November 11
David Madié
CEO
GrowthWheel
Biography
David Madié is the founder of GrowthWheel International and the creator of GrowthWheel—a visual toolbox and cloud platform used by business advisors to help clients make decisions and take action. Since 2008, he has trained and certified more than 4,300 advisors, incubator managers, and entrepreneurship educators across U.S. states and territories and in 70 countries. An entrepreneur since business school, David has built over ten companies and joint ventures across Scandinavia, South Asia, East Africa, and North America—including NetGuide, which he grew from 3 to 100 employees and sold to U.S. investors in 2000. In 2002, the World Economic Forum named him one of its 100 “Global Leaders for Tomorrow.”
David holds an M.Sc. in Economics and Business Administration from Aarhus Business School and has taught entrepreneurship at Parsons School of Design, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and the University of Copenhagen. He chairs the boards of growth companies such as bObles (children’s furniture) and Daintel (ICU software), and advises the Danish Business Authority on entrepreneurship policy.
Joshua René
Founder & Behavior Strategist
Spill Teem
Biography
Founder & CEO, The Spill Teem® | Behavioral Strategist | Speaker | Facilitator | Creator of HUMAN®
What does serving people really mean? For Joshua René, it’s not a tagline—it’s the question that built The Spill Teem®, the human-centered strategy and design consultancy he founded to help organizations rethink how they lead, work, and connect. As a behavioral strategist, speaker, and facilitator, Joshua’s work goes beyond process to uncover the beliefs, habits, and values that drive human performance and transformation.
With over two decades in leadership and Human Services experience, he and his team partner with diverse enterprises—spanning for-profit and nonprofit organizations, higher education institutions, and government agencies—to align culture with strategy and turn behavioral insights into lasting impact. Known for his mix of candor, creativity, and clarity, Joshua has built a reputation for helping leaders and organizations Spill on Purpose®—breaking past what’s comfortable to rediscover what’s possible. He is also the creator of HUMAN®, a leadership series rooted in authenticity and behavioral insight, and serves as an adjunct instructor at Piedmont Virginia Community College. If he weren’t making such an impactful human-centered splash in the world, you’d probably find him crate-digging for old vinyl or living out his self-proclaimed chef passions—both usually accompanied by good music, great flavor, and, as you might imagine, even better people and company.
Speakers
Tony Banks
Senior Assistant Director
Virginia Farm Bureau Federation
Biography
development, and agricultural policy analysis. He is a Senior Assistant Director at the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation in Richmond, VA, where he staffs the Virginia Foundation for Agriculture, Innovation, and Rural Sustainability. In this role, he works with farmers, agribusinesses, localities and other entities to develop new value-added enterprises, facilitates strategic discussions on new market opportunities, assists clients with feasibility studies and planning, mentors small businesses, and helps organize agricultural cooperatives.
Previously, he managed several environmental programs and grants for the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation and worked for wholesale and retail fertilizer and farm supply firms in Virginia and North Carolina. He earned a B.S. in Agronomy and Agricultural Economics from Virginia Tech.
Rosi Beachy
Assistant Director
Central Virginia SBDC
Biography
Rosi Beachy is the Assistant Director of the Central Virginia SBDC. She received her degree in Business
Administration with a concentration in Marketing from the University of Minnesota. Rosi is experienced
in business-to-business sales, customer service, market research, and nonprofit development and grant
writing. She specializes in relationship building and project management.
Stephen Davis
President
Community Investment Collaborative (CIC)
Biography
Stephen Davis has served as President of the Community Investment Collaborative (CIC) since April 2013, leading its growth from startup to a trusted resource connecting under-resourced entrepreneurs across Virginia. Under Stephen's leadership, CIC has grown to serve 3,000 entrepreneurs through education and support programs, deploying over $6 million in microloans, achieving CDFI certification, and expanding its footprint from central to southern Virginia. CIC's success and reputation led to it taking over as host of the Central Virginia Small Business Development Center in 2020.
As CIC's first President, Stephen leverages two decades of experience in organization building, management, consulting, and education. He believes that your starting point in life should not determine your opportunities for entrepreneurial success and that when communities have broad and diverse participation in the business community, they will thrive. Through education, mentoring, financing, and networking, CIC strengthens communities and contributes to economic development by fueling the success of under-resourced entrepreneurs, creating pathways to local ownership and generational wealth-building.
Stephen currently serves on the board of the VA CDFI Coalition and has held leadership positions including Board Chair of VPM Media Corporation and College Board Member at Piedmont Virginia Community College. He has also served on the PVCC Education Foundation Board. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Finance and Master's degree in Education from James Madison University.
Tiffany Edwards
Founder & CEO
TME Coaching & Consulting
Biography
Tiffany is a Charlottesville native and a graduate of the University of Virginia (CLAS ’09). She holds a Master’s in Not-for-profit Leadership and a Doctorate in Strategic Leadership from Regent University. Tiffany has leadership experience in multiple disciplines, including human resources, fiscal management, and resource management and allocation.
Her expertise spans advisory and board member roles for local organizations through managing software launches, process improvements, and policy development for institutions of various sizes.
Tiffany is a leadership and coaching advocate and believes that culture, values, and vision are the foundation for organizational success.
Heather Fay
Executive Director
Greater Roanoke and New River Valley (NRV) SBDC
Biography
Heather Fay's journey to the SBDC began unexpectedly during her time as Assistant Director for Botetourt County Economic Development. It was through her work on a portable assistance grant with the SBDC that a passion ignited – a love for empowering small businesses with tangible projects and programs. The unique circumstances of the Covid-19 pandemic provided an unforeseen opportunity, allowing Heather to collaborate remotely with the SBDC and quickly become an indispensable part of the team. This experience revealed her deep connection to the SBDC's mission, culminating in a natural transition to the Greater Roanoke and New River Valley (NRV) SBDC.
Drawing on her diverse background in college admissions and the regional tech council, Heather immediately brought fresh perspectives to her client interactions. Today, her natural leadership, rooted in strong planning and marketing skills, shines brightly within the SBDC network. Beyond her direct service as an advisor and program leadership for Greater Roanoke and NRV, Heather actively shapes the SBDC landscape as co-leader on the America’s SBDC Training Interest Committee, Virginia SBDC Talent Task Force, and Virginia SBDC Professional Development planning committee, and through her involvement with Greater Roanoke Workforce Development Board and the GrowthWheel User National Committee. Heather was the Virginia SBDC’s 2025 State Star.
Mary C. Foley
Founder
Carlson Foley Enterprises
Biography
Founded in 1997, Carlson Foley Enterprises has provided government and commercial business development, market research, capture strategy, strategic planning, market intelligence, sales, proposal support, and business analytics to private, government and nonprofit clients worldwide. Clients have captured 90% of the proposals pursued with CFE support. Prior to starting her own consulting firm, Ms. Foley was Director of Federal Business Development for Brown & Root Environmental in Washington, D.C. She has served as business advisor for the Central Virginia SBDC since 2023. She holds a BS in Zoology from Colorado State, an MBA from Boise State, and a certificate in Business Analytics (2022) from Harvard University.
Amanda Forrester
Marketing Director
Virginia SBDC
Biography
Amanda is a seasoned business professional with over a decade of experience developing, executing, and managing businesses. With a passion for marketing, communications, and a keen eye for design, Amanda has a proven track record of driving business growth through innovative initiatives.
Amanda is the marketing director at the Virginia Small Business Development Center. Amanda holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Architecture from George Washington University.
Rebecca Haydock
CEO
Venture Central
Biography
Rebecca Haydock is CEO of Venture Central, board member of Charlottesville Angel Network, and continues to be an owner and advisor in expanding businesses. Her work in Virginia is focused on building diverse and resilient communities through entrepreneurship.
Rebecca took over management of Venture Central while managing the Central Virginia Small Business Development Center to oversee the successful completion of two active entrepreneurial ecosystem development grants. Ms. Haydock has designed and successfully executed on numerous federal, state, and local grants.
Rebecca’s business tax paying days started at age 16 and carried through business school at Cornell University. Following the sale of her second business she worked in economic development specializing in access to capital in New York, consulted in government contracting and business training and development in North Carolina. She moved on to New Jersey to manage a portfolio of 20 early stage technology companies as a Director at Technology Management & Funding, speaking at national conferences on the topic of technology commercialization. Rebecca became COO of two biotech companies in Virginia, one of which sold to a pharmaceutical company.
Rebecca is a Certified Global Business Professional and specializes in growth strategy, contract preparedness, strategic alliances, and equity capital. Her work revolves around entrepreneurial ecosystem advancement and support of high growth, early-stage businesses to stabilize and resource CEOs to maximize economic impact.
Brandon Hennessey
Director
William & Mary Entrepreneurship Hub
Biography
Brandon Hennessey is a creative strategist, educator, and entrepreneurial ecosystem builder whose career spans arts education, venture consulting, and innovation leadership.
As Director of the William & Mary Entrepreneurship Hub, he leads initiatives that blend strategic planning, human-centered design, and real-world venture development.
A former Small Business Development Center consultant, Brandon has advised hundreds of entrepreneurs across every stage of the startup journey, from ideation to go-to-market, capital formation, and succession. He has secured millions in public-private funding, helped launch region-wide innovation collaboratives, and brings a distinctive people-first approach to building inclusive, high-impact learning environments. His teaching and leadership equip students, startups, and communities to confidently navigate ambiguity, unlock opportunity, and turn ideas into action.
Lina Kastanos
Capital Pathways Program Manager
Virginia SBDC
Dana Knott
Director
Longwood SBDC – Central Region
Biography
Dana Knott is the Central Region Director for the Longwood SBDC, bringing experience in management, education, and small-business consulting. A Longwood alum, she first encountered SBDC as an undergrad and later integrated RISE Collaborative’s CO.STARTERS Generator into her Amelia County High School curriculum—where her students won a 2022 pitch competition for the “Raider Relaxation Room.” She returned to Longwood in August 2023, combining her business and teaching background to support entrepreneurs and students alike.
Dana builds stakeholder relationships, connects communities to resources, and supports Farmville’s SEED Innovation Hub. Her experience spans retail, management, marketing, and workforce development. She holds a B.S. from Longwood University, a post-bacc certificate in public administration from VCU, and an MBA from Averett. She sees access to capital and market pressures as today’s key hurdles and advises founders to move methodically: research, test, and ask for help.
Diane McCarthy
Advisor
Shenandoah Valley SBDC
Biography
Diane McCarthy’s many years as a marketing associate in the fast-paced and demanding retail and food and beverage industries make her a sought-after business advisor at the SV SBDC. Her sensible yet creative approaches to common sales, merchandising, budgeting, marketing, negotiation, and customer satisfaction issues are easily applicable across multiple industries.
Diane has recently applied her unique experience to help SV SBDC head up the ARPA-funded Business of Childcare program on behalf of the City of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County. In addition to organizing training sessions and resources fairs for current and aspiring childcare providers, Diane has also deftly guided participants through the complexities of building and growing a childcare business in her role as business advisor. Her leadership in this area has extended into the community, where she served on the core organizing team for “Dancing with the Stars of the ‘Burg,” a popular fundraiser that helped the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Child Day Care Center expand into a new building.
Diane serves several counties and cities in the SV SBDC service area, and her commitment to collaboration has helped the SV SBDC build lasting relationships with the local Chambers of Commerce and Economic Development offices.
Mesa McMurtrey
Client and Operations Manager Services Coordinator
Central Virginia SBDC
Biography
Mesa holds over a decade of experience in customer service. Prior to joining the SBDC, she most recently managed the office of a local government contracting business and was the personal assistant of a serial entrepreneur. She is pursuing a degree in Emergency and Disaster Management. As the Client and Operations Manager Mesa is helping entrepreneurs find the resources they need while helping the Central Virginia SBDC develop systems to handle increased demand in client service requests.
Laura Messer
Destination Development Manager
Virginia Tourism Corporation
Biography
Laura Messer is a Destination Development Manager at the Virginia Tourism Corporation, partnering with communities across the Chesapeake Bay, Eastern Shore, and Coastal Virginia to turn local vision into visitor-ready experiences.
Since 2022, she has led strategic planning, product development, and cooperative marketing support for localities, regional organizations, and small tourism-oriented businesses, connecting them to VTC resources and practical technical assistance. Laura previously spent 14 years with James City County in tourism, marketing, and economic development, where she helped catalyze place-making and small-business growth. She believes tourism is economic development and champions collaborative efforts that lift entire regions by translating great ideas into measurable results.
Aaron Miller
Director
International Business Development – Virginia SBDC
Biography
Aaron Miller is the Director of International Business Development at the Virginia Small Business Development Center (SBDC) hosted by George Mason University. He helps Virginia firms expand global sales, access export financing, and navigate U.S. trade regulations while building the skills needed to compete internationally. Miller leads interdisciplinary student teams that deliver customized market research for small businesses, with alumni advancing to roles at the World Bank, government agencies, consulting firms, and top universities. From 2016 to 2019, he served as Vice Chair of the Virginia/DC District Export Council, where he expanded training programs, grew financial reserves by 700%, and increased diversity among council members. He also oversees the region’s only NASBITE Certified Global Business Professional (CGBP) Accredited Training Center and teaches export development courses for universities and trade organizations. Miller serves on the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition’s Virginia Advisory Committee and is a George Mason University Ashoka Changemaker Leader. He holds an M.A. in International Commerce and Policy from George Mason University.
Tracy Nayar
Associate State Director
Virginia SBDC
Maria Niechwiadowicz
Food & Beverage Expert
SBDC – Lynchburg Region
Biography
Maria is happy to serve as the Food & Beverage expert on the SBDC - Lynchburg Region Advisory team. Her experience ranges from managing share-used commercial kitchen spaces to selling products at farmer’s markets, working as a professional pastry chef to managing business operations. She has led launches for two different bakeries in Virginia, most recently The Flour District in Lynchburg, and has worked with both the Virginia Department of Health and the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Sciences.
Jeff Robertson
Advisor
Greater Roanoke & NRV SBDC
Biography
Jeff Robertson is a Franklin County, Virginia native who spent nearly two decades in law enforcement before moving into business leadership. He led sales and operations at Pro-Line Trailers, founded Rabason, LLC, and owns a Fit Body Boot Camp. A motivational and workshop speaker and certified DISC facilitator (Take Flight Learning), Jeff also serves as an advisor with the Roanoke & NRV SBDC. He’s the voice behind “The Jeff Robertson Show” and a devoted husband and father.
Jolie Spiers
Executive Director
Hampton Roads SBDC
Biography
Jolie Spiers is Vice President of Small Business at the Hampton Roads Chamber and Executive Director of the Hampton Roads Small Business Development Center, where she champions entrepreneurs from startup through growth with advising, training, and connections to capital and partners.
A Hampton Roads native, Jolie’s career has spanned the private, public, and nonprofit sectors—including journalism, media relations, international teaching, and alumni relations leadership at the University of Rochester—giving her a broad perspective on how organizations grow and communicate.
Selected after a national search, she has led the Hampton Roads SBDC since 2022, strengthening the region’s small-business ecosystem through practical programs and collaborative initiatives.
Lisa Wood
Director
Virginia APEX Accelerator
Biography
Ms. Wood holds a MBA from the University of New Haven and a BSBA through the Robert Morris University of Pittsburgh. Lisa is currently pursuing her PhD in Instructional Management and Leadership (School of Education and Social Sciences) with Robert Morris University of Pittsburgh.
She previously was the Statewide Director of the Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTAC) for the Connecticut PTAC and prior to that was Statewide Director with the Ohio Department of Development after serving as PTAC Director for the Northwest Commission of Pennsylvania.
Before joining the PTAC community, Lisa was a Contracting Officer for Bechtel Plant Machinery, Inc. in the Greater Pittsburgh Area. In her prior roles, Wood performed contract administration and negotiation duties. She also recommended bidders, handled issue inquiries, negotiated bids, performed cost and price analysis, and prepared comprehensive letters to justify recommended contract actions.
Dulce Zahniser
Senior International Trade Specialist
Virginia SBDC
Biography
Dulce Zahniser, CGBP, is a global trade and international development executive who advises small and midsize companies on market entry, export controls, and trade finance. She serves as Senior International Trade Specialist with the Virginia SBDC and is Managing Director/CEO of Towpath Group International, where she represents clients in technology, manufacturing, energy, agribusiness, and smart-tech sectors. Previously, Dulce was a senior executive at the U.S. Overseas Private Investment Corporation (now the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation), and has supported U.S. government trade and development work with USAID, USTDA, and the Department of Defense. A member of the VA/DC District Export Council, she is also active in professional associations including NASBITE. Dulce earned her B.A. from American University and an M.A. in International Commerce & Policy, plus a Global Trade Management certificate, from George Mason University. In 2025, NASBITE recognized her with the Advancing International Trade award.
Virginia SBDC Network