A key factor in good leadership is being “a servant leader first and a good listener who seeks to learn and understand and whose actions demonstrate integrity, empathy and inclusion.”

That’s the perspective and leading principle of Robin Ann Brewster, board chairwoman of Leadership Metro Richmond.

Established in 1980, LMR has been guided by a mission to strengthen the Richmond region by helping to train and connect diverse leaders so that they can serve and fulfill the public good in informed, inclusive and meaningful ways.

A major part of this mission is LMR’s flagship Quest program that connects, educates and inspires roughly 70 students every year through a 10-month round of seminars and deep dives into issues that affect the Richmond region.

Quest offers “a space where challenging questions and uncomfortable dialogues are supported and encouraged” and “where lasting connections and friendships are made,” Ms. Brewster says.

Since its start, LMR has produced more than 2,000 alumni, with about 15 currently serving in local and statewide offices, including U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine, state Delegate Delores L. McQuinn, City Council member Chris A. Hilbert and officials in Henrico, Hanover, Chesterfield and Powhatan counties.

“LMR alums are always ‘at the table’ furthering the dialogue and contributing to solutions needed in our community,” Ms. Brewster says.

A community volunteer herself with The Doorways — formally Hospital Hospitality House — and Friends Association for Children, the Henrico County resident was a member of LMR’s Quest Class of 2011. That experience with LMR led her to volunteer on various LMR committees while also sharing her newly gained knowledge and leadership experience at her job at the time and her work with other organizations.

Ms. Brewster later was invited to join LMR’s board in 2017 and was elected chair earlier this year.

“LMR Quest was meaningful and transformative for me,” Ms. Brewster says. “I wanted to stay connected to LMR alum and give back to the organization that was important to me and doing important work in the community.”

Now, as LMR’s 40th anniversary approaches, Ms. Brewster hopes the organization will continue to grow and improve the efforts and perspectives of those who seek its services, as it has for her during the 20 years she has lived in the Richmond region.

“My LMR experience was the first deep experience I had to learn about the rich diversity of our region, our people, culture, history, institutions, our treasures and our challenges,” Ms. Brewster says. “I was and am in awe of the depth of talent, expertise and commitment we have available in Richmond.”

Recently, LMR launched a board concierge service.

“This individual consulting service allows us to connect local nonprofit organizations with our network of servant leaders based on areas of interest, skills and experience,” Ms. Brewster says.

LMR’s Woman Speak Your Truth program also is developing a project to assist with voter registration.

Leadership is key, she says.

Meet a servant leader and this week’s Personality, Robin Ann Brewster:

Occupation: Retired senior vice president with SunTrust bank.

No. 1 volunteer position: Chair, board of directors of Leadership Metro Richmond.

Place of birth: Fort Benning, Ga.

Current residence: Henrico County.

Education: I attended schools on military bases until complet- ing high school in Woodbridge, Va. I attended Virginia Highland Community College and Northern Virginia Community College and graduated from the Consumer Bankers Association Graduate School of Retail Banking at the University of Virginia.

Family: Husband, Victor Smith; sons, Victor Jr. and Tyler; and grandchildren, Cleo, 8, and Preston, 6.

Why I wanted to serve with Leadership Metro Richmond: LMR Quest was meaningful and transformative for me. I wanted to stay connected to LMR alumni and give back to the organization that was important to me and doing important work in the community.

LMR’s mission: Leadership Metro Richmond strengthens our region by connecting diverse leaders and preparing them to serve. LMR envisions a region where all leaders are informed, inclusive and engaged. Through our foundational program, Quest, LMR connects, educates and inspires a diverse group of individuals who already may be serving in public ways or behind the scenes, but who all want to grow and improve their servant leadership. Quest is a 10-month program that provides participants with a deeper look into our region’s challenges and opportunities through interactive lectures, workshops and dialogues with nonprofit, corporate, public and educational leaders and experts. Quest is always a space where challenging questions and uncomfortable dialogues are supported and encouraged, and a space where lasting connections and friendships are made.

LMR’s No. 1 project now: Last year, LMR’s board and staff, with insight and expertise from Amy Nisenson (LMR Class of 2001) refreshed and revised our strategic plan. This year, we begin implementation. While continuing to enhance our core programs, such as Quest, we are expanding our work to connect diverse leaders to community engagement that creates impact specifically by the strengthening of nonprofit boards, addressing nonprofit board recruitment needs and the desire of individuals in our community to serve. Boards that are inclusive and represent the diversity of our community are better positioned to ignite innovation and create solutions to address complex challenges. LMR is uniquely positioned to connect servant leaders with nonprofits through our Board Connector and Board Engagement programs. We invite individuals and nonprofits to visit us at www.lmronline.org or to contact our board engagement manager, Gena Reeder, at greeder@lmronline.org.

Impact of LMR: LMR has impact throughout our Richmond region. LMR Quest alumni model servant leadership throughout nonprofit, elected office, small business and government organizations. LMR alums are always “at the table” furthering the dialogue and contributing to solutions needed in our community.

Your foremost LMR goal: My foremost goal is to work with our engaged and talented LMR board and staff to implement our updated strategic plan. As we celebrate our 40-year anniversary, we also must look ahead and continue to listen to the needs of our alumni and community and continue to improve and grow.

When I first became involved with LMR: First through my participation in Quest, the Class of 2011, then as a volunteer on LMR committees leading to my current service on the board of directors.

Impact of LMR on my life: My LMR experience was the first deep experience I had to learn about the rich diversity of our region, our people, culture, history, institutions, our treasures and our challenges. I was, and am, in awe of the depth of talent, expertise and commitment we have available in Richmond. Although I had been living in the region for more than 20 years, it was during and after my Quest experience that I felt truly connected and engaged and became so proud to say Richmond is my home. I wanted to keep learning and to find ways to be of service. LMR, both through Quest and through our ongoing programs, offers the opportunity to connect with individuals you might not meet otherwise, to have honest, sometimes uncomfortable dialogue, exposure to different ideas and beliefs, to stretch yourself, to learn about our whole community and build problem-solving networks. This was important 40 years ago for RVA to thrive and it is still important to create the RVA we want for everyone.

Impact of LMR on my career: Servant leadership applies to all leadership, and I brought back a refreshed purpose and deeper connection to the teams I worked with and led as a result of my LMR experience.

LMR’s connection with other leadership programs: LMR is a member of the Association of Leadership Programs, a national organization. We partner with other organizations on programming. For example, we jointly sponsor with LEAD Virginia an annual leadership breakfast at the Federal Reserve each spring. While other leadership programs may have some similar curriculum components, LMR is uniquely focused on developing servant leaders to lead and problem solve for the benefit of the communities we live in.

Status of Richmond area leadership: Because of LMR, the exposure it offers to engage with current leaders and because of what I see in our recent Quest classes, I have confidence in our area leadership and our region’s potential.

How I start the day: I usually walk our dog, Gracie, around 6:30 a.m. It is a time to take in the nature around me, offer gratitude and reflect. I can count on Gracie for an early morning dose of unconditional love and joy. I then enjoy a cup of coffee with steamed frothy milk and listen to NPR news as I get ready for the day.

A perfect day for me: Includes time with my family, a good walk or hike, reading a good book and taking time to be still and quiet, even for a few minutes.

How I unwind: Spin class and yoga class — things I discovered after 50! Also, my LMR small group, Woman Speak Your Truth, has provided a way to connect and unwind with the most interesting women. I am always uplifted and inspired after our group conversations.

At the top of my “to-do” list: Bringing my full energy to my year as LMR board chair; pre- paring for the trip we are taking with our sons and grandchildren after the holidays; finishing the books on my bedside table; and releasing all the things in my home that no longer “bring joy” — in other words, cleaning the closets and attic. No one has just one thing at the top of their “to-do” list, right?

Something I love to do that most people would never imagine: I love Marvel movies with a little DC thrown in — mostly “Wonder Woman.” From ages 6 to 9, I lived on an Army base in Germany. We did not have TV, and I was an avid comic book reader and trader, often with young soldiers in our community. Trading comics was “a thing” and, yes, I wish we had brought those comic books — now collectors’ items — home. I left nearly 100 comic books when we returned. I realize now that the lack of TV and the abundance of comic books made me a good reader.

Best late-night snack: When I’m mindful, a cheese stick or apple slices. But I really want a scoop of mint chocolate chip ice cream with some hot fudge and whipped cream.

A quote that I am inspired by:“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” — Maya Angelou.

The best thing my parents ever taught me: Always use good manners with everyone, and all work has dignity. Approach any job you are given with your full and best effort.

Person who influenced me the most: My grandmother. She had

a only a sixth-grade education and worked labor-intensive jobs into her 70s while taking care of her family, home and garden. Her faith was her north star, and her children, grandchildren and many others in her rural community sought her out for her counsel, wisdom and prayers. She wrote beautiful letters to her family and friends throughout her life and shared her love for nature and the mountains of her home in Southwest Virginia. She was my earliest role model for resilience, discipline, work ethic, faith and love.

Books that influenced me the most: “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” by Maya Angelou, “Angle of Repose” by Wallace Stegner and “Gilead” by Marilynne Robinson.

What I’m reading now: “Dare to Lead” by Brené Brown and “Red at the Bone” by Jaqueline Woodson.

If I’ve learned one thing in life, it is: The only thing I have true control over is how I choose to respond to any situation and how I choose to learn from both failure and success. I also have learned that we all will need help in our life and we all have the ability to offer help in some manner.

Next goal: Through our LMR Woman Speak Your Truth program, our small group of LMR alumni is developing a project to encourage and assist with voter registration next year. On a more personal level, to become consistent with my spinning and yoga routines and to plan a special trip with my husband.