Senior executives and community leaders from around the state were in Harrisonburg Friday as part of a group called "Lead Virginia."

The visit to the Shenandoah Valley is the third of seven visits to different regions of the Commonwealth.

"What we're doing is building social capital among proven key leaders in their respective professions. So that people across regions, across professions can develop collaborative and innovative approaches to some of the challenges that are facing the Commonwealth," says Susan Horne, President and CEO of Lead Virginia.

A panel discussion at Bridgewater College underscored the importance of education in the region by highlighting educational challenges and opportunities.

Class members saw examples of regional economic vitality by visiting the Route 11 Potato Chips factory and Coors Brewing Company. James Madison University hosted class participants and facilitators in a health care panel discussion led by Jeff Walker, president of Shenandoah Shared Hospital Services.

Class members learned about access to health care in the region from panel members Mary Mannix, CEO of Augusta Medical Center and Kay Harrison, vice president of Business Development for Rockingham Memorial Hospital.

The class met with local leaders and discussed challenges and opportunities as they relate to economic development, education and health care in addition to visits to Rosetta Stone, Polyface Farms, downtown Staunton, Cross Keys Vineyards and Harrisonburg Children's Museum.

The group will also hear about Rockingham Memorial Hospital's new Hospital and Health Campus.