LEESBURG, VA 

Lessons from Local Leaders: Celebrating Creativity and Connection: A Conversation with Artist Elaine Nunnally From watercolor landscapes to children’s book illustrations, Elaine Whaley Nunnally’s artistic journey is a testament to lifelong passion and the power of sharing creativity with others. Recently, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Elaine to learn about her life […]

Lessons from Local Leaders: From Music to Mastering Brows: How Jessica Endara Built Element Lash and Brow Bar into a Haven of Beauty and Empowerment In the heart of Sterling, Virginia, there’s a beauty destination where artistry, education, and self-confidence intersect: Element Lash and Brow Bar. Founded in 2021 by Jessica Endara, this thriving business is […]

Lessons from Local Leaders: Creating Confident Smiles: A Conversation with Dr. Owais Naeem and Dr. Diana Saffarini of Potomac River Orthodontics In Northern Virginia, Dr. Owais Naeem and Dr. Diana Saffarini are redefining what it means to visit the dentist and orthodontist. As the husband-and-wife team behind Potomac River Orthodontics and Naeem Family Dentistry, they’ve built a family-centered, […]

Lessons from Local Leaders: Building Confident Smiles: Dr. Vu Tran on Proactive Pediatric Dentistry and the Power of Prevention When you step into Pristine Smiles in Fairfax City, you’ll immediately feel Dr. Vu Tran’s commitment to blending compassionate care with the latest dental technology. A Fairfax native who grew up watching his mother build one of the […]

Lessons from Local Leaders: From the Classroom to Closing Day: How Maureen Landes Is Redefining Real Estate in Loudoun County When you meet Maureen Landes, you immediately sense her warmth, wisdom, and unwavering commitment to service. As the founder of Landes Properties, Maureen brings a unique blend of experience, community insight, and heart-centered values to every real […]

Lessons from Local Leaders: Rewiring Wellness: How Dawn Perez Is Transforming Mental Health Through Neurofeedback and Integrative Care In our powerful conversation with Dawn Perez, founder of Biofeedback Works, we explored how technology, compassion, and personal experience intersect to change lives. Dawn’s journey into counseling and neurofeedback began with personal tragedy—losing her brother to suicide due to […]

Lessons from Local Leaders: From Foster Care to Federal Contracts: How Two Sisters Built a Mission-Driven Tech Company When you meet Mary Toxey and Sarah Absher, you immediately sense the strength, purpose, and integrity that define both their leadership style and the company they co-founded, Basis Path. As two of three owners of a women […]

Lessons from Local Leaders: Transforming Smiles, Transforming Lives — A Conversation with Dr. Nojan Jafari of Pace Dental When you first meet Dr. Nojan Jafari, owner of Pace Dental in Vienna, Virginia, you’re struck by his warmth, humility, and fierce dedication to patient care. But once you hear his story, you quickly realize he’s part […]

Lessons from Local Leaders: Rewriting the Map: How Kaylie Groenhout of Wildwood Psychotherapy Helps Clients Navigate Growth, Trauma & Transitions Kaylie Groenhout, founder of Wildwood Psychotherapy in downtown Leesburg, is redefining what it means to show up—both as a therapist and as a fellow human on the journey. With a background in communication and early […]

Lessons from Local Leaders: Safari Smiles and Global Impact: Dr. Neda Kalantar’s Journey in Pediatric Dentistry At the heart of Reston, Virginia, you’ll find a pediatric dental practice unlike any other — one where kids feel like they’re stepping into a safari adventure. This whimsical world was dreamed up by Dr. Neda Kalantar, a board-certified pediatric […]