Speakers Bureau

Looking for experts? Our faculty members are ready to talk to you on a variety of subjects — including economic impact, strategic planning, grant development, entrepreneurship, workforce, and tourism.

For more information, give us a call at 540-231-1511.

Dylan Andrews
Economic Development Specialist
Areas of Expertise:
• Childcare solutions
• Outdoor tourism
• Rural development issues

Sarah Lyon-Hill
Director for Research Development
Areas of Expertise:
• Economic and social impact
• Industry and workforce development
• Organization strategic planning
• Technology-based economic development

Allison Mays
Director, Southwest Center
Areas of Expertise:
• Community and Civic Engagement
• Creative Economy
• Nonprofit Advocacy, Fundraising, and Leadership
• Rural Placemaking and Leadership

Afroze Mohammed
Associate Director of Strategic Alliances
Areas of Expertise:
• Entrepreneurship
• Technology-based economic development
• University-industry and university-community partnerships

Ashley Crouse
Economic Development Specialist
Areas of Expertise:
• Entrepreneurship
• Tourism
• Workforce

John Provo
Executive Director
Areas of Expertise:
• Regional economic transformation
• University-based economic development

Jemma Sabokrouh
Program Manager for GO Virginia Region 2 and Region 2 Internship Collaborative
Areas of Expertise:
• Education
• Leadership

Scott Tate
Associate Director for Community Innovations
Areas of Expertise:
• Community and civic engagement
• Economic opportunity and innovative communities
• Place-based development

Elli Travis
Senior Economic Development Specialist
Areas of Expertise:
• Program evaluation and evaluation capacity building
• Impact measurement and economic contribution analysis
• Strategic planning and feasibility studies
• Mixed-methods and participatory research
• Community and economic development
• Workforce and socioeconomic analysis
• Agricultural, food-system, and rural development
• Stakeholder engagement and facilitation
• Research translation and communication

Mallory Tuttle
Associate Director, Newport News Center
Areas of Expertise:
• Community and civic engagement
• Grant development
• Workforce