Building Trust and Transparency: Richmond's New Leadership Gathers for Strategic Retreat
Richmond’s newly elected Mayor Danny Avula and the City Council came together for an all-day strategy retreat at Maymont to foster collaboration, strengthen communication, and align on key priorities for the city. The retreat, facilitated by John Martin, CEO of the Southeastern Institute of Research (S.I.R.), alongside Robert Dortch Jr. of the Jordan/Sydnor Innovation Group, provided an open forum for city leaders to discuss their respective roles, citizen engagement, and strategic governance.
Richmond City Council President Cynthia Newbille tries to lead a blindfolded Mayor Danny Avula around a series of obstacles during a trust-building exercise at Friday's retreat. (Graham Moomaw/The Richmonder)
Trust and transparency emerged as central themes throughout the discussions. Council members expressed a strong desire for more substantive and proactive communication from the mayor’s office, particularly regarding city operations and decision-making. Mayor Avula acknowledged these concerns and committed to restructuring how his administration communicates with both City Council and the public.
The retreat also highlighted pressing city priorities, including economic development in Richmond’s Southside and the need for enhanced infrastructure investment. Leaders discussed balancing growth with fiscal responsibility, ensuring future development projects serve the community effectively.
John Martin speaks to the group during Friday's retreat. (Graham Moomaw/The Richmonder)
John Martin played a key role in guiding the discussions, helping city leaders align on shared goals and navigate complex governance challenges. His expertise in strategic planning contributed to meaningful conversations that will shape Richmond’s leadership approach in the years ahead.
As Richmond enters a new political era, this retreat underscored the commitment of city officials to fostering accountability, improving public engagement, and working together to drive progress.