Under her leadership, Virginia’s tourism industry has experienced steady 5% yearover-year growth. The agency has earned several industry accolades, including the U.S. Travel Association’s Mercury Award and Afar Magazine’s Distinguished Destination Award.

Ms. McClenny serves on numerous boards and advisory councils, including the U.S. Travel Association, the National Council of State Tourism Directors, the Virginia Hospitality and Travel Association, the Aerospace Advisory Council, the Society of International Business Fellows, the Southwest Virginia Cultural Heritage Foundation, the African American Cultural Resources Task Force, Venture Richmond, and the Blueprint Virginia 2035 Advisory Council.

She has been named one of Virginia Business magazine’s Top 500 Leaders for four consecutive years (2021–2024) and was inducted as a 2025 Junior Achievement Business Hall of Fame Laureate.

Tourism and film are powerful economic drivers for Virginia. In 2023, tourism generated $33 billion in direct spending, supported more than 224,000 jobs, and contributed $2.4 billion in state and local tax revenue. That same year, Virginia was recognized as one of the top states in the nation to both vacation and retire.

A native of Southampton County, Virginia, Ms. McClenny holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics from Fisk University. She resides in Richmond, Virginia.