Meet the SCCF Programs Team! This team of entrepreneur supporters is responsible for all of SCCF’s programs, events, and workshops. Whether you’re attending the Shenandoah Valley Entrepreneurship Summit (tickets are still available!) next week or connecting with other entrepreneurs at Entrepreneurs Off the Clock, these are the people who make it happen. If you're interested in participating in an SCCF program, have questions, or want to join our mentor network, reach out to Katie Overfield-Zook, or Angela Piscitelli. To learn more about this amazing team, we asked them a few questions about their work as entrepreneurial ecosystem builders!
What is your role at SCCF?
Katie: I am an Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Builder, which means I help connect entrepreneurs across the Shenandoah Valley with each other, resources, mentors, or other support programs that they need to succeed! I also am in charge of all our programs: Startup Shenandoah Valley, Business Bootcamp, our Mentor Network, various meetups, and Techstars Startup Weekends. People should come talk to me if they have questions about a certain program, or if they have a question about where or how they should plug into the ecosystem!
Angela: I am a Program Manager at SCCF helping Entrepreneurs navigate through our accelerator programs like Startup Shenandoah Valley and Business Bootcamp. You can come talk to me if you are interested in participating in any of our programs or workshops.
Randle: I am an Event Coordinator Intern, assisting in the project management process through the execution of various programs, such as our TechStars Startup Weekend Staunton or our inaugural Shenandoah Valley Entrepreneurship Summit.
Pictured from left to right: Katie Overfield-Zook, Angela Piscitelli, Randle Green
What was your journey to SCCF?
Katie: I have two degrees in Viola Performance from the University of Michigan - not the most common degree for someone who is working in the entrepreneurial space! I started my own business in 2012 when I moved to the Shenandoah Valley and realized that if I wanted to work as a classical musician, I was going to need to create my own work. This got me super excited about arts entrepreneurship and entrepreneurship education. I previously worked as the Assistant Director of the Gilliam Center for Entrepreneurship at JMU for several years before moving my focus from a single campus to entrepreneurs across the Shenandoah Valley!
Angela: I have a degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Management and a minor in Accounting. I spent 8 years in warehouse management while navigating through my college career. I participated in an internship in DC a few years back with the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship, teaching high school students in underserved communities about entrepreneurship and connecting them with resources to grow their businesses. Last year, I was presented with the opportunity to jump back into the world of ecosystem development through a program called Lead for America / AmeriCorps which connected me with SCCF in November.
Randle: I am currently pursuing a degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Management and a minor in Spanish; at Mary Baldwin University. My focus on entrepreneurship and leadership brought me to SCCF through a Women’s Leadership Symposium. I found myself wanting to strengthen my skills as an event coordinator and business professional, so I inquired about an internship here at SCCF.
What’s your favorite part about working at SCCF?
Katie: I love connecting with and learning from entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurs have such incredible drive, creativity, and vision! If I’m able to help them move their business forward, I know I’ve had a great day at work!
Angela: I love that as an organization we are able to be bridge builders in the Shenandoah Valley. Listening to our Entrepreneurs' needs and finding ways to help or accommodate them. Watching them learn and grow brings a sense of joy and purpose into our work.
Randle: I love that our organization is intrinsically motivated to connect, inspire, and positively impact the lives of entrepreneurs in the Shenandoah Valley. Knowing that I am a part of an organization that believes and works hard for the advancement of entrepreneurs in the Shenandoah Valley; I am grateful to be in this space.
What’s your favorite thing about the Shenandoah Valley?
Katie: I adore spring in the Shenandoah Valley. While VA can never live up to the Vermont falls I grew up with, springs here are just the best. The flowering trees make me so happy - good thing I don’t have allergies.
Angela: Point of View Alpacas in Mt. Sidney! They offer walking tours with the alpacas through their beautiful lavender fields down to the riverfront. It’s such an incredible experience, and the owners are very knowledgeable and professional.
Randle: Although a little biased, my favorite place in the Shenandoah Valley is Mary Baldwin’s hills. The foliage and radiant sun beaming over the hills of Mary Baldwin stun me every year knowingly.
Tell us a random fun fact about you.
Katie: My siblings and I all have two L’s in our middle names (Phillip, Ellen, and Lynnley) because my mom had two L’s as initials in her maiden name. Now all of our firstborn kids have two L’s in their first name!
Angela: I was a white water rafting guide in PA for a few years and still kayak often.
Randle: I have performed with a regional theater in a production of “Beauty and the Beast,” as a dance captain/ensemble member and had a paying gig as an actor at the age of 17.
What makes you an entrepreneur?
Katie: I’m the founder, owner, and manager of The Bloom Trio and Event Musicians, LLC a network of professional string players available across Virginia. We elevate your special events with live music in a wide array of styles - from Back to Beyonce, fiddle tunes to film music - we’ve music to fit every taste and package to fit every budget.
Angela: I spent a few years before the pandemic making homemade soaps and crafts that I sold at fairs and craft shows in rotation while I lived in Pennsylvania. All craft shows halted to a stop when Covid began so I put most of those things to the side. I am currently working on building a business called Scriba, which is a mobile notary service that I hope to have up and running shortly.
Randle: For a moment in time I started my own business in the realm of Financial Literacy, teaching and mentoring under-represented minorities on how to invest in the Foreign Exchange market to secure passive income. I spent two years during the pandemic working with over 30 plus individuals developing trading plans, strategizing trading strategies, and also doing private calls.
If you have any questions about our programs or events, check out our Business Support or our Events calendar on our website. You can also reach out to Katie or Angela at any time. Hear about why our team loves working with entrepreneurs on Instagram.