Virginia Petitte

Natural Treasures Project Coordinator

Virginia Petitte serves as Project Coordinator of Thrive’s Regional Partnership’s Natural Treasures impact area. Her background brings a wealth of experience, creativity, and sustainability-focused leadership that are invaluable as she works closely with the Natural Treasures Alliance, the NT Steering Committee, and core teams.

A native of Dayton, Tennessee, Virginia Petitte began her entrepreneurial journey shortly after college. Over the years, she founded five businesses and two community events in the Chattanooga area. In 2016, seeking new horizons, she relocated to the Bay Area, California, where she pursued a career in creative textiles and natural dyeing.

Out west Virginia developed a deep passion for sustainability, local food systems, and waste reduction. She lived for some time on Kauai, where most food was imported and waste had to be exported, further underscoring the importance of these issues. Returning to Tennessee in August 2023, Virginia enrolled in the Master of Science in Sustainability program at Lipscomb University, concentrating in Design with a focus on regenerative development and permaculture. Drawn to Thrive’s place-based approach to connecting, conversing, and collaborating,Virginia first joined the organization as a Project Coordinator for the Appalachian Digital Accelerator program.

When not immersed in business ventures, Virginia enjoys hiking, which she finds both mentally stimulating and physically rewarding. A self-described "idea person," she uses hiking as a time to process thoughts and brainstorm new concepts. Her ideal hike involves climbing mountains and enjoying a leisurely break with a croissant and americano.

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