Professional Bio
Samantha has over 18 years experience in entrepreneurship and innovation. She is an educator, facilitator, speaker and researcher for futuristic topics in business and academia. She regularly hosts workshops and consults on the topics of revenue innovation, the art of delegation, new business models, entrepreneurial philanthropy, design thinking, inbound outreach, gig-economy, the future of work, recruiting innovators, and the entrepreneurial mindset.
While serving as Innovation Officer at Virginia Western Community College, she contributed to the creation of six entrepreneurial initiatives including three coworking spaces (including CoLab Coworking), an incubator, and accelerator (RAMP), a FabLab and an innovation corridor. She continues to serve as an adjunct faculty member for entrepreneurial community courses.
She earned her Bachelor's in Accounting from Radford University, Masters in Business Administration from University of Wisconsin- Eau Claire, and will complete her Ph.D. in Community College Leadership from Old Dominion University in 2020.
Past speaking engagements include: University Economic Development Association, National Association of Community College Entrepreneurship, State Council of Higher Education for Virginia Conference, Project Management Institute, Junior League of Roanoke Valley, Project Management Institute, FemCity Roanoke, Botetourt Chamber of Commerce, HIRE Educational Conference and the Roanoke Mayor’s Conference.
While serving as Innovation Officer at Virginia Western Community College, she contributed to the creation of six entrepreneurial initiatives including three coworking spaces (including CoLab Coworking), an incubator, and accelerator (RAMP), a FabLab and an innovation corridor. She continues to serve as an adjunct faculty member for entrepreneurial community courses.
She earned her Bachelor's in Accounting from Radford University, Masters in Business Administration from University of Wisconsin- Eau Claire, and will complete her Ph.D. in Community College Leadership from Old Dominion University in 2020.
Past speaking engagements include: University Economic Development Association, National Association of Community College Entrepreneurship, State Council of Higher Education for Virginia Conference, Project Management Institute, Junior League of Roanoke Valley, Project Management Institute, FemCity Roanoke, Botetourt Chamber of Commerce, HIRE Educational Conference and the Roanoke Mayor’s Conference.
Individual
Education:
Radford University 2004
Bachelor in Business - Accounting
University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire 2010
MBA
Old Dominion University 2021
PhD in Community College Leadership
Awards:
2014 Small Business Advocate of the Year- Roanoke, Va
Volunteer Work:
United Way of Roanoke Valley
Junior Achievement
Areas of Expertise
Ecosystem Building, Entrepreneurial Mindset, Entrepreneurship Centers, Entrepreneurship Curriculum, Female Entrepreneurship, Fundraising and Grants, Global Entrepreneurship, Marketing, Small Business Development Centers, Veteran Entrepreneurship