Victoria joined the IEE in 2015 as a consultant with the Pitt SBDC, helping guide local businesses and entrepreneurs in Washington, Greene, and Allegheny Counties. Her work’s primary focus was on strategic planning and financial feasibility, work that has resulted in helping businesses raise over $2,000,000 in capital and support over 300 jobs annually. She has championed community-based initiatives, such as Small Business Saturday, and assisted in the development of educational programming like the creation of specialized programming for businesses based on local economic trends. She has worked tirelessly to help business owners navigate COVID-19 closures, apply for financial assistance, and manage workforce issues.

Her most recent role with the Pitt SBDC was as Manager of the Emerging Enterprise Program, an initiative in which she led a team of student consultants assisting local entrepreneurs and small businesses with strategic planning and consulting services. Now as PantherlabWorks Director, Victoria harnesses her management consulting experience to lead the IEE’s center focused on product development and commercialization. Prior to joining the SBDC, she worked at Penn Commercial Business/Technical school in financial aid, career services, and in its education department. While there, she developed curricula for technical skills majors that is still being used.

Victoria was the youngest recipient of the Young Athena Leadership Award presented by Power of Southpointe in 2018. In her spare time, Victoria is involved with charities and organizations focused on tourism, education, and business development.

Education

Bachelor of Arts in History and Political Science, Grove City College

As Technical Management Consultant for PantherlabWorks, Kim primarily works with entrepreneurs on product development and commercialization initiatives. She also assists clients with business planning, branding, strategy and fundraising preparation.

Prior to her work as a consultant, Kim founded the natural skincare company, Rooted Beauty, which was acquired by Seventh Generation. After the acquisition, Kim joined Seventh Generation as a Brand Manager, continuing to manage Rooted Beauty until it was acquired by Unilever. Through Rooted Beauty’s giveback program, hundreds of women have received vocational training and have been able to escape extreme poverty.

Kim continues to equip women to overcome extreme poverty through her involvement on the Harvest Bridge board. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, writing and playing tennis.

Education

Grove City College, B.S. Entrepreneurship

Janice Crile is a Technical Management Consultant with PantherlabWorks leading makers and creators to realize their dream through product development and commercialization. Janice uses her expertise in marketing and eCommerce to educate entrepreneurs on their journey.

Janice led the Pennsylvania Digital Transformation & eCommerce program through Temple University Small Business Development Center. As Program Manager, Janice successfully helped  over 500 small businesses become eCommerce ready through website development, social media marketing and digital marketing initiatives. Janice and her team assisted clients throughout the PASBDC network. Janice gained her love of working with the small business community as a consultant with the Pitt SBDC.

Prior to her work as a small business advocate and consultant, Janice was the Director of the MBA Program at Waynesburg University and part of the faculty where she successfully helped hundreds of graduate students realize their goals. Earlier in her career, she worked at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette in the Advertising division leading a team of sales professionals.

Education

Masters Certificate in Integrated Marketing Communications, West Virginia University

Master of Business Administration, Waynesburg University

Bachelor of Science in Journalism, West Virginia University