McGuireWoods Consulting senior vice president Laura Novey and senior advisor Stewart Roberson were recently appointed to the Virginia Superintendent Transition Advisory Committee in partnership with the Virginia Department of Education.

The committee was launched by The Hunt Institute and aims to support incoming and new state education leaders while combining national practices with state specific data. Members include Lt. Governor Ghazala Hashmi, legislative leaders, school superintendents, mayors, principals, teachers, parents and executive directors of Virginia’s leading education associations.

The advisory committee will meet three times in the fall of 2026, with each meeting prioritizing specific objectives. The goals range from K-12 and early childhood care to postsecondary career pathways and educator workplace development.

“Getting this right requires input from people who understand Virginia’s classrooms, communities, and economy,” said Virginia superintendent of public instruction Jenna Conway. “I’m grateful to this group of leaders for lending their time and expertise as we chart a path forward for our students.”

Novey has 27 years of experience in the public education sector, working at Virgina Tech and the University of Virginia as well as serving as Virginia’s secretary of education. During her time as the secretary of education, Novey provided guidance to Virginia’s public universities, Virginia’s community college system, the Department of Education and the state-supported museums, library, and Arts Commission.

Roberson is a prominent Virginia educator, having led the Falls Church and Hanover County school districts and was one of the commonwealth’s longest serving school superintendents. He retired recently as the chair and president of Moseley Inc., one of the nation’s largest design firms. He is a faculty member at the University of Virginia and also served as a member of the Virginia Board of Education under former Gov. Ralph Northam. Additionally, Roberson is the president of the Virginia Business K-12 Partnership which focuses on developing policy agenda that ensures students are prepared for in-demand college and career pathways.

“Virginia has an opportunity to build on real momentum in its early childhood and K-12 systems,” said Dr. Javaid Siddiqi, the president and CEO of The Hunt Institute. “This committee brings the right voices to the table to help Superintendent Conway prioritize the work ahead.”