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
Brian Baker Executive Director for the Center for Economic Development
Brian Baker is the Executive Director at the University of Mary Washington’s Center for Economic Development. In that role he oversees the UMW Small Business Development Center Program, the EagleWorks Business Incubation Center, the operations for the Virginia Business Innovation Association and the StartUP UMW program.
His professional civic roles include: Board of Directors for the Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce including Finance, Governance and Chamber Enterprise Committees, the Virginia Business Innovation Association Board of Directors (Past President); the University Based Economic Development Officers Council; the Rappahannock Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors including the Loan and Corporate Development Committees; State Council of Higher Education Virginia Economic Impact Committee on Entrepreneurship; and, the Fredericksburg Main Street Inc. Economic Structuring committee. Brian has been a judge and/or mentor for the Made In VA Pitch Competition (2015), StartUp UMW (2014 to present), and the social entrepreneurship Mentor Capital Network (2013-present). He served as a judge for the International Economic Development Council’s Excellence in Economic Development Award program from 2013-2017.
He earned a BA in Economics and a MBA in Management from Mary Washington College. He also earned a certificate for Economic Development from the University of Tennessee, is a certified NxLevel Instructor, and is a VSBDC Certified Business Analyst. He formerly served as an underwriter for the Washington Agency, a broker for Equico Securities and the founder of Vecon Substrate Systems Inc. and Substrate Design Services, both commercial transportation services companies.
Susan Ball Director of the Frederickcsburg SBDC
Susan Ball is the Director of the University of Mary Washington SBDC’s Fredericksburg office and a Certified Business Analyst. She works with clients to evaluate business opportunities, forecast cash flows, develop marketing strategies, prepare loan proposals, and write business plans. She also assists clients in registering to do business with state and federal agencies and obtaining applicable minority business certifications. She teaches Blue Print Business Plan and How to Get Started in Social Media Marketing seminars. She is certified as a NxLevel instructor and a GrowthWheel advisor.
Susan has 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, taught high school mathematics, and owned a pizza restaurant. She has been with the SBDC since the fall of 2007 and has worked with hundreds of clients during that time.
Joy Corprew Director of the Warsaw SBDC
Joy Corprew is the Director at the University of Mary Washington Small Business Development Center-Warsaw Office and a Certified Business Analyst and Certified HP LIFE Instructor. Joy has worked for the University of Mary Washington SBDC for 27 years. She assist clients with pre-venture advice, business planning, preparation of loan proposals and business plan creation.
Joy teaches Blue Print Business Plan, the HP LIFE curriculum, How to Get Started in Social Media Marketing, other workshops and is a GrowthWheel advisor. She also conducts the Female about Business and Social Media Peer-to-Peer Roundtables along with the StartUP Youth Entrepreneur program in the local high schools.
Angela Kelley Early Venture Business Consultant
Angela Kelley joined the Small Business Development Center in 2017 as an Early Venture Business Consultant. She teaches First Steps to Starting a Business twice a month and works diligently with new businesses to form new business entities, project monthly cash flows, and register to sell to state and federal government agencies. She is a certified Quickbooks proadvisor.
Angela has a bachelor’s degree in business management with a focus in marketing from the University of Mary Washington. Prior to working with the SBDC, Angela owned and operated a local landscaping company for 16 years.
Kelsey Whitman EagleWorks Business Incubation Program Manager
Kelsey Whitman is the EagleWorks Business Incubation Program Manager at the UMW Center for Economic Development (CED). She works closely with local small and early-stage companies to help them grow and reach commercialization by facilitating and organizing an array of business development services including networking events, consulting, research, and other supports. She also founded and manages an undergraduate student entrepreneurship program, StartUpUMW, for UMW students who are interested in starting a business.
Prior to her employment at the UMW CED, Kelsey developed a business plan for a Nano and Micro Loan Program with the Northern Neck Planning District Commission based in Warsaw, Virginia and served as a Loan Officer for a Microfinance Institution based in Honduras. Kelsey has a B.S. in Economics and a B.A. in Spanish from UMW, and is currently pursuing a Masters in Integrated Marketing and Communications at Georgetown University.
Bonnie Haywood Client Relations Specialist
Bonnie Haywood is a Client Relations Specialist with the University of Mary Washington Small Business Development Center-Warsaw Office. Bonnie has worked for the University of Mary Washington SBDC for 10 years. She assist clients with questions, requests for counseling, and obtains initial information for Director prior to their appointment.
She handles advertising, registration, and materials for workshops and meetings. She also assists the Director with Blue Print Business Plan, the HP LIFE curriculum, How to Get Started in Social Media Marketing, and other workshops. Assists with the Female about Business and Social Media Peer-to-Peer Roundtables along with the StartUP Youth Entrepreneur program in the local high schools.
Paige Shiplett Finance and Marketing Coordinator
Paige Shiplett is the Marketing and Financial Coordinator for the UMW Center for Economic Development (CED). She works closely with all programs housed at the CED including UMW Small Business Development Center (SBDC), StartUpUMW, and EagleWorks. Paige is responsible for the marketing, facilitation and administration for events, trainings, financial transactions, and other services.
Paige earned her Bachelor of Business Administration in Managerial Marketing from Kent State University in 2016. After graduating, she obtained a job in sales back in Cincinnati. After a year, she moved out to Virginia and joined a local animal hospital where she continues to help from time to time. Paige plans on continuing her marketing efforts as she pursues her masters in the future.