RICHMOND, Va., April 30, 2026 — When Katherine O’Donnell graduated from the University of Richmond in 1999, she didn’t realize that tourism could be a career. Today she serves as President & CEO of Richmond Region Tourism. For O’Donnell’s successes in making the Richmond Region a top visitor destination and promoting its profile across the globe, Virginia Professional Communicators has named her as its 2026 Newsmaker of the Year.

O’Donnell was recognized at VPC’s Spring Conference on Saturday, April 18, at the University of Richmond. The award is one of the organization’s top honors, given to a nominee who has made significant news in the past year or throughout their career.

O’Donnell assumed leadership of the organization in 2024, following a distinguished 22-year tenure during which she served in a variety of roles across multiple departments. Richmond Region Tourism serves the cities of Richmond and Colonial Heights; the town of Ashland; and the counties of Chesterfield, Hanover, Henrico and New Kent.

“Katherine O’Donnell is an extraordinary leader whose innovative approach makes the Richmond region a must-see destination,” said Tracy Perkins and Cora Perkins, co-presidents of VPC. “Her unwavering commitment and deep knowledge of the community are impressive. Her expertise in communications conveys the unique qualities of the Richmond region and the importance of travel and tourism to area’s economic success.”

After graduating from UR with a degree in English and journalism, she worked for the Virginia Department of Historic Resources in public relations and publications. A couple of years later she moved to Richmond Region Tourism, joining as publications coordinator. Now as president and CEO, O’Donnell provides strategic oversight of marketing, destination sales and sports, visitor experience, community relations, and administration. She also spearheaded the creation of Virginia’s first Tourism Improvement District, launched in 2023, which doubled the region’s resources for tourism promotion.

She is also responsible for the organization’s diversity and inclusion strategies and its nonprofit foundation. O’Donnell is a Certified Destination Management Executive and was named to the 2022 class of Richmond BizSense Power Women. She was named a Richmond History Maker in 2020 for her work on BLK RVA. She is a member of Leadership Metro Richmond Class of 2016. And in 2015, she was named one of Style Weekly’s Top 40 Under 40 for her work on OutRVA. She is a former member of the VPC Board.

“Receiving this recognition from Virginia Professional Communicators feels like a full-circle moment,” O’Donnell said. “Early in my career, VPC gave me mentorship, connections and a deep appreciation for storytelling, which ultimately led me to a career dedicated to telling the story of the Richmond Region. Today I’m proud to lead and work alongside a team that’s driving economic prosperity and creating career opportunities across our community through the power of tourism.”

Previous Newsmaker of the Year recipients include former Librarian of Virginia Sandra Treadway; Virginia first ladies Roxane Gilmore and Anne Holton; former American Civil War Museum CEO Christy S. Coleman; former Virginia Film Office director Rita McClenny; best-selling author Adriana Trigiani; and poet Nikki Giovanni.

VPC’s Newsmaker Award nominees are judged by a committee based on newsworthiness, public service, personal sacrifice, risk-taking, and/or inspiration to others. Only VPC members may nominate candidates for Newsmaker.

About Virginia Professional Communicators

Virginia Professional Communicators, founded in 1958 as Virginia Press Women, is a statewide organization of professional women and men and emerging communicators pursuing careers across the communications spectrum. It is an affiliate of the National Federation of Press Women.

To learn more about the organization or join its membership to bolster communications professionals across the state, visit vapc.org.

Media contact: Diane Thieke, VPC Communications, 609-577-4075, diane.thieke@versiona.com