Early Childhood Foundation
- Todd Norris, Senior Vice President, Ballad Health
- Eoghan “Owen” Miller, Deputy City Manager of Community Development, City of Newport News
- Elizabeth Yanez, Human Resources Consultant - Food City
2. Thriving Communities Next Voices Panel
Designing Places Where People Belong and Want to Stay
Population decline, housing challenges, and shifting economic anchors require bold, place-based strategies. This panel brings together developers, journalists, and regional leaders who are redefining what it means to build a thriving, inclusive community where growth, belonging, and opportunity go hand in hand.
Key Topics:
- Adaptive reuse and place-based economic development
- The role of local journalism and civic storytelling
- Community identity and regional planning
Panelists:
- Allie Evangelista, President, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol
- Steve Johnson, President, Johnson Commercial Development
- Jason El Koubi, President & CEO, Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP)
- Luanne Rife, Executive Director, Cardinal News
- Sean McMurray, Executive Director, Wellspring Foundation of Southwest Virginia
3. Workforce Innovation Next Voices Panel
Connecting Talent, Education, and Employers for Long-Term Prosperity
How do we build a talent pipeline that starts early, scales effectively and meets both worker and employer needs? This panel dives into what’s working in workforce alignment, from state strategies and industry partnerships to lived experience from rising young professionals.
Key Topics:
- Talent development and retention in rural regions
- Work-based learning and intern pathways
- Education and employer alignment for economic mobility
Panelists:
- Anne Marie Swanson, U.S. CSR Director, CGI
- Dr. Megan Healy, Senior Vice President of Talent & Workforce Strategy, VEDP
- Zach Jacobs, Deputy Secretary of Education, Commonwealth of Virginia
- Stephanie Norris, Senior Research Analyst, Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond
- Cecilia Yates, Former CGI Intern and Current College Student
- Dr. Scott Miller, Site Director, Appalachian Highlands Community Dental Center
Together, let's collaborate, empower, and inspire what's next.
