Celebrating Some of Coastal Virginia’s Most Talented, Creative, Driven, Community-Minded Young Professionals
Compiled by Leona Baker | Photography by David Uhrin
Additional photos by Hannah Baumer, Jonathan Rosemond and Mei Stukes
There is no doubt that 2020 will be remembered as a year of unprecedented challenges. Yet, where there are challenges, there are opportunities. The 20 talented, creative, driven, community-minded professionals we have chosen to profile in CoVa BIZ’s annual Millennials on the Move feature are the kinds of individuals who know how to turn an opportunity into an innovation, a roadblock into a reason for success.
Below, they share some insight into what motivates and inspires them, new developments and ideas that excite them in Coastal Virginia and much more. We think you’ll agree that they are representative of a hopeful future for our region. Also this year, we honor our first “Gen Z on the Rise” as a new era of young people enter the workplace with a unique set of experiences and passions that will drive our economy and culture in the years to come.
To choose our 2020 Millennials on the Move, CoVa BIZ held an online nomination period in which colleagues nominated a millennial (or millennials were invited to nominate themselves). All nominations were reviewed by magazine representatives and selections were made based on demonstrated business excellence, community involvement and civic contributions in the Coastal Virginia region.
Special thanks to our 2020 Millennials on the Move sponsor, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Towne Realty.
Want to celebrate your favorite millennial on social media? Be sure to visit Coastal Virginia Magazine channels, @coastalvamag, where we will be sharing photos of each honoree.
Jessica Bedenbaugh
30, Business Development Manager with Portsmouth Economic Development, Portsmouth
Tiffany M. Boyle
36, Commissioner of the Revenue with the City of Newport News, Newport News
Lauren Ciampoli
29, Education Manager in Charge of Special Programs with Junior Achievement of Greater Hampton Roads, Virginia Beach
Jaedda Hall
32, STEM Promise Program Coordinator, Tidewater Community College, Virginia Beach
Brandon Johnson
31, Director of Sales & Marketing, Marriott Newport News at City Center, Newport News
Kristin Macan
38, Director of Community Kitchens and Programs with Mercy Chefs, Portsmouth
Jake Maines
27, Creative Director with Array Digital, Chesapeake
Aazia (“Aaz”) Mickens-Dessaso
32, Director of the Office of Innovation at Zel Technologies, Hampton
Photo by Hannah Baumer
Zach Nissen
35, Community Outreach Manager, Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore, Norfolk
Milena Radovic
27, Associate, Jackson Lewis, P.C., Norfolk
Andy Rivenbark
34, Financial Advisor with Towne Investment Group, Suffolk
Jaclyn Spainhour
30, Museum Director with Hunter House Victorian Museum, Norfolk
Laura Rixey
33, Associate Attorney with Kaufman & Canoles, P.C., Virginia Beach
Photo by Jonathan Rosemond
Kimberlee Stevenson
37, Youth Program Specialist with Hampton Roads Workforce Council, Norfolk
Jillian Talley
27, Development Associate at YWCA South Hampton Roads, Norfolk
Chase Townsend
34, Vice President- Commercial Relationship Manager with Truist Financial Corporation, Norfolk
Barbara Washer
33, Director of Development & Programming with Virginia Ship Repair Association, Norfolk
Harold Williams Jr.
35, Director of Annual Giving with Old Dominion University, Norfolk
Tyler Williamson
31, Incoming Executive Director, Families of Autistic Children in Tidewater (FACT), Virginia Beach
Laura Wright
37, Vice President, Marketing Director at Old Point National Bank, Hampton
Photo by Mei Stukes