Trailblazer SPOTLIGHT: Giovanna Genard
Profession: Marketing & Communications Executive and Board of Director for the ERT
Years lived in Norfolk: Chesapeake resident who has worked in Norfolk for 13 years
Three Words to Describe you: Curious, Creative, Perserverant
Pronouns: She/Her
Tell us about yourself.
I’m a marketing and communications executive who has devoted her career to helping organizations tell impactful stories and connect with their audiences in meaningful, authentic ways. After thirteen years in Norfolk, this community’s energy, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit continue to inspire me. My professional journey has taken me across higher education, financial services, and nonprofit sectors, and I feel so fortunate that it included relocating to the 757, where I get to give back to this fantastic community through board leadership service with nonprofits. Outside of work, I’m an avid photographer, turntablist, mentor, and advocate for women’s health, especially around breast cancer awareness. My happy place is anywhere outdoors, especially along the Elizabeth River Trail, with a good playlist while enjoying a bit of sunshine.
How did you get connected to the ERT and the Foundation?
I first discovered this urban waterfront biking and pedestrian trail while working as head of marketing and communications at Old Dominion University. It was a great place to decompress after long days at work, taking walks to think, move, recharge or to watch beautiful sunsets along the river. I consider this 10.5-mile trail one of Norfolk’s most beloved amenities, and it is great to hear from tourists who travel great distances to enjoy it, too!
What do Hispanic Heritage Month and Breast Cancer Awareness Month mean to you?
Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to celebrate and honor the stories, culture, and contributions of those who came before us. As someone of Puerto Rican heritage, I take great pride in the values my family and culture instilled in me: respectfulness, kindness, perseverance, opening a seat at the table for others, and making a positive impact. Those values have shaped how I lead, mentor, and show up for myself and for others.
October is also Breast Cancer Awareness Month. As an early-stage breast cancer survivor, I understand the importance of using our voices and platforms to empower others. I encourage everyone reading this to pay just as much attention to their health and well-being as they do to their profession. Getting regular checkups can make a difference in the early stages! And just as important to me is living a purpose-driven life, full of gratitude and joy. As we wrap up this month, it has been filled with hope and healing, in all its forms.
Given your background, what benefits do you feel the trail has for Norfolk?
The trail is an economic, social, and environmental connector. From a communications and community impact perspective, it’s a powerful branding asset for Norfolk. It showcases the city’s waterfront beauty, encourages economic growth and sustainability, promotes active living, and connects residents from neighborhoods who might otherwise not interact. For local businesses, it brings visibility and foot traffic. For residents, it fosters well-being, pride, and a sense of belonging. The ERT doesn’t just move people physically; it connects them.
What does being a part of the trail user community mean to you?
Being part of the trail community feels like belonging to a living, breathing network of people who care about each other and about this city. Every time I’m on the ERT, I feel connected to something larger than myself. There’s something special about exchanging smiles with strangers on walks, seeing people who experienced health challenges take up biking again, or watching families, cyclists, kayakers, and runners all sharing the same space with respect and joy, no matter their physical abilities.
Do you have a favorite section of the ERT or a favorite spot on the trail?
I have so many favorite spots on the ERT! The stretch along the Hermitage Museum & Gardens is among them, especially in the summertime, when my family and friends gather under a giant magnolia tree to enjoy the Sunsets on the River event series. We share food, listen to live music, and get to watch the most spectacular sunsets together. One of my most memorable moments on the trail was when my husband, Dan, and I joined DJ Bee and other community members for a Boom Box Ride through downtown Norfolk to launch the “Truth Be Told: Virginia” series, which tied personal narratives to local history at different stops along the trail.
What is your favorite trailgrazing spot?
The Bakehouse at Chelsea is hard to beat. I enjoy their wood-fired pizzas, artisan seasonal pastries, and breads, paired with the sense of community the ERT fosters so well.
