2025RIC - Annual Scholarship Breakfast featuring A Start-up Panel Discussion

Paul Nolde has over two decades of experience in the banking, finance, and venture capital sectors, serving in multiple business development and management roles. As the Managing Director of 757 Collab and the Executive Director of 757 Angels powered by VentureSouth, Paul sets the strategic vision for both organizations and oversees day-to-day operations in accelerating and funding venture capital-appropriate startups from idea to seed stage. 757 Collab includes 757 Startup Studios (the “front door” incubator to Hampton Roads’ entrepreneurial ecosystem), 757 Accelerate (a nationally recognized venture accelerator), 757 Angels powered by VentureSouth (one of the nation’s most active angel investment groups), and 757 Innovation Partnerships (innovation programming for organizations and companies). Prior to this he served as the Executive Managing Director of Lighthouse Labs, another nationally recognized venture accelerator based in Richmond, VA, and before that he was the Fund Manager and Managing Director of Riverflow Growth Fund, a seed stage, healthcare-focused venture capital fund. Prior to Riverflow he served as a director at NRV, also an early-stage venture capital firm, having previously managed the angel investment portfolio of a family office. Earlier in his career he held various sales and strategy positions at multiple national and community banks.

He is an active participant in, and advocate for, Virginia’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, serving on the boards of several local and regional organizations, including CAV Angels (immediate past president), Innovate Hampton Roads, the Norfolk Innovation Corridor, Hampton Roads’ Regional Organization Presidents’ Council, and The Launch Place Seed Fund (former chair). Additionally, Paul sits on various advisory and governing boards at the University of Virginia, where he also serves as an adjunct professor of impact investing in its Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy.

Paul graduated from UVA with a B.A. in Foreign Affairs, complemented by post-grad business studies through the McIntire School of Commerce Business Institute.

An experienced corporate executive turned entrepreneur, Rasheeda Creighton has always taken the road less traveled. In 2020, after a successful 15 year career at a Fortune 100 company, Rasheeda harnessed her skills and passions into a convergence of business ventures that all work towards a singular path: creating and holding spaces that connect people, particularly Black and Brown people, to opportunities for growth and wealth building, ultimately leading to a path of financial freedom.

She is the co-founder, President & CEO of JWC Foundation, a nonprofit whose mission is to Learn, Grow and Own in the Black community. JWC Foundation is a hub that connects Black business owners of all stages to connect to one another and with partners, service providers, programs and financial resources to grow their businesses. She also provides budget and financial coaching and money values courses to women, particularly Black women, seeking to
destroy the Superwoman Syndrome in their lives by leveraging financial freedom to navigate that path.

Rasheeda earned her Bachelor’s Degree in English from Spelman College and holds a Juris Doctor from the University of Michigan Law School. She is an active community leader in Richmond, Virginia. Of the many hats Rasheeda wears, her favorite is being mom to her daughters: Zoe, Akilah and Saván.

Debbie Irwin is the Managing Director of Lighthouse Labs RVA, where she combines her passion for entrepreneurship with her experience in building strong, supportive ecosystems for founders. Since stepping into her role in early 2024, Debbie has been dedicated to creating an environment where early-stage entrepreneurs can thrive and grow their ventures.

Before joining Lighthouse Labs, Debbie led the Shenandoah Community Capital Fund (SCCF) as Executive Director. There, she helped grow the organization from a modest operating budget of $112,000 to over $1.2 million. Under her leadership, SCCF secured several major grants, expanded its team from a single employee to 14, and played a critical role in supporting small businesses through financing, consulting, and development initiatives. Debbie’s work at SCCF wasn’t just about numbers—it was about empowering people and creating real opportunities for growth in her community.

In addition to her leadership at SCCF, Debbie co-founded the Manufactory Collective, where she served as CEO. Her diverse experience in marketing, community engagement, and strategic operations has shaped her approach to fostering innovation and helping entrepreneurs succeed. She also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, with a focus on Marketing, from James Madison University.

Richard Wintsch was born and raised in Geneva, Switzerland. He moved to the United States to attend James Madison University. Richard began his professional journey in private banking at JP Morgan. After relocating to Richmond, he dedicated 14 years to ChamberRVA, contributing significantly to the region’s economic development.

Currently, Richard serves as the Executive Director of Startup Virginia, a nonprofit high-growth business incubator. Under his leadership, Startup Virginia supports startups, innovators, and aspiring entrepreneurs with an engaged community, comprehensive programs, targeted resources, and a dynamic workspace. His efforts are focused on helping these ventures and aspiring entrepreneurs reach their full potential and making a positive impact on Virginia’s economic landscape.