Join Our Team

RISE Navigators serve as connectors, guides, and trusted points of contact for entrepreneurs and small business owners. This role is community-based and relationship-driven, with a focus on outreach, referrals, and strengthening the regional entrepreneurship ecosystem.

Important note:
This is not a business consulting role. RISE Navigators are not expected to provide in-depth business advising or technical assistance. Instead, the role focuses on understanding available resources and making strong, appropriate referrals.

Navigators help ensure entrepreneurs are connected to the right support at the right time, including but not limited to business consulting, capital access, and training programs.

What you’ll do:

• Meet with entrepreneurs in person or virtually
• Listen, assess needs, and connect individuals to relevant resources and partners
• Make referrals to organizations such as the Longwood Small Business Development Center (LSBDC), capital providers, and training programs
• Represent RISE through outreach, events, and local relationship-building
• Stay informed about available programs, services, and ecosystem partners
• Share insights to help strengthen coordination across the region

Focus of the work:

• Supporting business creation and growth within traded sector and target industry businesses
• Strengthening pathways for scalable, high-impact entrepreneurship
• Aligning local efforts with regional economic development priorities

What we’re looking for:

• Strong communication and relationship-building skills
• Familiarity with the local business and community landscape
• Ability to listen, assess needs, and make thoughtful connections
• Reliability, professionalism, and follow-through
• Interest in entrepreneurship, economic development, and community-based work

How to Apply

Please provide a 1 to 2 page capability statement highlighting your relevant experience, areas of expertise, and qualifactions. You may also attach a resume if you wish. Please email your capability statement and optional resume as a single PDF to: Lauren Mathena, RISE Program Director at lauren.mathena@sovainnovationhub.com.

SOVA AI Connect is a community-based, participant-designed initiative focused on building AI literacy and innovation capacity across Southern Virginia.

Supported by funding from a People First AI grant from the OpenAI Foundation, this initiative delivers hands-on workshops, demonstrations, civic innovation challenges, and job skills training for community organizations, schools, small businesses, and agricultural sectors.

Workshop Facilitators play a key role in translating AI into practical, responsible, and creative tools for everyday use. This is not a one-size-fits-all teaching role. Facilitators are partners in shaping relevant, accessible learning experiences that reflect the needs of local communities.

What you may support:

• AI literacy workshops for non-technical audiences
• Hands-on demonstrations of practical AI tools and workflows
• Civic innovation challenges and community problem-solving sessions
• Workforce and job skills training using AI tools
• Sector-specific sessions for education, agriculture, small business, nonprofits, and community organizations

How the role works:

• Engagement is on a per-session or project basis as a 1099 independent contractor
• Workshops may be delivered in person, virtually, or in hybrid formats
• Facilitators may contribute to a pool and be engaged based on program needs and alignment

What we’re looking for:

• Experience facilitating workshops, trainings, or community-based learning
• Working knowledge of practical AI tools (no advanced technical background required)
• Ability to explain concepts clearly to non-technical audiences
• Strong engagement and communication skills
• Commitment to responsible, ethical, and human-centered AI use
• Interest in supporting rural and regional communities

Preferred (not required):

AI-related certifications, training, or coursework such as:

• Microsoft AI Fundamentals (AI-900)
• Google AI or Machine Learning Certificates
• AWS Certified AI Practitioner or Machine Learning Specialty
• IBM AI or Data Science Professional Certificates
• OpenAI or prompt engineering coursework or certifications
• Relevant university, workforce, or industry-based AI training programs

How to Apply:

Submit a brief statement of interest, relevant experience, proposed topics, and rate structure.

📩 Email: hello@sovainnovationhub.com
📅 Deadline: May 15, 2026