About the “CIVIC Couples” series
Did you know CIVIC Leadership Institute’s alumni include several married couples who have both gone through the program, often years apart and at different stages in life? As part of our 30th anniversary reflection and in celebration of Valentine’s Day, we’re highlighting a few of these CIVIC Couples and the unique connections they share through their individual CIVIC experiences.
George Faatz (‘15) and Christen Faatz (‘18) both entered CIVIC at pivotal moments in their professional journeys, drawn by its cross-sector approach and reputation for elevating regional leadership.
For George, CIVIC stood out among other leadership programs because of its breadth and stature. He wanted to understand how business, education, military, nonprofits, and the public sector intersect, and the “why” behind getting involved in the region. The experience deepened his understanding of how the business economy connects with government and nonprofit work, and how those sectors collectively propel Hampton Roads forward. “After going through CIVIC, I started thinking about leadership with more of a regional focus, not just my team or my small sphere, but how everything is interconnected and how it radiates to the greater good,” he shared.
As Christen shared, her journey into CIVIC came during a season of significant growth: “CIVIC came at a pivotal time for me. I was finishing my MBA at William & Mary, had a baby, and was helping grow a startup.” CIVIC became a powerful complement to her MBA experience, offering real-time and real-world exposure to leaders across industries and helping her see how others approached challenges and growth. She especially appreciated the intentional mix of participants, noting how CIVIC consistently brings together diverse leaders from across the region, each with a different perspective and depth of experience.
Both point to the relationships made as one of the most valuable outcomes. George described the connections from his class as lasting (so much so that they now happen to live near two fellow CIVIC alumni who have become close friends as well as neighbors). He also appreciated the opportunity to return and speak to subsequent cohorts, calling it “tremendous” to help welcome the next generation of regional leaders. Christen agreed, highlighting how leadership exists across every sector and noting how impressed she is by CIVIC’s ability to identify and convene leaders at an elevated level year after year.
Their shared experiences also translated into civic impact. For George, visiting An Achievable Dream for the first time during a program day was impactful; today, his company has been involved there more than a dozen times. For Christen, touring Union Mission left a lasting impression. Both experiences reinforced the importance of community connection and service within their community.
And, in true CIVIC fashion, George remains steadfast in one belief: the Class of 2015 is the undisputed “Best Class Ever”.