Eva DeVirgilis

Keynote Speaker

Eva DeVirgilis is a performer, playwright, and speaker known for her joyfully defiant female-forward solo shows and comedies. Whether presenting a one-woman show, an ensemble play, or a TEDxtalk, DeVirgilis creates spaces to celebrate women. Her solo show, In My Chair, earned the 2019 Richmond Theatre Critics Circle Award for Best Original Work. The play documented her journey around the world with her makeup chair, collecting stories from women. She is currently developing her next show, Witchduck, under the mentorship of Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning playwright David Lindsay-Abaire. 

Her TEDxWomen talk on radical self-acceptance and ending the cycle of apology was named by HER Magazine as one of the "Top Inspirational TED Talks to Help You Change Your Life." Her work has been featured on PBS, Upworthy, and Beauty Launchpad, and she has appeared in The New York Times, 60 Minutes, and HBO Max speaking out against sexual assault and gender-based violence. 

When not on stage, Eva is a creative strategist, empowering thought leaders to communicate to their highest potential. She provides communication consulting and one-on-one coaching for Fortune 500 companies to government agencies and Universities.

A proud military spouse, Eva serves as the Command Ombudsman for the Navy, administering support for military families in Norfolk, Virginia, where she lives with her husband and rescue dog. To learn more visit Evadevirgilis.com or follow her on all social media platforms @evadevirgilis

The Faculty

MCLE Credit: 6.0 Pending

Faith A. Alejandro, Sands Anderson / Richmond 

Mallory Brennan, Owens & Owens / Richmond 

Renu M. Brennan, Virginia State Bar / Richmond 

Hon. Devika Davis, City of Richmond Circuit Court / Richmond 

Tricia Dunlap, Dunlap Law PLC / Richmond 

Claire G. Gastañaga, Dunlap Law PLC / Richmond 

Rebecca Geller, Geller Law Group PLLC / Fairfax 

Sandra L. Havrilak, The Havrilak Law Firm, P.C. / Fairfax 

Rudene Mercer Haynes, Hunton Andrews Kurth / Richmond 

Thomas Y. Hiner, Hunton Andrews Kurth / Richmond 

Hon. Anne Holton, George Mason University / Fairfax 

Hon. Cleo E. Powell, Supreme Court of Virginia / Richmond 

Colleen Marea Quinn, Quinn Law Centers / Richmond 

Sarah Robb, Sarah Robb Law / Richmond 

Hon. Angela E. Roberts, Retired Judge, Thirteenth Judicial District / Williamsburg 

Danielle Stokes, University of Richmond School of Law / Richmond 

Sara Tandy, University of Richmond School of Law / Richmond

Lucia Anna “Pia” Trigiani, MercerTrigiani / Alexandria 

 

Moderators

Renu M. Brennan, Virginia State Bar / Richmond 

Claire G. Gastañaga, Dunlap Law PLC / Richmond 

Colleen Marea Quinn, Quinn Law Centers / Richmond 

Hon. Angela E. Roberts, Retired Judge, Thirteenth Judicial District / Williamsburg