The Albemarle 10

In every community, there are individuals who shape the world around them, leaving lasting marks on the lives they touch. Here, we celebrate ten local changemakers who are transforming Central Virginia with their passion, creativity, and tireless work. Through their stories, we hope to inspire a renewed sense of possibility and a deeper appreciation for those who are making a meaningful difference every day.

Flannery Buchanan

Flannery Buchanan

Where the Bluebird Sings When Flannery Buchanan partnered with Chelsea Powers to open Bluebird & Company in Crozet, it became much more than a shop for books and boutique clothing. Buchanan, a former librarian and mother of four, says that the store is an...

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Lo Davis

Lo Davis

Rewriting the Playbook For Lo Davis, the world of name, image, and likeness (NIL) isn’t just about branding and endorsements—it’s about building character, fostering connections, and preparing student-athletes for life after sports. As executive director of Cav...

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Chad Ratliff

Chad Ratliff

Classroom Revolutionary What if school weren’t just about grades, tests, and rigid schedules? At Community Lab School, Chad Ratliff is turning that question into a revolutionary reality. The school’s principal since 2017, Ratliff is leading the charge in designing a...

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Lauren Riegl

Lauren Riegl

Beyond Bikes Lauren Riegl, the executive director of Charlottesville Community Bikes, sees bicycles as much more than a mode of transportation. They’re a lifeline, a tool for empowerment, and a way to build a more equitable Charlottesville. Her journey to leading the...

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Liza Borches

Liza Borches

Driven by Values Liza Borches is proving that success in the automotive industry isn’t just about selling cars—it’s also about driving positive change. As the fourth-generation leader of Carter Myers Automotive, she has significantly expanded the company’s footprint...

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Dr. Neal Kassell

Dr. Neal Kassell

Breaking the Sound Barrier When Dr. Neal Kassell first envisioned a future for focused ultrasound two decades ago, it was just that—a vision. Today, that vision has materialized into a transformative medical technology with the potential to reshape healthcare. “It’s...

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Martize Tolbert

Martize Tolbert

Hope and Redemption By the time Martize Tolbert walked into the Fountain Fund’s office in 2017, he had endured a lifetime’s worth of challenges. Fresh out of prison after serving time for drug convictions, he found himself navigating a labyrinth of financial and...

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Kari Anderson Miller

Kari Anderson Miller

Good Neighbors In 2015, Kari Anderson Miller stood at a crossroads in her career as an educator. After nearly two decades of teaching primarily in Charlottesville, her role as an ESL teacher at Greenbrier Elementary exposed her to a stark reality: the widening gap...

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Kamisha Spencer

Kamisha Spencer

Quiet Excellence Kamisha Spencer thrives in the background, quietly transforming lives without seeking recognition. “I’ll do the work,” she says. “Just don’t put me in the spotlight.” But after two decades with Charlottesville’s Department of Human Services, her work...

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Ridge Schuyler

Ridge Schuyler

Connecting Lives with Livelihoods “The gap between people and opportunity isn’t as wide as it seems—it just takes the right bridge,” says Ridge Schuyler, the founder and CEO of Network2Work USA and Dean of Community Self-Sufficiency Programs at Piedmont Virginia...

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