Harrisonburg Mayor Deanna Reed, director of alumni engagement and community connections at EMU, has been selected to serve on Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger’s transition committee.
The transition committee will help lay the groundwork of Spanberger’s administration, “focused on lowering costs, expanding economic opportunity, increasing business investment in Virginia’s economy, and creating a safer Commonwealth for all Virginia families,” a news release announced on Nov. 14.
“These Virginians not only bring together deep ties from across every region of our Commonwealth, but the experience, integrity, and know-how required to deliver the pragmatic and principled leadership that Virginians overwhelmingly voted for this November,” Spanberger said in the release. “These leaders are united for one purpose: putting Virginia first. They will help ensure my administration is ready on day one to begin saving Virginians money, protecting Virginia’s jobs and small businesses, and strengthening the security of our Commonwealth.”
Reed has served as mayor of Harrisonburg, Virginia, since 2017, when she was first elected to City Council. She is the first African American woman elected to the council and also the first to be appointed mayor. Last year, she was reelected to a fourth term, from 2025 to 2028. In February, she was named one of the Top 50 Women Leaders of Virginia for 2025 by Women We Admire.
“It’s an honor to work alongside other leaders from across Virginia to help advance the vision Gov.-elect Spanberger has for the Commonwealth,” Reed said. “This is an incredible opportunity for Harrisonburg, and I’m thrilled to share the work we’re doing here.”
Read our story below to learn how she motivates students to become civically engaged.
In addition to her role as mayor, Reed co-founded On the Road Collaborative, an afterschool program that empowers middle and high school students with educational opportunities and hands-on career experiences.
She was EMU’s commencement speaker in 2020 and has been an active contributor to campus life, participating in convocations and special events such as the university’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration. In 2023, she joined EMU as its regional advancement director.
Watch WHSV-TV3’s coverage of the news here!
Way to GO, Mayor Reed……we are proud of you and are looking forward to a new administration in Richmond!
Congratulations Mayor Reed. Nice to see Harrisonburg having a voice in a new direction for the Commonwealth.