A network of expertise and support.
The Capital Region Small Business Development Center is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration and supported by America’s SBDC, Virginia SBDC, and George Mason University.
Thanks to our host, Virginia Community Capital, we are able to provide education, consulting, and economic research to support potential and existing small business owners throughout the Richmond area.
Meet the Team
Ryann Lofchie
Director
Ryann Lofchie has built a career around an unwavering belief in human potential. For the past 12 years, Ryann served as CEO of The Frontier Project, a boutique consultancy that partners with Fortune 500 clients on culture transformation and leadership development. Under her leadership, Frontier was honored as one of Inc 5000’s Fastest Growing Companies, Outside Magazine’s Best Places to Work, and Ryann herself was awarded NAWBO’s Entrepreneur of the Year.
Ryann has a BA in Psychology from the University of Illinois, a Master’s Degree in Human Resources and Industrial Relations from the University of Illinois, and a MBA from the University of Richmond.
Rodney Williams
Assistant Director
Originally from Richmond, VA, Rodney grew up in a family of entrepreneurs. In 2017, he graduated from Drexel University with a bachelor’s degree in entrepreneurial studies. Rodney also played basketball at Drexel and received multiple awards for his athletic talents. After graduation, he left to play professional basketball in Europe. He played in Israel, Spain, France, and Sweden, and he received his MBA online from UMD Global Campus during those years.
Upon returning to Richmond, Rodney has been supporting his family’s small business (Lady Sharon’s Soul Food Kitchen – yes, you should hunt it down and try it!) in the areas of marketing, operations, and strategy, and has been instrumental in its successful pivot in response to the impact of COVID-19.
Tatiane Pena
Program Manager
Before her full-time employment at the Capital Region VA SBDC, Tatiane (Tati) Pena worked as a social media and operational consultant for the center as it was finding its footing. Prior to this, she spent a couple of years in management consulting and over a decade in the hospitality industry.
Tati attended Virginia Commonwealth University where she studied English with a focus on 16th and 17th-century Paleography; namely the works of Elenora Wyatt Finch and John Donne. In her free time, Tati prioritizes pouring back into the city that raised her by way of civic engagement. She is a lover of stories, people, food, and her dog. Ultimately, she highly values connection and strives to center both joy and care in all that she does.
Our Partners
From non-profits to public entities to private companies, the Capital Region SBDC is coming back to the Richmond region due to the generous support of the wider community. We are so grateful to the following partners:
Now Hiring
Assistant Director for the Capital Region Small Business Development Center at VCC