fUTURE OF TALENT SUMMIT 2024

Nicole Overley
Deputy Secretary of Workforce, Commonwealth of Virginia

As Deputy Secretary of Workforce Development, Nicole supports the Commonwealth-wide ecosystem of employers, educators, agencies, and service providers who together enable every one of us to thrive. Nicole is also tasked with establishing the new and forward-leaning workforce hub called Virginia Works.

Anthony Reedy
Deputy Secretary of Labor,
Commonwealth of Virginia

In his role as Deputy Secretary for the Commonwealth, Anthony drives policies on workforce development and provides executive oversight to the Dept. of Professional and Occupational Regulations, Dept. of Labor, and the VA Employment Commission.

Frank Shushok Jr., Ph.D.
President, Roanoke College

President Shushok is an energetic, involved and curious president. He holds a B.S. in history from Baylor University, and M.A. in higher education and student affairs administration from Ohio State, and a Ph.D. in higher education policy from the University of Maryland. Read his full bio.

Robert H. Sandel, Ph.D.
President, Virginia Western Community College

In his 20-plus years at Virginia Western, Dr. Sandel has spearheaded unprecedented growth that has positively impacted countless students’ lives and helped drive the Roanoke Region to new heights. His leadership has helped Virginia Western become a forward-thinking community college that inspires individual, community, and economic transformation. Read his full bio.

Bret Danilowicz, Ph.D.
President, Radford University

Since assuming the presidency of Radford University in July 2022, Bret Danilowicz works to ensure that the transformative benefits of higher education are readily accessible to the diverse populations served by Radford University. Under his leadership, Radford is connecting the talents and knowledge of its students and faculty with businesses, nonprofits, and local governments to develop work-based learning opportunities and strengthen economic outcomes for the surrounding region and the Commonwealth. Read his full bio.

Mirta Martin, Ph.D.
President, Ferrum College

A native of Havana, Cuba, and an immigrant to the United States, Martin uses her interpersonal and cultural expertise to work diligently to promote access to affordable educational opportunities. She has been involved in both the public and private sectors with expertise in strategic planning, marketing, crisis management, budgeting and risk mitigation, program innovation, and funding. Read her full bio.

John J. Rainone, Ed.D.
President, Mountain Gateway Community College (MGCC)

Dr. Rainone has over 30 years of experience as a teacher, administrator, and chief executive officer of MGCC. Student success is his number one priority and ensuring that MGCC has a positive impact on the communities in this region by affirming the values of learning and service, enriching the lives of students, and enhancing the quality of life in the area. Read his full bio.

Alex Hyler
CytoRecovery, VP and CSO

Working at CytoRecovery, Dr. Hyler leads a team aimed at commercializing a novel cell sorting platform with improved cell viability, recovery, and behavior. She has taken an ambitious approach when it comes to teams of interns and developing a mutually beneficial system for her company goals and student development.

Jared Heffron
Novozymes, Senior Scientist

Jared has been a microbiologist at Novonesis (Novozymes) for 11 years developing microbes for use across industries. He led the summer intern program at the Salem facility for eight years, creating an immersive opportunity for young engineers and scientists who are looking to develop a career in the industrial biotechnology industry.

Cecilia Viara-Scott
Brown Edwards, HR Director

Cecilia is an experienced Human Resources professional at Brown Edwards & Company, LLC, with over nine years of experience. She enjoys helping organizations reach their target through the implementation of initiatives aimed at increasing manager effectiveness and promoting an inclusive environment for talent.

Brenna Valle
VT Center for Economic and Community Engagement

A recent Roanoke College graduate who interned at the Salem-Roanoke Chamber in 2023, and now supports internships in Virginia through her work at the Virginia Talent + Opportunity Partnership (GO Virginia project).

Aaron Kelly
Lawrence Companies

Director of HR at Lawrence Companies with over 13 years’ experience. Aaron’s servant leadership model and community involvement continue to foster a culture of diversity, inclusion, and opportunity.

Courtney Callis
Branch Group

Courtney has 20 years’ experience in the construction and engineering industries with a focus on human resources, benefits and compensation, employee relations, and learning and workforce development.

Meghan Jester
Roanoke College, Director of Career Exploration

In her role at Roanoke, Meghan is focused on student-centered career development where she aims to enhance student experiences and career readiness. Jester creates and implements programs, services, resources, and engagement opportunities that support Roanoke students as they explore and prepare for their chosen career path.

Carrie Cousins
LeadPoint, Director of Digital Marketing

Award-winning interdisciplinary marketing leader with experience in marketing, design, and media. For 15+ years she has helped businesses tell their story and get better results. An adjunct professor of marketing at Virginia Tech and a background in economic development, she is consistently recognized as best in class.

Lee Svete
Radford University

Lee joined Radford University as the Director of Career and Talent Development in 2024. He has built two new career programs in higher education over two decades at Notre Dame, Wake Forest, and the founding director of The van Vlissingen Career Center at Emory & Henry College.

Shonny Cooke
Career Services, Virginia Western Community College

Shonny drives initiatives, activities, and events that impact outcomes for student access

Shonny drives initiatives, activities, and events that impact outcomes for student access to services, career readiness, work-based learning, and employment. Through collaborative partnerships with the private sector VWCC can provide workforce solutions that bring opportunities to students and graduates.

Thallya Diaz
Career Coach, Radford Univ.

A dedicated educator striving to guide students to becoming the masters of their careers. She offers professional workshops and seminars, professional development and community engagement events, networking opportunities with employers, and individualized coaching to students.

Matthew Cowley, Ph.D.
Associate Vice Provost for Career and Professional Development, Virginia Tech

Dr. Cowley began his career in higher education and career services at Auburn University. He has been privileged to serve the University of Florida’s Career Connections Center and, most recently, in Old Dominion University’s Career Development Services. Dr. Cowley is driven by the opportunity to provide positive postsecondary outcomes for all students and recognizes the invaluable role that internships and other work-based learning opportunities play in career readiness and postgraduate success.

Amy White
Virginia Western, Dean of STEM

Driven by a lifelong love of science, has been a teacher and professor, and is now a leader at Virginia Western Community College creating revolutionary workforce solutions and providing students with drive and purpose in meaningful fields.

Kari Stanley
Fralin Biomedical, Phd Candidate

Follow Kari’s talent journey from Virginia Western Community College to Virginia Tech to graduate research assistant in translational biology, medicine, and health at Fralin Biomedical Research Insitute. What drives these choices, and what support did she receive along the way?

Marty Holliday
New River/Mount Rogers Workforce Board, Executive Director

Marty’s focus is on initiatives that foster regional collaboration and collective impact to improve the availability of skilled labor for in-demand occupations needed by businesses and provide livable.  To meet their goals her board has leveraged over $10 million to the region for training, employment and capacity-building in six years. 

Morgan Romeo
Greater Roanoke Workforce Board, Executive Director

The GRWDB provides strategic solutions and programs to assist business, industry, and economic development partners with a qualified workforce. This includes talent pipeline development to ensure businesses have skilled employees who meet current and future job demands.

Leverage Get2KnowNoke to help your company engage with young talent. We are looking for sponsors to invest in talent attraction events and programs including;

• Quarterly Networking Socials
• Talent Ambassador Program
• Summer Intern Onboarding Program
• Student Events + On-Campus Events
• 2024 Experience Conference

Please reach out to Julia Boas ASAP with interest. We can customize options and are flexible regarding budget and scope.