View of the skyline in Fairfax County's largest central business district, Tysons, Virginia, among the best places to live near D.C.

Meet the Trailblazers

Overview

Meet the Trailblazers

Northern Virginia is America’s career capital and one of the best places to live in the country. But don’t just take it from us.

Click below to read the inspiring stories of local workers and entrepreneurs who got their start in Northern Virginia, and learn why they love living here.

Dr. Jennifer Wood

A dual-fellowship trained and board-certified orthopedic surgeon, Jennifer Wood, MD, FAAOS is passionate about helping people regain their function and get back to doing what they love.

Sarah Kim

Meet Sarah, a trailblazer for corporate success, who has climbed the career ladder to C-level positions, including her current role at Iron Bow Technologies.

Amit Chauhan

Meet Amit, a driven software developer who channels his love for gaming to raise money for local children's hospitals.

Quiana Gainey

Meet Quiana Gainey, an innovative cybersecurity leader and philanthropist who is working to increase diversity and inclusion in cybersecurity and information technology.

Will Cross

U.S. Army Officer turned transformational agile leader, Will Cross is blazing his trail at Navy Federal Credit Union in Northern Virginia.

Daniella Kyei

Meet Daniella Kyei. While her title on LinkedIn reads Risk Analytics Manager at Freddie Mac, she’s also the founder and chair of Tysons Connect, a champion of diversity, equity and inclusion, and a Northern Virginia 40 Under 40 honoree. And of course, a trailblazer.

Matt Calkins

Meet Matt, a California native who founded Appian in Fairfax County in 1999. The world-leading Low-code Automation Platform company’s global headquarters are in Tysons.

Kemi Joseph

Meet Kemi, a local who found a life and a career in her hometown after college. Today, she works as Compliance Manager at Favor TechConsulting.

Amir Zonozi

Meet Amir, a Georgetown graduate who went on to co-found sponsorships analytics firm Zoomph, where he also serves as President.

A Northern Virginia employee at their job at Virid headquarters, located in Reston, VA.

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Looking for a job near Washington D.C.? Browse curated Northern Virginia job postings in the region’s hottest industries, from financial services to life sciences.

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The Mosaic District in Fairfax County, Virginia offers national retailers, gourmet dining, a movie theater and more. Explore moving to Northern Virginia.

Cost of Living Calculator

One of the best places to live near DC, Northern Virginia’s amenities offer high value at a lower cost of living than many major metros. Explore our cost of living calculator to help you plan your finances when moving.

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Workers at Virid headquarters in Fairfax, Virginia

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With a wide variety of jobs across industries ranging from aerospace to finance and technology to life sciences, find your next career move in Northern Virginia.

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Meet the Trailblazers