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Speakers

2025 ECOSYSTEM SUMMIT SPEAKERS

The 2025 Ecosystem Summit includes an impressive lineup of nationally recognized experts to local ecosystem builders.

Main stage Speakers

Eric Boggs (LI)

Eric Boggs

RevBoss
Michelle Bolas '25

Michelle Bolas

NCInnovation
J.W. Carpenter

J.W. Carpenter

Prosper
Joe Colopy

Joe Colopy

Colopy Ventures
Mayor Cowell

Janet Cowell

Mayor of Raleigh, NC
Rob Creighton

Rob Creighton

Windlift, Inc.
Shemekka

Shemekka Ebony

Black Girl Magic Market
Conaway Haskins

Conaway Haskins

VIPC
Molly Hemstreet

Molly Hemstreet

Textile Innovation Engine of North Carolina
Jeffrey Headshot

Jeffrey Kaplan

Optimist Ventures & Venture Asheville
Rachael Newberry

Rachael Newberry

RIoT
Ryan Patrick O’Donnell

Ryan Patrick O’Donnell

Sunlight Group, LLC
Stan Parker

Stan Parker

WSPR Fund
Charles W. Pemble IV, PhD

Charles W. Pemble IV, PhD

Tetran, LLC
Bridget Phifer

Bridget Phifer

Living Better Life LLC
Catherine Read

Catherine Read

Right to Start
Jim Roberts

Jim R. Roberts

WALE Angel Network
Mitch Smith

Mitch Smith

SCRA/SC Launch
Scott Wingo

Scot Wingo

Tweener Fund
Leonardo Williams

Leonardo Williams

Mayor of Durham, NC
Anne Wiper

Anne Wiper

Textile Innovation Engine of North Carolina
Andrew Yang

Andrew Yang

Noble Mobile
Carlos-Zepeda

Carlos M. Zepeda

Prospera

Proud Participant of:

Eric Boggs

RevBoss

Linkedin

Eric started RevBoss with a mission to build a business that made clients and co-workers happy.

Today, he leads the effort to bring happiness to 100s of clients and more than 50 RevBuds around the world. You can read about the guiding principles he wrote for RevBoss in the HAT Culture manifesto.

Eric spent the last 20 years building companies and advising successful CEOs (Device Magic, Kevel, UserVoice, Ignite Social, and many more).

He completed his undergraduate studies at UNC Chapel Hill and earned an MBA at UNC’s Kenan-Flagler Business school, where he was a Dean’s Fellow.

Eric spends his free time loving his family, exercising at the crack of dawn, and yelling at Carolina games and Arsenal matches on TV.

Michelle Bolas

NCInnovation

Linkedin

Michelle Bolas is chief innovation officer and executive vice president at NCInnovation, where she oversees development and execution of the organization’s grant-making, research commercialization support, and university partnerships. Michelle and her team work with public universities in every region of the state to optimize their applied research portfolios and to support NCInnovation’s work to commercialize research outputs.

Prior to joining NCInnovation, Michelle served as chief innovation officer at UNC-Chapel Hill and executive director of Innovate Carolina, where she led the
University’s innovation strategy. As head of UNC’s Innovation Roadmap, Michelle worked closely with leaders, faculty and students to imagine and implement new programs and initiatives that significantly increased the impact of Carolina innovations.

She has more than 25 years of experience working with higher education, business and industry, and government leaders to design and develop comprehensive environments for creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship to thrive.

J.W. Carpenter

Prosper

Linkedin

J.W. Carpenter began his tenure as the inaugural president of Prosper in February 2021. Previously, he led the Birmingham Education Foundation for eight years and prior to that was the inaugural executive director of Teach For America-Alabama, the same organization where he began his career as a classroom teacher in Helena, Arkansas. J.W. also practiced law for nearly four years in Birmingham. He has two children named Jack and Margaret. Carpenter earned a B.A. in Political Science from Boston College and J.D. from the Georgetown University Law Center. He currently serves on the Boards of the Jefferson County Greenways Commission, the Homewood City Schools Foundation, and Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama.

Joe Colopy

Colopy Ventures

Linkedin

Tech entrepreneur Joe Colopy co-founded and bootstrapped Bronto Software, growing it to over 250 employees and millions in revenue. Since selling Bronto, he supports entrepreneurs and their startups through GrepBeat, Primordial Ventures, and Jurassic Capital. He is a Triangle Business Journal 40 Under 40 winner and a finalist for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year for the Carolinas. A former US Peace Corps Volunteer, he is an alumnus of Harvard University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He lives in Durham, North Carolina, with his wife, four children, dog, and an ever-changing number of chickens.

Janet Cowell

Mayor of Raleigh, NC

Linkedin

Janet Cowell was elected Mayor of Raleigh in 2024.

Janet brings a deep commitment to public service that stems from her family upbringing. Her father who was a Methodist minister and her mother who was a school teacher.

Originally from Memphis, TN, she moved frequently as a child due to her father’s role in new church development. She continued the ‘rolling stone’ tradition in her early adulthood studying and working in both Europe and Asia. Wanting a place to call home, Janet chose Raleigh almost thirty years ago and has been committed to it ever since.

Janet’s most recent path to city hall was shaped by a prior fifteen years of elected public service, including as Raleigh city councilor, NC State Senator and State Treasurer. She was the first and only woman to serve as State Treasurer and oversaw $100 billion in pension assets and health benefits for nearly a million public sector workers and retirees.

Throughout her career, Janet has brought people together: across neighborhoods, across sectors, and across the aisle. Prior to being elected Mayor, Janet led the Dix Park Conservancy as President & CEO and raised $40 million in private funds for the creation of Gipson Play Plaza as well as restoration of the historic chapel and stone houses.

Janet earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Pennsylvania and an MBA from the Wharton School of Business. More than title or credentials, Janet is guided by her commitment to Raleigh and her belief that people flourish when they are connected with their neighbors and meaningfully engaged in their community.

Rob Creighton

Windlift, Inc.

Linkedin

Rob Creighton is the Founder and CEO of Windlift, a North Carolina–based deep-tech company developing autonomous tethered airborne systems that generate power and provide persistent sensing for defense and commercial applications. He began his career on the Human Genome Project, where he learned to approach complex systems with analytical precision—a mindset he later applied to engineering and energy. At Windlift, Rob pioneered algorithmic design, an AI-driven process that accelerates the optimization of flight systems for resilience and performance. Under his leadership, Windlift has secured over $24 million in DoD and DOE contracts and built partnerships with defense primes and national laboratories. His current focus is scaling the company’s GUARD and APG platforms, which deliver airborne power and persistent overwatch in challenging environments. Rob also leads DeepTech Innovation workshops at First Flight Venture Center, helping founders translate frontier science into commercial success.

Shemekka Ebony

Black Girl Magic Market

Linkedin

Shemekka Ebony, the founder of Shemekka Ebony LLC, leads with authenticity, empathy, and a commitment to continuous learning. Shemekka is a celebrated, award-winning author, recognized for her book, While I’m Getting Naked. Shemekka is the visionary behind initiatives like Black Girl Magic Market, I Am Brilliant, and the CROWN Campaign, all rooted in empowerment, equity, and advocacy. As a Certified Community Champion and seasoned public speaker, her insights have been featured in The New York Times Magazine and several global equity publications.

Conaway Haskins

Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation

Linkedin

Conaway Haskins has spent over 20 years helping public and private sector organizations navigate opportunities and challenges in economic development, government affairs, and strategic communications at the local, state, and national levels. He currently serves as Vice President for Entrepreneurial Ecosystems at the Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation (VIPC) where he leads the organization’s Entrepreneurial Ecosystems and Strategic Initiatives teams. In this role, he manages, advises, supports, and funds statewide and regional technology-based and innovation-led economic development initiatives.

Prior to joining VIPC, Conaway spent six years as a university economic development executive at Virginia Tech where he designed, executed, and led a variety of technical assistance, applied research, teaching, and public engagement initiatives to advance economic growth and community vitality through entrepreneurship, innovation, placemaking, and sustainability.

Conaway has also served in a variety of leadership positions with the Virginia Community Economic Network, Virginia State University, the Council on Foundations, United States Senate, and The Cameron Foundation. Conaway is an active member of the Virginia Economic Developers Association, International Economic Development Council, and Startup Champions Network. He earned a Masters of Regional Planning degree from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a B.A. with honors & distinction in Government and Politics from George Mason University.

Molly Hemstreet

Textile Innovation Engine of North Carolina

Linkedin

Molly is Co-Deputy CEO of The Textile Innovation Engine, where she leads workforce development and regional engagement initiatives. She is also Co-Founder and Co-Executive Director of The Industrial Commons, supporting more than 2,500 workers through a collaborative, member-led network of textile manufacturers and workplace development programs.

Through her experience and leadership, she has organized economic development initiatives across rural Western North Carolina, founded Opportunity Threads, which has grown into the largest U.S.-based worker-owned cut-and-sew facility, and co-founded the Carolina Textile District in 2013, a strategic value chain focused on revitalizing textile manufacturing across the Carolinas.

Molly has also contributed her leadership on a national scale, serving on the board of the Democracy at Work Institute (DAWI) and as a founding board member of the North Carolina Employee Ownership Center (NCEOC). A graduate of Duke University and native of Morganton, NC, Molly remains deeply rooted in her hometown, where she lives, works, and raises her family.

Jeffrey Kaplan

Optimist Ventures & Venture Asheville

Linkedin

Jeffrey Kaplan is the CEO of Optimist Ventures and Director of Venture Asheville, where he’s pioneering a new model for resilient regional entrepreneurship in the wake of Hurricane Helene. His focus is on tech-enabled lifestyle businesses — the small but scalable ventures that sustain the mountain economy and define life in Western North Carolina. Through Optimist Ventures, Jeffrey is introducing a groundbreaking fund vehicle built around Shared Profit Agreements (SPA) Notes — a founder-friendly, investor-aligned mechanism that bridges the gap between traditional debt and equity, complemented by matching grant funds.

A frequent speaker on entrepreneurship, ecosystem development, and economic resilience, Jeffrey believes optimism is more than attitude — it’s strategy. Through Optimist Ventures and the SPA Note model, he’s proving that when philanthropists, investors and entrepreneurs grow together, entire communities rise.

Rachael Newberry

RIoT

Linkedin

Rachael Newberry leads innovation programs and public sector support at RIoT, a technology-based economic development organization. Rachael launched the RIoT Accelerator Program in 2018, leading growth to five locations and advising 150+ startups that have created 500+ jobs and generated more than $150 Million in revenue. Rachael also acts as a liaison between public and private sector partners to spur collaboration in the smart cities space and support entrepreneurial ecosystem development. Previously, Rachael built and ran a behavioral science-focused startup program at Duke University (though she is a proud UNC alum), where her work was featured at Google and in Forbes and Inc. Magazine.

Ryan Patrick O’Donnell

Sunlight Group, LLC

Linkedin

Ryan ODonnell is a serial tech entrepreneur and former foster parent on a mission to use technology for good. Based in Raleigh, North Carolina, he serves as the CEO and Founder of Sunlight, the creators of Your Case Plan, a start-up committed to strengthening America’s social safety net, starting with our broken child welfare system.

He brings over a decade of experience starting and scaling technology start-ups, where he has helped over 30,000 people get jobs, build two national fundraising platforms, and broke the Guinness World Record for the largest food drive in 24 hours at a single location. He is a proud graduate of the NC School of Science and Mathematics and N.C. State University.

Stan Parker

WSPR Fund

Linkedin

Stan Parker has served as the president of Winston Starts since 2021 and as a General Partner of the WSPR Fund since 2024.

He has served in C Suite and executive leadership roles in strategic planning, brand strategy, marketing management and communications across multiple industries and operating models and has experience working with startups and scaling businesses domestically and internationally.

Stan holds an MBA from UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School and an undergraduate degree in Business Administration from Belmont Abbey College, where he was a scholarship athlete.

Charles W. Pemble IV, PhD

Tetran, LLC

Linkedin

I am an award-winning executive leader with a proven record of building and scaling technology startups from inception to commercialization. Across multiple CXO roles, I’ve combined entrepreneurial grit, scientific discipline, and creative vision to drive growth, innovation, and measurable impact.

Curiosity is at the core of how I lead: I challenge assumptions with well-reasoned arguments and thrive on learning across disciplines. My career began as a PhD-trained structural biologist and biochemist, but my passion for discovery evolved into entrepreneurship—turning bold ideas into solutions with lasting value.

I love seeing innovation take shape and working alongside great teams to bring it to life. Progress isn’t just about breakthroughs—it’s about people, collaboration, authenticity, and the joy of the process (because a good laugh goes a long way).

Bridget Phifer

Living Better Life LLC

Linkedin

Bridget Phifer is the Founder and Program Lead of Living Better Life LLC, an organization dedicated to empowering underrepresented entrepreneurs through training, mentorship, and access to funding. With over 20 years of experience spanning engineering, real estate, ministry, and education, Bridget brings a unique blend of technical expertise and community-centered leadership.

Since launching Living Better Life in 2017, she has developed programs such as the Better Business Bootcamp and Better Business Accelerator, which have enabled entrepreneurs and nonprofits to secure over $4.5 million in funding. Her work focuses on bridging gaps in rural and historically excluded communities by providing digital literacy, grant support, and business development resources.

Bridget is also the author of Crown Yourself: The 7 Pillars of Living Better, a book that blends personal lessons with practical strategies for living with purpose and resilience. She serves on several boards and coalitions, including the NC Digital Equity Coalition and the Alliance of Career Development Nonprofits, and is an active partner with NC State’s Institute for Emerging Issues. Her passion is rooted in turning barriers into bridges and helping entrepreneurs build sustainable businesses that uplift entire communities.

Catherine Read

Right to Start

Linkedin

Catherine Read is the Senior Director of Field and Campaign Strategy at Right to Start, where she leads a national movement to make entrepreneurship a civic priority. She designed and launched the organization’s first national advocacy “Statement of Principles” campaign and has built and scaled Right to Start’s state-based “Starters Coalitions,” bringing together entrepreneurs, entrepreneur support organizations, policymakers, and community partners to remove barriers to starting and growing a business.

Under her leadership, the organization’s grassroots infrastructure now spans nine states, a 16-person team, and has helped to drive policy reforms that reduce costs and expand opportunity for new business owners. Catherine is also the Co-Founder of Points True North Consulting, a mission-driven firm that supports public and nonprofit leaders with strategy, advocacy, and community engagement. She previously led statewide partnerships for Upstream USA, where she built bipartisan support for expanding access to contraception, and before that, directed the first state-based truth commission on U.S. interrogation practices.

Earlier in her career, she ran the Washington Offices of two international human rights organizations. Across all her work, Catherine is known for building inclusive, participatory frameworks that connect grassroots and institutional power to drive lasting change. She lives in Raleigh and is passionate about strengthening North Carolina’s entrepreneurial ecosystem through community-driven collaboration.

Jim R. Roberts

WALE Angel Network

Linkedin

Jim is the founder of the Network for Entrepreneurs in Wilmington and the WALE Angel Network and both organizations are now 10 years old. WALE has now made 20 investments.

Jim was the inaugural Executive Director at the UNC Wilmington Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Within 12 months of opening, the CIE won a grant from the SBA at the White House as one of the top 50 incubators in the country.

Roberts started the first tech entrepreneur council in Charlotte called FirstRound during the technology boom in 2000. He was then recruited to the Asheville region to start the Blue Ridge Entrepreneurial Council (BREC) and Blue Ridge Angel Investor Network (BRAIN). Jim also worked for the NC Department of Commerce and COIN (Center of Innovation for NanoBiotech, a program of the NC Biotech Center.

Mitch Smith

SCRA/SC Launch

Linkedin

Mitch, a lifelong South Carolina resident, has founded four technology companies over the past three decades, successfully exiting three. Currently, he serves as Senior Investment Manager at SC Launch, where he provides business coaching, advisory, grants, and investments to South Carolina-based tech firms. Passionate about entrepreneurship, Mitch is dedicated to helping innovative ideas scale. A graduate of The Citadel and a veteran, he enjoys the outdoors and resides with his wife in Chapin, SC.

Scot Wingo

Tweener Fund

Linkedin

Scot Wingo, is a 5-time serial entrepreneur having started five companies: Stingray Software, AuctionRover, ChannelAdvisor/Rithum, Spiffy and ReFiBuy. Scot also co-hosts a top ecommerce podcast with Publicis’ Chief Commerce Officer, Jason Goldberg (Jason and Scot Show) and his new podcast and substack is Retailgentic where he discusses the latest Agentic Commerce trends. He started the Triangle Tweener List in 2015 to highlight the up-and-coming Triangle startups. The Tweener Fund was launched in 2022.

Leonardo Williams

Mayor of Durham, NC

Linkedin

Mayor Leonardo (Leo) Williams is a visionary leader dedicated to Durham’s prosperity, drawing on his diverse background as a two-time Durham Public Schools Teacher of the Year, public school administrator, and entrepreneur. His journey from the classroom to City Hall highlights a deep commitment to community.

A proud North Carolina Central University alumnus, earning degrees in Music Education BA and Education Leadership MA, he met his wife, Zweli, at NCCU, and they are the parents of son, Izaiah, who attends Duke University.

Elected to the Durham City Council in December 2021 and sworn in as Mayor in December 2023, he leads a rapidly growing city of nearly 320,000, overseeing a $755 million city budget and championing policies that significantly enhance quality of life. His influence extends nationally; he was a featured speaker at the 2024 Democratic National Convention and has welcomed Presidents and Vice Presidents to the Greater Triangle region over 25 times, showcasing Durham’s vibrant culture of innovation and economic opportunity on the world stage.

Anne Wiper

North Carolina Textile Innovation & Sustainability Engine

Linkedin

Anne Wiper is the CEO of the North Carolina Textile Innovation & Sustainability Engine, as part of The Industrial Commons. Anne brings a long background in consumer brands and textiles, as the product creation leader for brands in the athletic, outdoor and winter sports industries. She has been passionate about finding more sustainable ways to make products, starting with work at Nike, then Salomon and Smartwool. She and her family have traveled the world, lived in Amsterdam with Nike, and Annecy, France with Salomon. She was the chief instigator and product champion of the Smartwool 2nd Cut project. Anne went to Covenant College in Lookout Mtn, TN and has an MBA from the University of Denver. Anne has been committed to building culture and driving equity at work and giving back to the community where she lives.

Carlos M. Zepeda

Prospera

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Carlos Zepeda is a Sr. Small Business Consultant at Prospera in North Carolina and has been with the organization since September 2019.

He was born in Managua, Nicaragua and arrived in Miami in the early eighties.  He has a Bachelor of Arts degree in French and International Affairs from Florida International University and has nearly completed a DBA with concentration in entrepreneurship science with concentration on ecosystem building. He has more than 25 years of experience in business and nonprofit development and has assisted close to 400 impact makers in thirteen different countries in Latin America, Europe, and Africa.

Since 2019 at Prospera in Charlotte, he has shared his experience with over 250 Hispanic business owners and entrepreneurs seeking help to start, improve, or expand their business. He is a proud father of two young men and in his spare time he enjoys participating in open water swimming races, trail running, and photography. He is happy to call the Queen City his new home.