When I had the opportunity to sit down with Peter Wallace, Chief Information Officer of the City of Virginia Beach through the 757CIO mentorship program, I wasn't sure exactly what to expect. What I got was something far more valuable than a professional checklist. It was an honest conversation about paths, purpose, and the kind of leadership that actually moves people forward. We shared our stories and it revealed that a career isn't a straight line. It's a story still being written.
The Community Is Smaller Than You Think
One of the first things Peter reminded me of is something easy to overlook when you're heads down in your own career. Hampton Roads is a small, tight knit community. The people you work alongside today are the same people you'll cross paths with for years to come. That's not a warning, it's an opportunity.
In a region like ours, we have the chance to lift each other up. The 757CIO program is proof. Leaders like Peter don't have to carve out time for mentorship. They choose to and that choice sends a powerful message about how we grow the next generation of technology leaders in this Hampton Roads.
You Can Lead From Anywhere
The phrase that stuck with me most was this: "You can lead from anywhere."
You don't need a title. You don't need to be the most senior person in the room. Leadership is a mindset, a decision to take ownership, to show up fully, and to make the people around you better. Whether you're an entry level engineer or a seasoned manager, there are moments every single day where you can choose to lead. That's a liberating idea, and one I plan to carry with me.
Don't Look Back: Adapt and Embrace It
Peter's approach to change was straightforward: adapt and embrace it.
In technology, everything is always changing. The instinct to resist change or mourn "the way things used to be" is understandable, but it's also a trap. The most effective leaders are the ones who meet change with curiosity rather than resistance. Peter asks "How do you make the most of where you are right now?" Every challenge is an opportunity waiting.
Raise Those Around You
If there's one thread that ran through our entire conversation, it was this: great leaders are defined by how they bring others along.
Open that door. Create the conditions for people around you to do their best work, take on new challenges, and grow together. Leadership isn't about being the smartest person in the room, it's about making the room smarter.
This resonated deeply with lessons drawn from a book called Leadership Moments, which explores how experiences shape who we become as leaders. The takeaway isn't that leadership is something that happens in grand, sweeping gestures, it's built in the small, consistent choices we make to invest in others.
Bring Value: Don't Chase Instant Gratification
This was probably the most practical piece of our conversation. Peter's message was clear: focus on the contribution you're making, on the quality of your relationships, on the integrity of your work. The recognition will follow.
We live in a culture that's focused on speed of delivery. Instant gratification. The quick wins can actually distract you from becoming someone others genuinely trust and want to follow.
Don't Let Passion Keep You in Your Comfort Zone
Passion is a great thing to have. It drives you and keeps you motivated. But one thing we talked about is making sure your passion doesn't become a reason to stay in what's comfortable. Sometimes the best opportunities are outside the thing you love most, and if you're too locked in, you might miss them. It's okay to step into unfamiliar territory. That's usually where the most growth happens.
Final Thoughts
I walked away from this first mentorship session with more than notes, I walked away with a renewed sense of direction. The 757CIO program is doing something special here. It's connecting the next generation of technology professionals with leaders who are willing to share not just their expertise, but their wisdom.
To Peter Wallace and the 757CIO community, thank you for showing us what it looks like to lead with generosity, to embrace change with confidence, and to build a region where we truly lift each other up.
If you're early in your career and you ever get the chance to be part of a mentorship program like this, take it.
The door is open. It's up to us to walk through it and to hold it open for the person behind us.