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A group of people working on a woodworking project in a workshop. In the foreground, two individuals measure and align wooden planks, using tools like a measuring tape and a square. Other participants are visible in the background, actively collaborating.

By Megan Nash

Earlier this month, Executive MBA (EMBA) students from the Class of 2026 at the VCU School of Business swapped their suits and slingbacks for work gloves and power tools. At the Richmond Community ToolBank, the cohort joined forces to construct picnic tables as part of a hands-on community project.

The initiative was part of the ToolBank’s “Building Change” program, which combines team building and tool training to create functional furniture for schools, parks and public spaces.

“The thing you notice first is that people are coming in here blind,” said Toby Vernon, executive director of the Richmond Community ToolBank. “They don’t really know what they’re getting into, and that’s a lot like starting a new job or stepping into a leadership role. You’re handed a mission and have to bring what you’ve got to the table. By the end of the day, you see their leadership styles emerge.”

Founded as part of the ToolBank USA network, the Richmond ToolBank has lent nearly $1 million in tools annually to community groups, nonprofits and volunteers working to maintain public spaces across the city. Its “Building Change” program takes that mission a step further by turning surplus inventory into community assets–benches, picnic tables, garden beds and more.

The partnership between VCU’s EMBA program and the ToolBank dates back six years, marked by projects that range from strategic consulting to market research. In 2020, a cohort conducted research that helped launch the RVA ToolBOX, a program teaching Richmonders home improvement skills and power tool safety.

“They’ve helped us mature as an organization,” said Vernon. “The students bring their academic expertise and leadership skills into an entirely different environment. It’s fun to see.”

For many students, the day provided a chance to test their adaptability and collaboration skills in a new setting. “I am 100% a maker. This is my element,” said EMBA student Logan Milford. “But this kind of build–you couldn’t do it by yourself. My teammate was very detail-oriented, and together, we delivered a high-quality product.”

For others, it was an opportunity to observe and follow. “We were able to recognize each other’s strengths and let those strengths guide the group,” said EMBA student Adrienne Alaimo.

By the end of the day, five sturdy picnic tables were ready for their next chapter–proving the power of teamwork and a little bit of elbow grease.

But Vernon hopes the students walked away with something more lasting. “What we want these students to walk away with is more than just the ability to use a drill or hammer,” he said. “We want them to understand the multiplying effect small nonprofits like ours can have and how they can tap into that as future leaders, donors or even nonprofit champions.”

For more information about the Richmond Community ToolBank and its programs, visit richmondtoolbank.org. To learn about the VCU Executive MBA program, visit business.vcu.edu/emba.

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