CIVIC Leadership Institute is pleased to announce the 2025 recipients of the prestigious Darden Awards. Aubrey L. Layne, Jr., distinguished businessman, community advocate, and public servant, will be honored with the Individual Darden Award. WHRO will be recognized with the Corporate Darden Award. The awards will be presented on the evening of Wednesday, November 19, 2025, at Hilton Norfolk The Main. TowneBank proudly serves as the evening’s presenting sponsor.
“Aubrey’s unwavering commitment to public service, economic development, and community enrichment has profoundly impacted the Hampton Roads region, embodying the very essence of regional leadership the Darden Award seeks to honor,” said CIVIC Leadership Institute’s President and CEO, Dr. Mary Kate Andris.
Aubrey L. Layne, Jr. – Individual Darden Honoree
A native of Hampton Roads, Aubrey has dedicated his career to advancing the well-being of our community through both public and private sectors. His tenure as Virginia’s Secretary of Transportation and later as Secretary of Finance under Governors Terry McAuliffe and Ralph Northam, respectively, showcased his adeptness in overseeing complex agencies and budgets, directly influencing infrastructure and financial policies that benefit our region.
In his current role as EVP, Chief Administrative Officer at Sentara Health, Aubrey continues to champion initiatives that foster community growth and health. Notably, under his leadership, Sentara contributed a $500,000 grant to Nauticus, facilitating the creation of a new STEM Discovery Lab aimed at enhancing educational opportunities for area students.
Aubrey’s dedication to education is further exemplified by his longstanding involvement with An Achievable Dream in Newport News. Serving as President and later as a Foundation Board Member, he and his wife, Peggy, sponsored the Class of 2013, providing mentorship and funding annual merit college scholarships for each student, thereby directly impacting the lives of young individuals in our community.
Aubrey L. Layne Jr.’s extensive service and leadership have significantly advanced the Hampton Roads region’s infrastructure, education, healthcare, and economic development. His visionary approach and unwavering dedication make him an exemplary candidate for the Darden Award for Regional Leadership.
WHRO – Corporate Darden Honoree
WHRO Public Media was built to serve Eastern Virginia. Founded in 1961 to bring learning into homes and classrooms, the name—Home Room One—reflects that mission. They are the only public media station in the nation owned by a collaboration of 21 local public school divisions, making them a vital part of the region’s educational and cultural fabric.
Today, WHRO is the largest nonprofit media organization in Eastern Virginia and northeastern North Carolina. They operate five public television and five public radio stations, reaching over 1.7 million people each month with trusted journalism, music, arts, and educational content. WHRO also powers eMediaVA, a digital learning platform used in classrooms across the Commonwealth.
“For more than 60 years, WHRO has helped our community feel smarter and happier through the power of nonprofit media which makes them the natural next choice for the Corporate Darden Award,” says Dr. Mary Kate Andris, President and CEO, of CIVIC Leadership Institute.
About CIVIC Leadership Institute
The CIVIC Leadership Institute, founded in 1994, is a nonprofit organization based in Hampton Roads, Virginia, dedicated to connecting and developing leaders from diverse backgrounds and providing a platform to collaborate, share knowledge and address regional challenges through innovative solutions.
Additionally, the CIVIC Leadership Institute offers other programs, such as the CIVIC Scholars Program designed for college students at Old Dominion University and Tidewater Community College. This is a customized program for young professionals to develop their leadership talent all while networking with leaders here in Hampton Roads.
Overall, the CIVIC Leadership Institute plays a crucial role in nurturing the next generation of leaders in Hampton Roads, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and civic engagement.