Tom Tom Festival 2025: Full Schedule

8:00am EDT

Civic Futures Track

Wednesday April 16, 2025 8:00am - 8:15am EDT

240 W Main St, Charlottesville, VA 22902

What is the Big Vision for our community? Join a multi-sector gathering designed to ignite visionary thinking and inclusive regional storytelling.

This full-day event unites changemakers from diverse sectors—private industry, government, philanthropy, academia, and institutions—into a dynamic, creative space. Through interactive dialogue we’ll explore: What could our region be known for? And What coalitions and partnerships are essential to getting us there?

Together, we’ll co-create a roadmap for the region’s identity and growth, paving the way for meaningful action.

Themes:

Democracy 2026 - As Charlottesville and the nation approach the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, we have a unique opportunity to reflect on the evolving promise of democracy in one of the cradles of the American story.
The Innovation Economy - What if Charlottesville were known as an innovation destination? This theme explores the intersection of technology, workforce development, and investment, highlighting an economy that fosters bold ideas and shared opportunity.
Big Vision & Regional Storytelling - A region’s identity is shaped by the stories it tells to others, and to itself. How can we craft a narrative that authentically represents our community’s past and present, while inspiring collaboration toward a vibrant future.
Coalitions and Collaboration - Transformative change doesn’t happen in silos—it requires trust, friendship, and deep collaboration across sectors, institutions, and communities. How can we build action-oriented coalitions that tackle our biggest challenges?

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Note: This Conference session is ticketed.

Please purchase your tickets on Eventbrite. You will then receive an email from Sched with login information that allows you to make your personal schedule.

************

A special thank you to our sponsors: The 13th Annual Tom Tom Festival is presented with the University of Virginia, UVA Innovates, Virginia Tourism, RL Beyer Custom Homes, and Ludwig Kuttner.

Speakers

Paul Beyer

Executive Director, Tom Tom Foundation

My professional interests and passions are around community building; with a specific focus on my hometown of Charlottesville, VA. I love the instigators, entrepreneurs, artists, activists, and healers who are filled with civic purpose and desire to create communities of friendship... Read More →

Kate Byrne

Podcast Host, WomenAdvancing, Founder/Advisor

Kate Byrne grows things; people, businesses, movements. Her career marries her love of media, the power of technology, financial literacy and the impact of heart in people and business as forces for good. The Stanford grad is a trusted voice and cross-sector translator, a gifted rainmaker... Read More →

Ash Hanson

Creative Executive Officer (CEO), Department of Public Transformation

Ash Hanson (she/her) has over 20 years of experience working with rural communities to activate stories, connect neighbors, and exercise collective imagination. She is the Founder and Creative Executive Officer (CEO) of Department of Public Transformation, a nonprofit working at the... Read More →

Brian Pinkston

Vice Mayor, City of Charlottesville

Political Goals/Priority IssuesFor Charlottesville to embrace the Common Good. The Common Good is more than just streetlights and bridges, important as those are. It’s everything needed for our community to prosper. It’s the myriad ways we are connected. It’s knowing that what... Read More →

Cameron Hardesty

Founder & CEO, Poppy

Cameron's path to Poppy actually started in the basement of The White House. She had a great job, but was longing for more creativity in her life and so she started volunteering in The White House Flower Shop, learning floral design from Chief Floral Designer, Laura Dowling.Igniting... Read More →

Chris Meyer

Board Chair, Cville Renewable Energy Alliance

Meyer is a seasoned executive with more than 20 years' experience of making an impact in the climate and energy sectors. He currently develops battery energy storage systems (BESS) projects for East Point Energy. With his teammates, he has secured discretionary permits for a number... Read More →

David Deaton

Co-Founder, MindSalt, Inc

David Deaton, co-leader of MindSalt, has been leading transformation for organizations of all types, sizes, and industries for nearly three decades. He has extensive expertise in strategic planning, operational and financial analysis, market research, and effective execution. David... Read More →

Evan Weissman

Founding Director, Warm Cookies of the Revolution

Evan is the founding executive director of Warm Cookies of the Revolution, a civic health club that blends innovative arts and culture with crucial civic issues. Prior to founding Warm Cookies of the Revolution, he spent 12 years as a company member of the collaborative Buntport Theater... Read More →

James Garrett

CEO, Luna Labs USA

Dr. James Garrett is the CEO of Luna Labs, a product development company solving complex challenges in the defense, industrial, and healthcare markets. With a PhD from Penn State and an MBA from William & Mary, he has built a career at the intersection of technology, business strategy... Read More →

Jane Kamensky

President & CEO, Monticello

Jane Kamensky is President and CEO of Monticello/The Thomas Jefferson Foundation. A leading historian of early America and the United States, she earned her BA (1985) and PhD (1993) in history from Yale University. For thirty years, she worked as a professor and higher education leader... Read More →

Jayme Swain

President and CEO, VPM

Jayme Swain is President and CEO of VPM, Virginia’s home for public media, and the Virginia Foundation for Public Media.At a transformational time for the organization, Swain oversees VPM, a network of PBS and NPR stations across Central Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley that connects... Read More →

Jeff Richardson

County Executive, Albemarle County

Jeff has 31 years of local government experience in Virginia and North Carolina, including 21 years in senior management, and 6 years as Albemarle County Executive. Jeff serves on the Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport Authority, the Water & Sewer Authority, among other Boards. Jeff... Read More →

Jim Ryan

President, UVA

James E. Ryan serves as the ninth president of the University of Virginia.Since starting in August 2018, Ryan, working with dedicated colleagues across Grounds, has helped craft and secure approval of a new strategic plan for the University; secured funding and approval for a new... Read More →

John Elder

Founder & Chair, Elder Research

John Elder founded the world’s most experienced data science company, Elder Research, 30 years ago. (Now ~180 people with offices in VA, MD, DC, and NC.) His teams solve tough challenges to, for example, detect fraud, find insider threats, discover a drug, time markets, predict... Read More →

Mayor Juandiego Wade

Mayor, City of Charlottesville

Education:University of Virginia, Master of Urban and Environmental Planning in 1990Norfolk State University, Bachelor of Arts in Urban Planning, 1988--------------Father- to a wonderful daughter- Gabriella Ruby Lee WadeHusband of 30 years- to a beautiful wife- Claudette Theresa GrantJuandiego... Read More →

LF Payne

Board of Visitors, University of Virginia

Payne has served as President of FMC since June 2022. Before that, he served on the FMC Board of Directors in various capacities, including as President-Elect and as Chairman of the Audit Committee. He is President of Three Ridges Group, a real estate development company in Charlottesville... Read More →

Mariane Doyle

Executive Director/CEO, Center for Nonprofit Excellence

Mariane Asad Doyle is the Executive Director/CEO of Virginia’s Center for Nonprofit Excellence (CNE). She has been a leader in nonprofits, education, and for-profit businesses for 30 years and she is passionate about community impact, cross-sector collaboration, and systems-thinking... Read More →

Matthew Peterson

Executive Director, John & Janice Wyatt Foundation

Matt currently serves as the executive director of the John & Janice Wyatt Foundation (J2W). J2W is a grantmaking, private operating family foundation focused on improving early childhood outcomes for communities in need. Prior to J2W, Matt was the executive director for Blue Ridge... Read More →

Melody Barnes

Executive Director, UVA Karsh Institute of Democracy

As the founding executive director of the University of Virginia’s Karsh Institute of Democracy, Melody Barnes guides the organization on an action-oriented path to realizing democracy in both principle and practice.Barnes is a dedicated public servant with more than 25 years of... Read More →

Michael Lenox

UVA Innovates, University of Virginia

Mike Lenox is the Tayloe Murphy Professor of Business at the University of Virginia. He serves as a Special Advisor to the Provost leading the UVA pan-university entrepreneurship initiative. He also serves as a Senior Faculty Fellow for the UVA Miller Center and a Professor of Public... Read More →

Mike Chinn

Partner, Endicott Capital

Mike is a partner at Endicott Capital, a private equity fund that invests in the information services sector. Prior to Endicott, Mike spent his career building Charlottesville-based SNL Financial, a financial data company that grew to over 3,000 employees, and then joined S&P Global... Read More →

Nikki Hastings

Executive Director, CvilleBioHub

Nikki Hastings is an operations biotech executive and entrepreneurial ecosystem builder with over 15 years of experience with early-stage biotech/medtech and medical device companies. She has held executive management roles at companies across multiple industry sectors including HemoShear... Read More →

Payam Pourtaheri

CEO, AgroSpheres

Payam started AgroSpheres in 2016. As Cofounder and CEO, he leads business development and manages AgroSpheres’ day-to-day operations. He also leads the regulatory and intellectual property strategies for the company. He is on the board of CvilleBioHub, VA Bio, and Venture Cent... Read More →

Ravi Respeto

President & CEO, United Way of Greater Charlottesville

Ravi Respeto joined United Way of Greater of Charlottesville in July 2018 as President and CEO. Her career in nonprofit leadership started as Campaign Manager for Charlottesville Waldorf School with a $3 million-dollar campaign to build an environmentally sustainable school. Her commitment... Read More →

Rebecca Haydock

CEO, Venture Central

Rebecca Haydock is CEO of Venture Central, board member of Charlottesville Angel Network, and continues to be an owner and advisor in expanding businesses. She is an entrepreneur, facilitator, educator, convener and ecosystem strategist and accelerator. Her work in Virginia accomplishes... Read More →

Richard Young

Executive Director, CivicLex

Richard lives in Lexington-Fayette County, Kentucky, and has worked on civic health and community development in Kentucky for over a decade. He is the Founder and Executive Director of CivicLex, a nonprofit organization that builds civic knowledge and capacity for residents, stitches... Read More →

Sam Sanders

City Manager, City of Charlottesville

Samuel Sanders, Jr. serves as the City Manager for the City of Charlottesville. He was unanimously appointed to serve in July 2023 after serving two years as the Deputy City Manager for Operations. As the DCM, he had direct oversight of Neighborhood Development Services, Parks and... Read More →

Sarad Davenport

Founder, DSID/Vinegar Hill Magazine

Sarad Davenport is a seasoned human-centered designer and social innovator dedicated to creating positive change. With expertise in community development and cross-sector partnerships, he has led initiatives like the Charlottesville Promise Neighborhood and contributed to national... Read More →

Scott Magargee

CEO & Co-Founder, Springbok Analytics

Scott Magargee is the CEO and a co-founder of Springbok Analytics, overseeing all aspects of the business since joining the company in January 2020. Prior to Springbok, he worked in a number of early-stage ventures in the health tech space, where he led business development and commercialization... Read More →

Sherry Gray

Assistant Controller, Buildertrend

Sherry Gray is the Assistant Controller at Buildertrend Solutions Inc., a leading cloud-based project management platform serving custom home builders and remodelers. Her career journey began in the call center, automotive, and postal industries, where she gained 14 years of diverse... Read More →

Tobias Dengel

President, WillowTree, a TELUS Digital Company

Tobias Dengel is the President of TELUS Digital Solutions & WillowTree, a TELUS Digital Company. TELUS Digital designs, builds and delivers innovative solutions to enhance the customer experience (CX) for brands. The company’s services support the full lifecycle of clients' digital... Read More →

Travis Staton

Founding Member, President and CEO, EO Companies

Travis Staton is a Founding Member, President, and CEO of EO Companies (EO), a Virginia-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in January 2024 to enhance economic opportunities in some of Virginia's most challenged communities.Recently, Travis spearheaded a $26.5 million public/private... Read More →

Wendy Horton

CEO, UVA Health University Medical Center

Wendy Horton is the CEO of UVA Health University Medical Center. She brings extensive executive experience from nationally recognized academic medical centers. As a passionate advocate for healthcare quality and care redesign, Wendy leverages optimized care processes and new technology... Read More →

Sponsors

African American Teaching Fellows

Charlottesville Business Innovation Council

City Charlottesville Office of Economic Development

City of Promise

Code Building

CODEBase

Common House

CVille Weekly

Friends of Charlottesville Downtown

Grit Coffee

R.L.Beyer Custom Homes

United Way of Greater Charlottesville

UVA Innovates

The Entrepreneurship Initiative will coordinate and amplify entrepreneurship activities across UVA.

Vault Virginia

Vault Virginia is a membership-based workspace and social club for creators, innovators and thought-leaders. Our carefully designed office, coworking, gallery, and event spaces inspire creativity, cultivate curiosity, and promote connection.

Venture Central

Wednesday April 16, 2025 8:00am - 8:15am EDT
CODE Building

Conference: Civic Futures

Cost Ticketed

8:00am EDT

Civic Futures | Implementer Coffee & Connect (By Invitation)

Wednesday April 16, 2025 8:00am - 8:45am EDT

206 W Market St, Charlottesville, VA 22902

This morning session is by invitation for leaders who are actively implementing strategic plans for the region.

This session will create a point of consensus before the day begins, share the thesis of the Civic Futures conference, and invite engagement throughout the day, preparing for the capstone session when attendees share their reflections and feedback on the take-aways.

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Note: This Conference session is by invitation only.

************

A special thank you to our sponsors: The 13th Annual Tom Tom Festival is presented with the University of Virginia, UVA Innovates, Virginia Tourism, RL Beyer Custom Homes, and Ludwig Kuttner.

Speakers

David Deaton

Co-Founder, MindSalt, Inc

Sponsors

CVille Weekly

Friends of Charlottesville Downtown

United Way of Greater Charlottesville

UVA Innovates

The Entrepreneurship Initiative will coordinate and amplify entrepreneurship activities across UVA.

Wednesday April 16, 2025 8:00am - 8:45am EDT
Common House North Room

Conference: Civic Futures

Cost Ticketed

8:00am EDT

Civic Futures| Registration and Coffee

Wednesday April 16, 2025 8:00am - 4:45pm EDT

240 W Main St, Charlottesville, VA 22902

Registration and badge pickup takes place in the lobby of the Code Building.

Complimentary coffee and tea provided by Grit Coffee in the Irving Theater lobby at Code.

********

Note: This Conference session is ticketed.

Please purchase your tickets on Eventbrite. You will then receive an email from Sched with login information that allows you to make your personal schedule.

************

A special thank you to our sponsors: The 13th Annual Tom Tom Festival is presented with the University of Virginia, UVA Innovates, Virginia Tourism, RL Beyer Custom Homes, and Ludwig Kuttner.

Sponsors

Code Building

CVille Weekly

Friends of Charlottesville Downtown

Grit Coffee

United Way of Greater Charlottesville

UVA Innovates

The Entrepreneurship Initiative will coordinate and amplify entrepreneurship activities across UVA.

Wednesday April 16, 2025 8:00am - 4:45pm EDT
CODE Building

Conference: Civic Futures

Cost Ticketed

9:00am EDT

Civic Futures | Welcome

Wednesday April 16, 2025 9:00am - 9:10am EDT

240 W Main St, Charlottesville, VA 22902

The EVOLVE Conference launches with a day-long exploration of how we build the relational capital and community cohesion, to envision and shape the future of our hometown. CIVIC FUTURES is a pioneering multi-sector gathering designed to inspire bold regional storytelling rooted in inclusion, creativity, and innovation.

This full-day event unites changemakers from diverse sectors—private industry, government, philanthropy, academia, and institutions—into a dynamic, creative space. Through interactive dialogue we’ll explore: What could our region be known for? And What coalitions and partnerships are essential to getting us there?

Together, we’ll co-create a roadmap for the region’s identity and growth, paving the way for meaningful action.

********

Note: This Conference session is ticketed.

Please purchase your tickets on Eventbrite. You will then receive an email from Sched with login information that allows you to make your personal schedule.

************

A special thank you to our sponsors: The 13th Annual Tom Tom Festival is presented with the University of Virginia, UVA Innovates, Virginia Tourism, RL Beyer Custom Homes, and Ludwig Kuttner.

Speakers

Ravi Respeto

President & CEO, United Way of Greater Charlottesville

Michael Lenox

UVA Innovates, University of Virginia

Paul Beyer

Executive Director, Tom Tom Foundation

Sponsors

Code Building

CVille Weekly

Friends of Charlottesville Downtown

United Way of Greater Charlottesville

UVA Innovates

The Entrepreneurship Initiative will coordinate and amplify entrepreneurship activities across UVA.

Wednesday April 16, 2025 9:00am - 9:10am EDT
CODE Building

Conference: Civic Futures

Cost Ticketed

9:10am EDT

Civic Futures | Reflecting on the Past, Imagining the Future: American Democracy at 250

Wednesday April 16, 2025 9:10am - 10:00am EDT

240 W Main St, Charlottesville, VA 22902

As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, this conversation explores the foundations of American democracy and the work of building a more representative future. Through reflections on Monticello’s unique local role and the Karsh Institute’s broader national lens, this dialogue invites us to consider how the lessons of our past can shape the next 250 years of American democracy.

********

Note: This Conference session is ticketed.

Please purchase your tickets on Eventbrite. You will then receive an email from Sched with login information that allows you to make your personal schedule.

************

A special thank you to our sponsors: The 13th Annual Tom Tom Festival is presented with the University of Virginia, UVA Innovates, Virginia Tourism, RL Beyer Custom Homes, and Ludwig Kuttner.

Speakers

Jane Kamensky

President & CEO, Monticello

Melody Barnes

Executive Director, UVA Karsh Institute of Democracy

Sponsors

CVille Weekly

Friends of Charlottesville Downtown

United Way of Greater Charlottesville

UVA Innovates

The Entrepreneurship Initiative will coordinate and amplify entrepreneurship activities across UVA.

Wednesday April 16, 2025 9:10am - 10:00am EDT
CODE Building

Conference: Civic Futures

Cost Ticketed

10:15am EDT

Civic Futures | The Innovation Economy: A Coalitional Model for Building the Region’s Future

Wednesday April 16, 2025 10:15am - 11:15am EDT

240 W Main St, Charlottesville, VA 22902

How can collaboration between the City of Charlottesville, Albemarle County, and UVA position our region as a premier destination for innovation?

This discussion will explore the critical intersections of technology, research, workforce development, and investment that drive sustainable growth. From major municipal projects like the North Fork Discovery Park and a new Biotech Accelerator to UVA’s launch of UVA Innovates—a university-wide initiative to accelerate research and entrepreneurship—leaders will share strategies for cultivating an innovation ecosystem that fuels both startups and established industries. And as we look to the future, how can we ensure that bold ideas, creative risk-taking, and economic opportunity benefits the entire community?

********

Note: This Conference session is ticketed.

Please purchase your tickets on Eventbrite. You will then receive an email from Sched with login information that allows you to make your personal schedule.

************

A special thank you to our sponsors: The 13th Annual Tom Tom Festival is presented with the University of Virginia, UVA Innovates, Virginia Tourism, RL Beyer Custom Homes, and Ludwig Kuttner.

Speakers

Jeff Richardson

County Executive, Albemarle County

Jim Ryan

President, UVA

LF Payne

Board of Visitors, University of Virginia

Sam Sanders

City Manager, City of Charlottesville

Sponsors

CVille Weekly

Friends of Charlottesville Downtown

United Way of Greater Charlottesville

UVA Innovates

The Entrepreneurship Initiative will coordinate and amplify entrepreneurship activities across UVA.

Wednesday April 16, 2025 10:15am - 11:15am EDT
CODE Building

Conference: Civic Futures

Cost Ticketed

10:15am EDT

Civic Futures | Education Innovator Summit: Bringing a Community Schools Mindset to Charlottesville

Wednesday April 16, 2025 10:15am - 12:15pm EDT

300 E Main St, Charlottesville, VA 22902

Co-Hosted with City of Promise and African American Teaching Fellows (AATF)

This Session is by invitation only

Education Innovators Summit: What would a “Community School” mindset mean for Charlottesville?
The Education Innovation forum brings together diverse stakeholders to discuss how we leverage a Community School model to address noted and growing educational disparities between minority and under-resourced students and their peers in Charlottesville and Albemarle.

Nationally, Community Schools are public schools that provide services and support that fit each neighborhood’s needs. They are created and run by the people who know our children best—all working together. A Community Schools mindset speaks to a mentality of building coalitions and collaboration between all the diverse organizations caring for our kids inside and and outside of the school building.

This forum poses the question: what would Community Schools look like in Charlottesville? The multidisciplinary gathering brings together community stakeholders and local, mission-aligned organizations representing key social service agencies, government agencies, philanthropic institutions, community members, and research institutes with a stake in addressing poverty and educational engagement of children and families in Charlottesville.

Read more: https://www.tomtomfoundation.org/post/education-innovator-forum-at-civic-futures

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Note: This conference session is by Invitation Only

Speakers

Tamara Dias

Executive Director, African American Teaching Fellows

Dr. Tamara Wilkerson Dias is a recognized author, speaker, executive coach, and nonprofit consultant committed to building strong, sustainable organizations that center equity and impact. She currently serves as the Executive Director of the African American Teaching Fellows, a grassroots... Read More →

Price Thomas

Executive Director, City of Promise

Price A. Thomas is the Executive Director of City of Promise, leading the nonprofit since May 2023. Born and raised in Charlottesville, he brings extensive experience as a communications expert and campaign strategist in addition to his deep knowledge of the Charlottesville community... Read More →

Sponsors

African American Teaching Fellows

City of Promise

CVille Weekly

Friends of Charlottesville Downtown

United Way of Greater Charlottesville

UVA Innovates

The Entrepreneurship Initiative will coordinate and amplify entrepreneurship activities across UVA.

Wednesday April 16, 2025 10:15am - 12:15pm EDT
Vault Virginia

Conference: Civic Futures

Cost Ticketed

11:30am EDT

Civic Futures | Building Stronger Communities Through Partnership: A Conversation with Charlottesville Mayor Juandiego Wade, and Wendy Horton of UVA Health Medical Center

Wednesday April 16, 2025 11:30am - 12:30pm EDT

206 W Market St, Charlottesville, VA 22902

This session is proudly presented in partnership with the United Way of Greater Charlottesville.

Join an engaging fireside chat on the power of community partnerships that explores how collaboration between local government, healthcare, and community organizations can drive meaningful change, improve public well-being, and create a more connected and resilient community.

UVA Health has in recent years developed programs such as “Earn-While-You-Learn” that aspire to create job pathways that expand economic opportunity into neighborhoods and communities in Charlottesville and the broader region. From innovative health initiatives to shared solutions for social challenges, this discussion will highlight the impact of working together to shape a healthier future for all.

********

Note: This Conference session is ticketed.

Please purchase your tickets on Eventbrite. You will then receive an email from Sched with login information that allows you to make your personal schedule.

************

A special thank you to our sponsors: The 13th Annual Tom Tom Festival is presented with the University of Virginia, UVA Innovates, Virginia Tourism, RL Beyer Custom Homes, and Ludwig Kuttner.

Speakers

Mayor Juandiego Wade

Mayor, City of Charlottesville

Wendy Horton

CEO, UVA Health University Medical Center

Sponsors

CVille Weekly

Friends of Charlottesville Downtown

United Way of Greater Charlottesville

UVA Innovates

The Entrepreneurship Initiative will coordinate and amplify entrepreneurship activities across UVA.

Wednesday April 16, 2025 11:30am - 12:30pm EDT
Common House North Room

Conference: Civic Futures

Cost Ticketed

11:30am EDT

Civic Futures | Charlottesville’s Narrative: Who Shapes Our Story?

Wednesday April 16, 2025 11:30am - 12:30pm EDT

240 W Main St, Charlottesville, VA 22902

This session is presented proudly in partnership with the Charlottesville Office of Economic Development.

As Charlottesville again takes the national stage ahead of the 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, how can the region define and amplify a brand of inclusive innovation? This panel will explore the evolving narrative of Charlottesville—who tells its story, how it is perceived both locally and nationally, and what opportunities lie ahead. This conversation will examine how media, technology, and community voices can shape an identity that reflects both Charlottesville’s complex history and its bold vision for the future.

Featuring Tobias Dengel (WillowTree), Sarad Davenport (Vinegar Hill Magazine), and Jayme Swain (Virginia PBS), with moderation by Michael Lenox (UVA Innovates), the conversation will feature leading private sector innovators, national media experts, and local voices who have shaped the media and social sector landscapes.

********

Note: This Conference session is ticketed.

Please purchase your tickets on Eventbrite. You will then receive an email from Sched with login information that allows you to make your personal schedule.

************

A special thank you to our sponsors: The 13th Annual Tom Tom Festival is presented with the University of Virginia, UVA Innovates, Virginia Tourism, RL Beyer Custom Homes, and Ludwig Kuttner.

Speakers

Jayme Swain

President and CEO, VPM

Michael Lenox

UVA Innovates, University of Virginia

Sarad Davenport

Founder, DSID/Vinegar Hill Magazine

Tobias Dengel

President, WillowTree, a TELUS Digital Company

Sponsors

City Charlottesville Office of Economic Development

CVille Weekly

Friends of Charlottesville Downtown

United Way of Greater Charlottesville

UVA Innovates

The Entrepreneurship Initiative will coordinate and amplify entrepreneurship activities across UVA.

Wednesday April 16, 2025 11:30am - 12:30pm EDT
CODE Building

Conference: Civic Futures

Cost Ticketed

12:30pm EDT

Civic Futures | Lunch

Wednesday April 16, 2025 12:30pm - 1:00pm EDT

240 W Main St, Charlottesville, VA 22902

This session is presented proudly in partnership with the United Way of Greater Charlottesville.

Lunch will be served from 12:30pm - 1:00pm, with the conversation starting at 1:00PM

********

Note: This Conference session is ticketed.

Please purchase your tickets on Eventbrite. You will then receive an email from Sched with login information that allows you to make your personal schedule.

************

A special thank you to our sponsors: The 13th Annual Tom Tom Festival is presented with the University of Virginia, UVA Innovates, Virginia Tourism, RL Beyer Custom Homes, and Ludwig Kuttner.

Sponsors

CVille Weekly

Friends of Charlottesville Downtown

United Way of Greater Charlottesville

UVA Innovates

The Entrepreneurship Initiative will coordinate and amplify entrepreneurship activities across UVA.

Wednesday April 16, 2025 12:30pm - 1:00pm EDT
CODE Building

Conference: Civic Futures

Cost Ticketed

12:30pm EDT

Civic Futures | The Future of Philanthropy: A New Coalition Model for Change

Wednesday April 16, 2025 12:30pm - 2:00pm EDT

240 W Main St, Charlottesville, VA 22902

This session is presented proudly in partnership with the United Way of Greater Charlottesville.

Join us for a ground-breaking discussion about how coalition-building and cross-sector partnership can create community change. The panel will explore project highlights and lessons learned from paradigm-shifting community efforts in early childhood education and workforce development from across the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Lunch will be served from 12:30pm - 1:00pm, with the conversation starting at 1:00PM

********

Note: This Conference session is ticketed.

Please purchase your tickets on Eventbrite. You will then receive an email from Sched with login information that allows you to make your personal schedule.

************

A special thank you to our sponsors: The 13th Annual Tom Tom Festival is presented with the University of Virginia, UVA Innovates, Virginia Tourism, RL Beyer Custom Homes, and Ludwig Kuttner.

Speakers

Travis Staton

Founding Member, President and CEO, EO Companies

Matthew Peterson

Executive Director, John & Janice Wyatt Foundation

Mike Chinn

Partner, Endicott Capital

Ravi Respeto

President & CEO, United Way of Greater Charlottesville

Sponsors

CVille Weekly

Friends of Charlottesville Downtown

United Way of Greater Charlottesville

UVA Innovates

The Entrepreneurship Initiative will coordinate and amplify entrepreneurship activities across UVA.

Wednesday April 16, 2025 12:30pm - 2:00pm EDT
CODE Building

Conference: Civic Futures

Cost Ticketed

1:00pm EDT

Civic Futures | Homegrown Innovators Roundtable – Scaling Success in Charlottesville

Wednesday April 16, 2025 1:00pm - 1:55pm EDT

206 W Market St, Charlottesville, VA 22902

This session is proudly presented in partnership with Venture Central.

What are the biggest challenges high-growth entrepreneurs face when building and keeping their businesses in Charlottesville and Albemarle? And what is this region doing well to seed and cultivate the next big thing?

This roundtable brings together local founders who are scaling cutting-edge companies in biotech, AI, advanced manufacturing, and consumer goods to discuss the opportunities and barriers of growing in our region.

Let’s dive into the real-world needs of startups, from funding and talent pipelines to infrastructure and industry support. What will it take to ensure that Charlottesville remains not just a launchpad, but a long-term home for innovation?

********

Note: This Conference session is ticketed.

Please purchase your tickets on Eventbrite. You will then receive an email from Sched with login information that allows you to make your personal schedule.

************

A special thank you to our sponsors: The 13th Annual Tom Tom Festival is presented with the University of Virginia, UVA Innovates, Virginia Tourism, RL Beyer Custom Homes, and Ludwig Kuttner.

Speakers

Cameron Hardesty

Founder & CEO, Poppy

James Garrett

CEO, Luna Labs USA

John Elder

Founder & Chair, Elder Research

Payam Pourtaheri

CEO, AgroSpheres

Rebecca Haydock

CEO, Venture Central

Scott Magargee

CEO & Co-Founder, Springbok Analytics

Sherry Gray

Assistant Controller, Buildertrend

Sponsors

CVille Weekly

Friends of Charlottesville Downtown

United Way of Greater Charlottesville

UVA Innovates

The Entrepreneurship Initiative will coordinate and amplify entrepreneurship activities across UVA.

Venture Central

Wednesday April 16, 2025 1:00pm - 1:55pm EDT
Common House North Room

Conference: Civic Futures

Cost Ticketed

2:15pm EDT

Civic Futures | What Does Multi-Sector Advocacy Look Like?

Wednesday April 16, 2025 2:15pm - 3:15pm EDT

240 W Main St, Charlottesville, VA 22902

This roundtable explores how the region’s leading private sector and nonprofit membership organizations can align their advocacy efforts to shape a shared vision for the future?

We will examine the intersections of government affairs, regional storytelling, and coalition-building to highlight how diverse sectors—business, philanthropy, and civic institutions—can collaborate to advance policies that foster inclusive growth and opportunity.

How can amplifying regional narratives and influencing decision-makers help ensure the needs and aspirations of the entire community are met.

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Note: This Conference session is ticketed. Please purchase your tickets on Eventbrite. You will then receive an email from Sched with login information that allows you to make your personal schedule.

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A special thank you to our sponsors: The 13th Annual Tom Tom Festival is presented with the University of Virginia, UVA Innovates, Virginia Tourism, RL Beyer Custom Homes, and Ludwig Kuttner.

Speakers

Chris Meyer

Board Chair, Cville Renewable Energy Alliance

Greer Achenbach

Executive Director, Friends of Cville Downtown

Greer Achenbach is Executive Director of Friends of Cville Downtown, a non-profit that supports Downtown Charlottesville with initiatives designed to create a thriving economy, lively atmosphere, and welcoming environment. Previously, Greer worked in fundraising, government and policy... Read More →

Nikki Hastings

Executive Director, CvilleBioHub

Mariane Doyle

Executive Director/CEO, Center for Nonprofit Excellence

Rebecca Ivins

Western Division Manager, Hourigan Group

Rebecca's experience in construction and real estate development spans nearly two decades, working on both the owner and construction manager side. Rebecca’s passion is construction, economic development, civic engagement, and growing business communities. Rebecca strives to forge... Read More →

Tracey Greene

Executive Director, Charlottesville Business Innovation Council & Charlottesville Angel Network

Tracey Greene, Executive Director, Charlottesville Business Innovation Council (CBIC) and Founding Executive Director, Charlottesville Angel NetworkTracey is a leading advocate for using technology and innovative entrepreneurship to foster economic and social progress. She is the... Read More →

Sponsors

Charlottesville Business Innovation Council

Cville Bio Hub

CVILLE REA

CVille Weekly

Friends of Charlottesville Downtown

United Way of Greater Charlottesville

UVA Innovates

The Entrepreneurship Initiative will coordinate and amplify entrepreneurship activities across UVA.

Wednesday April 16, 2025 2:15pm - 3:15pm EDT
CODE Building

Conference: Civic Futures

Cost Ticketed

3:30pm EDT

Civic Futures | Capstone Conversation: Bringing the Future Forward; your ideas shaping what’s next

Wednesday April 16, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm EDT

240 W Main St, Charlottesville, VA 22902

This session is proudly presented in partnership with Friends of Charlottesville.

As we wrap up a day of powerful discussions, this capstone session brings everyone together for an interactive, high-energy conversation about Charlottesville’s future. We’ll connect the dots, identify key themes, and chart actionable next steps—together.

This is your opportunity to be part of something bigger: to turn insights into impact, collaboration into momentum, and ideas into real change. Don’t just listen—lead. Join us for this critical conversation and help move Charlottesville forward!

Conversation and exercises facilitated by David Deaton of MindSalt.

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Note: This Conference session is ticketed.

Please purchase your tickets on Eventbrite. You will then receive an email from Sched with login information that allows you to make your personal schedule.

************

A special thank you to our sponsors: The 13th Annual Tom Tom Festival is presented with the University of Virginia, UVA Innovates, Virginia Tourism, RL Beyer Custom Homes, and Ludwig Kuttner.

Speakers

Paul Beyer

Executive Director, Tom Tom Foundation

Ravi Respeto

President & CEO, United Way of Greater Charlottesville

Greer Achenbach

Executive Director, Friends of Cville Downtown

David Deaton

Co-Founder, MindSalt, Inc

Sponsors

CVille Weekly

Friends of Charlottesville Downtown

United Way of Greater Charlottesville

UVA Innovates

The Entrepreneurship Initiative will coordinate and amplify entrepreneurship activities across UVA.

Wednesday April 16, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm EDT
CODE Building

Conference: Civic Futures

Cost Ticketed

8:00am EDT

Technology Track

Thursday April 17, 2025 8:00am - 8:15am EDT

240 W Main St, Charlottesville, VA 22902

Embrace evolution with technology…for good.

How can innovation continually evolve as a force for positive change? It’s not just about the latest tech trends—it’s about how we adapt, grow, and leverage technology to address society’s most pressing challenges, from climate action to social justice. As technology evolves, so must our thinking, pushing us to reimagine how tools like AI, blockchain, and renewable energy can be harnessed to create greater equity. What are the sectors providing the greatest diversity? Forward-thinking leaders, innovators, founders, and funders will gather to learn what's on the horizon and how to ensure that we are shaping a future where progress benefits everyone. And like last year, we'll be showcasing Founders from the area in our pitches and spotlights.

Speakers

Kate Byrne

Podcast Host, WomenAdvancing, Founder/Advisor

Paul Beyer

Executive Director, Tom Tom Foundation

Ahan Dalal

Founder, BrokerBotics

Ahan is a student at Albemarle High School and the Co-Founder of BrokerBotics, an AI-powered platform designed to simplify investment research and options income automation for everyday investors. They've successfully launched on Tradier, TradeStation, TastyTrade, Schwab, Robinhood... Read More →

Ali Rotatori

Strategy & Ecosystem Manager, Third Derivative (RMI)

Ali is the Strategy & Ecosystem Manager at Third Derivative, RMI's Climate Tech Accelerator. She focuses on scaling Third Derivative’s impact through developing partnerships and refining & operationalizing organizational strategy.Before joining Third Derivative, Ali spent over 6... Read More →

Amit Singh

CEO, NearStar Fusion Inc.

Amit is a successful entrepreneur who spent 25 years in the Intelligence Community (IC) before joining NearStar Fusion in 2023. Prior to the IC, Amit received his B.S. in Electrical Engineering at the University of Virginia and worked at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center developing... Read More →

Andrew Glover

Co-Owner, Realta Systems LLC

Mr. Glover grew up in Massachusetts and moved to Virginia to attend university. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and remained in the Lynchburg, Virginia area. He has over six years of experience in the nuclear industry, successfully designing, testing... Read More →

Anne Clawson

Principal, Cascade Advisory

Anne Clawson leads the policy practice at Cascade Advisory. A versatile and dynamic professional with a deep understanding of climate and natural resources policy, her experience spans corporate, trade association, and management consulting roles. With nearly two decades of experience... Read More →

Aram DiGennaro

Principal Consultant, Protentional

A lifelong learner and entrepreneur, Aram has started or managed businesses in software, agribusiness, manufacturing, construction, real estate, hospitality, and more. He holds a Bachelors in Psychology, a Masters of Divinity, and an MBA from Thunderbird School of Global Management... Read More →

Ben Hallen

Dempsey Endowed Professor, University of Washington

Ben Hallen is the Neal and Jan Dempsey Endowed Professor in Strategy and Entrepreneurship at the Foster School of Business at the University of Washington. A former entrepreneur, his research focuses on the acceleration and scaling of businesses, including through venture finance... Read More →

Betsy Hnath

Deputy Executive Director, RISE Resilience Innovations

Betsy Hnath is the Deputy Executive Director of RISE Resilience Innovations, a nonprofit that finds, funds, and scales innovative solutions to the resilience threats facing flood-prone communities. She leads strategy, operations, and engagement, drawing on more than 20 years of cross-sector... Read More →

Bettina Ring

Virginia State Director, The Nature Conservancy

Bettina currently serves as the Virginia State Director for The Nature Conservancy, where she leads an 80-member team addressing biodiversity loss and a changing climate. In this role, she cultivates relationships with donors, trustees and partners and provides leadership for fundraising... Read More →

Braden Croy

Program Director, Dominion Energy Innovation Center

Braden Croy, Program Director of the DEIC, has 10+ years of experience supporting startup communities and building entrepreneurship programs for R1 universities and Fortune 500 companies. He has presented internationally on entrepreneurship ecosystem development and coached over 500... Read More →

Brittney Boyd

CEO & Founder, Energy Equity Group LLC

Brittney Boyd is the visionary founder and CEO of the Energy Equity Group (EEG), a mission-driven social enterprise ensuring low-income communities are central to the clean energy transition. With a strong foundation in leadership, consultative sales, and community engagement, Brittney... Read More →

Charlie Henneman

Program Director, CvilleBioHub

Charlie Henneman is Program Director at CvilleBioHub where he leads event planning and supports communications and fundraising. From 2004-2021 he was Head of Educational Events for CFA Institute, the largest global association of investment professionals, where his team created and... Read More →

Claire Maiers

Consultant-Strategist-Sociologist, Independent

Claire Maiers, PhD serves as a Group VP in the Strategy Consulting practice at WillowTree. She began her career as a sociologist, studying the intersection of technology and culture. Her research at the University of Virginia explored the emergence of data science as an epistemological... Read More →

David Touve

Managing Director, 434 Accelerator

David is the Managing Director of 434, an accelerator program supporting early-stage, technology-driven companies based in and around Charlottesville, Virginia. Most recently, he was the Senior Director of the Batten Institute at the Darden School of Business, an Assistant Professor... Read More →

Derrick Brent

Former Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce for IP, Deputy Director USPTO; Former Acting Under Secretary/Director, Formerly USPTO

Derrick Brent served as the Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Deputy Director United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) from 2022-2024, and Acting Under Secretary/Acting Director USPTO from 2024-25. In those roles, he managed a wide portfolio... Read More →

Derrick Rowe

Partner, WSGR

Dr. Derrick Rowe is a partner in the Washington, D.C., office of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, where his practice focuses on patent prosecution and counseling designed to help clients protect their intellectual property rights both domestically and internationally in the life... Read More →

Emily Kilroy

Director of Economic Development, Albemarle County, VA

Emily Kilroy has more than 15 years of public service experience working in local government. She currently serves as the Director of Economic Development for Albemarle County, VA, leading a team to create opportunities for job creation, redevelopment, and enhance our community’s... Read More →

Gilman Callsen

Founder & CEO, Rho Impact

Gilman Callsen is the Founder & CEO of Rho Impact. He has nearly 20 years of experience building and scaling technology companies and has been influential in integrating data science, software engineering, and cloud infrastructure to help organizations solve the world’s most complex... Read More →

Emily Smith

Founder & CEO, Side Nerd Apps

Emily Smith is the Founder & CEO of Side Nerd Apps, a tech company dedicated to simplifying data collection through intuitive, text message-based solutions. With a background in analytics and marketing technology, Emily spent six years consulting for Fortune 500 clients at Analytic... Read More →

Heidi Nel

Chief Operating Officer, New Theory Ventures

Heidi Nel is a strategist and operator whose experience spans entertainment, government affairs, and finance. She serves as Chief Operating Officer at New Theory Ventures, a family office and venture catalyst that invests in women and diverse entrepreneurs, enabling early-stage founders... Read More →

Ian Garrett

CEO & Co-Founder, Phalanx

Ian Y. Garrett is the CEO and co-founder of Phalanx, a secure file-sharing product with document intelligence for startups and SMBs. His experience as a US Army Cyber officer and data scientist in the defense sector has provided him deep insights into cybersecurity needs within organizations... Read More →

Jackson Tufts

Founder & CEO, Manitou Research Inc.

Helping to bring Congress and the advocacy communities into the modern era. Founder & CEO of Manitou Research, building the next generation of tools for those working in and around government at the federal and state levels -- and everyone who wants to see government work more efficiently... Read More →

Jade Garrett

Founder, Positive Deviancy

Jade Garrett is passionate about supporting startups tackling climate change and has over 15 years of experience as a founder in renewable energy, rapid prototyping, and robotics. She has raised VC investment as a female founder and has helped many others raise rounds too.She established... Read More →

Jeff Pompeo

President & CEO, Caretaker Medical: Wireless Patient Monitoring

Jeff Pompeo is a serial entrepreneur, angel investor, and board/advisor with over 25 years of experience leading technology startups throughout the full life-cycle of inception & funding, product launch, and exit. He is currently CEO at Caretaker Medical, an innovative MedTech company... Read More →

Jennifer Siciliano

Chief External Affairs Officer, UVA Health

Jennifer Siciliano currently serves as Chief External Affairs Officer for UVA Health where she oversees all aspects of UVA Health's relationships with external stakeholders for the health system. Jennifer was instrumental in creating and executing the legislative strategy that led... Read More →

Jeremy Swack

Co-Founder & CTO, VerbaAI

Jeremy Swack is the Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer of VerbaAI, where he leads the technical development of AI-driven narrative intelligence solutions. His expertise lies in machine learning, natural language processing, and open-source intelligence. At VerbaAI, he has spearheaded... Read More →

Jill Heinze

Head, User Experience, Strategy & Insights, Shockoe

Jill Heinze is a digital product strategist, researcher, and business owner who has been helping organizations build human-centered products for more than 20 years. Starting her career as an academic librarian, Jill has led cross-functional teams in delivering services and software... Read More →

Joel Wilson

Chief AI Officer, Chordia

Joel Wilson is the founder and Chief AI Officer of Chordia, a startup bringing real-time conversational intelligence to customer engagement centers. Chordia helps contact center agents perform better on live calls through AI that listens, learns, and improves — without adding complexity... Read More →

Jorge Gutierrez Luthe

CEO, Better Storytelling at Work

Jorge is a strategic leader, expert communicator, and engineer by training, with experience across more than six countries. With over 15 years of experience at Google and in finance, he has developed a storytelling and public speaking methodology that transcends cultural boundaries.Passionate... Read More →

Juan Pablo Segura

Secretary of Commerce and Trade, The Commonwealth of Virginia

Juan Pablo Segura is the Secretary of Commerce and Trade for the Commonwealth of Virginia. He oversees 13 agencies with 1,300 team members and a $3B budget. Juan Pablo leads economic growth through a variety of initiatives and agencies to generate an environment that makes Virginia... Read More →

Julia Mossbridge

Founder and Board Chair, TILT: The Institute for Love and Time

Dr. Mossbridge is an American cognitive neuroscientist, author and educator who has worked mainstreaming parapsychological research, notably precognition and presentiment effects, and also studies artificial intelligence, consciousness, and how unconditional love can support wellbeing... Read More →

Leah Kyaio

CEO, RespexTech Inc

With 30 years of teaching and practicing the tools of respect, Leah Kyaio is fine-tune training AI reasoning agents to revolutionize workplace communication and culture as the CEO/Co-Founder of RespexTech Inc. Native by heritage and worldview, she believes that respect is the most... Read More →

Leland Remias

CEO, VroomBrick

Leland Remias is the founder of VroomBrick, a real estate technology platform built to simplify and modernize the home buying and selling experience, starting with military families. As a former Naval Officer and third-generation service member, Leland experienced the challenges of... Read More →

Maritza Johnson

Principal, Good Research

Maritza Johnson is an expert on human-centered security and privacy with industry, teaching, and research experience, she is currently a principal at Good Research. In prior roles, Maritza was the founding director of the Center for Digital Civil Society at the University of San Diego... Read More →

Michael Bobbin

Sr. Director, M&A Advisory, DNV

Michael leads DNV's North American Mergers and Acquisitions team within DNV's Renewables & Power Grids group. The team provides technical diligence and consulting services to support acquisition and divestment of renewable energy and infrastructure projects in North America. The M&A... Read More →

Otavio Freire

CEO, Caju AI

Otavio Freire is a Brazilian-born American entrepreneur and inventor specializing in AI-driven platforms and enterprise innovation. He is the Founder and CEO of Caju AI, a pioneering technology startup redefining communication through its AI Communication Platform. With a global presence... Read More →

Peter Lazar

Co-Founder & Inventor, Scanlily LLC

Peter Lazar is an innovative tech entrepreneur who has founded multiple startups over the past two decades. His latest invention is Scanlily, which is an app that uses artificial intelligence and QR codes to help businesses and households efficiently inventory and track their items... Read More →

Philip Potter

Executive Director, National Security Data & Policy Institute, UVA

Dr. Philip Potter is the founding director of the National Security Data and Policy Institute (NSDPI), the University of Virginia’s sixth university-level institute. A professor of politics and the founding director of the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy’s... Read More →

Price Thomas

Executive Director, City of Promise

Rebecca Ivins

Western Division Manager, Hourigan Group

Rick Hamilton

Managing Director & Chief Technology Officer, Focused Ultrasound Foundation

Rick Hamilton is a recognized thought leader in innovation and patent strategy, with 1,063 issued U.S. patents to his name. Over the course of his distinguished career, he has helped foster inventive cultures at leading organizations including IBM and UnitedHealth Group. Now serving... Read More →

Rider Foley

Associate Professor, UVA Department of Engineering and Society

Rider Foley’s research explores the intersection of innovation and sustainability. His past project have sought to understand how emerging technologies can be designed to meet the needs of users, and how those designs navigate the political, legal, and social constructs that constrain... Read More →

Roberta Keller

Founder / CEO, Alexis Advisors

Roberta Keller is a thought-leader in building a wealth management social enterprise. Roberta founded Alexis Advisors in 2013 and was the first Certified B Corp financial services firm in the Central Virginia region. The firm offers women and working professionals fee-only financial... Read More →

Sarad Davenport

Founder, DSID/Vinegar Hill Magazine

Silvia Blemker

Chief Scientific Officer & Co-Founder, Springbok Analytics

Silvia Salinas Blemker, PhD is the Chief Scientific Officer and a co-founder of Springbok Analytics. She is fascinated by skeletal muscle biomechanics and physiology and is well-known in the field for developing novel computational and experimental approaches to study muscle, with... Read More →

Stephen Yanchuk

Founder, Wineip.org

Stephen believes that innovation thrives when creativity meets strategy, and is passionate about helping others navigate the journey from inspiration to invention. Whether through education, outreach, or hands-on workshops, his goal is to empower others to embrace intellectual property... Read More →

Steve Holdych

Founder, North Pass Advisors

Steve Holdych is the Founder of North Pass Advisors, a firm pioneering enterprise innovation by harnessing the synergy between human expertise and artificial intelligence. With over 30 years of leadership in strategic growth, he previously served as Co-CEO & COO of CapTech, playing... Read More →

Taylor Kuykendall

Senior Reporter, S&P Global Commodity Insights

Taylor Kuykendall reports on news within the metal and mining sector for S&P Global Commodity Insights, a division of S&P Global. Taylor is also a co-host and producer of the Energy Evolution podcast, a show dedicated to weekly discussions of important topics impacting the energy... Read More →

William Leonard

Investor, Valor VC

Based in Atlanta, Valor leads seed rounds in category-defining software companies anchored in the South. LinkedIn: William Leonard

Sponsors

757 Collab

Albemarle County Economic Development

CAV Angels

Charlottesville Business Innovation Council

Citrine Angels

Code Building

CODEBase

Common House

Cville Bio Hub

CVILLE REA

Dominion Energy Innovation Center

The Dominion Energy Innovation Center supports high-tech entrepreneurs and small business owners who are driving the innovations needed to achieve a net-zero carbon economy.Energy is the lifeblood of modern society. From home to office to play, the opportunities to effectuate an equitable... Read More →

Focused Ultrasound Foundation

Grit Coffee

Lighthouse Labs

Sherah

Startup Virginia

UVA Contemplative Sciences Center

UVA Health

Vault Virginia

Venture Central

Virginia Innovation Partnership Corp. (VIPC)

Virginia Tourism

Thursday April 17, 2025 8:00am - 8:15am EDT
CODE Building

Conference: Technology

Cost Ticketed

8:00am EDT

Technology | Registration, Coffee, and Networking

Thursday April 17, 2025 8:00am - 4:45pm EDT

240 W Main St, Charlottesville, VA 22902

Registration and badge pickup takes place in the lobby of the Code Building. Check in and connect with other attendees before the sessions begin.

Complimentary coffee and tea provided by Grit Coffee in the Irving Theater lobby at Code.

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Note: This Conference session is ticketed.

Please purchase your tickets on Eventbrite. You will then receive an email from Sched with login information that allows you to make your personal schedule.

************

A special thank you to our sponsors: The 13th Annual Tom Tom Festival is presented with the University of Virginia, UVA Innovates, Virginia Tourism, RL Beyer Custom Homes, and Ludwig Kuttner.

Sponsors

Code Building

Grit Coffee

UVA Health

Thursday April 17, 2025 8:00am - 4:45pm EDT
CODE Building

Conference: Technology

Cost Ticketed

9:00am EDT

Technology | Welcome

Thursday April 17, 2025 9:00am - 9:15am EDT

240 W Main St, Charlottesville, VA 22902

Welcome to Technology Day, where we celebrate how tech is evolving—not just for the sake of progress, but for the greater good. Get ready to embrace the changes, ask the hard questions, and maybe even find a way to use your gadgets to save the world (or at least make it a bit better).

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Note: This Conference session is ticketed.

Please purchase your tickets on Eventbrite. You will then receive an email from Sched with login information that allows you to make your personal schedule.

************

A special thank you to our sponsors: The 13th Annual Tom Tom Festival is presented with the University of Virginia, UVA Innovates, Virginia Tourism, RL Beyer Custom Homes, and Ludwig Kuttner.

Speakers

Kate Byrne

Podcast Host, WomenAdvancing, Founder/Advisor

Sponsors

UVA Health

Thursday April 17, 2025 9:00am - 9:15am EDT
CODE Building

Conference: Technology

Cost Ticketed

9:00am EDT

Technology | Beyond Smart Machines: Designing AI for Human Potential and Leadership

Thursday April 17, 2025 9:00am - 9:45am EDT

240 W Main St, Charlottesville, VA 22902

This session is presented proudly in partnership with The UVA Contemplative Sciences Center.

As AI evolves, the real question isn’t just what it can do—but who we become alongside it. Dr. Julia Mossbridge, cognitive neuroscientist and futurist, explores the intersection of AI, consciousness, and human potential, enhancing leadership, challenging us to design technology that fosters compassion, self-transcendence, and great businesses. Instead of just making machines smarter, what if we created AI that helped us become wiser, kinder, and more deeply connected, and better leaders? This keynote pushes beyond the usual AI hype to reimagine a future where technology amplifies our highest human qualities, not just our efficiency

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Note: This Conference session is ticketed.

Please purchase your tickets on Eventbrite. You will then receive an email from Sched with login information that allows you to make your personal schedule.

************

A special thank you to our sponsors: The 13th Annual Tom Tom Festival is presented with the University of Virginia, UVA Innovates, Virginia Tourism, RL Beyer Custom Homes, and Ludwig Kuttner.

Speakers

Julia Mossbridge

Founder and Board Chair, TILT: The Institute for Love and Time

Sponsors

UVA Contemplative Sciences Center

UVA Health

Thursday April 17, 2025 9:00am - 9:45am EDT
CODE Building

Conference: Technology

Cost Ticketed

10:00am EDT

Technology | Evolve an Invention to Become an Entrepreneur

Thursday April 17, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am EDT

206 W Market St, Charlottesville, VA 22902, USA

Innovation doesn’t just happen - it mutates, adapts, and evolves! Join us for an immersive, hands-on workshop where creativity meets strategy, and ideas turn into real possibilities. At this dynamic session, you’ll step into the shoes of an inventor, entrepreneur, and engineer to explore intellectual property (IP) as a catalyst for groundbreaking ventures.

Over the course of 60 minutes, you will work with a team to collaborate on a new product and build a company from the ground up - all through the lens of IP. This is not just another business workshop; it’s a face-paced, high-energy experience where you’ll get a crash course in patents and trademarks, work with real inventions, grow an understanding of your customers, develop your brand identity, and emerge with a pitch to the group. This is your chance to push boundaries, collaborate with fellow visionaries, and gain hands-on experience in turning ideas into action. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, a creative thinker, or simply someone who loves problem solving, this workshop is designed to challenge and inspire you. Let’s EVOLVE your creativity to better meet the changing needs of our community.

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Note: This Conference session is ticketed.

Please purchase your tickets on Eventbrite. You will then receive an email from Sched with login information that allows you to make your personal schedule.

************

A special thank you to our sponsors: The 13th Annual Tom Tom Festival is presented with the University of Virginia, UVA Innovates, Virginia Tourism, RL Beyer Custom Homes, and Ludwig Kuttner.

Speakers

Stephen Yanchuk

Founder, Wineip.org

Sponsors

UVA Health

Thursday April 17, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am EDT
Common House South Room

Conference: Technology

Cost Ticketed

10:00am EDT

Technology | Innovation with Intent: Building Better Tech, Business & Leadership in an Age of Complexity

Thursday April 17, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am EDT

240 W Main St, Charlottesville, VA 22902

This session is proudly presented in partnership with the Hampton Roads Biomedical Research Consortium (HRBRC).

In a world hooked on speed, scale, and shiny new tools, what does it actually mean to build something that lasts—and matters? Join a sharp, diverse panel of thinkers and doers as we cut through the jargon and get real about what it takes to lead responsibly in today’s tech-driven, expectation-heavy business landscape.

From AI and algorithmic accountability to leadership habits, organizational design, and the realities of culture and capital, this conversation brings insight across sectors: startups, corporations, academia, and the spaces in between. Whether you're an entrepreneur, executive, team lead, or just trying to figure out how to build with brains and backbone, this panel is for you.

We’ll explore: how to create products and policies that reflect both innovation and integrity; the changing expectations around leadership and team-building in tech and beyond; why ethics and human-centered design are good business not just good PR; what smart use of AI actually looks like ( it’s not about replacing everyone); and how today’s professionals can rethink ambition, resilience, and long-term value. No buzzwords, no bandwagons, just a frank, forward-looking discussion for anyone who cares about building a better business future.

********

Note: This Conference session is ticketed.

Please purchase your tickets on Eventbrite. You will then receive an email from Sched with login information that allows you to make your personal schedule.

************

A special thank you to our sponsors: The 13th Annual Tom Tom Festival is presented with the University of Virginia, UVA Innovates, Virginia Tourism, RL Beyer Custom Homes, and Ludwig Kuttner.

Speakers

Ben Hallen

Dempsey Endowed Professor, University of Washington

Jill Heinze

Head, User Experience, Strategy & Insights, Shockoe

Karim Ginena

CEO, EndoMD Health

Dr. Ginena is the CEO of EndoMD Health, a pediatric endocrinology practice on a mission to help kids with endocrine conditions thrive. He is also the founder of RAI Audit, a consultancy dedicated to artificial intelligence (AI) governance and research, and ico-chair of the IEEE USA... Read More →

Logan Selby

Founder & CEO, DataShapes

Dr. Logan D. Selby is the Co-Founder and CEO of DataShapes, a cutting-edge Artificial Intelligence company that is based in Charlottesville, VA. DataShapes is a products company focused on providing Signal and Waveform SaaS and embeddable solutions to the Defense and Telecommunications... Read More →

Steve Holdych

Founder, North Pass Advisors

Sponsors

Hampton Roads Biomedical Research Consortium

UVA Health

Thursday April 17, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am EDT
CODE Building

Conference: Technology

Cost Ticketed

11:15am EDT

Technology | Innovators & IP: Medical Device Founders on the Patent Journey

Thursday April 17, 2025 11:15am - 12:15pm EDT

206 W Market St, Charlottesville, VA 22902

Navigating the patent process in the world of medical devices is a bit like performing surgery with a blindfold on—except you’re the one wearing the blindfold. Join us for a candid session where medical device founders dish out the keys to creating intellectual property that not only survives but thrives in the unforgiving world of patents. We’ll explore best practices for kicking off and maneuvering through the patent application process, without getting lost in the legal weeds.

And because no one gets through this journey unscathed, expect a few war stories from patent combatants who’ve lived to tell the tale. Learn from their victories, defeats, and everything in between. Spoiler: It’s not all smooth sailing, but you might just leave with a battle plan of your own.

********

Note: This Conference session is ticketed.

Please purchase your tickets on Eventbrite. You will then receive an email from Sched with login information that allows you to make your personal schedule.

************

A special thank you to our sponsors: The 13th Annual Tom Tom Festival is presented with the University of Virginia, UVA Innovates, Virginia Tourism, RL Beyer Custom Homes, and Ludwig Kuttner.

Speakers

Charlie Henneman

Program Director, CvilleBioHub

Derrick Brent

Former Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce for IP, Deputy Director USPTO; Former Acting Under Secretary/Director, Formerly USPTO

Derrick Rowe

Partner, WSGR

Jeff Pompeo

President & CEO, Caretaker Medical: Wireless Patient Monitoring

Rick Hamilton

Managing Director & Chief Technology Officer, Focused Ultrasound Foundation

Timothy Harvey

CEO, Owl Peak Technologies

Timothy is an entrepreneur, Founder and CEO of Owl Peak Technologies, a company focused on improving colorectal cancer detection at the intersection of A.I. and sensing technology. Timothy is committed to building technology that solves critical unmet human needs. Prior to starting... Read More →

Sponsors

Cville Bio Hub

Focused Ultrasound Foundation

UVA Health

Thursday April 17, 2025 11:15am - 12:15pm EDT
Common House North Room

Conference: Technology

Cost Ticketed

11:15am EDT

Technology | Virginia’s Most Innovative Startups

Thursday April 17, 2025 11:15am - 12:15pm EDT

240 W Main St, Charlottesville, VA 22902

This showcase is proudly presented in partnership with the Virginia Innovative Partnership Corporation (VIPC).

Witness a whirlwind tour of Virginia’s most exciting startups, where the future is being built one game-changing innovation at a time. This isn’t your typical “buy my product” pitch session—this is about showcasing the raw, unfiltered brilliance of emerging technologies and the transformative potential they hold. In these lightning talks, you'll hear from entrepreneurs who are deep in the trenches and their insights that come from real innovation.

Once the minds behind these breakthroughs have had their moment in the spotlight, it’s time to mingle. Stick around for a networking session where you can chat with angel and institutional investors who are eager to hear about the next big thing (and maybe even fund it). Whether you’re looking to collaborate, invest, or just marvel at what’s next, this event will spark new connections and ideas in the ever-evolving world of tech.

Note: This conference session is a ticketed event. To create your event schedule here on Sched you must first purchase your tickets on Eventbrite. Click here to purchase your tickets. All Conference badges also have a Pay-What-You-Can Scholarship Option. This option is available for attendees in need of financial assistance to attend the conference.

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Note: This Conference session is ticketed.

Please purchase your tickets on Eventbrite. You will then receive an email from Sched with login information that allows you to make your personal schedule.

************

A special thank you to our sponsors: The 13th Annual Tom Tom Festival is presented with the University of Virginia, UVA Innovates, Virginia Tourism, RL Beyer Custom Homes, and Ludwig Kuttner.

Speakers

Ahan Dalal

Founder, BrokerBotics

David Touve

Managing Director, 434 Accelerator

Ian Garrett

CEO & Co-Founder, Phalanx

Jackson Tufts

Founder & CEO, Manitou Research Inc.

Jeremy Swack

Co-Founder & CTO, VerbaAI

Leland Remias

CEO, VroomBrick

Peter Lazar

Co-Founder & Inventor, Scanlily LLC

Siddharth Dalal

Fractional CTO, Fraccel

Siddharth is fractional CTO for two early stage startups Novela - (https://novelaweddings.com) and Taste Supply (https://tastesupply.com). He is the cofounder of BrokerBotics (https://brokerbotics.com) with his teenage son. He has led remote global teams for the last decade at various... Read More →

Sponsors

CAV Angels

UVA Health

Virginia Innovation Partnership Corp. (VIPC)

Thursday April 17, 2025 11:15am - 12:15pm EDT
CODE Building

Conference: Technology

Cost Ticketed

11:15am EDT

Unleashing the Future: AI & Automation for Competitive Advantage

Thursday April 17, 2025 11:15am - 12:15pm EDT

206 W Market St, Charlottesville, VA 22902, USA

AI and automation aren’t just buzzwords—they’re the keys to the future of work, whether you’re ready or not. This session will explore how businesses can tap into these powerful tools to streamline operations, boost collaboration, and maintain that elusive edge in an ever-evolving marketplace. From optimizing workflows to automating the mundane, we’ll cover the strategies that are making companies smarter, faster, and just a little less reliant on human error.

In this workshop, we’ll look at the real-world applications and tangible benefits of AI and automation, all while keeping a keen eye on how they can enhance human roles, not replace them. Whether you’re a startup looking to level up or a seasoned pro trying to keep pace, this session will give you the tools, tips, and insights to stay ahead in a world that’s changing faster than you can say “machine learning.”

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Note: This Conference session is ticketed.

Please purchase your tickets on Eventbrite. You will then receive an email from Sched with login information that allows you to make your personal schedule.

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A special thank you to our sponsors: The 13th Annual Tom Tom Festival is presented with the University of Virginia, UVA Innovates, Virginia Tourism, RL Beyer Custom Homes, and Ludwig Kuttner.

Speakers

Daleele Alison

CEO & CoFounder, RooksDM

Daleele Alison is a technology leader, entrepreneur, and Microsoft Partner committed to helping businesses save time by operating more efficiently. As the CEO and cofounder of RooksDM, he believes the right technology can drive efficiency and growth - ultimately helping businesses... Read More →

Sponsors

UVA Health

Thursday April 17, 2025 11:15am - 12:15pm EDT
Common House South Room

Conference: Technology

Cost Ticketed

1:00pm EDT

Technology | Virginia's Clean Energy Innovators Showcase

Thursday April 17, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT

240 W Main St, Charlottesville, VA 22902

This showcase is presented proudly in partnership with the Dominion Energy Innovation Center.

This showcase features the trailblazers who are reshaping the state’s energy landscape, one groundbreaking innovation at a time. In this session, clean energy startups will take you on a journey through their evolution as companies, highlighting the challenges, triumphs, and eureka moments that led to their game-changing solutions. These entrepreneurs will explain why they’re not just tinkering with energy—they’re pioneering innovations that could power Virginia’s economy for decades to come.

These startups are redefining what it means to “go green.” And no, it’s not all about saving the planet (though that’s a nice bonus). It’s about making clean energy accessible, affordable, and transformative for businesses and consumers alike. So, grab a seat, and get ready for some of Virginia’s brightest minds to show you why their innovations aren’t just evolutionary—they’re game-changing for the future of energy.

Note: This conference session is a ticketed event. To create your event schedule here on Sched you must first purchase your tickets on Eventbrite. Click here to purchase your tickets. All Conference badges also have a Pay-What-You-Can Scholarship Option. This option is available for attendees in need of financial assistance to attend the conference.

********

Note: This Conference session is ticketed.

Please purchase your tickets on Eventbrite. You will then receive an email from Sched with login information that allows you to make your personal schedule.

************

A special thank you to our sponsors: The 13th Annual Tom Tom Festival is presented with the University of Virginia, UVA Innovates, Virginia Tourism, RL Beyer Custom Homes, and Ludwig Kuttner.

Speakers

Amit Singh

CEO, NearStar Fusion Inc.

Andrew Glover

Co-Owner, Realta Systems LLC

Braden Croy

Program Director, Dominion Energy Innovation Center

Brittney Boyd

CEO & Founder, Energy Equity Group LLC

Gilman Callsen

Founder & CEO, Rho Impact

Sponsors

Dominion Energy Innovation Center

UVA Health

Thursday April 17, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
CODE Building

Conference: Technology

Cost Ticketed

1:30pm EDT

Technology | WomenAdvancing Summit

Thursday April 17, 2025 1:30pm - 6:00pm EDT

300 E Main St, Charlottesville, VA 22902

Note: This conference session is a ticketed event. You can attend with a Patron or All-Access pass or a Thursday day pass OR purchase a ticket just for this event (please go to Eventbrite and purchase the Technology - WomenAdvancing ticket).

Thank you to our WomenAdvancing Founder sponsor Lighthouse Labs.

1:15 - 2:15 pm - Invitational Only Executive Roundtable, curated by Citrine Angels and VIPC

1:30 - 2:00 pm - Arrival and Bingo Networking

2:00 - 2:45 pm - This session is presented proudly in partnership with Sherah -
Welcome Remarks & Fireside Chat on “The Future of Work: Escaping the Cult of Busyness By Breaking Free from Overwork & Overwhelm”

We’ve been sold the myth that success means working harder, longer, and faster, but what if everything we believe about work is wrong? Brigid Schulte, bestselling author of Overwhelmed and Overwork, takes on the cult of busyness and lays out a smarter, saner vision for the future of work. From rethinking productivity to designing workplaces that actually work for humans, this keynote explores how we can ditch the burnout, reclaim time, and build a work culture that doesn’t require an escape plan.

Brigid Schulte, Author, former Washington Post reporter
Kate Byrne, Founder/Advisor, Podcast Host, WomenAdvancing
Kristin Richardson, Founder, Sherah

2:45 - 3:30 pm - This session is proudly presented in partnership with 757 Collab -
“Win Anyway: How to Succeed in Today’s Startup Environment”

With any new administration comes trickle-down changes, and this term is no different. Join us for an overview of current and impending regulatory, legislative, changes impacting the start-up ecosystem. Leading experts will provide guidance on how to navigate these challenges and find success in fundraising and scaling your business.

Carmen Ortiz McGhee, COO, National Association of Investment Companies (NAIC), moderator
Liz Doerr, Co-Founder & Partner, Sandbox
Tina McRae, Principal, Kaleo Legal
Rebecca Haydock, CEO, Venture Central

3:30 - 3:45 pm - Break

3:45 - 4:30 pm - "Women Lifting Others: Examples in Climate and Sustainability"

Women excel at building networks and coalitions to support each other, and this work is more important today than ever. Our panelists are not only entrepreneurs in the climate and sustainability space themselves, but actively work to support other women in the sector and are connectors of people, projects, and funding. During this session, we will learn how we can translate what they're doing in one industry into others.

Ali Rotatori, Strategy & Ecosystem Manager, Third Derivative (RMI)
Betsy Hnath, Deputy Executive Director, RISE Resilience Innovations
Jade Garrett, Founder, Positive Deviancy
Raye Elliott, Executive Director, FLIPP Inc

4:30 - 5:15 pm - This session is proudly presented in partnership with Startup Virginia -
"Money Moves: Funding Strategies for Women Entrepreneurs"

Women entrepreneurs receive significantly less funding than their male counterparts—but that doesn’t mean the money isn’t out there. This panel is all about understanding your funding options, overcoming systemic barriers, and making strategic moves to get the capital you need to grow. Our expert panelists—including lenders, investors, and successful founders—will share actionable insights on the funding gap, different funding avenues, and tips for crafting the perfect pitch.

Chris Cain, Director of Capital Access, Bridging Virginia, moderator
Aurelia Flores, Co-Founder, Citrine Angels, and Investment Director, VIPC
Teira E. Farley, COO, Community Investment Collaborative (CIC)
Tracey Greene, Executive Director, Charlottesville Business Innovation Council (CBIC) and Founding Executive Director, Charlottesville Angel Network (CAN)
Yolunda Harrell, President & CEO, New Hill Development Corporation

5:15 - 6:00 pm - Networking and Closing Reception

Join us for a mixer pairing good conversation with even better snacks and drinks, all from Virginia-based, female-founded food & beverage producers. Whether you’re looking to make professional connections, discover new products, or just enjoy some tasty bites, this session promises a relaxed, enjoyable way to expand your network.

Savor delicious samples from:

Absurd Snacks - allergen-free snack mixes
Crunchy Hydration - zero-sugar functional sparkling water
Eastwood Winery - local Charlottesville-produced wine
I Kale Life - kale salad with Via Life dressing
Keya's Snacks - Indian-inspired potato chips
LillyBean - vegan and gluten-free mini cupcakes
Mocktail Club - Pauline Idogho - non-alcoholic canned mocktails
Navy Hill - Tequila Sodas
OMG OCPs - oatmeal cream pies
Peculiar Pantry - sweet and salty pecans, almonds, and toffee
Taste Supply - an F&B marketplace for small producers featuring four brands: Birdie's Pimento Cheese, Capital Chips, Rainbow Trout Granola, and The Veganish Kitchen

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A special thank you to our sponsors: The 13th Annual Tom Tom Festival is presented with the University of Virginia, UVA Innovates, Virginia Tourism, RL Beyer Custom Homes, and Ludwig Kuttner.

Speakers

Aurelia Flores

Investment Director, VIPC

Aurelia Flores is Director of Virginia Invests, the VIPC fund of funds program. Aurelia has been involved in the startup and venture ecosystem for over two decades and has assisted early-stage businesses in obtaining funding since the late 1990s. She is a co-founder of Citrine Angels... Read More →

Betsy Hnath

Deputy Executive Director, RISE Resilience Innovations

Brigid Schulte

Author & Journalist, Better Life Lab, Director

Brigid Schulte works at the intersection of personal transformation and systems change to ensure that all people have the opportunity to life a rich, full and wholehearted life. She’s an award-winning journalist, think tank program director, keynote speaker and author of Over W... Read More →

Carmen Ortiz-McGhee

COO, NAIC

Carmen Ortiz-McGhee is the Chief Operating Officer of the National Association of Investment Companies (NAIC), the largest network of diverse-owned alternative investment firms. She provides strategic oversight over all aspects of the organization, including NAIC’s industry-leading... Read More →

Chris Cain

Director of Capital Access, Bridging Virginia

For more than 15 years Chris Cain has been on the front lines helping people open businesses by educating them on business planning, helping navigate the business loan process, and creating a living, breathing entrepreneur ecosystem. Her experience running nonprofits and building... Read More →

Claire Maiers

Consultant-Strategist-Sociologist, Independent

Jade Garrett

Founder, Positive Deviancy

Kate Byrne

Podcast Host, WomenAdvancing, Founder/Advisor

Kristin Richardson

Founder and CEO, SHERAH

Kristin Richardson is the Founder and CEO of Sherah, a personal assistant platform that is revolutionizing how we keep our busy, modern lives running smoothly. After a 25-year marketing career—including over a decade as Chief Marketing Officer—she took a bold leap, leaving corporate... Read More →

Liz Doerr

Co-Founder & Partner, Sandbox

Liz Doerr is a Co-Founder and Partner of Sandbox where she provides strategic CFO and capital raise support to the company’s clients. Prior to starting Sandbox she worked for a family office turned Series A venture fund where she helped manage the organization’s $55M angel portfolio... Read More →

Raye Elliott

Executive Director, FLIPP Inc

Raye Elliott is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of FLIPP Inc, a 501c3 nonprofit headquartered in Dillwyn, VA that exists to reduce employment barriers for disadvantaged populations and to empower low-income communities with renewable energy training. Raye serves as a board of... Read More →

Rebecca Haydock

CEO, Venture Central

Teira E. Farley

Chief Operating Officer, Community Investment Collaborative (CIC)

Teira E. Farley began with CIC as Director of Communications + Engagement and currently serves as its Chief Operating Officer, overseeing programs, communications, and operations across all regions. A dual graduate of Florida A&M University, she holds a Bachelor of Science in Business... Read More →

Tina McRae

Principal, Kaleo Legal

As an experienced attorney specializing in corporate and securities law, Tina McRae has broad experience advising public and private company clients on a broad range of regulatory and transactional matters. After graduating from law school at the University of Virginia, Tina practiced... Read More →

Tracey Greene

Executive Director, Charlottesville Business Innovation Council & Charlottesville Angel Network

Yolunda Harrell

Founder, New Hill Development

Originally hails from Alabama (Roll Tide) but grew up predominantly in South Carolina. She has worked, served, and lived in the Charlottesville area for the last 13 years. Yolunda is a Christian, wife, business partner, executive manager, entrepreneur and CEO and Founder of New Hill... Read More →

Sponsors

757 Collab

Citrine Angels

Hampton Roads Biomedical Research Consortium

Lighthouse Labs

Sherah

Startup Virginia

UVA Health

Vault Virginia

Virginia Innovation Partnership Corp. (VIPC)

Thursday April 17, 2025 1:30pm - 6:00pm EDT
Vault Virginia

Conference: Technology

Cost Ticketed

2:15pm EDT

Technology | Climate Innovators: The Stories Behind the Clean Energy Game-Changers

Thursday April 17, 2025 2:15pm - 3:15pm EDT

206 W Market St, Charlottesville, VA 22902

This session is presented proudly in partnership with the Dominion Energy Innovation Center.

Ever wonder what drives the people behind the clean energy revolution? This session goes beyond the technical jargon and corporate buzzwords to dive into the personal stories of the founders behind Virginia's Clean Energy Innovators Showcase. You'll hear about their journeys—what sparked their passion for climate innovation, the wild road they’ve traveled to get to where they are now, and the inevitable hurdles they had to jump over (or, let's be real, bulldoze through).

Moderated by Dominion Energy Innovation Center, this panel of founders will share the real behind-the-scenes moments that led them to turn their ideas into industry-shifting solutions. From sleepless nights to unexpected breakthroughs, get ready for an honest look at the human side of clean energy innovation. Whether you're inspired, entertained, or just curious about the people making waves in the green revolution, this session will leave you with a deeper appreciation for the passion and perseverance driving the future of our planet.

Note: This conference session is a ticketed event. To create your event schedule here on Sched you must first purchase your tickets on Eventbrite. Click here to purchase your tickets. All Conference badges also have a Pay-What-You-Can Scholarship Option. This option is available for attendees in need of financial assistance to attend the conference.

********

Note: This Conference session is ticketed.

Please purchase your tickets on Eventbrite. You will then receive an email from Sched with login information that allows you to make your personal schedule.

************

A special thank you to our sponsors: The 13th Annual Tom Tom Festival is presented with the University of Virginia, UVA Innovates, Virginia Tourism, RL Beyer Custom Homes, and Ludwig Kuttner.

Speakers

Andrew Glover

Co-Owner, Realta Systems LLC

Amit Singh

CEO, NearStar Fusion Inc.

Braden Croy

Program Director, Dominion Energy Innovation Center

Brittney Boyd

CEO & Founder, Energy Equity Group LLC

Gilman Callsen

Founder & CEO, Rho Impact

Sponsors

Dominion Energy Innovation Center

UVA Health

Thursday April 17, 2025 2:15pm - 3:15pm EDT
Common House North Room

Conference: Technology

Cost Ticketed

2:15pm EDT

Technology | Creating a Route 29 North Innovation Corridor: From Defense to Biotech—Strategic Investments Shaping Our Region’s Future

Thursday April 17, 2025 2:15pm - 3:15pm EDT

240 W Main St, Charlottesville, VA 22902

This session is proudly presented in partnership with the Albemarle County office of Economic Development.

How can cross-sector collaborations position our region as a premier destination for innovation? This discussion will explore the critical intersections of technology, research, workforce development, and investment that drive sustainable growth.

From major municipal projects like Rivanna Futures and the North Fork Discovery Park, to UVA’s flagship Manning Institute for Biotechnology, and the statewide efforts to foster a new Biotech Accelerator — there is a burgeoning innovation corridor developing on Route 29N.

Leaders will share strategies for cultivating an innovation ecosystem that fuels both startups and established industries. And as we look to the future, what kinds of coordination is necessary to align strategies and vision.

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Note: This Conference session is ticketed.

Please purchase your tickets on Eventbrite. You will then receive an email from Sched with login information that allows you to make your personal schedule.

************

A special thank you to our sponsors: The 13th Annual Tom Tom Festival is presented with the University of Virginia, UVA Innovates, Virginia Tourism, RL Beyer Custom Homes, and Ludwig Kuttner.

Speakers

Emily Kilroy

Director of Economic Development, Albemarle County, VA

Jennifer Siciliano

Chief External Affairs Officer, UVA Health

Nikki Hastings

Executive Director, CvilleBioHub

Philip Potter

Executive Director, National Security Data & Policy Institute, UVA

Rebecca Ivins

Western Division Manager, Hourigan Group

Sponsors

Albemarle County Economic Development

UVA Health

Thursday April 17, 2025 2:15pm - 3:15pm EDT
CODE Building

Conference: Technology

Cost Ticketed

2:15pm EDT

Technology | Harmonizing Silicon and Soul: Evolving the Next Tech-Human Ecosystem

Thursday April 17, 2025 2:15pm - 3:15pm EDT

206 W Market St, Charlottesville, VA 22902, USA

We’re living through the most disruptive period in human history—AI is rising faster than we can keep up, institutions are unraveling like old sweaters, and society seems to be cracking under the weight of its own contradictions. It feels like the world is coming apart at the seams, but what if it’s all connected? What if every crisis we’re facing is, at its core, a crisis of technology—how we build, govern, and make sense of the world?

In this talk and mini-panel, we’ll explore how to turn this moment of chaos into a chance for something more human-centered. From fire to writing, from printing to AI, every leap in technology has forced humanity to rethink its relationship with the world. Can we learn from those past shifts and make smarter decisions now? Forget the buzzwords, the knee-jerk reactions, and the polarizing opinions—we’re diving deep into a framework for understanding this cultural moment and how technology is shaping human experience. With real-world examples and insights from tech practitioners who aren’t just reacting, but reflecting, we’ll explore how to evolve into the next phase of our technological and social evolution. This isn’t about being passive; it’s about making sure our tech serves humanity’s highest vision, not just technology for its own sake. The question is: Will we be shaped by technology, or will we shape it? More details coming soon.

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Note: This Conference session is ticketed.

Please purchase your tickets on Eventbrite. You will then receive an email from Sched with login information that allows you to make your personal schedule.

************

A special thank you to our sponsors: The 13th Annual Tom Tom Festival is presented with the University of Virginia, UVA Innovates, Virginia Tourism, RL Beyer Custom Homes, and Ludwig Kuttner.

Speakers

Aram DiGennaro

Principal Consultant, Protentional

Leah Kyaio

CEO, RespexTech Inc

Sponsors

UVA Health

Thursday April 17, 2025 2:15pm - 3:15pm EDT
Common House South Room

Conference: Technology

Cost Ticketed

3:30pm EDT

Technology | Building the Future or Breaking the World? AI Founders on What’s Next

Thursday April 17, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm EDT

240 W Main St, Charlottesville, VA 22902

This session is presented proudly in partnership with CAV Angels.

Between breakthroughs, ethical dilemmas, funding frenzies, and the occasional existential crisis, AI founders are navigating a constantly shifting landscape that sometimes feels like it's held together with duct tape. In this panel, we bring together the pioneers, problem-solvers, and maybe even a few accidental disruptors who are shaping AI's next frontier—because who else is brave (or crazy) enough to be building the future right now?

They’ll tackle everything you’ve been wondering (or pretending not to wonder): What are they actually building and why? What’s the difference between the AI hype and the harsh reality of starting up in 2025? What are investors getting wrong (and right) about AI? How do you scale responsibly without breaking the world, your budget, or both? And, of course, which AI myths need to be retired ASAP. Plus, hear from those who are actually putting their money where their mouth is about why they’re backing these game-changers. If you’re tired of speculating about the future and want to hear from the people actually building it, this is the conversation you don’t want to miss.

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Note: This Conference session is ticketed.

Please purchase your tickets on Eventbrite. You will then receive an email from Sched with login information that allows you to make your personal schedule.

************

A special thank you to our sponsors: The 13th Annual Tom Tom Festival is presented with the University of Virginia, UVA Innovates, Virginia Tourism, RL Beyer Custom Homes, and Ludwig Kuttner.

Speakers

Joel Wilson

Chief AI Officer, Chordia

Maritza Johnson

Principal, Good Research

Otavio Freire

CEO, Caju AI

Silvia Blemker

Chief Scientific Officer & Co-Founder, Springbok Analytics

William Leonard

Investor, Valor VC

Based in Atlanta, Valor leads seed rounds in category-defining software companies anchored in the South. LinkedIn: William Leonard

Sponsors

CAV Angels

UVA Health

Thursday April 17, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm EDT
CODE Building

Conference: Technology

Cost Ticketed

3:30pm EDT

Technology | Funding the Future: Scaling Climate Tech Innovation

Thursday April 17, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm EDT

206 W Market St, Charlottesville, VA 22902

We’ve all heard the “save the planet” pitch, but here’s the real question: how do we actually pay for it? This panel will dive into the messy, high-stakes intersection of capital, policy, and technology—because solving the climate crisis requires more than just good intentions. We’ll explore how funding plays a pivotal role in scaling climate tech solutions, both here in the U.S. and globally, while navigating the inevitable bureaucratic hurdles and financial landmines that come with the territory. It’s not all sunshine and solar panels, but we’ll figure out how to make it work.

Expect to hear from experts who’ve wrestled with the complexities of turning big climate ideas into market-ready innovations. They’ll break down the crucial role investors play, why policy isn’t always the enemy, and how the right combination of capital and tech can actually shift the needle on large-scale solutions. If you’re looking to fund the next wave of climate innovation—or just want to understand how this whole messy machine works—this is the session for you

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Note: This Conference session is ticketed.

Please purchase your tickets on Eventbrite. You will then receive an email from Sched with login information that allows you to make your personal schedule.

************

A special thank you to our sponsors: The 13th Annual Tom Tom Festival is presented with the University of Virginia, UVA Innovates, Virginia Tourism, RL Beyer Custom Homes, and Ludwig Kuttner.

Speakers

Anne Clawson

Principal, Cascade Advisory

Bettina Ring

Virginia State Director, The Nature Conservancy

Gilman Callsen

Founder & CEO, Rho Impact

Michael Bobbin

Sr. Director, M&A Advisory, DNV

Taylor Kuykendall

Senior Reporter, S&P Global Commodity Insights

Sponsors

UVA Health

Thursday April 17, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm EDT
Common House North Room

Conference: Technology

Cost Ticketed

3:30pm EDT

Technology | Tech for the Social Sector: Navigating the Complexities of Community Impact

Thursday April 17, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm EDT

206 W Market St, Charlottesville, VA 22902, USA

The social sector is no stranger to complexity—whether it's tackling quality of life issues or getting communities to rally around a cause, it can feel like herding cats with a side of bureaucracy. Enter technology, with its shiny promises of making everything easier, more efficient, and impactful—if only it were as simple as pressing "send." This panel will explore the evolving role of tech in the social sector, focusing on both the exciting opportunities and the mind-bending challenges that await in 2025 and beyond.

Our expert panelists will dive into real-world examples, weigh in on the ethical dilemmas, and share their hard-earned wisdom on building sustainable tech strategies for social good. You’ll leave with more than just ideas for your next big project—you’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at how to navigate the delicate balance between tech innovation and the very human issues that social organizations tackle. You’ll learn how technology can actually amplify social impact. Just don’t expect all the answers—because sometimes, the journey is as complicated as the problems themselves.

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Note: This Conference session is ticketed.

Please purchase your tickets on Eventbrite. You will then receive an email from Sched with login information that allows you to make your personal schedule.

************

A special thank you to our sponsors: The 13th Annual Tom Tom Festival is presented with the University of Virginia, UVA Innovates, Virginia Tourism, RL Beyer Custom Homes, and Ludwig Kuttner.

Speakers

Emily Smith

Founder & CEO, Side Nerd Apps

Price Thomas

Executive Director, City of Promise

Rider Foley

Associate Professor, UVA Department of Engineering and Society

Sarad Davenport

Founder, DSID/Vinegar Hill Magazine

Sponsors

UVA Health

Thursday April 17, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm EDT
Common House South Room

Conference: Technology

Cost Ticketed

5:45pm EDT

Technology | CVILLE REA Happy Hour

Thursday April 17, 2025 5:45pm - 6:45pm EDT

206 W Market St, Charlottesville, VA 22902, USA

Join us for the Charlottesville Renewable Energy Alliance Happy Hour! This casual gathering offers a unique opportunity to network with local energy professionals, enthusiasts, and advocates. Share ideas, discuss sustainable energy solutions, and explore how our community can accelerate the transition to renewable energy. Whether you're a long-time supporter or new to the field, come connect with like-minded individuals.

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Note: This Conference session is ticketed.

Please purchase your tickets on Eventbrite. You will then receive an email from Sched with login information that allows you to make your personal schedule.

************

A special thank you to our sponsors: The 13th Annual Tom Tom Festival is presented with the University of Virginia, UVA Innovates, Virginia Tourism, RL Beyer Custom Homes, and Ludwig Kuttner.

Speakers

Chris Meyer

Board Chair, Cville Renewable Energy Alliance

Sponsors

CVILLE REA

UVA Health

Thursday April 17, 2025 5:45pm - 6:45pm EDT
Common House

Conference: Technology

Cost Ticketed

7:00pm EDT

Innovation Mixer

Thursday April 17, 2025 7:00pm - 9:00pm EDT

240 W Main St, Charlottesville, VA 22902

Step out, grab a cocktail, and mingle with the movers and shakers shaping Charlottesville’s innovation scene. This isn’t just another networking event—it’s an evening where industries collide, ideas spark, and the founders and funders who are fueling it all come together for some seriously impactful conversations. Whether you’re in tech, social good, or somewhere in between, you’ll find a space to connect, collaborate, and maybe even get that funding lead you’ve been waiting for.

Forget the awkward elevator pitch—this is your chance to casually swap stories, ideas, and business cards over a drink (or two). Join us for an evening of high-energy networking, where the only thing more exciting than the connections you’ll make is the conversation you’ll have. You never know who you’ll meet, but we’re pretty sure it’ll be someone worth knowing.

This event is 21+ and features a cash bar.

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Note: This Conference session is ticketed.

Please purchase your tickets on Eventbrite. You will then receive an email from Sched with login information that allows you to make your personal schedule.

************

A special thank you to our sponsors: The 13th Annual Tom Tom Festival is presented with the University of Virginia, UVA Innovates, Virginia Tourism, RL Beyer Custom Homes, and Ludwig Kuttner.

Sponsors

Charlottesville Business Innovation Council

Code Building

CODEBase

Cville Bio Hub

CVILLE REA

Hampton Roads Biomedical Research Consortium

Sip 1.11

Startup Virginia

UVA Health

UVA Innovates

The Entrepreneurship Initiative will coordinate and amplify entrepreneurship activities across UVA.

Virginia Clean Cities

Thursday April 17, 2025 7:00pm - 9:00pm EDT
CODE Building

Signature Events

Cost Ticketed

8:30pm EDT

The Bachata Room: All White Gala with Foreign Playerz

Thursday April 17, 2025 8:30pm - Friday April 18, 2025 1:00am EDT

300 E Main St, Charlottesville, VA 22902

Join Foreign Playerz at The Vault for a special installation of their weekly Bachata Room - The All White Gala
Free Bachata lessons start at 8:30pm, then the party start at 9pm - 1am!

Tickets are $16 and you can purchase those at the door.

More info at the event page here!

Artists

Foreign Playerz

Organizers, Foreign Playerz LLC

Foreign Playerz is a dynamic and vibrant organization that specializes in creating social dance events for Latin dances such as bachata, salsa, zouk, Cumbia, merengue, and many other types of Latin dance. Founded by passionate dancers, Foreign Playerz aims to promote the love and... Read More →

Sponsors

Vault Virginia

Thursday April 17, 2025 8:30pm - Friday April 18, 2025 1:00am EDT
Vault Virginia

Community Partner Programs

Age Limit 18+
Cost Ticketed

8:00am EDT

Entrepreneurship Track

Friday April 18, 2025 8:00am - 8:15am EDT

240 W Main St, Charlottesville, VA 22902

Exploring how businesses start, grow, and flourish.

Everyone needs to have an entrepreneurial mindset. The Entrepreneurship theme delves into the entrepreneurial journey, offering tools, insights, and strategies for founders at every stage. With intention at its core, this theme emphasizes the importance of building purpose-driven businesses while navigating the inevitable challenges that come with entrepreneurship. We’ll tackle the founder’s dilemma—balancing vision with execution, scaling with sustainability, and passion with practicality. Sessions will explore the intricacies of funding—how to secure it, manage it, and use it to fuel long-term growth. But beyond merely surviving, this track is about thriving—teaching entrepreneurs and the entrepreneur in all of us not just how to stay afloat in competitive markets but how to build resilient, innovative ventures that scale and succeed. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to take your business to the next level, Entrepreneurship equips you with the knowledge and networks to turn challenges into opportunities and drive your venture to new heights.

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Note: This Conference session is ticketed.

Please purchase your tickets on Eventbrite. You will then receive an email from Sched with login information that allows you to make your personal schedule.

************

A special thank you to our sponsors: The 13th Annual Tom Tom Festival is presented with the University of Virginia, UVA Innovates, Virginia Tourism, RL Beyer Custom Homes, and Ludwig Kuttner.

Speakers

Kate Byrne

Podcast Host, WomenAdvancing, Founder/Advisor

Paul Beyer

Executive Director, Tom Tom Foundation

Adeleke (Ade) Omitowoju

Angel Investor

Adeleke Omitowoju is an investor, operator, and long-time champion of entrepreneurs with over 15 years of experience across venture capital, private equity, enterprise sales, and startup growth. He’s passionate about helping founders scale transformative businesses—from early... Read More →

Alex Zorychta

Managing Partner, Not Yet Ventures

Alex Zorychta is Managing Partner of Not Yet Ventures, a Charlottesville-based venture capital firm pioneering the earliest stage of unicorn startup investing. He's coached 16 startups from pre-idea to YC/Techstars funding, and founded his own startup that was funded by Y Combinator... Read More →

Ali Bayler

Managing Director, New Republic Partners

Ali Bayler serves as Managing Director, head of the Mid-Atlantic region, and on the Investment Committee for New Republic Partners, a Multi-Family Office started with resources and investment capabilities from 4th and 2nd gen family offices. Ali has broad experience helping families... Read More →

Amanda Pollard

Associate, WSGR

Amanda Pollard advises technology and life sciences companies at all stages of growth. She also represents financial and strategic investors in equity investments in high-growth companies.Amanda’s practice focuses on corporate and securities law, including company formation, founder... Read More →

Anahata Sabat

Founder, Plant Magic Bottle Shop

Sober Curious Coach and Mentor, Anahata is the owner of Plant Magic Bottle Shop in DC, the first clean bottle shop in DC. She grew her following with High Vibe Women, spiritual wellness community for the sober curious, providing an alcohol-free social club.

Berry Brunk

Founding Partner, Exit Right Advisers

Berry Brunk has more than 25 years of leadership experience - and six exits - with companies that have been at the forefront of transforming the delivery of healthcare in the Mr. Brunk has developed strong relationships with decision-makers in post-acute care, health systems, IDNs... Read More →

Bo Grist

Director, SBDC

Bo has been a co-founder or the first employee in 3 technology startups where he focused on implementing eCommerce technology for large retailers like Calvin Klein, Ethan Allen, Dickies, Tory Burch, 1800-PetMeds, Floor and Decor, and The WWE. Last year, Bo resigned from a company... Read More →

Brenden Grace

Founder, F-CTO

Brenden Grace has over 25 years of experience growing and scaling startups across a range of industries, including Network Security, Advertising, Data Management, and Healthcare. As Chief Technology Officer of Demyst, he drove growth from $0 to $20 million in ARR. As Vice President... Read More →

Brock Saunders

Managing Partner, Mattock Capital

Brock is currently the Managing Partner at Mattock Capital, a Richmond-based family office investing in a diverse set of alternative investments. Prior to Mattock, Brock was the President and Chief Investment Officer at James River Capital Corp., an investment management firm and... Read More →

Catherine Heath

Director of Business Development, Anytime Seltzer

Catherine Heath is a dynamic business leader with expertise in sales, marketing, and strategic growth in the cannabis and hemp industries. As Director of Business Development at Anytime Seltzer, she drives market expansion, brand partnerships, and retail accessibility.With a background... Read More →

Christine Mahoney

Chief Innovation Officer, UVA Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy

Dr. Christine Mahoney is Chief Innovation Officer and Professor of Public Policy and Politics at the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy at the University of Virginia. She directs the Tadler Program in Impact Investing in Appalachia, the UVA Environmental Institute-funded... Read More →

Daniel Ginsberg

Founder & CEO, Utrain Inc

A former Professional Basketball Player and current Founder & CEO of Utrain, transforming how basketball trainers and athletes connect. Passionate about basketball, tech, and business growth through no-code solutions, social media marketing, and NIL partnerships.LinkedIn: Daniel ... Read More →

David Deaton

Co-Founder, MindSalt, Inc

David Skandera

Assistant Professor of Strategic Management, Virginia Commonwealth University

Dr. David Skandera is a researcher and Assistant Professor of Strategic Management in the School of Business at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). His work focuses on the role of business in society, and specifically on developing theories and educating (current and future) business... Read More →

David Touve

Managing Director, 434 Accelerator

Emily Smith

Founder & CEO, Side Nerd Apps

Heidi Nel

Chief Operating Officer, New Theory Ventures

Hope Lawrence

Program Manager, Venture Central

Hope Lawrence is the founder of the Hudson Henry Baking Company, a granola business she started in 2012 and named after her two sons, Hudson and Henry. What began at the Charlottesville City Market grew to a coveted brand that was sold across the country. Her “Hudson Henry Granola... Read More →

Jake Spradling

Co-Founder & CEO/CTO, CargoLabs Inc.

Full Stack software engineer building web-solutions for truckers.LinkedIn: Jake Spradling

Janet Arzt

Founder & Managing Partner, Parere Advisory

Janet Joyce Arzt, CFA is Founder and Managing Partner of Parere Advisory, an independent consulting firm advising family offices on infrastructure, development and strategy. Parere Advisory specializes in discovering, reviewing and presenting infrastructure options while serving as... Read More →

Jonathan Aberman

Partner, Ruxton Ventures

Jonathan Aberman is Parter in Ruxton Ventures a seed stage venture capital firm that is currently growing as portfolio of more than 20 software startups, based throughout the world. He has worked previously in the investment banking industry and as a partner in major international... Read More →

Joshua Gentine

Founder & President, Bench Consulting

Josh is a family business advisor, helping multi-generational families and their leadersnavigate the complexities of family enterprise ownership. Josh is accredited as both aHogan and Gallup Strengths coach. His background as an investor, advisor, corporatedirector, and third-generation... Read More →

Julie Pelrine

Partner, CFGI

As a Partner at CFGI, a highly specialized financial consulting firm that is part of the Carlyle and CVC portfolio, I lead and oversee complex and strategic projects for clients across various industries and scenarios.My mission is to provide seamless and high-quality services to... Read More →

Keith Rosenliao

CEO & Founder, Aedify

Keith is a serial entrepreneur and co-founded Aedify with Lucien. His first company, Cayuga Climbs, is the first commercial climbing gym in Ithaca, NY. At Aedify, Keith is the CEO and the lead developer behind Capital Spaceship, a computer game that teaches personal finance.Prior... Read More →

Kevin Eisenfrats

Co-Founder & CEO, Contraline

Kevin Eisenfrats co-founded Contraline and has been CEO since its inception. Contraline is a biotechnology company developing paradigm-shifting innovations in reproductive health, starting with the world's first long-lasting, reversible male contraceptive. Kevin has led Contraline... Read More →

Lily Garcia-Walton

Chief People Officer, Silverchair

Lily drives the company’s people strategy, enabling the success of Silverchair’s exceptional professionals. She has more than two decades of experience leading technology, education, media, and professional services organizations through transformative change while preserving... Read More →

Larry Moulis

Fractional CPO, Roadmap Works

I help small companies build and secure their technology by helping them focus on improving the fit between their product-market plans and their development processes and capabilities. A crucial artifact is a reliable Product Roadmap.LinkedIn: Larry Moulis... Read More →

Lisa O'Mara

Director, Investor Relations, Locus

Lisa O'Mara is the Director of Investor Relations at Locus, a Virginia-based community development financial institution (CDFI). Here she leads a dedicated team in securing funds to advance Locus' mission of creating equitable access to capital through financing in affordable housing... Read More →

Lucien Charland

COO, Aedify Inc

Lucien, co-founder of Aedify, is Director and Head of Geo Expansion at Kraken Digital Asset Exchange, where he’s been responsible for the commercial launch of the platform in several countries around the world. He previously founded a sustainable agriculture company backed by the... Read More →

M James Faison

Partner, Faison Law Group

M. James Faison is the managing partner at Faison Law Group, a law firm that specializes in venture capital, emerging company, fund formation and M&A legal work. He is a graduate of Harvard University and the University of Virginia School of Law. James is the former founder of Milton's... Read More →

Maria Bastasch

CEO, Drink Company

Maria Bastasch is the CEO of Drink Company, a designer, and a hospitality innovator shaping the future of social connection. A leader in the mindful drinking movement, she has built award-winning beverage programs and immersive experiences that challenge industry norms, creating more... Read More →

Mark Ferguson

Co-Founder, Chiefly

Mark is the co-founder of Chiefly, an automated scheduling solution that will save chief medical residents +50% of their time. Mark graduated from UVA in 2017 and has worked in M&A, management consulting, and has started multiple ventures. LinkedIn: Mark Ferguson... Read More →

Marty Weiner

Former CTO Reddit, Founding Engineer Pinterest

Marty was a founding engineer at Pinterest and spent 4.5 exciting years building Pinterest from tiny to big. In 2015 he joined Reddit as its first CTO tasked with helping bring the company into working order. Much gray hair was created, but now Reddit has even IPO’d and is on the... Read More →

Nick Weatherton

CoFounder, MedSafely

Nicholas Weatherton is a trailblazing clinical pharmacy practitioner who seamlessly bridges the worlds of pharmacy practice and healthcare technology. As Lead Clinical Pharmacist at RubiconMD, he provides expert guidance to primary care physicians through electronic consultations... Read More →

Olivia Cleary

Founder, The Clearly Collective

Olivia Cleary is the Founder of The Clearly Collective, a luxury design agency specializing in bespoke products that capture the essence of destinations, colleges, and brands. A graduate of the University of Virginia’s School of Architecture and a participant in the Darden School... Read More →

Omar Garriott

Executive Director, UVA Darden School of Business, Batten Institute

Omar Garriott is Executive Director of UVA Darden’s Batten Institute for Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Technology. Prior to Darden he built a career as a “Tech Intrapreneur for Good,” venture founder, and bestselling author. He has led product marketing teams and education... Read More →

Pauline Idogho

Founder & CEO, Mocktail Club

Pauline Idogho is the Founder/CEO of Mocktail Club, a line of premium crafted ready-to-drink non-alcoholic cocktails inspired by her quest to find sophisticated and better-for-you alternatives to alcohol. Prior to founding the company, Pauline had a 15-year career in investment... Read More →

Reagan Stillerman

Director of Operations, Kindness Cafe + Play

Reagan is a dedicated and passionate special educator with nearly two decades of experience working in grades K-12 across a wide variety of educational settings. As and Director of Operations at Kindness Cafe, a non-profit dedicated to employing adults with disabilities, Reagan has... Read More →

Robert Keaton

CFO/Controller, BluePoint Consulting LLC

Rob Keaton is a seasoned financial leader with over a decade of experience in providing fractional financial guidance to companies across Virginia and the United States. As a Certified QuickBooks Pro, he has honed his skills in managing financial operations for businesses across a... Read More →

Roberta Keller

Founder / CEO, Alexis Advisors

Shareef Tahboub

Cofounder, Bloomtrak

Shareef S. Tahboub is an accomplished entrepreneur and senior living expert with a strong track record of leadership in healthcare, real estate development, and management. He is the co-founder and CEO of Bloomtrak, a SaaS platform that addresses operational challenges in the senior... Read More →

Siddharth Dalal

Fractional CTO, Fraccel

Teira E. Farley

Chief Operating Officer, Community Investment Collaborative (CIC)

Terrika Knox

Founder, Herb & Orchid

Terrika Knox is a U.S. Army Veteran and the founder of Herb & Orchid, a modern non-alcoholic beverage brand redefining what celebration looks like. With over 20 years of leadership in the military and defense sector, Knox has managed multi-million-dollar programs in logistics, systems... Read More →

Tiffany Keaton

fCMO, Avinity Advisors

With nearly 30 years of marketing and communications experience spanning start-ups to Fortune 100 companies, Tiffany brings a proven "Swiss Army knife" skillset organizations she serves. With a diverse background she is well equipped to navigate roles in strategy, go-to-market planning... Read More →

Vivi Nellen

Vice President, Premium Service Brands: Kids-Lift

Vivi oversees the awesome things Premium Service Brands does out in the world with a focus on the company’s philanthropic affiliate Kids-Lift. She helps get the corporate team in Cville involved in helping kids in the community as well as working with franchisees across the country... Read More →

Yael Grushka-Cockayne

Vice Dean & Professor of Business Administration, UVA Darden School of Business

Professor Yael Grushka-Cockayne's research and teaching activities focus on data science, artificial intelligence, forecasting, project management and behavioral decision-making. Her research is published in numerous academic and professional journals, and she is a regular speaker... Read More →

Sponsors

434 Accelerator

434 is a long-format accelerator program, providing select technology-driven, early-stage startups based in and around Charlottesville with at least nine months of program support, including: dedicated workspace, experienced founders-in-residence, monthly programming, a large network... Read More →

Alexis Advisors

CAV Angels

Central Va Small Business Development Center (CVSBDC)

Charlottesville Business Innovation Council

Code Building

CODEBase

Common House

Friends of Charlottesville Downtown

Jen Fleisher

CHA/CHIP Program Officer, Blue Ridge Health District

Jen Fleisher is the Community Health Assessment Program Officer at Blue Ridge Health District, part of the Virginia Department of Health's network of 35 districts. In her role, Jen supports coalitions, institutions, and organizations by providing project management, strategic planning... Read More →

Ludwig Kuttner

R.L.Beyer Custom Homes

Sip 1.11

The Bradbury

Located in the heart of Charlottesville, on the historic Downtown Mall, the Bradbury is a place of possibility, connection, and community.The Bradbury is more than an elegant, versatile, event space; The Bradbury is an all inclusive, one of a kind, boutique experience for any occasion... Read More →

UVA Innovates

The Entrepreneurship Initiative will coordinate and amplify entrepreneurship activities across UVA.

Vault Virginia

Virginia Innovation Partnership Corp. (VIPC)

Virginia Tourism

Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati

Wilson Sonsini is the premier legal advisor to technology, life sciences, and growth enterprises worldwide, as well as the venture firms, private equity firms, and investment banks that finance them. We represent companies at every stage of development, from entrepreneurial start-ups... Read More →

Friday April 18, 2025 8:00am - 8:15am EDT
CODE Building

Conference: Entrepreneurship

Cost Ticketed

9:00am EDT

Entrepreneurship | Welcome Session

Friday April 18, 2025 9:00am - 9:15am EDT

240 W Main St, Charlottesville, VA 22902

Welcome to Entrepreneurship Day, where we take a deep dive into the wild world of starting, growing, and hopefully flourishing a business. Whether you’re just scribbling ideas on napkins or you’ve already got a product and a few battle scars to prove it, this day is for anyone who’s ever dreamed of building something from the ground up. Get ready to hear stories of triumph, failure, and the occasional facepalm moment, all while exploring the steps that can turn your entrepreneurial spark into something that actually works. We’ll unpack the secrets of scaling, finding customers, securing funding, and navigating the rollercoaster of building a business.

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Note: This Conference session is ticketed.

Please purchase your tickets on Eventbrite. You will then receive an email from Sched with login information that allows you to make your personal schedule.

************

A special thank you to our sponsors: The 13th Annual Tom Tom Festival is presented with the University of Virginia, UVA Innovates, Virginia Tourism, RL Beyer Custom Homes, and Ludwig Kuttner.

Sponsors

Code Building

UVA Innovates

The Entrepreneurship Initiative will coordinate and amplify entrepreneurship activities across UVA.

Friday April 18, 2025 9:00am - 9:15am EDT
CODE Building

Conference: Entrepreneurship

Cost Ticketed

9:00am EDT

Entrepreneurship | Keynote - Entrepreneurship for All: Co-Creation in an Uncertain World

Friday April 18, 2025 9:00am - 9:45am EDT

240 W Main St, Charlottesville, VA 22902

Successful entrepreneurs don’t try to predict the future—they co-create it. This keynote dives into Effectuation, the framework behind how the best founders eschew the crystal ball and instead navigate uncertainty by making the most of what they have, and will also highlight the need for greater entrepreneurship education in K-12 and higher ed. Expect myths to be busted and practical insights to be offered from two amazing local founders who have learned lessons the hard way!.

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Note: This Conference session is ticketed.

Please purchase your tickets on Eventbrite. You will then receive an email from Sched with login information that allows you to make your personal schedule.

************

A special thank you to our sponsors: The 13th Annual Tom Tom Festival is presented with the University of Virginia, UVA Innovates, Virginia Tourism, RL Beyer Custom Homes, and Ludwig Kuttner.

Speakers

Kevin Eisenfrats

Co-Founder & CEO, Contraline

Olivia Cleary

Founder, The Clearly Collective

Omar Garriott

Executive Director, UVA Darden School of Business, Batten Institute

Sponsors

UVA Innovates

The Entrepreneurship Initiative will coordinate and amplify entrepreneurship activities across UVA.

Friday April 18, 2025 9:00am - 9:45am EDT
CODE Building

Conference: Entrepreneurship

Cost Ticketed

9:00am EDT

Jefferson Innovation Summit: The Commonwealth's Global Leadership in Technology, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship

Friday April 18, 2025 9:00am - 5:00pm EDT

300 E Main St, Charlottesville, VA 22902

Presented by UVA Innovates

**** This Session is by invitation only *****

The Commonwealth of Virginia is poised to be a global leader in technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Universities have a critical role to play in helping to catalyze innovations to drive economic growth, create the jobs of the future, and advance the state’s ambitions to be a technological leader.

On April 18, more than 20 delegates will convene in Charlottesville for the Jefferson Innovation Summit at the Tom Tom Festival to discuss the ways in which universities can help to commercialize and scale new technologies and grow entrepreneurship within the Commonwealth. The delegates will include representatives from a broad swath of stakeholders including entrepreneurs, prominent venture investors, our VA public universities, the Governor’s office and executive branch, elected officials, academics, and non-profits.

Through a facilitated dialogue and workshop, the delegates will work together to generate a small set of recommendations that may include specific policy proposals or more broad recommendations activating both the private and public sectors. These insights will then be used to develop a playbook to inspire and inform policy action.

To RSVP and Learn more: https://jeffersoninnovationsummit.org/

Speakers

Michael Lenox

UVA Innovates, University of Virginia

Sponsors

The Bradbury

UVA Innovates

The Entrepreneurship Initiative will coordinate and amplify entrepreneurship activities across UVA.

Vault Virginia

Friday April 18, 2025 9:00am - 5:00pm EDT
Vault Virginia

Conference: Entrepreneurship

Cost Ticketed

10:00am EDT

Entrepreneurship I The Entrepreneur’s Treasure Map

Friday April 18, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am EDT

206 W Market St, Charlottesville, VA 22902

This session is proudly presented in partnership with the Central Virginia Small Business Development Center (CVSBDC).

Building a business is tough, but what if you had a map to hidden resources, expert guidance, and real support right in your own backyard? The Central Virginial Small Business Development Center (CV SBDC) is here to hand you that map. This session will uncover the funding, mentorship, and business tools available to local entrepreneurs, whether you're just starting out or scaling up. From grants and loans to strategic advice and networking gold, consider this your inside look at the resources too many founders overlook—but absolutely shouldn't.

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Note: This Conference session is ticketed.

Please purchase your tickets on Eventbrite. You will then receive an email from Sched with login information that allows you to make your personal schedule.

************

A special thank you to our sponsors: The 13th Annual Tom Tom Festival is presented with the University of Virginia, UVA Innovates, Virginia Tourism, RL Beyer Custom Homes, and Ludwig Kuttner.

Speakers

Bo Grist

Director, SBDC

Hope Lawrence

Program Manager, Venture Central

Rebecca Haydock

CEO, Venture Central

Sponsors

Central Va Small Business Development Center (CVSBDC)

UVA Innovates

The Entrepreneurship Initiative will coordinate and amplify entrepreneurship activities across UVA.

Friday April 18, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am EDT
Common House North Room

Conference: Entrepreneurship

Cost Ticketed

10:00am EDT

Entrepreneurship | AI, Decision Making and the Fine Art of Staying Relevant

Friday April 18, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am EDT

240 W Main St, Charlottesville, VA 22902

AI is here, and while it won’t take all our jobs (yet), it will change how we work, lead, and make decisions. Yael Grushka-Cockayne, Vice Dean at UVA Darden and head of the Center for AI, cuts through the hype to explore what AI means for real-world leadership, strategy, and staying employable in an era of automation. From decision science to data-driven intuition, this keynote unpacks how to work with AI instead of being outpaced by it.

********

Note: This Conference session is ticketed.

Please purchase your tickets on Eventbrite. You will then receive an email from Sched with login information that allows you to make your personal schedule.

************

A special thank you to our sponsors: The 13th Annual Tom Tom Festival is presented with the University of Virginia, UVA Innovates, Virginia Tourism, RL Beyer Custom Homes, and Ludwig Kuttner.

Speakers

Yael Grushka-Cockayne

Vice Dean & Professor of Business Administration, UVA Darden School of Business

Sponsors

UVA Innovates

The Entrepreneurship Initiative will coordinate and amplify entrepreneurship activities across UVA.

Friday April 18, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am EDT
CODE Building

Conference: Entrepreneurship

Cost Ticketed

10:00am EDT

Entrepreneurship | The Geography of Capital: Family Offices as Catalysts for Regional Economies

Friday April 18, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am EDT

206 W Market St, Charlottesville, VA 22902, USA

Sure, the venture capital world is practically a monopoly game between California, Texas, New York, and Massachusetts. But for the rest of us, there’s a compelling case to be made for regional investing, and it’s about time family offices took the wheel. This session explores how, with a little local know-how, family offices can channel capital into under-the-radar regions—unlocking promising returns and revitalizing economies, all while keeping the founders’ feet firmly planted in their hometowns (wherever that may be).

By investing regionally, family offices help high-growth companies stay rooted as they scale—creating jobs, increasing revenue, and making those once-overlooked markets feel a lot less overlooked. And as capital cycles back into these communities, it paves the way for the next generation of entrepreneurs to rise up and start the whole cycle over again. Join us as we chat with family office investors who are redefining how wealth grows.

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Note: This Conference session is ticketed.

Please purchase your tickets on Eventbrite. You will then receive an email from Sched with login information that allows you to make your personal schedule.

************

A special thank you to our sponsors: The 13th Annual Tom Tom Festival is presented with the University of Virginia, UVA Innovates, Virginia Tourism, RL Beyer Custom Homes, and Ludwig Kuttner.

Speakers

Ali Bayler

Managing Director, New Republic Partners

Brock Saunders

Managing Partner, Mattock Capital

Heidi Nel

Chief Operating Officer, New Theory Ventures

Janet Arzt

Founder & Managing Partner, Parere Advisory

Joshua Gentine

Founder & President, Bench Consulting

Sponsors

UVA Health

Friday April 18, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am EDT
Common House South Room

Conference: Entrepreneurship

Cost Ticketed

11:15am EDT

Entrepreneurship | Charlottesville's Most Innovative Startups Showcase

Friday April 18, 2025 11:15am - 12:15pm EDT

240 W Main St, Charlottesville, VA 22902

This showcase is proudly presented in partnership with 434 Accelerator.

Welcome to Charlottesville’s very own tech showcase, where the spotlight is on inspiring startups and the game-changing technologies they’re developing. In this lightning talk session, we’ll skip the fluff and dive straight into the innovations that are poised to transform industries. This isn’t about empty promises, it’s about tangible ideas and the specific insights that could shape the future. Think of it as a peek behind the curtain at the brilliant minds turning bold concepts into reality. After the talks, the floor opens for some good old-fashioned networking, where you’ll have the chance to mix and mingle with angel and institutional investors eager to discover what’s next. Get ready for a session packed with more inspiration than you can shake a tech startup at.

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Note: This Conference session is ticketed.

Please purchase your tickets on Eventbrite. You will then receive an email from Sched with login information that allows you to make your personal schedule.

************

A special thank you to our sponsors: The 13th Annual Tom Tom Festival is presented with the University of Virginia, UVA Innovates, Virginia Tourism, RL Beyer Custom Homes, and Ludwig Kuttner.

Speakers

Daniel Ginsberg

Founder & CEO, Utrain Inc

David Touve

Managing Director, 434 Accelerator

Emily Smith

Founder & CEO, Side Nerd Apps

Keith Rosenliao

CEO & Founder, Aedify

Lucien Charland

COO, Aedify Inc

Mark Ferguson

Co-Founder, Chiefly

Nick Weatherton

CoFounder, MedSafely

Shareef Tahboub

Cofounder, Bloomtrak

Sponsors

434 Accelerator

CAV Angels

UVA Innovates

The Entrepreneurship Initiative will coordinate and amplify entrepreneurship activities across UVA.

Friday April 18, 2025 11:15am - 12:15pm EDT
CODE Building

Conference: Entrepreneurship

Cost Ticketed

11:15am EDT

Entrepreneurship | Strengthening Our Community Through Purpose-Driven Businesses

Friday April 18, 2025 11:15am - 12:15pm EDT

206 W Market St, Charlottesville, VA 22902

This session is proudly presented in partnership with the Hampton Roads Biomedical Research Consortium (HRBRC).

Putting purpose at the heart of your business isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s also a pretty savvy move. Studies show that purpose-driven companies outperform their competitors in almost every way: they grow faster, capture larger market shares, and have higher satisfaction rates among customers and employees. So, not only are you doing good, but you’re also doing well while building a smarter, more sustainable business.

In this session, we’ll hear from three Charlottesville-based business owners who’ve proven that aligning purpose with profit can be a win for everyone. From creating job opportunities for people with disabilities to offering a more sustainable way to shop for outdoor gear, these founders have turned their values into action, making an impact on both the community and the bottom line. Forget the conventional wisdom that business is all about the dollars—these entrepreneurs will show you why the real measure of success is how many lives you’ve changed along the way. Ready to build a business that actually does something? Let’s get inspired.

********

Note: This Conference session is ticketed.

Please purchase your tickets on Eventbrite. You will then receive an email from Sched with login information that allows you to make your personal schedule.

************

A special thank you to our sponsors: The 13th Annual Tom Tom Festival is presented with the University of Virginia, UVA Innovates, Virginia Tourism, RL Beyer Custom Homes, and Ludwig Kuttner.

Speakers

David Deaton

Co-Founder, MindSalt, Inc

Lily Garcia-Walton

Chief People Officer, Silverchair

Vivi Nellen

Vice President, Premium Service Brands: Kids-Lift

Reagan Stillerman

Director of Operations, Kindness Cafe + Play

Sponsors

Hampton Roads Biomedical Research Consortium

UVA Innovates

The Entrepreneurship Initiative will coordinate and amplify entrepreneurship activities across UVA.

Friday April 18, 2025 11:15am - 12:15pm EDT
Common House North Room

Conference: Entrepreneurship

Cost Ticketed

11:15am EDT

Entrepreneurship | VCs Ghosting you? Time to tap into Crowdfunding

Friday April 18, 2025 11:15am - 12:15pm EDT

206 W Market St, Charlottesville, VA 22902, USA

Let’s face it: in today’s tough funding landscape, getting a venture capitalist to return your calls might feel like waiting for a unicorn to show up at your door. But fear not—crowdfunding is here to save the day! In this session, we’ll walk you through how to launch a successful crowdfunding campaign that could make your startup the next big thing. We’ll cover everything from choosing the right platform to creating a compelling pitch that has the crowd reaching for their wallets. It’s not just about having a great idea—it’s about how you sell it.

Of course, no one wants to be caught off guard by the legal side of crowdfunding. So, we’ll also dive into the nitty-gritty of securities regulations (looking at you, JOBS Act), disclosure requirements, and how to avoid getting into hot water. By the end of this session, you’ll have a clear understanding of both the creative and legal aspects of crowdfunding, so you can raise the capital you need without accidentally signing your company up for a lawsuit. Ready to take matters into your own hands (and your crowd's wallets)? Let’s get started. Full session description coming soon.

********

Note: This Conference session is ticketed.

Please purchase your tickets on Eventbrite. You will then receive an email from Sched with login information that allows you to make your personal schedule.

************

A special thank you to our sponsors: The 13th Annual Tom Tom Festival is presented with the University of Virginia, UVA Innovates, Virginia Tourism, RL Beyer Custom Homes, and Ludwig Kuttner.

Speakers

M James Faison

Partner, Faison Law Group

Sponsors

UVA Innovates

The Entrepreneurship Initiative will coordinate and amplify entrepreneurship activities across UVA.

Friday April 18, 2025 11:15am - 12:15pm EDT
Common House South Room

Conference: Entrepreneurship

Cost Ticketed

1:00pm EDT

Entrepreneurship | The Mindful Drinking Revenue Boom: Non-Alcoholic Beverages Transforming the Industry

Friday April 18, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT

206 W Market St, Charlottesville, VA 22902

As Gen-Z continues to lead the charge, alcohol consumption is seeing a noticeable dip. Guests are embracing the “zebra stripe” lifestyle—one drink in each hand: one boozy, one not. It’s time for bars and restaurants to get with the program. Non-alcoholic menus and drink options are no longer a trend—they’re a revenue stream. Join us for a chat with industry experts as they break down how this shift is revolutionizing the beverage scene and helping food outlets boost sales while satisfying today’s more mindful drinkers.

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Note: This Conference session is ticketed.

Please purchase your tickets on Eventbrite. You will then receive an email from Sched with login information that allows you to make your personal schedule.

************

A special thank you to our sponsors: The 13th Annual Tom Tom Festival is presented with the University of Virginia, UVA Innovates, Virginia Tourism, RL Beyer Custom Homes, and Ludwig Kuttner.

Speakers

Anahata Sabat

Founder, Plant Magic Bottle Shop

Catherine Heath

Director of Business Development, Anytime Seltzer

Maria Bastasch

CEO, Drink Company

Pauline Idogho

Founder & CEO, Mocktail Club

Terrika Knox

Founder, Herb & Orchid

Sponsors

Sip 1.11

UVA Innovates

The Entrepreneurship Initiative will coordinate and amplify entrepreneurship activities across UVA.

Friday April 18, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
Common House North Room

Conference: Entrepreneurship

Cost Ticketed

2:15pm EDT

Entrepreneurship | Demystifying Sustainable & Impact Investing

Friday April 18, 2025 2:15pm - 3:15pm EDT

206 W Market St, Charlottesville, VA 22902

This session is proudly presented in partnership with Alexis Advisors.

Sustainable investing, impact investing, ESG—sounds like the new hot trend, right? But with all the buzzwords flying around, it’s easy to get lost in the jargon and wonder if anyone actually knows what they mean (or if they’re just trying to sound good in a pitch meeting). This panel brings together industry experts to demystify sustainable and impact investing, breaking down the concepts, the confusion, and the real-world applications. We’ll explore how these frameworks are reshaping the way we think about corporate behavior, investment strategies, and financial markets—while clearing up a few myths along the way.

From understanding the difference between environmental social governance (ESG), socially responsible investing (SRI), and corporate social responsibility (CSR) to tackling the big question of what exactly impact investing is, this session will give you the lowdown on how to navigate the world of socially-conscious finance. We’ll also dig into how success is measured (spoiler: it’s not just about the bottom line), and how these strategies can create tangible value—financial and otherwise. So, if you’ve been hearing all the buzz and wondering if it’s more than just a feel-good slogan, this session will provide clarity, practicality, and a few surprises along the way.

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Note: This Conference session is ticketed.

Please purchase your tickets on Eventbrite. You will then receive an email from Sched with login information that allows you to make your personal schedule.

************

A special thank you to our sponsors: The 13th Annual Tom Tom Festival is presented with the University of Virginia, UVA Innovates, Virginia Tourism, RL Beyer Custom Homes, and Ludwig Kuttner.

Speakers

Roberta Keller

Founder / CEO, Alexis Advisors

Christine Mahoney

Chief Innovation Officer, UVA Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy

David Skandera

Assistant Professor of Strategic Management, Virginia Commonwealth University

Lisa O'Mara

Director, Investor Relations, Locus

Sponsors

Alexis Advisors

UVA Innovates

The Entrepreneurship Initiative will coordinate and amplify entrepreneurship activities across UVA.

Friday April 18, 2025 2:15pm - 3:15pm EDT
Common House North Room

Conference: Entrepreneurship

Cost Ticketed

2:15pm EDT

Entrepreneurship | Is Fractional Leadership Right For You? A Smarter Way to Get Big Leadership Without the Big Price Tag

Friday April 18, 2025 2:15pm - 3:15pm EDT

240 W Main St, Charlottesville, VA 22902

Let’s face it—hiring top-tier executives is usually a luxury only the big dogs can afford. But what if you could tap into the brains of a seasoned CEO, CFO, or CTO without having to sell a kidney or a chunk of your company? Enter fractional leadership, the game-changing solution that lets startups and small businesses access high-level expertise on a part-time, on-demand basis. This panel will bring together a mix of experts from various disciplines to break down how fractional leadership is changing the game for entrepreneurs—because who says you can’t have big talent on a small budget?

We’ll dive into how this model is reshaping the business world, why it’s perfect for businesses trying to scale without blowing their budgets, and how to decide if fractional leadership is the secret weapon your company needs. It’s not just about saving money; it’s about getting the right kind of expertise at the right time to accelerate your growth. So, if you’ve ever wondered how to get all the perks of a C-suite without the C-suite price tag, this is the session for you.

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Note: This Conference session is ticketed.

Please purchase your tickets on Eventbrite. You will then receive an email from Sched with login information that allows you to make your personal schedule.

************

A special thank you to our sponsors: The 13th Annual Tom Tom Festival is presented with the University of Virginia, UVA Innovates, Virginia Tourism, RL Beyer Custom Homes, and Ludwig Kuttner.

Speakers

Brenden Grace

Founder, F-CTO

Larry Moulis

Fractional CPO, Roadmap Works

Robert Keaton

CFO/Controller, BluePoint Consulting LLC

Siddharth Dalal

Fractional CTO, Fraccel

Tiffany Keaton

fCMO, Avinity Advisors

Sponsors

UVA Innovates

The Entrepreneurship Initiative will coordinate and amplify entrepreneurship activities across UVA.

Friday April 18, 2025 2:15pm - 3:15pm EDT
CODE Building

Conference: Entrepreneurship

Cost Ticketed

2:15pm EDT

Entrepreneurship | What to Expect When Selling Your Company

Friday April 18, 2025 2:15pm - 3:15pm EDT

206 W Market St, Charlottesville, VA 22902, USA

This session is proudly presented in partnership with Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati (WSGR).

So, you’ve built your business from the ground up, and now you're considering the next step: selling it. But where do you even start? In this session, we’ll walk you through the murky waters of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) with a panel of experts who’ve seen it all. From identifying potential buyers who aren’t just window-shopping to managing those high-stakes buyer discussions, we’ll cover the key steps to selling your company—and doing it in a way that leaves you feeling victorious, not victimized.

Get ready for a crash course in preparing for financial and legal diligence, navigating those nerve-wracking negotiations, and making sure the transition is as smooth as possible–because things can get messy. Whether you’re hoping to cash out or make a strategic exit, this panel will provide the actionable insights you need to avoid the common pitfalls and come out ahead. Get ready for some straight talk on how to sell your company like a pro.

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Note: This Conference session is ticketed.

Please purchase your tickets on Eventbrite. You will then receive an email from Sched with login information that allows you to make your personal schedule.

************

A special thank you to our sponsors: The 13th Annual Tom Tom Festival is presented with the University of Virginia, UVA Innovates, Virginia Tourism, RL Beyer Custom Homes, and Ludwig Kuttner.

Speakers

Amanda Pollard

Associate, WSGR

Berry Brunk

Founding Partner, Exit Right Advisers

Julie Pelrine

Partner, CFGI

Sponsors

UVA Innovates

The Entrepreneurship Initiative will coordinate and amplify entrepreneurship activities across UVA.

WSGR

Friday April 18, 2025 2:15pm - 3:15pm EDT
Common House South Room

Conference: Entrepreneurship

Cost Ticketed

3:30pm EDT

Entrepreneurship | Founders & Funders: A Love Story

Friday April 18, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm EDT

240 W Main St, Charlottesville, VA 22902

Like any great romance, the relationship between founders and funders is a thrilling roller coaster of passion, frustration, and the occasional “ghosting.” From the euphoric honeymoon phase of early investments to the sobering reality of scaling struggles, and those dreaded “we need to talk” board meetings, this panel explores the messy—and often misunderstood—dynamic between the creators and the capitalists. It's not all rainbows and dollar signs, but it's certainly a wild ride.

Join a seasoned crew of entrepreneurs and investors as they spill the tea on navigating the highs and lows of the founder-funder relationship. Learn how to spot red flags (and green lights) to avoid financial heartbreak, what investors really look for in a long-term commitment (or a quick exit), and how to survive those times when the money’s running low and the tension’s running high. Plus, hear the best (and worst) pitches they've ever seen—and the stories behind how these unlikely couples first met.

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Note: This Conference session is ticketed.

Please purchase your tickets on Eventbrite. You will then receive an email from Sched with login information that allows you to make your personal schedule.

************

A special thank you to our sponsors: The 13th Annual Tom Tom Festival is presented with the University of Virginia, UVA Innovates, Virginia Tourism, RL Beyer Custom Homes, and Ludwig Kuttner.

Speakers

Adeleke (Ade) Omitowoju

Angel Investor

Alex Zorychta

Managing Partner, Not Yet Ventures

Jake Spradling

Co-Founder & CEO/CTO, CargoLabs Inc.

Full Stack software engineer building web-solutions for truckers.LinkedIn: Jake Spradling

Kate Byrne

Podcast Host, WomenAdvancing, Founder/Advisor

Marty Weiner

Former CTO Reddit, Founding Engineer Pinterest

Pauline Idogho

Founder & CEO, Mocktail Club

Sponsors

434 Accelerator

UVA Innovates

The Entrepreneurship Initiative will coordinate and amplify entrepreneurship activities across UVA.

Friday April 18, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm EDT
CODE Building

Conference: Entrepreneurship

Cost Ticketed

9:00pm EDT

DANCE SERIES | CARNIVALE

Friday April 18, 2025 9:00pm - Saturday April 19, 2025 1:00am EDT

300 E Main St, Charlottesville, VA 22902

DANCE SERIES | CARNIVALE
21+

Carnivale - A Latin, Salsa, Bachata, Reggteton Dance Party

Let’s take the Block Party energy onto the dance floor for a night of Latin soul that brings all the dance communities of Charlottesville together.

Bright colors and Latin moves.

Come dressed in your CARNIVALE best because it’s time for an all-out celebration.

Salsa, Bachata, Zouk, and Kizomba, Brazilian, Samba, and Funk.

Come with a partner or dance solo!

Come join us for an unforgettable night of Latin dance at the Tom Tom festival! As we continue our hosting of the Latin dance stage on Saturday for the Carnival Party! We're are excited to bring you some amazing performances that will leave you inspired and falling in love with Latin dance.

Full Schedule Here:
9:00pm Social Dancing
10:00pm Performance: Capoeira
10:10pm Performance: UVA Salsa Club
10:20pm Performance: Mambo Bones
10:30pm Performance: Kara Leona
10:30 pm-1 am DJ ZACARRI and Foreign Playerz

Note: This is a ticketed event. To create your event schedule here on Sched you must first purchase your tickets on Eventbrite. Click here to purchase your tickets.

Artists

DJ ZACARRI

Zach, a rising star in the DJ scene from Washington, D.C., began his journey into the world of music in the summer of 2022. Although initially focused on pursuing dance training, his path took an unexpected turn when he was invited to explore DJing. Under the mentorship of a highly... Read More →

Foreign Playerz

Organizers, Foreign Playerz LLC

Kara Leona

Kara Leona singing her new single 'On My Own' along with other Latin favorites!

UVA Salsa Club

The Promotional Performance Team represents the University Salsa Club of UVA, a club of students, faculty, and staff dedicated to learning Latin dance styles and celebrating Latin culture. Led this semester by the Club's President (Sofia Posadas) and one of the Club's instructors... Read More →

Collaborator

Mambo Bones Salsa Dance Studio

Mambo Bones Salsa Dance Studio, nestled in the heart of Richmond, Virginia, is more than just a dance studio; it's a community where rhythm and connection converge. We believe that salsa is a universal language, a joyous expression of culture and spirit, accessible to everyone.Our... Read More →

Sponsors

Fun Cville

The Bradbury

Vault Virginia

Friday April 18, 2025 9:00pm - Saturday April 19, 2025 1:00am EDT
The Bradbury

Signature Events

Age Limit 21+
Cost Ticketed

9:00am EDT

Wellness Track

Saturday April 19, 2025 9:00am - 9:45am EDT

206 W Market St, Charlottesville, VA 22902

Welcome to Wellness Day, where we’ll explore what it really takes to not just survive, but thrive. From mindfulness to health hacks, we’ll dive into the practices that make us feel good, stay connected, and maybe even laugh a little along the way. Let’s get started.

Speakers

Kate Byrne

Podcast Host, WomenAdvancing, Founder/Advisor

Rissa Stiefel Tutia

Program Manager, Tom Tom Foundation

Rissa Stiefel Tutia (she/her) is the chef and owner of Blossoming Earth: Eco-Culinary Arts, the Tom Tom Conference Program Manager, and a substitute teacher at Venable Elementary School. She holds a Master’s degree in Somatic Counseling Psychology, with a concentration in Dance/Movement... Read More →

Bently Wood

Training Specialist, Bently Wood Training & Consulting, LLC

Bently Wood is a Lead Regional Peer Recovery Specialist Coordinator with Richmond Behavioral Health Authority, supporting and developing the peer workforce in Virginia’s DBHDS Region 4. Currently a Certified and Registered Peer Recovery Specialist (R-CPRS), his work is his passion... Read More →

Bill Burnett

Owner, Bill Burnett's Success Studio

Bill started his fitness career in 1986 with his first business “Better Bodies” which sold nutritional supplements and activewear. In 1990, He got his first training job as a fitness trainer and received his first certification through ARA. In 1992, he obtained his first personal... Read More →

Brennan Hilleary

Owner / Burnout Prevention Coach, Build Your Power

Brennan Hilleary is a speaker, coach, Marine Corps veteran, and founder of Build Your Power LLC. He specializes in burnout prevention and personal reinvention, helping high achieving business owners who feel exhausted, overwhelmed, and stretched too thin take back control of their... Read More →

Erin Clabough

Associate Professor, UVA Department of Psychology, Program in Fundamental Neuroscience

Erin Clabough is a neuroscientist, educator, and author with over 20 years of experience in research, teaching, and science communication. She currently serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology and Faculty member in the Program in Fundamental Neuroscience at... Read More →

Erin Tucker

Region 1 Recovery Oriented Services Coordinator, Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services

Erin Tucker is a dedicated leader in mental health and recovery services with over a decade of experience in peer support and trauma-informed care. She previously served as Executive Director of On Our Own, Charlottesville, where she spent 12 years supporting individuals in their... Read More →

Geoffrey Cox

Leadership & Embodiment Coach, Geoff Cox Healing Arts

Geoff is a leadership and embodiment coach, conflict mediator, somatic bodyworker, and meditation teacher. He leads retreats and workshops about trauma-informed meditation, embodiment, conflict, nature connection, and mindful communication around the country and has taught classes... Read More →

George Kamide

Co-founder & Executive Director, Mind Over Cyber

George Kamide co-hosts the award-winning podcast Bare Knuckles & Brass Tacks, which examines the human side of the cybersecurity industry. He’s also the Co-founder and Executive Director at Mind Over Cyber, a nonprofit dedicated to equipping infosec professionals with techniques... Read More →

Gryphon Corpus

Co-Founder & Acupuncturist, Blue Green Dragon, LLC

Gryphon Corpus is a Five Element acupuncturist. She earned her masters degree from the Academy for Five Element Acupuncture in Florida, and is an ongoing student of Shen-Hammer pulse diagnosis. Gryphon has a private acupuncture practice here in Charlottesville, Blue Green Dragon... Read More →

Hiromi Johnson

Tai Chi Master, Charlottesville Tai Chi Center

Master Hiromi Hangai Johnson is the Founder and Director of Charlottesville T'ai Chi Center, an award-winning nonprofit whose mission includes spreading the health benefits of Taiji (T'ai Chi) and related internal martial arts in the wider community. She is an International Cheng... Read More →

Jen Schmid

Healing Arts Practitioner & Writer, Demystifying Death

Jen Schmid is an embodied healing arts practitioner specializing in after-death communication, ancestral healing, chakra balancing, aura layer repair, female energetic anatomy, and the quantum/subtle body’s influence on physical health. With over 300 hours of advanced intuitive... Read More →

Joan Walton

Researcher, York St John University

Formerly from a practising social work background, working with children, families and communities, Joan is now an academic at York St John University, UK, in the School of Education, Language and Psychology. She is also a member (presently Chair of the Board of Directors) of... Read More →

Juanita Franke

Lead Instructor, Club Pilates

Juanita Franke is a Nationally Certified Pilates Teacher and Level 1 Pilates for Neurological Conditions practitioner. She has been teaching movement for over 20 years. Juanita fell in love with Pilates while a faculty member at Pacific Northwest Ballet, and she was certified in 2017... Read More →

Krista Stanley, Ph.D.

Mystic & Field Guide, The Krista Vibe

Dr. Stanley holds a PhD in Wisdom Studies, concentrating on the intersection of cutting-edge consciousness-beyond-the-brain research and the art and craft of mediumistic communication. After a thirty-year career in corporate management, she started a private practice to demonstrate... Read More →

Melissa Shore

Principal, Shore Up Wellness, LLC

Melissa is a psychotherapist specializing in attachment theory, couples counseling, parenting, and family healing, utilizing several experiential dynamic models appropriate to the individuals she attunes to. She sees individuals, couples, and families from adolescents and beyond.Before... Read More →

Mochani Devi

Founder, East Flora Wellness

Mochani Devi’s personal journey through mindfulness and natural healing led her to establish East Flora Wellness—a haven designed to guide individuals on a path of holistic harmony and well-being. Drawing from her extensive background in natural therapies and mindfulness practices... Read More →

Todd Bureau

Advisor, Pari Center, Italy

Todd Bureau divides time between Hope, Alaska, the Chihuahuan desert of Terlingua, Texas, and Tuscany; B.A. French and History, M.A. French Literature; jumped the academic ship Literature and fled to the wilds when it docked at Dissertation; with a fundamental inclination for the... Read More →

Sponsors

Common House

CVille Weekly

R.L.Beyer Custom Homes

UVA Contemplative Sciences Center

UVA Health

Saturday April 19, 2025 9:00am - 9:45am EDT
Common House North Room

Conference: Wellness

Cost Ticketed

9:30am EDT

Wellness | Registration and Networking

Saturday April 19, 2025 9:30am - 10:00am EDT

206 W Market St, Charlottesville, VA 22902

Check in and grab your badge. Come meet and mingle with other attendees before the sessions begin.

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Note: This Conference session is ticketed.

Please purchase your tickets on Eventbrite. You will then receive an email from Sched with login information that allows you to make your personal schedule.

************

A special thank you to our sponsors: The 13th Annual Tom Tom Festival is presented with the University of Virginia, UVA Innovates, Virginia Tourism, RL Beyer Custom Homes, and Ludwig Kuttner.

Saturday April 19, 2025 9:30am - 10:00am EDT
Common House

Conference: Wellness

Cost Ticketed

10:00am EDT

Wellness | Welcome and Keynote - Hope for the Future: Shared Death Experiences Unveiled w. Scott Taylor

Saturday April 19, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am EDT

206 W Market St, Charlottesville, VA 22902

In this delightfully thought-provoking session, we will explore the newest frontier of afterlife research: Shared Death Experiences (SDEs). If you thought near-death experiences (NDEs) were the only dramatic, life-altering glimpses beyond the veil, think again. SDEs take things to a whole new level of cosmic camaraderie, offering a collective peek into a universe that’s not just loving but—dare we say it—downright optimistic.

Scott will recount his own rare SDE, detailing the experience that changed his life, and will explore how these shared journeys could offer a glimpse into the future of humanity itself. Get ready for a session that’s both inspiring and enlightening, as we dive into what happens when the end isn't the end—and how that might just shape the future of the human race.

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Note: This Conference session is ticketed.

Please purchase your tickets on Eventbrite. You will then receive an email from Sched with login information that allows you to make your personal schedule.

************

A special thank you to our sponsors: The 13th Annual Tom Tom Festival is presented with the University of Virginia, UVA Innovates, Virginia Tourism, RL Beyer Custom Homes, and Ludwig Kuttner.

Speakers

Scott Taylor

President, Expanded Awareness Institute

Dr. Scott Taylor is the President of the Expanded Awareness Institute. EAI helps people curious about near-death and shared death experiences explore what that experience means to them and to our culture as a whole. Scott’s gift is the ability to make the exploration of the nonphysical... Read More →

Sponsors

Common House

Saturday April 19, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am EDT
Common House North Room

Conference: Wellness

Cost Ticketed

11:00am EDT

Wellness | Consciousness Education: Bridging the Gap Between Mind and Matter

Saturday April 19, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT

206 W Market St, Charlottesville, VA 22902

What happens when science meets the supernatural (or at least, the “beyond the brain” stuff)? In this session, we’ll dive into the fascinating world of consciousness education, exploring the growing body of evidence suggesting consciousness exists beyond just brain activity. For those who’ve had a spiritual awakening or an altered state experience (thanks to psychedelics or pure cosmic mystery), you may be looking for some way to make sense of it all. But for the rest of us? Well, presenting postmaterialist research to someone steeped in the materialist worldview often leads to a serious case of cognitive dissonance—and a swift retreat to familiar beliefs.

Enter the Consciousness Educators’ Network, born in 2024, which aims to help smooth the transition into these new, mind-bending ideas. In this session, we’ll take you through the transformative learning processes popping up in both formal and informal educational spaces, showing how people are gradually shifting perspectives and handling the shock of a new worldview—without totally freaking out. So if you're ready to entertain the possibility that there’s more to you than just your brain, come join us. Full session description coming soon.

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Note: This Conference session is ticketed.

Please purchase your tickets on Eventbrite. You will then receive an email from Sched with login information that allows you to make your personal schedule.

************

A special thank you to our sponsors: The 13th Annual Tom Tom Festival is presented with the University of Virginia, UVA Innovates, Virginia Tourism, RL Beyer Custom Homes, and Ludwig Kuttner.

Speakers

Joan Walton

Researcher, York St John University

Todd Bureau

Advisor, Pari Center, Italy

Sponsors

Common House

Saturday April 19, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
Common House North Room

Conference: Wellness

Cost Ticketed

11:00am EDT

Wellness | Transforming Mind and Body: The Hidden Power of Exercise Beyond Fitness

Saturday April 19, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT

206 W Market St, Charlottesville, VA 22902, USA

Go beyond the sweat, the reps, and the weights to learn how exercise is a secret weapon for mental well-being, stress reduction, focus enhancement, and emotional resilience. Through a mix of personal stories and down-to-earth examples, we’ll explore how fitness doesn’t just reshape your body—it reshapes your entire mindset. Who knew those lunges and squats could have such a profound effect on your brain?

At its heart, exercise is a journey of transformation—of how you see yourself, how you carry yourself, and how you show up in the world. Every gym milestone, whether it's lifting heavier or simply showing up consistently, builds confidence that spills over into every other part of your life. This talk will debunk the tired view of exercise as purely physical and highlight its true potential as a catalyst for change, both inside and out. As Joseph Pilates put it, “Change happens through movement and movement heals.” Join us for a session that’s part information, part movement, and 100% transformative.

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Note: This Conference session is ticketed.

Please purchase your tickets on Eventbrite. You will then receive an email from Sched with login information that allows you to make your personal schedule.

************

A special thank you to our sponsors: The 13th Annual Tom Tom Festival is presented with the University of Virginia, UVA Innovates, Virginia Tourism, RL Beyer Custom Homes, and Ludwig Kuttner.

Speakers

Bill Burnett

Owner, Bill Burnett's Success Studio

Juanita Franke

Lead Instructor, Club Pilates

Sponsors

Common House

Saturday April 19, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
Common House South Room

Conference: Wellness

Cost Ticketed

12:15pm EDT

Wellness | Consciousness Creates Change: Catalyzing Individual and Collective Evolution Through Interdisciplinary Approaches

Saturday April 19, 2025 12:15pm - 1:15pm EDT

206 W Market St, Charlottesville, VA 22902

This session explores consciousness as more than a solo trip to bliss—it’s a dynamic dance between self, society, and the strange mess of being human. Through the lenses of Waking Up, Growing Up, and Showing Up, we’ll rethink the mind-body-spirit connection, navigate the increasingly crowded marketplace of spiritual tools and techniques (with a dash of discernment), and gently interrogate where science and spirituality actually overlap—versus where they just wave politely from a distance. We’ll map developmental stages and consider what it means to evolve beyond postmodern eye-rolling into something more whole, more integral, and just maybe, more hopeful. Finally, we ask: how are we loving this world? Expect grounded practices, philosophical nudges, and a reframe of awakening not as an escape, but as a call to responsibility—for each other, our culture, and this wildly alive planet.

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Note: This Conference session is ticketed.

Please purchase your tickets on Eventbrite. You will then receive an email from Sched with login information that allows you to make your personal schedule.

************

A special thank you to our sponsors: The 13th Annual Tom Tom Festival is presented with the University of Virginia, UVA Innovates, Virginia Tourism, RL Beyer Custom Homes, and Ludwig Kuttner.

Speakers

Geoffrey Cox

Leadership & Embodiment Coach, Geoff Cox Healing Arts

Gryphon Corpus

Co-Founder & Acupuncturist, Blue Green Dragon, LLC

Jen Schmid

Healing Arts Practitioner & Writer, Demystifying Death

Todd Bureau

Advisor, Pari Center, Italy

Sponsors

Common House

Saturday April 19, 2025 12:15pm - 1:15pm EDT
Common House North Room

Conference: Wellness

Cost Ticketed

12:15pm EDT

Wellness | T'ai Chi and Beyond: Exploring the Hidden Arts of the Three Chinese Internal Martial Arts

Saturday April 19, 2025 12:15pm - 1:15pm EDT

206 W Market St, Charlottesville, VA 22902, USA

T'ai Chi (Taiji) may be the most famous of the three Chinese internal martial arts, but don’t overlook its lesser-known siblings, Hsing I (Xing Yi) and Pa Kua (Ba Gua). While T'ai Chi gets all the spotlight, these other two arts have their own distinctive philosophies and techniques. In this workshop, we’ll break down the unique characteristics of each martial art and explore how to integrate their principles into your modern, busy life (because, really, who couldn’t use more balance and focus?). Get ready to stretch, twist, and breathe your way through each form, and maybe even uncover a new way to kick some inner peace into your routine.

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Note: This Conference session is ticketed.

Please purchase your tickets on Eventbrite. You will then receive an email from Sched with login information that allows you to make your personal schedule.

************

A special thank you to our sponsors: The 13th Annual Tom Tom Festival is presented with the University of Virginia, UVA Innovates, Virginia Tourism, RL Beyer Custom Homes, and Ludwig Kuttner.

Speakers

Hiromi Johnson

Tai Chi Master, Charlottesville Tai Chi Center

Sponsors

Common House

Saturday April 19, 2025 12:15pm - 1:15pm EDT
Common House South Room

Conference: Wellness

Cost Ticketed

2:15pm EDT

Wellness | Emotional CPR

Saturday April 19, 2025 2:15pm - 3:15pm EDT

206 W Market St, Charlottesville, VA 22902, USA

Emotional CPR (eCPR) is an evidence based educational program designed to teach people to assist others through an emotional crisis by three simple steps:
C = Connecting
P = emPowering and
R = Revitalizing

The Connecting process of eCPR involves deepening listening skills, practicing presence, and creating a sense of safety for the person experiencing a crisis. The emPowering process helps people better understand how to feel empowered themselves as well as to assist others to feel more hopeful and engaged in life. In the Revitalizating process, people re-engage in relationships with their loved ones or their support system, and they resume or begin routines that support health and wellness which reinforces the person’s sense of mastery and accomplishment, further energizing the healing process.

eCPR is based on the principles found to be shared by a number of support approaches: trauma-informed care, counseling after disasters, peer support to avoid continuing emotional despair, emotional intelligence, suicide prevention, and cultural attunement. It was developed with input from a diverse cadre of recognized leaders from across the U.S., who themselves have learned how to recover and grow from emotional crises. They have wisdom by the grace of first- hand experience.

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Note: This Conference session is ticketed.

Please purchase your tickets on Eventbrite. You will then receive an email from Sched with login information that allows you to make your personal schedule.

************

A special thank you to our sponsors: The 13th Annual Tom Tom Festival is presented with the University of Virginia, UVA Innovates, Virginia Tourism, RL Beyer Custom Homes, and Ludwig Kuttner.

Speakers

Bently Wood

Training Specialist, Bently Wood Training & Consulting, LLC

Erin Tucker

Region 1 Recovery Oriented Services Coordinator, Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services

Sponsors

Common House

Saturday April 19, 2025 2:15pm - 3:15pm EDT
Common House South Room

Conference: Wellness

Cost Ticketed

2:15pm EDT

Wellness | The Wonder of Mindfulness: A Neuroscience Perspective

Saturday April 19, 2025 2:15pm - 3:15pm EDT

206 W Market St, Charlottesville, VA 22902

Children are practically walking bundles of wonder—but as adults, we seem to forget what it’s like to be awestruck by the world. So, what happened to that sense of wonder? Is it possible to rediscover it, or are we doomed to a lifetime of jaded sighs? In this session, we’ll explore how neuroscience offers some hopeful answers, showing us how our brains reshape themselves in real time based on our experiences. If science can explain how we lose our ability to experience wonder, maybe it can also guide us back to those moments of awe. With a bit of mindful curiosity, we might just find our way to rediscover the reverie of wonder.

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Note: This Conference session is ticketed.

Please purchase your tickets on Eventbrite. You will then receive an email from Sched with login information that allows you to make your personal schedule.

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A special thank you to our sponsors: The 13th Annual Tom Tom Festival is presented with the University of Virginia, UVA Innovates, Virginia Tourism, RL Beyer Custom Homes, and Ludwig Kuttner.

Speakers

Erin Clabough

Associate Professor, UVA Department of Psychology, Program in Fundamental Neuroscience

Sponsors

Common House

Saturday April 19, 2025 2:15pm - 3:15pm EDT
Common House North Room

Conference: Wellness

Cost Ticketed

3:30pm EDT

Wellness | From Burnout to Resilience: Stories and Strategies for Thriving

Saturday April 19, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm EDT

206 W Market St, Charlottesville, VA 22902

Burnout isn’t just being tired—it’s your nervous system waving a tiny white flag while you charge ahead with caffeine and denial. In this session, we’ll take a clear-eyed look at how stress shows up in the body, how burnout hijacks your sympathetic nervous system, and why "just pushing through" is a fast track to nowhere.

Through candid stories and grounded strategies, you’ll learn simple ways to regulate your system, reconnect with what actually matters, and—wild idea—start believing you’re worth taking care of.

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Note: This Conference session is ticketed.

Please purchase your tickets on Eventbrite. You will then receive an email from Sched with login information that allows you to make your personal schedule.

************

A special thank you to our sponsors: The 13th Annual Tom Tom Festival is presented with the University of Virginia, UVA Innovates, Virginia Tourism, RL Beyer Custom Homes, and Ludwig Kuttner.

Speakers

Brennan Hilleary

Owner / Burnout Prevention Coach, Build Your Power

George Kamide

Co-founder & Executive Director, Mind Over Cyber

Melissa Shore

Principal, Shore Up Wellness, LLC

Mochani Devi

Founder, East Flora Wellness

Sponsors

Common House

Saturday April 19, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm EDT
Common House North Room

Conference: Wellness

Cost Ticketed

3:30pm EDT

Wellness | Reading the Field: Tuning Into the Subtle Signals of Consciousness

Saturday April 19, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm EDT

206 W Market St, Charlottesville, VA 22902, USA

Learn the art of “reading the field” of consciousness. Explore how to go inward, sharpen your senses, and develop an awareness that allows you to catch those subtle whispers from the universe. Think of it as tuning your internal radio to a frequency where the messages come through—loud and clear, if you can get out of your own way. It’s all about paying attention, noticing synchronicities and dreams as they pop up, and figuring out how the Field is nudging you forward—without all the unnecessary drama or existential confusion. In short, it’s about living life as if you’re in a constant state of wakeful awareness.

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Note: This Conference session is ticketed.

Please purchase your tickets on Eventbrite. You will then receive an email from Sched with login information that allows you to make your personal schedule.

************

A special thank you to our sponsors: The 13th Annual Tom Tom Festival is presented with the University of Virginia, UVA Innovates, Virginia Tourism, RL Beyer Custom Homes, and Ludwig Kuttner.

Speakers

Krista Stanley, Ph.D.

Mystic & Field Guide, The Krista Vibe

Sponsors

Common House

Saturday April 19, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm EDT
Common House South Room

Conference: Wellness

Cost Ticketed

9:00pm EDT

DANCE SERIES | PROM PROM

Saturday April 19, 2025 9:00pm - Sunday April 20, 2025 1:00am EDT

206 W Market St, Charlottesville, VA 22902, USA

DANCE SERIES | PROM PROM

Let’s close out an unforgettable Tom Tom Festival week with a throwback Prom!
The beats are big, the vibes are electric, and everyone is the main character.
Whether you loved prom, or missed it—this is your night to shine.
No dates required—just good energy.

In partnership with FUN Cville, we’ll be heading to Common House for a multi-level dance party with throwback jams and good vibes. DJs. So get your dancing shoes, and a fun outfit, and grab your friends!

Schedule:
Holding down the first floor with Hip Hop Throwbacks and Good Time Jams - DJ Double U and DJ Reggie Wattz
Bringing the House music with a flair of Pop that brings you back - XII Galaxies 9pm - 11pm and Fancy K 11pm - 1am

Ages 21+

Note: This is a ticketed event. To create your event schedule here on Sched you must first purchase your tickets on Eventbrite. Click here to purchase your tickets.

Artists

DJ Double U

DJ Double U is an open format DJ based in Charlottesville, VA. He has 13+ years of experience DJing professionally in Central Va. Whether he is DJing local bars at UVA or on the downtown mall, sharing the stage with local and mainstream artists, or creating unforgettable memories... Read More →

DJ Reggie Wattz

DJ Reggie Wattz (formerly DJ FlatlineLay) is a US Army Veteran and experienced DJ based in Charlottesville, VA. He launched his DJ career in 2009, focusing on mobile DJing for weddings and events across central Virginia. Over the past decade, he has expanded his reach, DJing for over... Read More →

Fancy K

Rooted in global influences and an instinct for storytelling, Fancy K’s productions transcends genre boundaries, fusing elements of bass house, pop dance, and melodic house to create anthems that resonate with both underground purists and mainstream audiences. Producing from the... Read More →

XII GALAXIES

Since early 2000’s, Brendan Wypich, aka XII Galaxies, has been elevating dance floors across North America. He spent his formative years as a student of electronic music in the 90’s rave scene, and began his own musical pursuits as a trumpet player, vocalist, and turntablist in... Read More →

Sponsors

Common House

Fun Cville

Saturday April 19, 2025 9:00pm - Sunday April 20, 2025 1:00am EDT
Common House

Signature Events

Age Limit 21+
Cost Ticketed

10:00pm EDT

Feeling the Plantasy After Dark | Dance Party

Saturday April 19, 2025 10:00pm - Sunday April 20, 2025 12:00am EDT

421 E Main St, Charlottesville, VA 22902

Dance the night away at Botanical Fare!

Who: The Girls, The Gays, and The Theys!
What: Botanical's First Big Dance Party
When: Saturday April 19, 10pm
Where: Botanical Fare on the Downtown Mall
Attire: Greens & Florals
Tickets: $10 @ Botanical Fare's website

Music by DJ Crescent (Cake Pop!)

Artists

Cake Pop!

DC's premiere drag queen joins the Downtown Mall Block Party for the Feeling the Plantasy Drag Show at Botanical !

Collaborator

Botanical Fare

Botanical Fare is Charlottesville's premier plant- based eatery. They believe he benefits of eating plant-based are endless and can be felt instantly. Everyone knows the saying, “You are what you eat.” If that makes us plants, then we’re cool with that. A good meal is the most... Read More →

Saturday April 19, 2025 10:00pm - Sunday April 20, 2025 12:00am EDT
Botanical Fare 421 E Main St, Charlottesville, VA 22902

Community Partner Programs

Age Limit 21+
Cost Ticketed