2026 Largest-Ever Class of Talent Ambassadors, Expanding Best-in-Class Talent Attraction Efforts
Get2KnowNoke is proud to announce its 2026 Talent Ambassadors, the largest cohort in the program’s history. This year’s class of 50 talent ambassadors (29 new ambassadors and 21 returning ambassadors) is ready to help welcome new residents, support local employers, and connect people to the many opportunities that make the Roanoke Region an exceptional place to live and work.
Now in its fourth year, the Get2KnowNoke Talent Ambassador program brings the region’s story to life through personal connection with passionate and diverse community members serving as friendly, knowledgeable resources for newcomers, employers, and long-time residents alike. Whether helping a new hire feel at home, assisting a company with recruiting efforts, or making introductions that help someone quickly plug into the community, ambassadors play a hands-on role in strengthening the region’s talent ecosystem.
“What makes the Talent Ambassador program special is how real it is,” said Michelle Williams, talent strategies manager for Get2KnowNoke. “Every year, the program grows and becomes more useful as a talent attraction tool because it’s built on authentic relationships. We haven’t seen another program that connects people to a place in quite this way. This level of connection helps people feel welcome and makes it easy to call the Roanoke Region home.”
Part of what makes this program so effective is the diversity of ambassadors. From age, ethnicity, and lifestyle to industry and geographic location, these folks showcase a wide spectrum of living and thriving in the region, regardless of one’s background. There are life-long residents, transplants, and boomerangs (people who left and then came back), ready to share their experience and help people see themselves calling this region home.
"While I'm not originally from here, Roanoke has become my home, and being welcomed here made all the difference. I want to help others discover their community, explore new places, and feel a sense of belonging. It's the people that make a place special, and I am excited to serve as a bridge, connecting others with all the wonderful things our region has to offer.
Brenda Prieto Velázquez, New 2026 Ambassador
Ambassadors will be actively engaged throughout their one-year commitment, hosting pop-ups across the region, attending Get2KnowNoke events, supporting college campus visits, strengthening Get2KnowNoke’s online presence, and serving as on-the-ground resources for individuals and businesses looking to make meaningful connections. The program is designed to be accessible and useful to a wide audience, from newcomers exploring the area to established residents and employers seeking ways to better engage and retain talent. In addition to being a resource for residents and employers, ambassadors themselves see immense value in this program.
Get2KnowNoke has been a doorway for me, not just into all the amenities the city has to offer, but into my own purpose. For three years, I’ve watched talent ambassadors arrive with dreams and turn into leaders, now rooted in our community and key players in shaping the Roanoke Region’s future.
Doug Pitzer, Third-Year Ambassador
Doug Pitzer at the Get2KnowNoke Q3 Social at the Rooftop at Valleydale in Salem, VA (Source: Corey Hunley)
The Talent Ambassador program is also a key component of Get2KnowNoke’s broader talent attraction strategy, which has been recognized by the Virginia Economic Development Partnership as best-in-class. This recognition highlights the region’s innovative and people-focused approach to attracting and retaining talent, not just with the ambassador program, but also with Onboard|ROA, the talent network, quarterly socials, and a talent portal designed to make moving and living here as seamless as possible.
Get2KnowNoke encourages businesses, organizations, and individuals to leverage the Talent Ambassador network by engaging ambassadors for recruiting, welcoming new employees, and helping people discover what makes the Roanoke Region feel like home.
“The biggest message I want to get across is that these ambassadors are here and ready to get involved,” Williams stated. “If you’re an employer hosting a recruit or someone just looking to make a connection, please get to know these folks. They’re excited to hit the ground running.”
To learn more about the Get2KnowNoke Talent Ambassador program or to connect with an ambassador, visit the ambassador page here. To include talent ambassadors in your recruitment efforts, please reach out to Michelle Williams at michelle@roanoke.org.