“I couldn’t ask for better mentors, friends, or partners in making Reston a creative and inclusive community.” Leila Gordon said at her retirement party Dec. 12. “I especially want to say thank you to the people who work for RCC. You’ve been as much of our success as I have and you are truly the most fantastic public servants any community could ever want. I won’t let this change of status break my heart because I fully intend to come back to be with all of you. A lot.”
Leila Gordon's Legacy at Reston Community Center: A New Chapter Begins
by Ellyn Wexler, Staff Writer
Leila Gordon’s tenure as Executive Director of the Reston Community Center (RCC) has left a lasting impact on both the arts and the Reston community. As she steps into retirement, her departure marks the end of a transformative era and the beginning of a new chapter for RCC.
Since 1985, Gordon has balanced her professional commitment to RCC with her family life, commuting from Chevy Chase, D.C., where her journey began alongside her husband, Robert. This unwavering dedication symbolized her passion for stability and purpose, qualities that have defined her career.
Gordon’s life has been shaped by a rich tapestry of experiences—from Champaign, Illinois, to Cairo, Egypt, and eventually the D.C. area. Her connection to Reston began in 1969 when she moved to Vienna, Virginia. After earning an ABD and managing the Jekyll Island Music Theatre in Florida, she returned to the region in 1983. A chance opportunity introduced her to RCC, where her passion for the arts and community engagement found its ultimate expression.
Embracing Reston founder Robert E. Simon’s principles, Gordon reimagined RCC as a hub of creativity and community spirit. Her leadership fostered an inclusive cultural environment where art became a medium for connection and growth. Reflecting on her tenure, she shared:
“Taking Bob Simon's principles and applying them wholeheartedly to RCC’s potential—using the arts to help people's creative spirits blossom—was the challenge I am pleased to have met with a holistic, multi-layered vision of what an arts ecosystem could be.”
Now, as she turns 70, Gordon looks forward to a new chapter filled with personal fulfillment. “It’s time to stop commuting and start exploring—visiting places I’ve loved or have yet to see, reading, writing, and enjoying movies, plays, and concerts,” she said. Her plans also include consulting on local arts projects while prioritizing time with loved ones.
Her last day at RCC, Dec.13, will mark the conclusion of a distinguished career. Yet, her influence remains strong in the qualities she helped define for her successor. While the RCC Board of Governors selected the new Executive Director, Gordon’s insights were instrumental in shaping the leadership vision for the future.
Bebe Nguyen, a longtime colleague and advocate for equity and inclusion, steps into the role. Nguyen’s personal journey as an immigrant has deeply informed her mission to foster belonging within the community—a value she believes RCC embodies.
“For me, RCC is about progress and finding home,” Nguyen said, describing her new position as both a professional milestone and a personal triumph. Having worked at RCC for 17 years, including as Communications Director and Deputy Director under Gordon’s mentorship, Nguyen is well-prepared to lead.
As she takes the helm, Nguyen expressed gratitude for the support of the RCC community. “Each message fuels my drive to lead with passion and focus,” she said. Her vision for RCC builds on Gordon’s legacy, ensuring the center remains a vibrant and inclusive space for creativity and connection.
Leila Gordon’s legacy as a trailblazer for the arts and community engagement will forever be etched in RCC’s history. With Nguyen’s leadership, the future of RCC shines bright, continuing to serve and inspire the Reston community.
I so greatly appreciate the story about my retirement and the celebratIons surrounding it. I need to correct just a few tiny misstatements in the article. I didn’t finish my PhD—I am an “ABD”—“All But Dissertation.” I have worked at RCC for 41 years, but just the last 17 as executive director; before that I was Director of Arts & Events, and before that Performing and Fine Arts Director, and at the beginning, the Arts Education Director. My husband and I met in 1985, but we didn’t get married (so I didn’t move to DC) until 1993. These are tiny nits to pick in such a generous and well summarized profile; I am deeply thankful for all Reston has given…