Inside Business 2022 Women in Business: Michele Partridge-Lane, Russell’s Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electric

Job title: Director of business development, Russell’s Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electric.

At work: Working in business development, I am responsible for building and maintaining strong relationships with potential new clients and existing business partnerships.

Volunteer activities: I am currently serving as vice chair for leadership programs for the Hampton Roads Chamber. For the past two years, I have helped facilitate its LEAD757 leadership program. I am also honored to serve as vice chair on the board for Judeo-Christian Outreach Center, which works with individuals experiencing homelessness and those facing food insecurities in Hampton Roads. In addition, I am the current chair for the Career and Technical Education Advisory Board for Chesapeake Public Schools, where we strive to provide support and advocacy for high quality programs that prepare students for successful transition to further education and careers.

Home and family: I was born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba, in Canada. I currently live in Virginia Beach with my husband, Mark, where we raised our two children, Spencer and Morgan.

Motivating factor: Connections! I love meeting, engaging and connecting with people.

Advice for women in business: Surround yourself with positive people — those who support you, those who lift you up and those who push you outside your comfort zone. Get involved, and take a seat at the table. Don’t wait to be asked; pull up a chair and help start the conversation.

The one thing I would change about Hampton Roads: Loudly celebrate our success stories from within our region. We live, work and play in an amazing place with so much to offer. Let’s share that with everyone!

Professional goal in five years: Continue to serve on boards that are making a positive impact in Hampton Roads. Work to promote servant leadership, and connect more people to how they can be more involved in serving in our communities.

Downtime: I love to travel and experience new places, cultures and regions. To date, I have traveled to 34 countries.

What really gets under my skin: Negativity. I always search for the good and live in gratitude.