The University of Mary Washington Center for Economic Development collaborates with business, government, education, and private parties to promote personal, professional and economic growth by advancing knowledge through entrepreneurship, small business development, innovation and competitiveness, research and analysis, and outreach and engagement. We do this by providing entrepreneurial advising, management training, supportive research, immersive business incubation and facilitating access to student and faculty talents with the broader community.
Meet the Staff
Susan Ball is the Director of the University of Mary Washington’s Small Business Development Center. She is a Certified Business Analyst, a certified NxLevel instructor, and a GrowthWheel advisor. UMW SBDC consultants work with clients to evaluate business opportunities, forecast cash flows, develop marketing strategies, prepare loan proposals, and write business plans. The center serves clients throughout Planning Districts 16, 17, and 18, which includes Fredericksburg and the surrounding counties, the Middle Peninsula, and the Northern Neck. Susan has been with the UMW SBDC since the fall of 2007 and has worked with more than 2,000 clients during that time.
Susan has participated in the Veteran Business Bootcamp program since its inception in 2012. She oversees the Government Contracting Assistance Center (GCAC). The GCAC assists clients in registering to do business with state and federal agencies and obtaining applicable minority business certifications; it partners with the Virginia Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity (VSBSD) and the Virginia Procurement Technical Assistance Center (VPTAC) to provide training and one-on-one advising on marketing to the government.
Susan earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and economics from the University of Mary Washington and an MBA in finance from the University of Florida. Prior to working with the SBDC, Susan co-authored finance textbooks, helped found a church-based preschool, and taught high school mathematics. With her husband and sons, she owned and operated a franchise pizza restaurant, Papa’s Pizza To-Go, in Orange, Virginia. She and her husband currently own an Airbnb in Mathews, Virginia, with their son and daughter-in-law.
Bianca Guzman is an Early Venture Small Business Consultant with the University of Mary Washington Small Business Development Center. Bianca has had an impressive career as a Human Resources Professional and Business owner for the past 14 years. Bianca has intentionally built programs to educate and provide resources to underrepresented entrepreneurs and create thriving organizations of purpose driven leadership teams that are diverse, equitable, and inclusive.
Bianca attended Clark Atlanta University and University of Phoenix and studied Computer Science/Desktop Publishing, Criminal Justice, Business Management, and Human Resources Management. In her spare time, she loves spending time with family and friends, shopping, traveling, listening to music, cooking, and lounging on the beach.
Jarad Ponce is an Early Venture Small Business Consultant with the University of Mary Washington Small Business Development Center. Jarad provides consulting services to start-up and early venture businesses. Prior to joining the UMW SBDC, Jarad served our nation as a U.S. Marine for 11 years. He is a certified GrowthWheel advisor.
Jarad holds a B.S. in Economics and a minor in Financial and Quantitative Analysis from the University of Mary Washington, emphasizing his strong foundation in both Economics and Financial and Quantitative Analysis. He has extensive experience in e-commerce and has successfully launched an online store. Beyond his professional endeavors, Jarad actively participates in independent study and fitness, demonstrating his commitment to career and personal development.
Kelsey Proctor graduated from Germanna Community College in 2013 and began her career at the University of Mary Washington in 2016 as part of their Parking Management team. During this time, she continued her studies and transitioned to UMW’s Office of Admissions. Over the years, Kelsey expanded her experience in diverse fields, including roles at a law firm and an accounting office.
In 2023, Kelsey returned to UMW as the Academic Support Centers Manager for the Speaking & Writing Center, where she supported operations, budget management, and purchasing for the Speaking & Writing Center, Digital Knowledge Center, and Digital Learning Support. She now serves as the Entrepreneurship and Communications Manager for the SBDC and CED, bringing extensive experience in finance, budget management, operations, social media management, and project management to her new role. Kelsey’s diverse background provides her with a strong foundation to support and drive the growth and success of the center’s initiatives. Kelsey is a lifelong swimmer and is a member of the U.S. Masters Swim League and participates in summer open water swims in VA Beach and Maryland.