Designed and led the development of organizational and programmatic framework for Black and Brown entrepreneurship in Syracuse, named 1st in the Region and top destination for young entrepreneurs of color.Led external stakeholder engagement resulting in multi-sector funding partnerships with entities including New York State, City of Syracuse, Syracuse University, Onondaga College, Coop Federal Credit Union, Google, and Snapchat.Led over one hundred social events and technical programming for small business owners throughout the Central New York region.Established staffing and governance structure, including initiating eight hires and an advisory committee of twelve.Contributed to the creation of several business development initiatives and raised $127K to launch an inaugural neighborhood festival.Designed and facilitated an academy for small business owners during the coronavirus crisis which concluded with 43 scholars & $50K total funding awarded.

Manage programming in conjunction with six academic units across campus, representing a total of nineteen staff with an annual payroll budget of $68K.Direct oversight of various technical assistance programs for over 6K innovative entrepreneurs with $125M in external equity investment raised and 200+ ventures incorporated since inception.Design and facilitate depth training curriculums for student ventures on ideation, business development, strategic marketing, raising capital, and scaling a company. Manage strategic relationships within the innovation ecosystem, including Blackstone Charitable Foundation, Techstars Global, Google for Startups, and more.Serve as a mentor to help guide startups through discovery, market research, value proposition, and investment thesis.Play a key role in fostering a more diverse community of program participants.

Self-employed consultant specializing in advancing the work of business development agencies, particularly for underrepresented communities.Client: Say Yes to Education Syracuse Delivered research reports to identify gaps of service and create new opportunity. Utilize analytical tools to measure results. Delivered a strategic marketing plan to build and maintain strong brand awareness.Client: Syracuse Surge S-Lot Program Facilitated 6 training sessions for 18 startups covering, business plans, permits and licensing, business lending, and more. Consulted with participants one on one to ensure completion of the program.Client: Cooperative Federal Credit UnionDeveloped and produced campaigns to attract new and existing members for all products, including the Business Navigator Program.Client: Allyn Family Foundation - Layla’s Got YouDelivered research reports to identify gaps of service and create new opportunity. Delivered a marketing plan to build and maintain strong brand awareness. Facilitated 6 training sessions to onboard their staff, marketing team, and ambassadors on the new brand and its future goals.

Direct oversight of $5 million in grant-funding from Restore New York to rehabilitate 11 out of 24 run-down buildings on cities North Side.Advocate for more inclusive and accessible economic policies on a subcommittee of New York State Regional Economic Development Council.Researched, in conjunction with Camoin Associates, and implemented the City-Wide Business Study to achieve goals outlined by the Administration.Managed economic development initiatives to achieve the goals and objectives outlined by the administration and regional strategic plan documents.Established publicly funded grant/loan program for fifty-one underrepresented entrepreneurs, providing much-needed funding in targeted census tracts.Monitored federal, state, and local legislation and regulations impacting economic development initiatives.Served as a dual role on the Department’s neighborhood development activities, including the administration of four federal block grants.

Strategically utilized the power of big data to develop predictive models to improvepatient preventative care outcomes and lower costs for facilities.Preventive Care and Mental Health Presentation by Indaria Jonesview here